Grocery shopping no doubt requires one of the biggest costs in running household and frequent trips to the store by all room buddies. However, room buddies can significantly reduce their grocery bill with smart planning.

All the room buddies who share accommodation save money for different purposes…some save for buying something in future, paying the installments of a home or an automobile, putting more money towards retirement, a college fund, or for the dream vacation. Reason behind saving money may differ from person to person, but for reaching your financial goals you need to make wise financial choices.  These simple tips will help in savings on your grocery bills:

  1. Always shop with a list: Always prepare a list of the things required before going out to buy groceries. List will help you remember the things that you actually require. If you don’t have a list, you’ll end up buying the things you don’t need and will forget the things which you actually require. Ultimately you’ll have to make an extra trip to the store and will get tempted to pick up one or two extra items. So if you go shopping with proper list of the things required, you limit your trips and you’ll also limit the amount of extra buying that you do.
  2. Stick to a budget: When you go for the shopping, you must be aware of exactly how much you can spend and you should try your best to spend within those limits. The key to this strategy is to make your plan and then stick to it.
  3. Keep a list on your kitchen cupboard: When you run out of something, don’t leave it to your memory…write it immediately, and you’ll save your extra trips to the store.
  4. Cook Your Own Meals: Eating out no doubt save your time and effort but for this you will have to compromise on your money saving plan and your health. All the room buddies can cook their own food – eat healthier and save money as well. Keep the stock of easy meals at home, so that you can prepare something fast when all the room buddies are feeling lazy and this way you all can save the money on eating out.
  5. Plan your meals: All the room buddies should plan the meals ahead on a weekly basis. This will help to prepare the list of the things of exactly what is required. This will also help in saving your precious time as well.
  6. Buy in bulk: There are many items which can be bought in bulk like cereals, toilet paper, tooth paste, shampoo, soaps, etc. Buying in bulk can help you get a good bargain and will also save you from the trouble of making frequent trips to the grocer’s store.
  7. Pool in for household kitty: Room buddies should have a household kitty where everybody pools in a set amount weekly for common grocery items like milk, bread, sugar, tea, coffee etc. For all other food stuffs you can adopt “buy your own” policy. This way you may avoid spending extra for different brand choices.
  8. Choose a right store:  Keep a track of various offers, sales and the price differences in a mall and a regular store. There are many stores which keep giving the offers throughout the year. Seek such a store and make them your store.
  9. Don’t waste leftovers:  Check your fridge for what leftovers are in there. Plan a leftover night for all room buddies and make sure to finish all that leftover food.
  10. Coupons: Give the responsibility of checking the weekend newspaper for coupons to one of the room buddies. Wisely use these coupons to save money on items you need and use, but don’t get tempted towards buying items which you don’t require.

Follow these simple tips, may be you will end up saving only few dollars but don’t give up, all that money saved can add up considerably and you can save it or spend it on stuff that really matter! Stay tuned…a lot more to follow, next week we will share tips on saving money by sharing a car.

 

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