For those who think groceries seem to be getting more expensive, they aren’t imagining it. Over the last 10 years, food prices have increased by 26.9 percent. While there are many reasons for the ever-increasing cost of groceries, economists say that food prices will continue to rise. According to the latest data, the most expensive items on consumers’ grocery lists include flour, eggs, cheese, canned vegetables, bread, bacon, and ground beef.
On average, a family of four spends about $730 on groceries per month. For those who want to spend less, here are three simple ways to save money on groceries.
Buy Generic-Brand Food
Some people are absolutely convinced that buying name-brand food is always better than buying generic. While this is certainly true for some foods, it’s not true for all of them. There are some generic-brand foods that are pretty much identical in taste, flavor, and texture as their brand-name counterparts.
While there are some generic-brand foods that seem to be lower quality than name-brand, here are some foods that consumers should always buy generic:
- Bottled water
- Milk
- Spices and seasonings
- Frozen fruits and vegetables
- Canned vegetables and beans
- Meat
Some people report saving as much as $80 a month when buying generic-brand food instead of name-brand.
Make Use of Coupons
Consumers tend to shy away from couponing because they think cutting out all those coupons is much too time-consuming. However, coupon sites on the internet have made couponing much more convenient. Consumers don’t even have to print out their coupons anymore, as many stores are now accepting digital coupons. Another simple way to utilize coupons is to always use a coupon code when shopping for groceries online.
For extra savings, certain groups of people, such as seniors, can qualify for special discounts that are used in conjunction with coupons. One of the best money-saving strategies couponers use is to always use coupons on sale items. On average, couponers are able to save between $100 and $300 on groceries each month.
Shop on a Full Stomach
One of the easiest things that can be done when buying groceries is to shop on a full stomach. In other words, consumers should never go to the grocery store while they are hungry. In one study, those who did shop while hungry spent 64 percent more money than those who were less hungry. Surprisingly, when people are hungry while shopping, not only do they spend more on food, but they end up buying extra nonfood items as well.
