The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report in December 2022, places food inflation at 23.75 percent. The cost of food prices is persistently going high. This means you will need to employ smart shopping strategies to save money on groceries- especially if your paycheck (probably) remains the same.
If you want to achieve your financial resolutions in 2023, you might want to cut down on how much you spend on groceries. Here are some tips to help you save money on foodstuff
1. Cut Out What You Can
Stocking varieties that do almost the same thing makes you spend more.
Instead of stocking margarine, jam, peanut butter and so on, reduce it to one or two options. The same thing goes for drinks. Cut down on carbonated drinks, processed juices, and beer. Instead drink more water. With the shockingly high prices of foodstuff, now might be the best time to figure out what you can cut off completely.
2. Don’t Go Shopping Without A List
Now is not the time to go shopping without a list. Take inventory of what is in your fridge or storeroom before heading out to go shopping. Write a list of what you need to buy, the quantity and stick to your list when you go shopping.
3. Buy In Bulk When You Find Deals
Once you come across items like meat, fish, egg or foodstuff on discounts, don’t hesitate to buy in bulk. For instance, if you love eating rice, then it makes sense to buy a bag of rice. Just remember to be careful to only stock up on non-perishable items or those that you can refrigerate
4. Shop on a Budget
When shopping for groceries, it’s important to have a list. To help you stick to your budget, use a debit card like the NowNow debit card, which allows you to set a transaction limit on how much you can spend. This way, you won’t go overboard with your spending.
5. Consider Cooking With Groceries in Season
Most food items have a season. For example, if you buy plantain when it’s in season, it will be cheaper and you can make different meal recipes from it. The same thing goes for vegetables and fruits.
6. Switch Brands
Big brands are good but most times they cost more. Instead of buying the known names for condiments or other ingredients, buy generic names. This also applies to shopping in big supermarkets that are not pocket friendly, except they offer discounts and cashback. Rather, stick to local markets or stores that can give you the most out of your money.
7. Don’t Shop On An Empty Stomach
This is very great advice. Eating before going to buy food will reduce the tendency to buy on impulse or buy things that you do not need.
Finally, doing a single one of these tips may not help you save much but making deliberate changes to what you eat, how and where you shop for groceries, can help you save money on groceries and attain your financial resolutions.