How To Cut Your Grocery Bill By $70 A Week
Did you know that the average US family spends over $200 a week on food and drink?
A family of four with infants through to preschool-aged children spends around $901 on food per month. A family of four with older children, however, spends around $1,075 per month. These figures are according to the USDA’s moderate-cost plan.
What if you could cut your grocery bill by $70 every single week? Imagine what you could do with the extra money!
This is one of the reasons we ensure our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges are budget-friendly – so you can learn how to eat healthily and lose weight on a budget!
Has your grocery bill been gradually creeping up? Don’t panic, you can get it back under control and you don’t have to resort to eating beans on toast.
These hacks will help you cut your grocery bill every single week.
Grocery Hacks To Spend Less While Eating Well
Saving on groceries doesn’t mean you need to eat rubbish. In fact, packaged foods tend to be more expensive, so by eating foods made from scratch you’ll also save money.
1. Plan Ahead
If you shop without a list, you will spend more. Simple.
Meal planning does more than save time at the end of a long day, it will also save you money at the supermarket.
Make sure to include snacks and school lunch foods in your planning and don’t forget to write a list of any household items you need. Most important of all, STICK TO THE LIST!
2. Buy Home Brand Basics
Flour is flour and rice is rice. Despite the difference in price on the packet, there really is no difference in taste.
You can save $10-20 per shop simply by exchanging name brands for home brands on the basics.
3. Reduce Waste
How much of your grocery shop ends up in the bin each week? A few cucumbers here, an onion there all add up.
Try to buy only what you will use and where possible, buy non-perishable alternatives.
Snap-frozen veggies have been shown to have just as many nutrients (sometimes more) than their “fresh” alternatives. Buying frozen where possible saves on waste and is often cheaper. This is especially true for anything not in season.
4. Don’t Shop Hungry
All food seems so much more tempting and delicious when we are hungry. If you shop hungry you are likely to buy larger quantities and more stuff than if you shop on a full stomach.
You’ll also be more tempted to make poor food choices so it’s best to avoid the store when you’re hungry.
5. Shop Online
If you tend to get the shock of your life when the final bill rings up on the cash register then try shopping online. Most major grocery stores offer free click and collect options and it can be a great way to save time and money.
Shopping online avoids impulse buys and also lets you keep track of what you are spending. You can also easily compare pricing and choose the cheaper option when sitting on the couch at home. Something that isn’t always possible mid-shop with a screaming three-year-old.
6. Check On Price Per Unit
Manufacturers are smart when it comes to how they package and price their products. The cheapest item may not actually be the one with the lowest final price.
Make sure you are comparing “price per unit” or “price per weight” when comparing grocery items. Supermarkets are required to list this on the price docket (usually in tiny writing at the bottom) so use it to make an informed choice. You can also sort by unit price if shopping online.
7. Avoid Packaged Foods
Packaged foods contain more additives, salt, sugar, and preservatives plus they cost more.
Do your health and your wallet a favor and avoid pre-packaged foods wherever possible.
A good guide to how much fresh vs processed food you are buying is to take a look at your grocery docket and see which items have GST charged. They are usually marked with a little asterisk. GST is generally not charged on healthy whole foods including fruit, vegetables, rice, pasta, bread etc.
8. Eat Less Meat
Most people spend a big chunk of their weekly grocery budget on meat. If you choose expensive cuts and eat large amounts of meat for every meal the cost really adds up.
Try to plan meals with less meat. There are heaps of healthy vegetarian or even vegan choices that will fill you up and cost much less than a traditional meat-filled meal. Less meat in your diet can also be a healthier choice for both your family and the environment.
By eating healthy whole foods, planning ahead and choosing cheaper options where they are available you really can save heaps on your groceries each week. Eating for less doesn’t have to mean eating rubbish. Take the time to plan out your meals and you really will spend less.
Save On Groceries With The 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge
Customize your weekly meal plan with the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge!
Our Challenge entails:
- 28 days of at home exercise routines (no gym needed) – with video instruction
- Customizable and breastfeeding friendly meal plans
- Time-efficient exercises for busy moms – under 30 mins
- Challenge combines Pilates exercises with interval and circuit training (HIIT)
- Suitable for basic to advanced fitness levels
- Home to thousands of EASY-TO-MAKE recipes!
To find out more on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge click here.
