Last Updated on May 29, 2022
Contents
- 1 A Guide To Saving Money on Food
- 2 How to Save Money While Eating Out
- 3 How to Save Money on Groceries
- 4 How to Save Money on Healthy Food
- 5 Saving Money on Food by Using Coupons and Discounts
- 6 Save Money on Food By Shopping on Wednesdays
- 7 How to Save Money on Food While You are Living on a Budget
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A Guide To Saving Money on Food
These days, prices have gone up for almost everything. Inflation levels seem to be constantly rising, which has happened due to factors such as the pandemic and the global energy crisis. It also affects those who try to save a portion of their salary every month. People are trying everything they can to cut their costs, whether it’s saving money for an apartment or other housing costs, their bills, food, transportation, or any expense in their budget.
This article focuses on explaining how to save money on food. The main question everyone has is how to save while still being able to eat well and enjoy food. There are many strategies out there to use. These strategies can help you avoid making common grocery store mistakes and find the best deals when eating out.
Maybe you are trying to establish some new healthy habits or are adjusting to the current economic situation. Either way, this article will serve you with some helpful tips.
How to Save Money While Eating Out
Although eating out is more expensive than cooking at home, you may still want to do so every so often. Plan for eating out by adding it to the calendar for your weekly meal plan and creating this expense in your budget. Here are some tips to save money:
- Skip the drinks, dessert, and appetizers.
- Ask to keep your leftovers and take them home.
- Search for coupons and discounts before you go.
- Go out for special occasions, like your birthday, and ask for perks.
- Share your meal, have a budget prepared, and stick to it.
How to Save Money on Groceries
There are many ways to save money on food. Start by planning your weekly meals and making a shopping list to buy what is necessary. First, look at the flyer from your local grocery store to see what is on sale that week. Then, plan your meals and grocery list accordingly. Plan for as little food waste as possible. For example, consider using any leftovers to prepare another meal.
Meals | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Breakfast | Fruit salad | Almond biscuits & jam | French toast & vanilla yogurt | Egg scramble | Pancakes & berries | Granola & yogurt | Brunch Out |
Lunch | Pesto pasta | Tuna salad | Grilled turkey | Pizza | Meatballs & salad | Tacos | Chicken & potatoes |
Dinner | French toast | Broccoli pasta | Pasta salad | Greek salad | Dinner Out | Tomato soup | Noodles |
Above is a simple table with a meal plan, including the days you might eat away from home. Use the model to plan your meals, then work to create a grocery list to buy what you need and stay on budget. Some other tips include for saving money are:
- Buying generic.
- Planting a garden.
- Purchasing frozen, dried, and canned food.
- Eating out less and cooking at home.
How to Save Money on Healthy Food
Many people think that healthy food is more expensive than unhealthy food, but many families that have been on a weight loss journey reduced their food budget and were still able to lose weight. The explanation? It is not about the type of food but how much you eat. By reducing the size of your meals and choosing healthier food, you have lots of benefits and save money.
You can also combine all this with the tips from above. By having a garden, you can eat healthier on a budget. Also, by cooking at home and not eating out, you have more control over the ingredients in your meals.
Many people choose fast food when they are out, which is usually not healthy. Cooking at home is often the better choice. If you have a busy life, you can plan over the weekend and prepare meals for the following week. That way, you live a healthier lifestyle while saving money and time.
Saving Money on Food by Using Coupons and Discounts
There are many ways to save money on food. You can do it by using:
- Coupons
- Freebies
- Discounts
- Loyalty programs
- Apps
Many websites offer coupons for grocery stores. Also, the most prominent retailers like Walmart and Target have their coupon offerings. Some people save a lot of money because they have figured out how to coupon. If you want to save on food with coupons, first, you need to understand them and develop a strategy.
By doing a little research, you can learn the tricks of the trade. For example, there are times you can combine different coupons or use them on double coupon days to get twice the discount. You may also be able to BOGO (buy one, get one free) for items on sale. Coupons can do magic for you if you take the time to learn how to use them appropriately.
Like coupon sites, there are sites for freebies too. They may be free samples given to people to promote products or food freebies, whether healthy food, sodas, junk food, or snacks. Use search engines to find these freebies and sign up.
Many grocery stores have discounts. For example, you can find products on sale for a particular week or on special dates and holidays. Many people save money on food by shopping for items on sale. You can also compare the prices in different stores and see which ones have a better price or a better discount. If you are a student, you can also take advantage of the special discounts they may offer you.
If you are a regular customer of a particular store, ask about and sign up for their loyalty program. Many stores have programs to reward loyal customers and keep them as long as possible. Consider taking advantage of their coupons, rewards, or points to save yourself money.
