VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 1 WINTER 2024
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Professional Services
TRICKS TO GROCERY SHOPPING ON A BUDGET BY LYNNE STREETER CHILDRESS
Groceries can be one of our biggest monthly expenses. Even if you have plans to stick to your budget, sometimes that changes when we get to the store. Below are some tips on how to be a fiscally responsible grocery shopper, while leaving room for both lettuce AND queso (and both of those go on nachos, so win-win). Make an ACTUAL Budget This seems redundant, but one of the reasons that we spend above our means is that we don't know WHAT our means are in the first place. You need a plan. Sit down, look at what you usually spend, and go from there. The Mint Monthly Grocery Budget Calculator is a great resource in helping set a food budget. Grocery App Having a grocery list in hand is a great way to make sure that you are sticking to your plans, and having it on your phone is a big help, because people lose little pieces of paper. Try an app like OurGroceries.com, which lets you and your family add and take things off your list in real time. Use Credit Card Rewards Points Rewards points are a cool perk of having a credit card, and one great way to use them is on gift cards that can be used at places that sell groceries! This frees up your cash for other expenses! Supermarket Rewards Clubs Most grocery stores offer discounts for members of their rewards clubs, and the savings you get from buying club specials can add up in your favor. It also gives you a reason to try that brand you don't usually buy because it's on sale this week. And if you link your phone number to your account, you don't have to keep all of those membership cards in your wallet.
Coupons Clipping coupons is a tried and true way to save money on food. You can go old school and clip them from circulars, or you can go digital with an app like Coupons.com. What's more, some brands have digital coupons you can use (for example, Proctor and Gamble), and many stores have digital coupon savings beyond what you get from being in their rewards clubs. Using these tips can help you keep your food expenses down AND leave room in the budget for treats. Enjoy!
54
Powered by FlippingBook