by Steve Burden

Created on: July 21, 2011

These basic tips for saving money on groceries, can help ease the pressure on your household's finances. Feeling the pinch while prices change so quickly is not an easy problem to address. The better organised you are, the better equipped you will be to save money on groceries. To save money in hard times requires that the money you do have, is spent as effectively as possible.

Write a menu for the week.

Writing out a menu for the week, you are on the way towards saving money on your groceries. Planning what you will eat during the week, helps to know precisely what groceries you will use.   

Write a shopping list.

From the menu, use the ingredient list as part of your shopping list. This is a very practical step towards saving money on groceries. Referring to your menu, you will be able to avoid anything that is not vital for the week. To save money, somehow, you have to buy less. If anything has to be left out, instead of important foodstuffs, let it be some of the tempting little luxuries which cost more than the household budget can justify!

Do not buy more than you need.

Throwing away uneaten food at the end of the week is a careless use of money. Buying only what you will use cuts down on waste and thereby, saves you money. It is no help to your finances if your refuse bin is partly filled with some of the food you paid for last week!

Look out for discounted items.

Fresh fruit and vegetables have a limited shelf life and a sell-by date. If they remain unsold on or near the sell-by date, supermarkets have to discount the goods to clear the shelves. These foods are often perfectly usable, especially if they can be used the same day. Items like these are superb value for money and the discounts will add a little more to the savings on your grocery shop.

Take advantage of any offers and vouchers you can get.

Looking out for bargains is almost second nature for anyone looking to save money on groceries. Most people are quick to realise a real bargain, but sometimes walking away is the best thing to do. If bargains really are as good as the publicity says, make the most of them.

When you go shopping, think 'saving money'.  

The very best way to save money is not to spend it in the first place. Grocery shopping involves making many decisions, very quickly. Every one of them has a cost to it. Be firm with yourself. If you buy only what you really need, you will save money on your groceries.

Learn more about this author, Steve Burden.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.