Looking to save some green at the grocery store without trimming your grocery list? Following are a few ways to spend less money at the supermarket without sacrificing quality or taste.
Buy Dry
Dried foods usually cost much less than canned or fresh, and can be just as nutritious. Dried beans, for example, are less expensive than their canned counterparts and actually have more health benefits. Dried beans have no preservatives, no salt added and have a much longer shelf life than canned beans. Dried beans do require soaking, however, which can make a spur-of-the-moment bean dish a little tricky to prepare. To soak beans, pour them into a bowl and cover with water. Let soak overnight, then use as you would canned beans.
Buy Generic
The next time you shop, compare a store brand with a national brand of a product you buy. Look at the list of ingredients – chances are, they are nearly identical. The only noticeable difference will be the price. Try generics or store brands for cereals and other grocery list staples, such as canned and dried foods, meat and eggs, and paper items.
Some larger chain stores are also beginning to sell organics under their store brand name, such as GreenWise Market at Publix, Market Basket at Giant Eagle, and Meijer Organics at Meijer.
Clip Coupons
Clipping coupons is one of the easiest ways to save money on groceries and other items. There are many websites with free download-able or print-able coupons, or check yourlocal grocery store’s website for coupons and deals, as well as to view the store sales circular.
Buy in Bulk
A 5- or 10-lb bag of boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be much less expensive per pound than fresh chicken breasts. Just take out as many as you need in the morning, thaw, and by dinnertime they will be unfrozen and ready to throw into any dish. They also will keep much longer than fresh chicken breasts since they have been flash frozen.
Be careful, however – not all larger quantities of items are actually cheaper. Be sure to calculate out the cost per pound of the item compared to a smaller size to see if it is indeed the bargain it appears to be.
Go Vegetarian
Having even just one or two dinners a week as vegetarian can save a bundle on groceries. Instead of a meat-based dinner, try a vegetable pizza, a simple bean chili, vegetable stir fry or other non-meat meals. Not only will you save money, but you will also be making a healthier meal and helping the environment.
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