Grocery Shopping: 6 Awesome Facts You Need to Know
If you’re like most people, you probably think of grocery shopping as a mundane task. But there’s more to it than just picking up some food staples. In fact, there are all sorts of interesting facts and tidbits about grocery shopping that you may not know. Here are 6 awesome facts that you need to know about grocery shopping.
My goal has always been to help my readers be prepared to face as many contingencies as possible. In today’s world, most of us aren’t faced with disasters or emergencies very often, but we are challenged to find the funds to cover the rising costs of food, clothing, and shelter. Today, let’s look at how to save money as we deal with feeding our families.
1. You can save money on groceries by creating a grocery budget and shopping list.
Anyone who has ever stepped foot in a grocery store knows that it is all too easy to overspend on food. But with a little advance planning, you can save big on your grocery budget. First, take inventory of what you already have on hand.
This will help you to avoid buying duplicates of items that you already have plenty of. Next, make a list of the items that you need and stick to it when you are shopping. It is also helpful to create a budget for your groceries and try to stay within that budget as much as possible. Keep an eye out for sales and special offers.
We all are tempted to make impulse purchases when visiting the grocery store. Having a weekly meals plan and then shopping to fulfill that plan can make all the difference in buying what your family likes to eat, eating meals that are healthy, and staying on point to meet financial goals as best you can.
2. Grocery stores often offer discounts on specific days of the week.
Grocery stores offer a variety of ways to save money on groceries, and one of the most popular is through discounts. Many stores offer discounts on specific days of the week, such as “Senior Citizen Discount Day” or “Family Discount Day.”
By offering these discounts, grocery stores are able to attract more customers and boost sales. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all discounts are created equal. For example, some discounts may only apply to certain items, or they may be valid for a limited time.
As such, it’s important to read the fine print before taking advantage of a discount. But if you’re looking for ways to save money on your grocery bill, keep an eye out for store discounts, they can be a great way to stretch your budget.
There are also times of the year when things are cheaper, particularly when items are offered in peak season. Take some time and learn when fruits and veggies are at their peak and buy what you need then.
Make sure you follow my What to Stock Up On series!
- What To Stock Up On In January
- What To Stock Up On In February
- What To Stock Up On In March
- What To Stock Up On In April
- What To Stock Up On In May
- What To Stock Up On In June
- What To Stock Up On In July
- What To Stock Up On In August
- What To Stock Up On In September
- What To Stock Up On In November
- What To Stock Up On In December
3. Buying in bulk can save you money, especially if you have a large family or eat a lot of one type of food.
When it comes to food shopping, buying in bulk can be a great way to save money, especially if you have a large family or tend to eat a lot of one particular type of food. At first glance, the idea of buying a 10-pound bag of rice or a 1-gallon jug of olive oil may seem like a lot, but when you break it down, it’s often cheaper per unit than buying smaller quantities.
And, since many bulk items often have a long shelf life, you won’t have to worry about them going bad before you can use them up. Plus, if you have the storage space, buying in bulk can help to cut down on your overall grocery bills. The next time you’re at the store, consider picking up a few extra items, you may be surprised at how much money you can save in the long run.
I suggest you keep your eyes open for case lot sales that most stores have a few times a year. I like buying my soups, canned veggies and fruit, and other staples by the case. You also can save if the items are “store brands” rather than the “name brands” since they are generally cheaper. Compare prices by unit pricing to make sure which product is really the least expensive.
When making comparisons, also make sure they have the same quality ingredients so you are eating the most healthy products while you save monty.
Buy in bulk at:
4. Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh produce, and they’re often cheaper too.
One of the best ways to save money at the grocery store is to buy frozen fruits and vegetables. Not only are they typically cheaper than fresh produce, but they can also be just as nutritious.
In fact, many frozen fruits and vegetables are picked at their peak ripeness and then flash-frozen, which helps to preserve their nutrient content. Frozen produce can also be a great time-saver. For example, if you’re short on time, you can simply pop a bag of frozen broccoli into the microwave rather than having to wash and chop fresh broccoli.
Plus, frozen fruits and vegetables can last for months in your freezer, so you don’t have to worry about them going bad. So next time you’re at the grocery store, consider stocking up on some frozen fruits and vegetables. You might be surprised at how much money you can save.
5. Pre-packaged snacks and meals are often more expensive than cooking from scratch.
If you’re trying to save money, cooking from scratch is typically the way to go. Pre-packaged snacks and meals tend to be more expensive than if you just made them yourself.
This is because companies have to factor in the cost of packaging, production, and shipping when they price their products. In addition, companies often add a markup to cover their advertising and marketing costs. When you’re looking to save money, it’s usually best to cook from scratch. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
For instance, if you’re short on time or you’re looking for a particular specialty item, it might make more sense to buy a pre-packaged product. But in general, cooking from scratch is a more budget-friendly option.
