It’s no secret that the past couple of years have been hard on budgets when it comes to buying groceries. Higher prices remain persistent, leaving many Americans wondering how to catch a break on their grocery bill. There are some things you can do to help save money on groceries. Here are some practical tips to help you find savings:

1. Use Grocery Loyalty Cards

Many grocery store brands have customer loyalty plans or rewards programs that can unlock discount pricing available to members. The plans may also allow you to build up points to use on discounts. By using loyalty or rewards membership cards or codes, you can help offset your bill when shopping for food items. Additionally, rewards points might carry over to the gas pump if your regular store includes a fuel store.

2. Clip Coupons

Traditional paper and digital coupons can help reduce the cost of your groceries. Look for coupons in mailings and online coupon websites. Your grocery store may also offer a mobile app that could include a coupon function or alerts letting you know when certain items are going on sale.

3. Join a Wholesale Club

Consider joining a wholesale club store specializing in bulk discounts, such as Sam’s Club or Costco. While they tend to charge membership fees, the savings you could get may more than offset the cost of joining. If you have a membership at such a store, consider prioritizing them for non-perishable goods that won’t spoil, allowing you to stock up several weeks' or months' worth for volume discounts.

4. Do Your Homework and Stick to the Assignment

Research websites and apps to see what’s on sale and build your shopping list around discounts. By timing more expensive items around sales, you can save money. Once you have a list, do not deviate from it when you shop. By avoiding impulse buys or impromptu purchases, your pocketbook will reflect that you understood the assignment.

5. Buy Generic Items

Don’t pay more for the same product you can buy more affordably. House brands and generic alternatives often have very little flavor or quality difference from their higher-priced counterparts. Opt for generic brands to save money.

6. Be Seasonally Smart with Produce

Seasonal fruits and vegetables tend to be cheaper and fresher when they’re in season. Avoid buying produce when it’s out of season to avoid paying a premium. You can also save a few bucks by avoiding pre-cut and pre-packaged food ingredients. Opt for raw ingredients and do a little extra prep work in the kitchen when preparing meals.

Remember, making small adjustments to your grocery shopping habits can add up to big savings over the long term. Eating well and saving money do not have to be mutually exclusive. Need help tracking the money coming in and going out of your account? Use the handy budgeting and savings goals tools right in your Cadence Online Banking experience. If you’re not registered for Cadence Online Banking, sign up today!

Sources:

https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-to-save-on-groceries/

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/how-to-save-money-on-groceries/

https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/healthy-eating-budget/shop-smart

This article is provided as a free service to you and is for general informational purposes only. Cadence Bank makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content in the article. The article is not intended to provide legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be relied upon for such purposes.