How to Save Money on Groceries

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been spending a crazy amount of money on groceries lately. It’s really kind of alarming. I’ve been thinking about how my whole paycheck ends up going to Whole Foods, and I came up with a few likely scenarios.

A) It’s cold outside and I’m fattening myself up for winter.
B) It’s three weeks before Christmas and I can’t stop baking cookies.
C) Pomegranates are in season and I’ve been cleaning out the supermarket.
D) All of the above.

Upon further consideration, my situation looks most like option “D.” I swear I’m at the grocery store at least three times a week restocking my pantry, picking up fresh veggies, and begrudgingly splurging on obscure spices and seasonings I know I’m not going to use again until next winter.

If you’re anything like me, the holiday season tends to bring out your inner shopper. Whether its pomegranates for your potluck dish or pajamas for your niece or nephew, it’s easy to let your spending get out of control if you aren’t careful. While buying gifts for your friends and family members is pretty much unavoidable, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to feed them. Here are some tips that will help you save money on your holiday groceries starting today.

1. Don’t leave your house without a shopping list. I’m serious. Going into the grocery store without a plan is one of the most dangerous things you can do for your budget. Suddenly your shopping cart is full and you have no idea what’s in it. Before you even think about going to the grocery store, plan out all of your menus including the individual ingredients you need and only buy those items.
2. Take inventory of what you already have at home. When is the last time you looked at the top shelf in your pantry? Probably not recently enough to remember what’s there. Now is a good time to go through every cabinet and shelf in your kitchen to take stock of what you already have. Then compare this with what you need for each recipe. You’ll likely be able to cross a few items off of your shopping list.
3. Get creative with substitutions. Does your recipe call for quinoa but you have a giant bag of brown rice sitting in your cupboard? There’s nothing wrong with improvising and making smart swaps that will help you save money on your holiday groceries. Just make sure to follow the package directions rather than the recipe directions to avoid ruining your dish.
4. Only buy what your family can eat at one meal. If you’re only cooking for four people, don’t cook for eight. We usually make too much food thinking we’ll eat the leftovers, but all too often it ends up in the trash. Consider cutting your recipes in half. Not only will you save money at the checkout line, you’ll also avoid the guilt of tossing out last night’s dinner.
5. Choose the right grocery store, and go to more than one if you have to. If you have several grocery stores in your area, think about which one will give you the best value for your dollar. Maybe you’ll buy your basic pantry items and spices at a bargain supermarket, trekking to Whole Foods only for bulk and specialty items like raw cashews and vegan cheese.

What are your strategies for saving money on your holiday groceries?