5 Unconventional Ways to Shop for Food and Still Save Money

Most saving tips will advise you on how to get a better deal at a car dealership or where to find the best-discounted furniture. But how does one deal will small daily purchases that just add over time? You can hardly skip eating or buying gas if you need your car to get to work.

Make a List

Supermarkets are designed to rope up into impulse purchases. The best way to resist is to make a list of necessary items beforehand and stick with it. Additionally, if you plan your menu for the week, you can search for coupons and sales. They are not just for soccer moms and old people!

Healthy Choices Are Also Often Frugal

People spend more money at stores and gain weight for similar reasons: they have poor impulse control. All the tips you’d see in a health magazine can also be applied to cut monthly expenses. Reduce portion sizes and buy fewer high calories foods. In fact, try to avoid all the unnecessary items, such as chips or sodas, altogether.

Make Your Own Lunch

Brown bagging may seem like such an unglamorous thing to do when all of your colleagues are going out for lunch. However, it allows you to control what you eat and how much you pay for it. Start small with fresh fruit or a snack and move on to making your own wraps or salads later.

Waste Not, Want Not

Food is perishable, so before making a purchase, think about how soon and what for you will use an item. Avoid throwing ingredients or even leftovers away. Food waste is a huge environmental and economic problem, so do your small part to help out.

Buy in Bulk

This won’t work for items such as fresh vegetables or dairy, but buying in bulk can be a great way to save up not only on food but also on trips to stores. Meal prep, which is directly connected to bulk purchasing, is similarly becoming more popular every day. After all, who wouldn’t want a delicious meal in minutes, especially if you’re tired after a long day?

Choose the tip you are most comfortable with and try it out today!