How To Grocery Shop In Winnipeg On A Budget
Have you thought how much you spend on groceries? This is one of the most significant expenses in the household and this is where the highest percentage of your budget goes. Unfortunately, not all are fortunate to have enough money to sustain their groceries.
To help you get started with your dreams of completing your weekly groceries even if you are short of budget, below are tips you can follow to save on your groceries:
- Do not shop hungry – people are tempted to buy everything they see in the grocery store when they are hungry. They pick chips, chocolates and other foods not included in their list of items to buy. Shop after taking full breakfast, lunch or dinner to avoid this habit.
- It is important that you have a list of things you will buy before going to the grocery. And make sure you stick with it and buy only what is there. Bring a pen and cross items already in your basket.
- Create a meal plan for the week. And list all the ingredients you need per meal. It is best if you bring with you three or four days’ worth of meals, as a week may be too much.
- The maximum time you should be visiting the grocery store each week is twice. Anything beyond that may let you spend more than what you are supposed to. Grocery stores are made not only to provide basic food needs of people but also tempt them to buy beyond what they need.
- Do not go to the store tired. It is a good idea to visit a market when you have full energy to roam around the isles, looking for better and cheaper options and decide wisely.
- Go to the grocery hours before closing. Going to the grocery store in a rush is not a good way to do it. This will limit your time looking for what you really need and putting in your basket anything that you “thought” you need, even not.
- If there are deposits from cans or bottles you purchased, make sure to return it. It may not be as big, but when you sum it up in a month, it will not be negligible anymore.
- It is wise to buy larger packs or packages to get savings. Wrap them up yourself, if you need to bring smaller amount and seal it back to retain its freshness.
- Before going to the store, visit your cupboards and cabinets for food leftovers, Do not buy more than what you need or stock beyond the usual.
- Do not get deceived by promos. There might be something hidden between the promos, it may be the expiration is near or the product is just not very good. Be wise in choosing items on promo or sale.
- Dish-washing soaps and detergents are best purchased at discount shops.
- Bring a calculator when shopping and add everything you put in your basket. If you are coming near your budget, limit what to put in. Best to start buying from what you need the most to the least of your need to ensure that basic needs are in the basket before your budget for groceries run out.
- When arranging your cabinet and cupboard, put those near expiration date to the front to ensure all is utilized and consumed. You would not want to throw food just because you missed to look at the expiration date.
- It is best to load up your freezer with marinated meats, precooked foods and the like. By doing so, you are avoiding the temptation of eating out and spending more.
- As much as possible, do not bring your kids while shopping. There are a lot of tempting foods they can see, chocolates, chips, candies and the like. Not only are these foods are unhealthy, they are sometimes expensive and are not part of your budget. When they started to throw tantrums often parents have no choice but to give in to what they want and spend more what they are supposed to.
Some, because of trying too much keeping their budget low, they will cut on food. Food is a basic necessity and it is only necessary that you buy everything you need when in the grocery store. With your small budget, you can keep up with all your family’s needs as long as buying is done in most strategic and wisest manner.