Another issue is the healthy approach to meal preparation if you make items or full meals from scratch. You know exactly what is included in the prepared item, you control the amount of sodium and sugars. are added, and you can maintain the level of freshness you want. I seldom buy bread since I can make my own for less and I know how much better it is for me and my family members.
6. You can save money by avoiding single-serve items while grocery shopping
Similar to buying in bulk, if you’re looking to save money, one place you can start is by avoiding single-serve items. These individually packaged items may be convenient, but they often come with a premium price tag. For example, a single serving of coffee costs more than brewed coffee, and a single serving of yogurt costs more than a larger tub of yogurt.
You can also save money by avoiding individual servings of snacks, such as chips or cookies. Instead, opt for bulk packaging or make your own snacks at home. By avoiding single-serve items, you’ll be able to save money and enjoy the same level of convenience.
Let’s consider one more money-saving approach to shopping:
7. It’s cheaper to buy meat that’s been frozen than fresh meat that’s been thawed.
When it comes to meat, there’s a big difference between fresh and frozen. Fresh meat has never been frozen, while frozen meat has been chilled to below freezing temperatures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to price. Fresh meat is usually more expensive since it’s more expensive to ship from the processing plant to the store, although it has to be kept in a freezer, it is cheaper to store until sold while protecting the product, stores experience more spoilage with their fresh meats, and the stores can store the meat longer when frozen. Frozen meat is often cheaper since it can be bought in bulk and doesn’t have to be used right away.
It’s also important to note that frozen meat can last much longer than fresh meat, up to a year in some cases, so it can be a more cost-effective option in the long run. When it comes to price, then, frozen meat is typically the better deal. But ultimately, the decision between fresh or frozen comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the taste of fresh meat, while others find that frozen meat is just as good. There’s no right or wrong answer, so it’s really up to you to decide what’s best for you and your budget.
More Grocery Shopping Tips
- Grocery Shopping Life Skills
- How to Save Time and Money with Grocery Shopping
- Grocery Shopping on a Shoestring Budget
- Why are Grocery Stores Still Out of Stuff?
Final Word
Grocery shopping is a necessary evil for most of us, but it doesn’t have to be as bad as many of us make it out to be. With the right information and some organization, you can cut your grocery bill and even have fun while doing it! What are you waiting for? Start planning your next grocery trip using these tips. I hope that you’re able to use these tips while you’re grocery shopping. Let me know of any other tips you can pass on to my readers, they love me to share. May God Bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Grocery Store AdobeStock_171788038 by Scanrail
We shop on the same day every week. I take stock of everything we have then make a menu for the week. I make the grocery list from or stock and menu. Since most of the menu is from what we have in stock the grocery list allows me to stock up on things we’re running short on. Does wonders for the grocery budget.
Hi Debra, great comment! It’s all about making a plan and you are doing just that! Good job, Linda
Grocery Stores……. should be a relatively safe place to go……. we live less than 20 miles from the Tops Market where 10 people died following a crazed shooting in Buffalo. What is going on!!! Where is America? I have spent the last two years doing curbside pickups because of a virus, now I can’t go into a store because people are being shot. This is New York State with the strictest gun laws. I can’t leave because my grandchildren are here. Our stock piles aren’t needed for when the SHTF, but now so we can stay out of stores. God save us, because we can’t save ourselves from this madness.
Hi Chris, great comment, it really is madness. I hear you on picking up groceries curbside, I did the same thing. You are so right we need the food we have for sustaining life. I have a few family members with mental illness, no one likes to talk about it, I get it. But the family members I am talking about would not stock weapons and then go shooting. They have depression and severe anxiety. What brings out so much anger in a person to kill one, or more people??? It’s so frustrating to see these shootings more often. We are all sick of it and want to stop it. God bless this world, Linda
Chris,
I feel your pain. But, as you quoted about the strict New York gun laws, those laws do not stop the evil people from getting guns and doing their evil deed. What the government needs to do is quit focusing on more useless gun laws and focus intensely on mental health issues. Gun laws only stop good people from protecting themselves. Luckily, Texas has constitutional carry so that good folks can protect themselves to a degree without government taking away their right.
Hii Harry, great comment I totally agree! Linda
Thank you Harry for your reply. I won’t name names, but I am grateful for friends and family that carry for their safety and ours. God Bless you.
