The cost of groceries has risen 14% this past year, making consumers much more cautious about what they choose to buy.
Shopper Amy Pithan told CBS, “I think I’m more careful. I’m not as frivolous in my spending, and I look at the prices more … every time you go to the grocery store, you’re just not quite sure how much things are going to be.”
Shopper Gina High has found that some items are almost double the cost they used to be.
A single person in Texas should budget around $264 a month for groceries, according to Upnest.com.
CBS talked to strategic money coach Krys ‘the Maximizer’ about ways to save on groceries. Krys believes cutting costs starts at home.
She recommends making lists before going out to shop. Make one list of immediate grocery needs that will last the next week or two. The second list should contain items one never wants to run out of, necessities like toilet paper or toothpaste, and other stockpile goods. With this list, look for sales and potentially put off buying them if there are no good deals that week.
Couponers should record the prices before shopping to ensure they stay on budget.
Krys said many consumers make the common mistake of shopping exclusively at one store. Customers should do a little research before they shop and look for the stores with the best deals that week.
Another way to avoid buying unnecessary food items is to meal plan. With a set list of ingredients, a consumer will not be as tempted to buy other things that look good.
This also helps consumers cut back on unnecessarily ordering take-out because there is no plan for dinner. If dinner is planned, consumers will be more likely to stick to the plan and not defer to their impulses.
