Buying groceries and eating at home is always going to be cheaper per meal than eating out. If it doesn’t seem that way, it could be the way you are shopping. There are some steps you can take to save money on your grocery bill without spending hours clipping coupons or joining a membership club. Here’s a simple guide I’ve put together that explains how to grocery shop effectively that reduces waste and makes the most of your budget.
1.Take inventory of what you already have
What staples are running low?
There’s nothing worse than having a meal plan, then you look later on and discover you are low on or missing basic staples. Going back to the store could open up more opportunities for impulse shopping and overspending if you aren’t careful. Being prepared means being proactive, don’t let your resources run out completely. Look to refill essentials when they are 1/2 or 1/4 empty. I have separate budgets for food and household items, but usually I am shopping for both at the same time – so this extends to checking for soap, detergent, toothpaste, etc.
This piece is especially useful for those with unreliable transportation, that live far from a store, or those with small children in tow that understand the extra effort of having to take multiple trips because you ran out of an essential item.
What’s expiring soon?
Find ways to use up these ingredients before they become waste. Checking for expiring items also welcomes an opportunity to clean out any items that have overstayed their welcome.
As you begin making your own creations, get into the habit of adding a date and name label, especially for items stored long term. You can either label by the date created or provide an expiration date – whichever method you choose just be consistent. This is important to practice proper food rotation.
What is already available as ingredients and leftovers?
Check your kitchen for leftovers that can be reheated or turned into something else. Also take note of what ingredients and meals you have already available at home.
2. Review events coming up for the week
What special events that need to be considered? Will there be a day you won’t need to (or can’t) cook yourself because you have an outing planned? Consider these details when creating your meal plan.
3. Create a list prioritizing what you already have
Prioritize using up leftovers and expiring items. Set aside a certain amount in your grocery budget to purchase non-perishable staple items in bulk to build pantry stockpile. To make sure you stay in budget, I recommend recreating your list on your preferred store app to keep track of your total. The prices may be slightly higher depending on what fees are added for using the app – but if you plan on shopping in store, it won’t make a difference.
Bonus: Give preference to ingredients that are in season
Homestead Opportunity: Buy these seasonal ingredients in bulk and find different ways to preserve them for the off season. This will get you used to eating what’s in season, introduce you to food preservation, and provide valuable information about your local growing climate. Keep a journal of your observations and physical copies of your favorite recipes to add to your home library.
4. Picking a store:
This part can be as simple, or as complicated as you’d like it to be. When picking which store to shop at, consider your list, budget, current store sales, pickup/delivery options (for convenience and to curb impulse spending), store variety and personal preference. Also consider what other errands need to be run that day, is there a grocery store nearby that fits your budget to reduce the need for traveling to a different location?
5. Follow your meal plan as close as you can
Don’t let all that effort and planning go to waste! Now it’s time to put that previous work into practice by being dedicated to cooking your meals you’ve set out. Whether you cook every other day or do a large meal prep session once or twice a week – find a system that works for your lifestyle and preferences.
Getting comfortable and efficient in the kitchen is a perfect skill to practice when transitioning to a homestead lifestyle. We have to eat every day to fuel our bodies for the work we do, so investing the time to organize that process opens up your time for the other demanding aspects of life. I’ve created a printable PDF to make your weekly meal plan and prepping easy. Download it for free below!
Share your meal prep routine for your household in the comments!