Chris,
I understand the not naming names. Many people around here do not know that I never leave our house without a sidearm. We are less than 200 miles to the Mexican border situated 25 miles west of one major corridor for illegals and 12 miles east of another somewhat lesser corridor. Keep safe and tell your unnamed friends and family that there is a Texan that is proud of them.
yes, there was a shooting in Ca today, at a church dinner. The People there stopped it.one killed and 5 injured, 4 serious… the gunman was hog tied when officers arrived. It was an “Asian” and an Asian congregation.
There was also a shooting at a Houston flea market, no bystanders were injured. 2 dead.
One can NOT legislate LOVE, Nor can one BAN HATE,Banning weapons prevents those who would protect themselves from the sicko’s who do such things.
I for one would like to know who fed his hate. Hate is a learned and fed emotion.
It has been declared a hate crime… surprise surprise- does anyone believe it was done out of love?- No NOt I.
It must be an individual decision to take hate and bad feelings from YOUR persona… We have to understand that people who have already threatened school shootings( a year ago) as the person at TOPS did last year and then was released without followup are ticking time bombs.. and should be monitored and counseled. before incidents such as this happen.The system that took those threats should have prevented- attempted to prevent his hate from building.
Hi Denise, this is so sad, so crazy. Hate is a learned trait, that makes sense. Linda
Yes, all of these are good to know. Another thing is never shop without eating something first. You will spend more if you do because everything looks good!!
Hi Cheryl, I know, right??? Do not go shopping before eating. LOL! We will buy stuff we may not need!! Linda
Love all these ideas Linda. I like to cook and freeze meats ahead of time. I’ll buy bulk ground beef, ground turkey or sausagewhen it’s on sale and cooking, cool it and bag it flat in freezer storage bags. I do the same with chicken breast in the instant pot, shred, cool and freeze it. It saves time and money and the meats can be flavored many different ways. Meat is so expensive now so I keep my eyes open for the best prices. So grateful for our large chest freezers!
Hi Steff, thank you for your awesome comment! I hear you on the price of meat, yikes! I wish I didn’t like bacon so much! I love having meat ready to add to any recipe, you are so right a large freezer rocks! Linda
I go a step farther. I prepare the entire dish and freeze helpings in one serving containers.
So great to get ready for yard work and remove a dish from the freezer and add crackers or cornbread for lunch or dinner…ta da!!
I seriously wish I had done this before I became a widow.
Saves time and energy and resources.
I’m gonna cook chili tomorrow and freeze… I’m out of it.
I remember when $300. would fill a 16 cubic foot freezer with enough food to last 9 months or more. Now chuck roasts are $30 each. We do prefer our local store that vacuum seals meat because it avoids freezer burn. We would strictly shop the sales in quantity pre pandemic, then it became a case of getting what we could, now the sale prices are worse than normal before. All we can do, is all we can do.
Hi Chris, I hear you, I walk right past those $30 chuck roasts! You are so right we can only do what we can do. We will make do! Linda
i purchase a little extra each month of what ever meat that is on sale. I generally shop every 2 weeks… at the end of the month, and as the next purchases are made i prepare the fresh meat for freezer and can/ or dehydrate the meats i have extra – that we did not eat.. Ground beef i prefer cooked, washed and dehydrated… I can store several pounds of dehydrated ground beef in a quart jar. it easily rehydrates because is small pcs… and can be used in soups , stews or even in extendo burgers using egg, flour , and a little bacon grease.
we purchase 40 oz.bacon, and slice it cross ways in short segments..cook it.. then put the unused portion of bacon in snack bags. labeled and dated and use ..for breakfast we often will add a tablespoon or so to scrambled eggs…. we render out the fats as well as possible.. we strain the bacon grease..and use it for seasoning…. so every iota is used.
I don’t prefer individual meals in freezer they get lost and forgotten. Meats i can i give a basic seasoning.. so they can go into any of my recipes.. I prefer basic foods canned then can combine as needed.
Hi Denise, great comment with awesome tips! Thank you for sharing your ideas! LOVE IT! Linda
Linda:
One place my husband and I buy bulk is Sprouts Farmers Market. I know there are a lot of states that probably don’t have a Sprouts Farmers Market butt in the West they are all over. I love to buy chocolate covered raisins not just for eating but putting in cookies and other baked goods. My husband buys nuts and seeds there for use in his cereal on the weekends and on salads.
If someone does not have a sprouts they can order from them online or look for a local Farmers Market in their area where they can get great deals.
Hi Jackie, I have Sprouts Farmers here, a great reminder!! I want some chocolate-covered raisins now! LOL! Linda
Jackie, How do you use chocolate covered Raisins in cookies? Could you post the recipe? I buy dark chocolate covered raisins at the Amish Market and we are heading there next week for raisins and Maple Wanut granola, and popcorn cheese.
Hi Chris, I was thinking the same thing about the chocolate-colored raisins!!! Linda