Food prices are rising and are expected to continue rising.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about the rising prices of eggs and other groceries, but there are ways to reduce your grocery bill without cutting out your favorite foods.
Expert He told HuffPost US. Here are some of the traps that cause people to waste food and how to avoid them.
Here are some easy grocery shopping tips to keep in mind during your next shopping trip.
Be aware of how much you spend on food
Rob Bartman, a household budget expert, told the outlet that the first step to cutting your grocery costs is knowing how much you’re currently spending.
“Sometimes people pick the amount they want for their grocery budget out of thin air, but it can be difficult to stick to that amount if you don’t know how much you’re currently spending,” he says. To tell.
Baartman suggests looking at old grocery receipts and credit card purchases to get an idea of how much you’re currently spending on groceries, then gradually making small changes that you can make to reduce that amount. I’ll give you some advice.
Making small changes will ultimately lead to long-term success, rather than cutting spending drastically all at once.
make a meal plan
Especially when it comes to produce, it’s important to create a meal plan or guide that plans out exactly how you’ll eat everything you buy.
Often people buy food with the intention of eating it, but instead they let it rot.
But Baartman emphasized the importance of being realistic with your meal plan.
“You can have a great meal plan for the week, but if you get home from work and you’re tired and don’t feel like cooking, you end up ordering in,” he says. “It’s important to be realistic about your time and ambitions.”
Check the refrigerator first
Tiffany Doerr Gelzon, author of “Save Money on Groceries Without Losing Your Mind,” recommends checking your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry before you head out the door.
This way you avoid duplication and can only buy what you really need.
“Another way to reduce waste is to try every few months to only use the groceries you have at home,” Gerzon told HuffPost. “You’ll probably need to get fresh items like eggs and milk, but most people are surprised by what’s in their pantries, refrigerators, and freezers.”
reduce meat consumption
Some people cut back on their meat intake for health reasons, but it’s also beneficial for their wallets.
“One easy way to save money is to reduce the amount of meat you use in a recipe,” Garzon said, noting that you can save by just using 3/4 pound of beef in a recipe instead of 1 pound. he added.
“No one will notice the difference,” she explained. “If you buy ground beef in one-pound packs, freeze the extra quarter pound. She can prepare the recipe three times and have enough in the freezer for additional meals.”
buy frozen food
Many people buy produce because they want to eat it, but produce tends to spoil quickly. One cost-effective solution to this is to buy it frozen.
“Freezing changes the texture of berries, but the change is not noticeable when incorporating frozen berries into smoothies or baked goods. [or] It can also be used as a topping for breakfast oatmeal or yogurt,” Gelzon said.
Searching for produce in its simplest form in the frozen section will find the cheapest options, as those in microwave-safe bags or covered in sauces or purees are likely to be more expensive. Masu.
buy spices in bulk
If you cook with spices on a regular basis, buy them in bulk rather than in expensive little jars.
“It’s best to buy spices in bulk.” [money-saving] That little bottle is expensive so it’s a tip,” Garzon said.
“You can also reuse empty spice jars and refill from bulk bins. Some stores that offer bulk spices also sell empty spice jars. I’ve refilled bottles from bulk bins and it cost less than 50 cents.”
Bulk purchases also apply to dried pasta, rolled oats, rice and other grain products.
Don’t buy products at eye level
One of the hardest things about grocery stores is that items that are placed at eye level tend to be more expensive.
“Human nature and our desire to shop quickly makes us more likely to reach for items that are at eye level,” Gelzon said.
“Stores know that and put more expensive items there. Next time you go to the store, pay attention to where the items are placed. For a better deal, look up or down. You may need to reach out.”
A simple scan of items below and above the item you’re looking at could potentially save you money, advises Guerzon.