Maybe you are not into the psychology of spending, and you don’t know some manipulative techniques that the supermarkets use to make you spend more. But it’s a very profitable industry making us buy much more than we actually need.
Food is something that we consume every single day, sometimes up to five times a day. According to budgeting statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor, 12.5% of budgets were spent on food during 2016 in the US. So, if you’re wondering how to stop spending money on food, you’re at the right place.
We did some research for you and prepared some tips on how you can enjoy your food and save some of your precious money. Keep reading if you want to know more.
How to Stop Spending Money on Food
Make a List for Shopping
It will take some of your free time, but it will benefit your wallet. With many big stores offering great discounts, it’s not easy to buy just what you planned. But you should make a list and stick to it. Many people rave about the cash envelope system as an effective approach to tracking your expenses, allowing you complete control of your finances. Why don’t you check it out?
Don’t Shop When You Are Hungry
Being hungry is not a fun state. When you go shopping starving, you’re ready to buy everything to satisfy your hunger. That’s why it’s better to have a full stomach so that your brain can focus on the shopping task only.
Ignore Eye-Level Item Shopping
Food market psychology plays a significant role in driving sales. The products on your eye level are the ones that bring the most profit. If you scan the shelves thoroughly, you’ll easily find much cheaper products on different shelf levels. For example, groceries on a budget are usually located on the lowest shelves or in discount places.
Shop in Season
Fruits and vegetables are very pricey if it's not the season. Also, the food which is not seasonal doesn't have the full amount of nutrients that you could benefit from. So, always buy seasonal goods.
Buy in Bulk
Still wondering how to save money on groceries? Consider buying in bulk if you have where to store all that food. Also, check whether you need to freeze it or you can keep it fresh.
Shop at the Farmers' Markets at the End of the Day
That’s the perfect time to find cheap vegetables, nuts, and fruits to diversify your daily meals. Farmers lower their prices to clean the inventory. Also, you can save some not-so-good-looking goods and buy them for half of their price.
Try Different Grocery Shops
Nowadays, it's super easy to compare the prices in different grocery shops. You can do it online, or if you have time, try and visit them to find the best deals.
Stop Eating Fast Food
It’s usually overpriced and not nutritious at all. Make it a competition “You versus you.” Instead of purchasing fast food, try counting the victories of how many times you avoided it. Your health and wallet will be thankful.
Interestingly, 78% of Americans have changed their diet following a discussion with a healthcare professional.
Stop Ordering Food
Whenever you don`t have time to cook, try to satisfy your hunger with some nuts, fruits, or protein bars instead of ordering food. Delivery is expensive and usually leads to either overeating or throwing the food away since the meals are huge. Remember that every saving on food is saving your money too.
Stop Overeating
Apart from being harmful, overeating also increases insulin levels, making you eat more. Try to eat as many home-cooked meals as possible since eating out in restaurants or food deliveries will get you huge portions and make you eat unconsciously more.
You should watch your weight as well. According to the obesity statistics, the US spends almost $150 billion per year on obesity-related medical costs.
Clean and Organize Your Fridge
Clean your fridge regularly and keep it organized to know what products you have and which ones need to be purchased.
Freeze Your Food
Try to research which food items can be frozen, and you will be amazed. For example, instead of throwing your food leftovers, freeze them. Also, consider buying your favorite food in bulk and freezing it.
Meal Prep Plans
Try to plan your meals for the whole week ahead. For example, boil eggs, chop veggies, and bake meat on the weekend to use all the ingredients throughout the week. This will also help you learn how to spend less on groceries.
Bring Home Leftovers
Living a fast-paced life makes us order food on the way or at work. But we often throw the leftovers away. Instead, why don’t we store them for later? Just a piece of pizza will be enough to make a zero-effort dinner by combining it with a bowl of salad.
Start Your Own Herb Garden
Herbs and spices make our meals magical, but they are also pricey. So, why don’t you consider growing herbs yourself? That way, you can have fresh herbs all year round. You can even sell some to your friends. This trick will save and make you money and help season your meals.
Track Your Spending
If you’re wondering how to save money on food, try to track down how much you spend on eating outside, deliveries, and grocery shopping. Personal finance books may also help you manage your money better.
Introduce Pasta, Lentils, Beans, or Rice to Your Meals
These ingredients are very cheap and easy to store. They are also full of micro and macronutrients, so don't worry about the quality of your meals. Try making a meal based on them at least once per week, and you’ll notice how your expenses will reduce.
Prepare Your Own Desserts and Baked Goods
These two are the most overpriced things that you could buy. But why are they in our tricks on how to spend less on groceries? Because you can buy ingredients and make 20 to 30 cakes or croissants and freeze them. That way, you could have 30 desserts for the price of 5 cakes.
Do One Big Shopping Instead of Lots of Little Ones
Every visit to the supermarket is a chance for you to throw extra stuff into your cart. Try to reduce your shopping to once a month or a week, and only buy the fresh food from the little shops daily.
In Conclusion
The most important things you should work on while learning how to stop spending money on food are your discipline and willpower. Preparing food and planning the meals will take some time, and delicious foods can sometimes be too tempting to miss despite one's best efforts. But practicing this advice will lower your waist size, improve your health, and make your wallet fat again.
