Lower your grocery bill before even setting a foot in the store
Without some kind of a plan, grocery shopping can turn into a game of chance. A shopping list prevents accidentally buying ingredients already on hand. Having a few specific meals in mind makes it less tempting to buy random items ‘just in case’.
Key points
- Planning meals helps with building a shopping list
- Shopping pantry, fridge, and freezer first shortens the list
- Sticking to the list reduces impulse purchases
Before going shopping a quick look at what is already on hand in pantry, fridge, and freezer can provide inspiration for next week’s meal ideas. Make a list of items you are still missing, and stick to the list when you are in the store!
‘Shopping the kitchen first’ and buying mainly items to be used in the short term lowers the next grocery bill. It also decreases the inventory in pantry, fridge, and freezer and reduces the chance that items go bad or expire, which would be a waste of money.
Meal plans don’t need to go into great detail. A rough one is much better than none. Planning just a few dinners will make a difference. Stocking the ingredients for a handful of favorites is helpful, and if those have a long shelf life, even better! Then it’s easy to switch things around as the week unfolds.