If we all used newspapers to find promotions in the past, today, that has been replaced by mobile apps. There are apps for anything these days, even for food discounts and sales. For example, you can find apps that inform you about the best food deals near you and apps that help with different tips on saving money and taking advantage of sales.
Apps can also help you plan your weekly meals and create your shopping list. Technology can make this much more painless, so take advantage. Some great food-related apps are:
- Ibotta
- Fetch Rewards
- Checkout 51
- Receipt Hog
Save Money on Food By Shopping on Wednesdays
Many people believe the best day to shop for groceries is Wednesday. It is often the best day because fewer people are in the store, there are fully-stocked shelves, and products are fresh. They even recommend doing it in the afternoons or evenings.
Keep in mind that many grocery stores start their new offers on Wednesday. Confirm with your local grocer, and then plan accordingly. Timing is essential when shopping for food. It is a chance for you to be among the first people that get the best deals and promotions.
How to Save Money on Food While You are Living on a Budget
If you live on a budget, having a savings account can be difficult but is not impossible. If you sometimes wonder why exactly you can’t save money, there is a big chance that you need a new approach. Perhaps you need to have a more disciplined system to follow.
These systems are also helpful if you have debt and need to fix your credit score. Some of the best budgeting techniques to grow savings are:
- The Half-Payment Method
- The Digital Envelope System
- 50-30-20 Method
The Half-Payment Method
If done the right way, this method can be a lifesaver if you get paid bi-weekly. The Half-Payment Method is a budgeting technique that allows you to divide your regular monthly bills in half. It prepares you for the full payment ahead of the due date. In short, you do not pay half of the bill; instead, you put half the cash aside each paycheck. For example, if your bills are $1,000 per month, then:
- Set aside $500 from your first paycheck of the month
- Set aside $500 from your second paycheck of the month
- Pay the full $1000 on the due date
The Digital Envelope System
A simple budget follows these steps:
- Record your income
- List bills, expenses, and savings
- Track money spent throughout the month
- Repeat the process each budget period
Here is where the digital envelope system comes in. It can help you create a healthy habit of saving money for anything you need, including food. The best way to explain this system is by describing it as a helpful online tool. It allows you to put your money in online envelopes and keep track of everything you spend.
It is an excellent method because you do not have to carry your cash around since everything is online. Spend carefully to avoid going over the spending limit of each envelope since spending with a card is typically easier. To set this up, decide on your budget and where you will keep the digital envelopes. Use your budget to fill the envelopes accordingly and track your spending regularly.
Some bank accounts allow you to have various envelopes within one account. Good organization helps make this system work well. Examples of banks that offer this are:
- Bank of America
- Chase
- USAA
50-30-20 Method
People on a journey to save money use the 50-30-20 Method. It is an excellent method to implement if you want to save on anything, including food. To get started, calculate your monthly income. Then, use that amount to see how much you will have available in each category. The 50-30-20 Method characterizes by the following components and amounts:
Components | Description |
|---|---|
Needs | Transportation, rent, and groceries |
Wants | Shopping, traveling and eating out |
Savings | Emergencies and big-ticket items |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to Save Money on Food by Using Apps?
You can search for apps with the best deals in your area, such as the best food prices and coupons. Also, you can use some budgeting apps, like Mvelopes, Pocketguard, or YNAB. These apps can help you organize your budget according to your wants and needs. They can also help you when you go out to eat. Some special apps that help you save money when you eat out are:
- Spotluck
- Groupon
- OpenTable
Does Using Coupons Save You Money on Food?
Yes, it does. Coupons are a proven and effective way to save some cash. Depending on the store where you plan to use them, you can use digital coupons or printed coupons. It can take some time to learn how to coupon effectively, so give yourself a few weeks to get the hang of it. Then, plan your trip and have your coupons ready to minimize your frustration and maximize your savings. You can even use them when you decide to eat out.
What Types of Coupons are Available?
Both manufacturer and store coupons are available. The difference is that manufacturers are the brand’s coupons (Johnson & Johnson), while the store offers store coupons (Target). You may even be able to combine these coupons.
What are the Best Stores to Buy Food and Save Money?
Many stores allow you to buy within your budget. Walmart, Target, Aldi, Lidl, and Dollar General are some of the most famous. These are low-cost stores, and they offer many discounts throughout the week.
What is the Best Time to Buy Groceries?
If you want to take advantage of the best deals, the best time to shop is early in the morning or late at night. Also, if you are thinking about the best day to shop, that would be on Wednesdays. It starts most grocery stores’ sales week and could bring the most benefits.