How to Save Money on Groceries without Using Coupons?

Going to the grocery store can be an expensive proposition. You want to provide your family with healthy and satisfying food, but you also have a budget that you’d like to stick to. In addition, you may not have the time or energy to spend on culling the internet and newspapers for coupons. Don’t worry, though. Here are some simple suggestions for how to save money on groceries without using coupons.

You Can Save on Groceries without Using Coupons If You…

Having a basic understanding of your local stores and what they offer both in terms of products and services can help you save a great deal of money on your grocery budget. You need to have an idea of what’s available to you and how to get the best prices. For example, you must decide whether to shop the big-box stores or your local market. You also need to have some basic knowledge of product types and sizes and be able to discern which brands best fit your needs and budget. Learning a few tips and tricks can give you some excellent insight into how to save money on groceries without using coupons.

Consider Discount Stores

One of the easiest ways to save money on groceries is to shop at your local discount stores. These could include places like Aldi, Dollar General, or Family Dollar. You may also have local discount or scratch-and-dent stores available. These stores offer lower prices on many common grocery items that you buy on a regular basis. Sometimes these items are name-brand, but sometimes they are an off-brand or store-brand. However, the amount of money you can save makes purchasing products from discount stores a great option.

Try Generic Brands

If you really want to know how to save money on groceries without using coupons, then you cannot afford to overlook generic or store brands. They are most often considerably less expensive than name-brands, and many times, they are extremely comparable in taste. Being willing to try the generic or store brand of a grocery item is essential for saving money. If you don’t like something you try, you can simply go back to the name brand next time and use other tips for saving on that particular product.

You might also like our article: How to Save Money by Switching to Generic Groceries

Shop the Sales

Another great idea for how to save money on groceries without using coupons is to buy items that are on sale. Most supermarkets publish weekly flyers detailing their current sales and promotions. You can pick these up in store or from the store’s website. Choosing items that have been discounted is a simple way to save money.

Buy Items that Are in Season

Especially when it comes to fruits and vegetables, you can save lots of money by purchasing items within their primary growing season. Fresh produce costs less for the store to obtain when it is readily available, and this savings gets passed on to you. Buy the same token, avoid produce which is out of season because its price will increase as well.

Buy in Bulk

When thinking about how to save money on groceries without using coupons, you need to decide whether buying in bulk would be a beneficial option for your situation. If you have a large family or plenty of storage space in your kitchen, buying in bulk can be a great money-saving strategy. Often the price per ounce becomes less as the overall size of the product increases. Many times, bulk sizes will be offered in your local grocery store, but you may also want to consider investing in a membership to a grocery warehouse club such as Sam’s Club or Costco. These members only stores sell groceries and other products in bulk at lower prices. The less expensive products can often offset the price of a membership.

Make a Grocery List

You can save plenty of money at the grocery store if you remember to go with a list in hand and stick to it. Buying only what is on your list prevents those unnecessary impulse purchases that can really add to your bill. Also, by having a list prepared beforehand, you will limit the number of trips you need to make to the store because you’ll get everything the first time. If you coordinate a grocery list with a menu plan, you may find that the savings in time and money are well worth the effort.

Go to the Store on a Full Stomach

One of the best tips for how to save money on groceries without using coupons is to do your shopping when you’re not hungry. It sounds simple and obvious, but hunger at the grocery store can lead to buying extra food you don’t really need. You might find yourself adding items to your cart that you wouldn’t normally buy, or you might buy packaged products that can be eaten immediately just to satisfy your hunger. These extra purchases can add up and can be avoided by shopping on a full stomach.

Buy Groceries Online

Many grocery stores are now offering the option to place your order online and either have it delivered or pick it up in a special location at the store. If you find yourself spending too much money at the store, shopping online can help. You can see exactly how much your total cost will be as you add items to your cart, and you can adjust items and quantities according to your budget. If impulse buys are a problem for you, this may be eliminated when shopping online as well.

In addition, you can often coordinate an online shopping list with your online grocery purchase by adding items directly from your list to your cart. This can save both time and money as you’re sure to get exactly what you need without all the extras. There is often a small fee associated with grocery shopping online, but it can be easily offset by the convenience and the streamlined process of purchasing only the necessary items and being able to keep careful track of your spending.

Conclusion

Knowing these tips for how to save money on groceries without using coupons can make your shopping experience much more budget-friendly and pleasant. Try one or more of them next time you need to head to the store. If you have questions or comments about saving money on groceries, please feel free to share.