The world economy is dropping day by day. World economists also predict that- This fiscal crisis might bring a devastating situation in the overall world economy in the years to come, which would leave a negative impact on personal finances as well. So it is a great time to practice frugality in all walks of life, especially in finance and health. Frugality costs nothing but a strong frugal mindset. I think a woman can play a frugal role to protect her family from the financial crisis by following some tips on food and grocery shopping. Below are my 20 frugal food and grocery shopping tips:
1. Be healthier to be wealthier
A frugal woman firstly should give priority to keeping her family members healthy and fit. For this, she needs to provide themselves with nutritious food. In this case, to avoid waste you can select only necessary healthier food and grocery items. If you ensure frugality to choose your ideal products, this habit can make you wealthy too.
2. Grow your own
You can grow vegetables, greens, potatoes, cucumber, lettuce, radishes, basil, spinach, and many other items in your garden or in containers on a sunshiny balcony. This farming habit can save you a lot of money, no doubt.
3. Store your food properly at home
You have to store your food in the refrigerator in a proper way at home. You should know the food storing tips because it will help you to avoid waste.
4. Buy in Bulk
Try to buy in bulk because it saves your hard-earned money. Ensure buying the items in bulk that can retain their exact quality for a long time. You can consider buying in bulk these items like dried herbs, rice, flour, spices, pasta, and different whole grains.
5. Make your own meals
Avoid eating out rather cook your own meals at home. Regularly taking your breakfast, lunch, and dinner outside the home can cost your financial and physical health a lot. So learning to prepare your own food is an important frugal habit.
6. Make a Menu
A frugal woman needs to make a weekly grocery shopping menu for saving her money. It will reduce your unnecessary shopping which actually costs nothing but wasting your money.
7. Never Shopping Without a Budget
As a frugal woman, you must make a monthly budget for your food and grocery shopping. A good shopping budget can influence your financial freedom.
8. Don’t Shop Without a List
You should do never shopping without making a list. A frugal mom needs to make a list to avoid unlisted shopping for her kids and family.
9. Make Coffee or Tea At Home
Making a cup of coffee or tea is not a difficult task. Any mom can do it easily at home and saves money.
10. Use Generic Label Products
Sometimes, the food and grocery items covered with glamorous packaging can dazzle your eyes and you may be enticed by it. But always bear in mind that this is the company’s marketing policy which increases the cost of the real product. So, make it a habit to buy generic-label products. Because the quality and nutrition are the same in the system displayed of the same products.
11. Shop with your kids
When you go shopping, you can invite your kids to follow the way you choose the cheap but healthy items. This process will help you to make your future generation more frugal
12. Choose store brands
To save your cash, choose store-brand or nameless-brand food and grocery items instead of purchasing colorful fancy packing products. Nameless or store-brand items are usually less expensive and more nutritious.
13. Compare the unit price for similar items
As a frugal woman, you should use a calculator to compare the unit price for similar items. Finding out per unit price can help you to decide whether you will purchase a smaller size or a larger size of grocery items.
14. Buy frozen or canned
When any fresh grocery item is out of season, try to buy frozen or canned fruits and vegetables. It will meet up your necessity as well as help you to save dollars.
15. Looking at the expiry dates
Before buying food or grocery products you must be sure that these items have expiry dates. It will give you enough time to consume these plus, reduce waste to a great extent.
16. Buy in season
In season you will find fruits and vegetables at a cheaper rate. Avoid waste buying ripe fruits in bulk rather buy some fruits that are ripened and others to be ripened in a few days. This frugal habit will give you sufficient time to consume your purchases.
17. Know the food prices of different shops
You should write down the product prices that you often buy. Frequently travel to different shops to compare the price rates. This process will help you decide to buy your groceries at favorable prices.
18. Shop at grocery stores or supermarkets
Shopping at grocery stores or supermarkets will provide you with a variety of items at a cheaper rate. So avail of the service yourself from this type of shop to save money.
19. Use coupons wisely
If you want to actually use or eat the food you bought, you can use coupons for saving money. Also, you must check the expiry date of the coupons.
20. Be alert to what’s on sale
As a sincere and thrifty mom, you should always keep your eyes on online stores, newspaper ads, and grocery store flyers for buying your child’s food and grocery items at a cheaper rate.
The Bottom Line
I think that in this modern age, maintaining frugal habits in food and grocery shopping is crucial to lead a healthy and wealthy life. A frugal woman or mom can teach her kids how to be frugal in grocery shopping. Plus, in this way, a frugal woman can contribute a lot to her family by saving money as well as by providing necessary nutrition altogether. The 20 frugal food and grocery shopping tips I suggested above might not make you rich but can make you a financially independent woman/mom to a great extent.