Whether you approach grocery shopping with the precision of a commando strike force or float through the aisles with a bit more whimsy, you’re probably trying to keep a budget in mind.
It’s something many of us struggle with—so we’ve compiled a few quick tips to help you stick to your budget, no matter what your shopping style:
- Buy Produce in Season – When produce is in season, it’s at its cheapest. In addition to your local grocery store, you can shop a nearby farmers’ market for deals on produce. Need help figuring out what to buy when? Here’s a list of fruits and vegetables for every season.
- Experiment With Vegetarian Dishes – Eat vegetarian once a week or more (think #MeatlessMonday!) to increase your consumption of healthy plant foods, and save money. Veggie proteins such as beans, nuts, seeds and eggs are often less expensive than meats, highly nutritious and easy to prepare. Need some incentive? Why not give this White Bean Salad With Asparagus and Artichokes a try? Or try this Caramelized Onion Veggie Burger.
- Plan Ahead – Take inventory of what you already have so that you don’t overbuy. Whimsical shoppers can take a page out of the strike force playbook by planning a weekly shopping menu, creating a detailed shopping list and sticking to it. To help get you started, here are five meal-planning apps that will help you save money and eat better.
- Buy Spices From the Bulk Bins – Spices are essential in any kitchen, keeping your food zesty and delicious. Look for stores that carry spices in bulk. This way, you can buy a smaller amount, which means less upfront cost and less waste on the back end.
- Save on Staples – Be aware of when your local grocery store has sales on staples like olive oil, nuts, beans, etc., and stock up. Not sure what you should have on hand? Eatingwell.com put together a great list of staples that will help you cook a delicious and nutritious meal every night of the week.
- Plant a Garden – For benefits that go well beyond cost savings, plant a garden. What could be better than a fresh tomato from your own garden? Even if you’ve never planted one before or live in an apartment, don’t fear! There are many options for the most novice garden growers out there. Start a Garden, winners of PHA’s Innovation Challenge Hackathon, created a website chock full of step-by-step guides and videos. We even gave it a try ourselves!
