The 10 Commandments of Frugal Grocery Shopping

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Wouldn’t it just be easier if you had a clear-cut guide to more intelligent grocery shopping? Well, consider this your sign from above telling you there’s a better way! Here are the ten commandments of grocery shopping to keep you from burning a hole in your pocket.

Thou Shalt Not Leave Home Without a List

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There’s no hope for the grocery shopper who attempts a frugal visit without a shopping list; make one every time, and don’t deviate from it!

Thou Shalt Always Shop Generic

San Leandro, CA - October 18, 2017: Grocery store shelf with cans of Great Value brand vegetables. Great Value is a Walmart brand product.
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Generics often taste so similar to the brand names that you’ll never miss them — and you certainly won’t miss the higher price tag. Generics are also becoming more popular, meaning that the companies are upping the ante to ensure their products are high-quality.

Thou Shalt Shop the Pantry First

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Instead of accidentally buying a third bag of rice, maybe investigate the pantry situation before you even bother making a list. Try your best to devise a few meals a week that rely primarily on pantry ingredients to save even more money.

Thou Shalt Buy In-Season Produce

Pretty smiling Black woman working at fruit department at grocery store.
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Grocery stores will have in-season produce in troves. Take advantage of their surplus and buy what’s in season. Not only will it be more delicious, it’ll be significantly cheaper.

Thou Shalt Minimize Food Waste

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Every grocery shop is cheaper when you aren’t re-buying things you let go bad. Keep your food waste to a minimum by planning meals and finding creative uses for anything about to go off. You can also use a document or cheat sheet to remind yourself what needs to be used.

Thou Shalt Meal Plan

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Frugality and food all start with meal planning. You can plan your meals down to the cent, saving a shocking amount of money over the year. And if you can prep your meals, you’ll save time and money, which everyone could use more of!

Thou Shalt Take Advantage of Store Rewards Cards

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If you’re already shopping at your local grocery store, you might as well sign up for their rewards cards. Grocery stores often have exclusive deals for members, so don’t leave those savings on the table!

Thou Shalt Buy Less Meat

Man buying fresh meat from supermarket counter
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Meat can get extremely expensive if you’re eating it too often. Try to switch things up by incorporating more vegetables, beans, and grains into your diet. It’ll be cheaper, and it’s fun to try new recipes!

Thou Shalt Pay in Cash

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Bringing cash to the grocery store and leaving the plastic at home forces you to stick to your grocery budget. It’ll prevent the ever-enticing impulse purchases in the snack aisle because you literally can’t afford it if you haven’t brought the cash!

Thou Shalt Always Cut Coupons

Thrifty Shopper Using Coupons Isolated On White
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Anyone who wants to focus on frugal food shopping has to start with the most obvious of the commandments: cutting coupons. You don’t even have to put in much effort to see some decent returns — just see what’s on sale before you go and clip the coupon if it’s relevant to your shopping list.

 

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Author: CJ Darnieder

Bio:

CJ is a writer and musician from Chicago.  When he’s not practicing the divine art of stoicism, focusing on achieving a deafening inner quiet, or attempting to reconcile with the inherent powers of the universe, he loves to cook!

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