Over and over again, I hear people talk about how they want to eat clean but then immediately complain about how expensive it is to buy healthy foods. My standard response is always “so is a heart attack”. I suppose it’s all about perspective of costs and whether or not you’re thinking long or short term. In the short game, MAYBE it may be a little more costly for certain items but when going the distance you always save! I can honestly say I’ve been on a budget most of my adult life and have always managed to buy good quality proteins and produce. As of recent, I’ve made it a game to see how much money I can save each month on my grocery bill and have managed to cut back another $50 per month. How can this be done you ask? With a little bit of research and planning, that’s how. Here are some of my best tips to getting the most bang for your buck.
#1 Do Your Research
Ever since I was a small girl, I loved looking at the grocery circulars every week when they arrived in the mail. I still to this day do the same thing, but on my laptop. When the ad breaks for the local grocer, I go through the circular and find the items that are on sale or bogo and start to make my list. For items such as eggs and dairy, this saves me anywhere from 50 cents to over a dollar per item. This is also a great way to stock up on pantry items such as chicken stock, olive oil, spices and sometimes even protein selections. The key here is not to be tempted to buy the glorified “healthy” junk food which comes with a higher price point. You know the kind labeled “grain-free” “non-gmo” etc… Those are still chips and could very easily be replaced with veggies for snacks at a much lower cost.
#2 Shop Different Places for Best Prices
I will lead in with the caveat to limit this to two, maybe three places at most. It’s not worth going to several stores if you spend more time and money on transportation than the food itself. Where I live there is a produce and meat market that I shop regularly along with the local grocery store. The produce is cheaper and fresher at the market and always worth the visit. I can get a week's worth of produce typically for under $25. They also carry specialty cheeses and wines much cheaper than a regular retail store. When it fits the budget, I grab those special items there. I prefer to buy proteins at the local grocer because they are typically always fresher and I can get a “green” line of products that stick to the grain free or grass fed protein sources. Also at the local grocery store I can find all those great bogo deals.
#4 Make a List and Plan Your Shopping Trip for One Day
The less you run out for food, the less tempted you are to buy those “gotcha” items in the store. With the list in hand you’ll be less likely to deviate and buy unwanted items. It will also help you be more efficient with your time. Having to travel in between two stores will consume some time and will keep you focused on the task at hand.
#5 Buy Whole Foods in Bulk When Possible
This may be the most obvious but also the most crucial tip in this blog! Anytime you buy processed foods, not only are you paying more per ounce but you’re also buying additives and preservatives that you just don’t need to ingest! Hearty root tubulars and more sturdy veggies can be purchased in bulk and keep a lengthy shelf life. The same goes with raw protein choices. Buying chicken breasts and thighs in value packs can be broken down into small portions and be frozen for future use. Over the course of the pandemic, I’ve only had to buy chicken only two times using this method. It’s easy to defrost proteins in the morning for dinner later that evening and it always tastes incredibly fresh.
Comments