Last year, I moved to San Diego because my husband and I bought a business. As my husband quit his job to run the business, we were going to live off of my paycheck. This meant we had to reduce our grocery bill but still buy enough food so that we could cook most of our meals at home. Therefore these last couple of months, I have found a few tips and tricks to save money, while still eating healthy. Here are some tips to shop healthy on and stay on a budget.
Be Prepared Before Shopping
To save money it’s best to have a game plan before grocery shopping. I like to make a grocery list based on what I’ll be needing for the week and how much I would like to spend. Once you become a conscious shopper, you’ll know how much items cost and budget better.
Shop at Multiple Stores
Like everything on this list, you may need to swap time for money so while shopping at several stores takes longer, you save money. Different stores have certain items at better prices, such as Costco great to buy items in bulk (like eggs, frozen fruit, hemp seeds, etc.). But Trader Jo has many great options that are less expensive and better quality, such as non-dairy products and nuts.
Look at Stores Catalog and Use Coupons
A good way to save a few dollars is to check what is on sale at your local groceries. By going online or the app, I can see if something I like is on sale or browse their coupon section to save me a few dollars on items I already buy.
Look at the Price Per Measurement
When buying items, look at how much it cost per oz or pound, as opposed to just the price. I often find certain items cheaper, like oatmeal, when buying per pound than buying already packaged. While other times it’s the opposite, like packaged nuts at Trader Joe, then at bulk in Costco.
Don’t Buy Pre-cut and Prepared Vegetables and Fruit
It is a bit more of a hassle when you have to prepare and chop yourself, but you save a lot of money. Also, I find that the fruit and vegetable last longer as it’s fresher since you picked it out.
Make Your Favorites from Scratch
Like the last tip, it’s always cheaper to make it yourself than buying it. Especially when it comes to some of my favorite items, like granola, salsa, sauerkraut, and hummus. As it not only tastes good but I save money and avoid preservatives.