Hi! My name is Kathleen and I blog at Fearlessly Creative Mammas. I’m happy to be sharing 10 tips on how to save money on groceries without coupons while Katelyn takes a little baby break. Yes, I know it’s not really a little baby break, especially in her case. I think it should be called Family Bonding. Whatever you want to call it, I’m happy to help her out.
I decided to tackle this topic because it is something my husband and I have been talking a lot about lately. I know there are a lot of people who just don’t have a lot of money to spend on groceries and it seems like they just keep going up and up. I was shopping the other day and about passed out when I saw that 18 eggs cost almost $5.00! What the heck is that? I thought eggs were supposed to be affordable! So, here are some of our ideas.
1. Step away from the pre-packaged, processed foods.
I recognize that a lot of that food is less expensive, but there are so many additives and things that you don’t need that they aren’t really all that affordable. We’ve traveled and lived all over the world and do you know that in most countries they don’t sell so many processed foods and if the foods are processed, they have really strict rules on what can be added? Think artificial colors and flavors. Nope, not outside of the United States in so many cases.
2. Eat your fruits and vegetables!
Now, you’re probably thinking that eating fresh veggies and fruitsareso expensive. Well, not really. Here are some ideas. Buy what is in season. Shop at the Farmer’s Market. Grow your own. You can do it even in an apartment. There are books and websites that show you how. Join a co-op like Bountiful Baskets. There are different groups all over the country like Bountiful Baskets, but they are currently in 24 states. For about $15, you get almost 2 round laundry baskets full of fruits and veggies! Seriously. It’s great.
Photo provided by FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Zirconicusso
3. Grow your own food in the summer and can it for the winter.
Don’t know how to can? Look HERE for instructions.
4. Shop sales like this:
For about 3 months, spend an extra $20 a pay period and buy something you normally eat that is on sale and add it to your food storage. Something like green beans, corn, cereal, etc. After 3 months or so, you will only be buying fresh things and things that are on sale, thus cutting your food bill. My husband said I could not buy $20 of chocolate for the food storage. Should we ever need to eat our food storage, he is going to wish he had agreed to chocolate. Really.
5. Buy in bulk when possible and when it makes sense.
Things like toilet paper, paper towels and garbage bags don’t go bad, so go ahead and buy that big box! Check though because the bulk size isn’t always the best buy. It can be worth it to get a membership to a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
6. Buy meat in bulk.
We have been buying our meat at a place called Zaycon Fresh. (referral link) Have you heard of them? Oh man, you’re missing out if you haven’t. You order the meat from them and they bring it to your town, fresh from a farm. You buy in bulk, but their regular prices are way less than the grocery store sale prices, so you save lots of money. Plus, the meat isn’t full of hormones and other bad stuff. Look them up and see for yourself. If you don’t have a big freezer to store 40 pounds of chicken, find a friend or two and split the cost and the chicken. Then you all save money and get a great product. They have all sorts of meats, not just chicken.
7. Avoid individual packaging.
If you’re buying packaged foods, like chips or popcorn, buy the bigger package instead of the individual packages. Then just pour some into a bowl for your snack. If you’re taking it to go, like for a lunch, use a container instead of individual packages.
8. Don’t waste food!
Don’t let things go bad. You can freeze so many things. I buy a big bag of sweet peppers and then if I don’t finish them all, I slice them and freeze them to cook with in my recipes. I do the same thing with onions, broccoli, cauliflower and other foods.
9. Make it yourself.
Instead of buying cans of refried beans, I make my own in the crockpot and freeze them in individual containers. I do this because I’m really the only person who eats them in my family so opening a can is wasteful. Plus, the ones I make are so much better and I control what goes into them.
10. Use Reusable Bags
Buy or make some reusable bags so you aren’t spending money on things like sandwich bags. Not only will you save money, but you’re helping the environment.
I hope these tips have given you some ideas on how you can save on groceries. Times are tough for a lot of people and we have to be creative sometimes.
What are your favorite frugal smart ways to save on groceries?
My name is Kathleen and I live in Southeast Idaho with my wonderfully supportive husband. We have three grown kids and three beautiful grandkids. I love to spend time with my family, travel, create recipes, craft, sew, camp, hike and take photos. I’ve been blogging at Fearlessly Creative Mammas since April 2012, but blogging in general since February 2011 on Pebble Pirouette. My favorite place to be is the beach and although I own a home in Idaho and land in Alaska, I truly hate the cold. Come visit my blog where we havelots of recipes, crafts and family ideas.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | and Google+.
