How to save on food

To save money on food, plan meals and make a shopping list, cook at home more often, and buy in bulk. Additional strategies include shopping sales, using coupons, choosing store brands, and reducing food waste.

Before you shop
Plan your meals: Create a weekly meal plan to know exactly what you need to buy, which prevents impulse buys and overspending.
Make a list: A strict shopping list helps you stick to your plan and avoid buying unnecessary items.
Check sales: Look at store flyers and apps for weekly sales and build your meal plan around them.
Avoid shopping hungry: You're more likely to make impulse purchases when you're hungry.

While you shop
Stick to the list: Use your list to stay focused and avoid impulse buys.
Choose generic brands: Store or generic brands are often much cheaper than name brands.
Compare unit prices: Look at the unit price (price per ounce, pound, etc.) to find the best value, especially when comparing different sizes.
Buy in bulk: Purchase non-perishable items and large cuts of meat that you can freeze to save money over time.
Shop sales and clearance: Buy discounted items, especially if you can freeze them for later, but be careful not to buy more than you need.
Shop at the end of the day or at local markets: You may find better deals near closing time at markets.

After you shop
Cook from scratch: Cooking from scratch is almost always cheaper than buying pre-made or pre-packaged meals.
Meal prep: Cook large batches of meals and freeze portions for future use to save time and money on busy nights.
Use leftovers: Plan to use leftovers for lunches or another dinner to avoid waste.
Store food properly: Proper storage helps prevent food from spoiling, so you can use it before it goes bad.
Repurpose ingredients: Use things like a whole chicken for multiple meals (breasts, thighs, then the carcass for stock) or save vegetable scraps for broth.

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