Grocery shopping takes a huge chunk of every family’s monthly income. We all need to eat and use some toiletries, so it is really impossible to completely avoid going to the grocery stores. If you are not careful, though, you might end up with an empty wallet, compromising your bills and other expenses. But if you have the discipline, you can certainly make the most out of your grocery shopping without breaking the bank.

Here are some tips on how you can save money on your groceries:

Make a List and Estimate

Never go to the grocery store without making a list. Trust me, you will surely fill up your cart with things that you will regret getting later on. So the number one rule is to take the time to create a list and estimate the cost of each time. As much as possible, round up the price of each item as well. You will be surprised at how much lower you’ll have to pay once you get to the counter.

Plan Your Meals

As you make your shopping list, it would be great if you plan your meals too. This way, you would know exactly what you need and how much you should get for every item. This will help you avoid getting things that you don’t really need to use. Hence, you will be able to save money.

Stick to Your List

You should treat your list as your greatest commandments when shopping. For sure, it is tempting to buy other items, especially if they are on sale. But if you don’t need them, simply don’t get them. Once you are in the grocery store, it would be easy to go overboard and that’s how you will get derailed from your budget. Bottom line, stick to your budget no matter what.

Check Your Pantry Before You Go Shopping

Another important thing that you should do when creating your list is to check your pantry. Maybe there are a few items there that you forgot you have. If you initially included them to your list, scratch them out. A little bit here and there will eventually save you a few bucks. Still savings, right?

Shop on a Full Stomach

There is no more tempting to buy unnecessary items than going to the supermarket on an empty stomach. Believe me, if you are starving, it will be hard to resist those things that you see in each aisle.

Stay Simple

Unless you are hosting a huge party, you should keep your everyday meals simple yet healthy. You don’t need to be extravagant. What matters most is the nutritional value of your food. You can easily achieve those by mixing fruits and vegetables. These food items should not be that expensive.

Consider Freezer Meals

If you want to save time and money, it is highly recommended that you consider freezer meals. What you can do is to dedicate a day for you to prepare these meals in advance and store them in your freezer. You can simply heat them up in the microwave when you are ready to eat them. This works really great, especially if you are busy during weekdays.

Don’t Buy More Than You Need

While buying in bulk may save you a few dollars, sometimes, it is not really wise to do this as you may end up not using all of them before they go bad. Therefore, you should have an estimate of exactly how much you need per item.

Use Coupons

Discount coupons will certainly help you save some money when you go grocery shopping. Don’t hesitate to use them. In fact, there are various websites where you can get coupons from.

Go for Generic Brands

Food is food, so you should not stick with the branded ones all the time. Look for generic brands, and you’ll be amazed at how much money you’ll get to save.

Take the Time to Check the Shelves

You might not be aware but, most of the time, the items that they display on the eye-level are the expensive ones. This is one of their strategies to push branded products. So be smart. Check the entire shelves, particularly the ones at the bottom or top.

Compare Prices

Needless to say, another way to save money is to compare the prices. Even if the difference is just a few cents, that would still help you cut down on your grocery budget.

Leave Your Card at Home and Pay With Cash

Using your credit or debit cards may be a convenient way of paying for your groceries. But really, they are temptations too. It would be so easy to go beyond your budget. Whereas if you bring cash only, once you run out, that would be it.

Bring Your Own Bag

Bringing your own bag for your groceries is not only an incredible way to help protect the environment but also a great technique to save money. Some stores give discounts so this is something that you should check with your local supermarkets.

Know What’s in Season

It is given that if a certain fruit or vegetable is not in season, they are expensive. So instead of spending a lot of money on something that is too pricey, buy those that are in season.

Avoid Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables

Pre-cut fruits and vegetables are too tempting to purchase as well since you no longer have to do the extra work. But why spend more if you can do it yourself, right?