Keeping grocery costs down starts long before you reach the checkout counter. Going to the store without a plan can lead to duplicate purchases, forgotten ingredients, and a cart full of things you never meant to buy.
A little preparation at home can help you spend less and make better use of the food you already have. Here are eight habits worth adding to your routine before your next grocery trip.
Shop the Kitchen Before Shopping the Store
Check your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry before writing your grocery list so you don’t buy things you already have. You might find an extra jar of pasta sauce, frozen vegetables, or a bag of rice tucked behind other items.
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Plan Meals Around What You Already Have
Look at the ingredients that need to be used soon and think of meals you can make with them. If you have pasta, sauce, and frozen vegetables on hand, for example, dinner may require just one or two extra ingredients.
Related: 10 Familiar Grocery Store Items You May Never See Again
Check the Week Ahead
Look at your calendar before deciding what you’ll cook each night, especially if you have work, appointments, or family activities planned. Keep quick meals and leftovers ready for your busiest days so you’re less tempted to order takeout.
Related: 15 Once-Popular Foods That Quietly Disappeared from Grocery Shelves
Make a List Based on Actual Meals
Write your grocery list around the meals you plan to prepare instead of adding items just because they sound good. Include breakfast, lunch, snacks, and pantry basics so you can buy what you’ll use without missing ingredients for dinner.
Related: 12 Self-Checkout Tricks Grocery Store Employees Wish More Shoppers Knew
Get a Rough Idea of What the Trip Will Cost
Check store prices online or use a grocery app to estimate the cost of the items on your list before leaving home. If the total is higher than your budget, swap in less expensive ingredients, remove nonessential items, or postpone a purchase until another week.
See What’s on Sale
Look at the weekly ads for the stores you regularly visit and check for discounts on items already on your list. If a similar fruit, vegetable, or pantry staple costs less that week, switching to it may lower your total without changing your meal plans much.
Check Digital Coupons and Rewards
Open your grocery store’s app before shopping to look for digital coupons, reward points, and member offers that apply to items you need. Activate any required coupons ahead of time and check expiration dates so you don’t miss a discount at checkout.
Decide Where You’re Shopping
Compare prices, weekly deals, and travel costs before deciding which store or stores to visit. Making several stops for small discounts may cost more in gas and time, so getting everything in one place can be the better choice on some weeks.
