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The cost of food has hit everyone hard, whether you’re a living single or a part of a household of seven. Although inflation has decreased significantly since reaching 9.1% over the year ending June 2022, groceries have remained pricey and are expected to rise as food producers grapple with higher commodity costs and operating expenses.
Food expenses can vary depending on location, dietary choices, spending habits and household size. However, according to the digital personal finance company SoFi, the average American household spends a whopping $607.67 monthly on groceries, per recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
That means the average household spends $152.42 weekly — $7,316.04 for the year — on groceries, which is almost 12% of a consumer’s income, per SoFi. As the Wall Street Journal reported, it’s been over 30 years since food took up this much of a worker’s income.
Food budgeting has become essential for everyone, not just those receiving food assistance. With other bills needing to be paid and food taking up more of a household’s budget every month, all meal planning and trips to the grocery store have to be scrutinized and budgets negotiated.
So, many Americans have become wizards at stretching their dollars. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save on groceries without resorting to strict rationing or dumpster diving. Here are six quick changes you can make to your grocery spending that will save you money.
Making Things From Scratch
Despite the time it takes to make things from scratch, you can save a lot of money by stocking a few basic ingredients in your pantry. And because you’re making it, it can be as bare-bones and healthy as you want.
Plan Your Meals for the Week and Stick to a List
Again, no one said that saving money wasn’t time-consuming. However, a bit of time spent planning will go a long way. Determining meals based on your family’s weekly schedule, making a grocery list and sticking to that list will help your household eat healthier, reduce food waste and save big bucks.
Get Creative and Raid Your Pantry
The thing about constant grocery shopping is that you end up with impulse buys that linger in your house. Instead of winging it at the grocery store, look to your pantry and commit to eating only what you’ve already bought more often. Plenty of sites and apps will give you creative ideas for any combination of ingredients.
Go Meatless Two to Three Times a Week
It seems every month, a different meat price skyrockets. Eggs were in short supply during COVID and beef may be heading for record-high prices in 2024. It’s simple: Meat and proteins are costly and fruits, vegetables and legumes are affordable.
Take Advantage of Sales and “Expiring Soon” Items
If you can afford it, buying a favorite food or ingredient and stocking up during sales is a great way to save money down the road. Likewise, grab a day discount or soon-to-be-expired product and use it ASAP. Unless the item is literally crawling away from you, you can get a lot of grocery items for 50% off.
Use Your Freezer for Just About Anything
Freezing already prepared food makes it easy to grab for a meal or snack, and freezing fresh fruits, veggies and meat when they are in season or on sale means you can enjoy them all year long. Your wallet will follow if you’re diligent about keeping your freezer full.
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