How Can I Learn How to Be Frugal and Financially Savvy?
If you didn’t grow up poor, you may not know all of the tricks of the trade when it comes to being frugal. However, there is a difference between being frugal and being cheap, as frugality is meant to help you cut out unnecessary spending, and being cheap is about refusing to pay for something you can easily afford. Learning to be frugal is all about how to manage your money in a smarter way, but it doesn’t mean that you have to give up everything in your lifestyle – including the food you eat. Frugality can help you save more money in the long run, as well as reduce your overall debt. By learning the frugal ways to save money on groceries this month, you can be more flexible with your finances and plan for the future!
10 Tips to Save Money on Groceries This Month
Now that you understand what it means to be frugal, checking out these tips listed below to save money on groceries can be the best tool in your toolkit:
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Buy Generic
The first and perhaps most important tip to grocery shopping on a budget is to buy generic items whenever possible. While some items you may prefer to buy the name brand version of, such as Oreos, other items can be easily swapped out for generic goods, such as butter or milk.
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Prepare for Your Meals
The biggest mistake you can make is heading to the grocery store without a game plan for your meals. Every week, try mapping out a plan for your groceries, which includes a grocery list. Try to buy groceries that are in season! For example, you shouldn’t be planning a strawberry chicken salad with blue cheese during the winter months.
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Cut Out Junk Food
While you don’t have to cut out everything you love, try eating less junk food! Junk food won’t fill you up and can be an unnecessary expense when you’re out grocery shopping, so buying fewer chips can help you dedicate more of your grocery budget towards healthy food.
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Eat a Little Bit Less Meat
Meat can be quite expensive, so eating a little bit less meat can help you be more frugal. Try to incorporate more vegetarian-friendly meals that are protein-heavy into your life, such as Cowboy Caviar!
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Cut Out Alcohol
Like meat, alcohol is another unnecessary expense that you can kick out of your budget if you are trying to save money.
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Shop at Discount Stores
As a frugal shopper, your goal should be to avoid stores that are known for being expensive, such as Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. Instead, try to look for discount stores like Aldi or Walmart, which can offer lower prices without sacrificing quality.
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Buy in Bulk When You Can
While some foods you may not be able to buy in bulk, like perishable items, others you can definitely purchase in advance in large quantities at a discount! Stores like Costco and Sam’s Club cater to large families or individuals who need items in bulk in order to save money. Whether you need canned goods, frozen items, or snacks for lunches, buying in bulk can help you save a significant amount of money. If you need help affording the upfront cost of wholesale memberships and a bulk item shopping bill, see if an equity lender can help you foot the expense by offering a title loan with no credit check.
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Avoid Marked Up Items
If you are buying certain food out of season, then you can expect to pay a marked-up price for it. Additionally, if you are purchasing pre-prepped foods, you are likely paying a markup for that service.
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Find Deals Online
If you need specific items for a recipe, consider searching for the items online and comparing prices before you begin your journey for groceries. For example, if you are making a green bean casserole, try searching for canned green beans, condensed mushroom soup, and French-fried onions online to compare prices and make sure that you aren’t overpaying for a product.
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Learn How to Coupon
Lastly, learning how to coupon can be to your advantage if you are trying to be as frugal as possible! The easiest way to start couponing is to get local newspapers and check out coupons from grocery stores that are in your area.