How much do you spend on groceries each month? According to Value Penguin, the average American household spends about $500 monthly on food. However, this number might be a bit underestimated. I know many families who spend over $700 each month on groceries.
In our household, we spend around $350 a month on groceries and rarely eat out. This means that most of our meals, including those for work and school, are made at home.
For instance, the average cost of my husband’s work lunch is about $7, totaling $140 monthly or $1,680 annually. My son’s school lunches cost $3.40 a day, adding up to around $68 a month or $816 a year. By making meals at home and shopping wisely, we save a significant amount on food.
If you’re looking to reduce your grocery bills without resorting to restaurant meals and expensive work lunches, there are plenty of strategies you can try. These include making a shopping list, reducing shopping trips, using apps and coupons for deals, and more.
One of the best ways to save money on groceries is by changing some costly shopping habits. Here are six key habits to break for smarter grocery shopping:
1. **Brand Loyalty:** Being loyal to one brand can be expensive. Brands spend more on marketing than on competing on price. Store brands can be just as good and save you money.
2. **Impulse Buying:** Emotional purchases can blow your budget. We often buy food on a whim, only to dislike it and waste money. Stick to your shopping list and maybe set aside a small budget for occasional treats.
3. **Not Comparing Prices:** Always compare prices to avoid paying more than you should. It’s easy to do within a store as similar items are placed together. Check weekly promotions to find the best deals.
4. **Ignoring Labels:** Take a moment to read labels carefully. Buying the wrong item can lead to wasted money. Those extra seconds spent checking labels can save you in the long run.
5. **Skipping Receipt Checks:** Always review your receipts after shopping to ensure you’re charged correctly. Mistakes happen, and confirming discounts or sales were applied can account for significant savings.
6. **Missing Store Rewards:** While brand loyalty isn’t always good, store reward programs can offer savings on regular purchases. Just because you have a rewards card doesn’t mean you have to shop there exclusively. Use them when you can for added savings.
Do any of these habits sound familiar? Make some changes today to save more on your grocery bill. Store loyalty cards are often free and provide benefits without the drawbacks of store credit cards. Have you ever found yourself falling into these costly grocery shopping habits?