10 Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget during COVID-19

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc in all of our lives, disrupting our normal way of living. Many of you may have been laid off, or have severely reduced work hours as a result, yet you still have to maintain your homes and feed your families. One of the basic necessities that will continue is food.

I want to share ways to keep your grocery bill down during the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Plan your meals ahead

Create a weekly family menu. Start with what you already have in your refrigerator and cabinets and figure out what extra ingredients you need.

2. Stick with your favorites

Stick with basic meals, nothing fancy. This may not be a great time to experiment with new exotic recipes that your family may or may not like.

3. Create a shopping list

Before you’re ready to go grocery shopping, create a grocery list, and stick to it. Don’t be tempted to splurge.

4. Use coupons

Check your Sunday newspapers to get started. You can also go online to access digital coupons. You can print the ones you want to use to take with you to the grocery store.

5. Try these grocery store hacks

  • Bring your own bags (BYOB). It may not be much, but every cent matters!
  • Ask the store manager about their sale cycles.
  • Check unit prices to see what is the best deal. The price label will tell you how much an item cost per ounce, pound, or piece.
  • Buy generic or store brands. Pass on the name-brand items.
  • Buy “must go” and “must sell” items. You will find these in the bakery, meat department, and dairy section.
  • Trade in your fresh vegetables for frozen vegetables. They cost less and will last longer.
  • Without hoarding, purchase staple and pantry items in bulk, especially if they’re on sale: things like pasta, rice, beans, cereal (hot and cold), sugar, flour, corn meal, and canned goods.

6. Have a single-dish meal once a week

7. Try meatless Mondays

8. Redefine dinner

Instead of your dinner standards, you can try a hot breakfast or lunch for dinner.

9. Make leftovers

Repurpose your leftover dinners for lunch the next day.

10. Partner shop

Shop with someone else from your household, like a roommate or family member. Share the cost and split the groceries.

~

These tips should put a significant dent in your grocery bill and give you some breathing room. These are also practices you can maintain even when life returns to normal. The money you don’t spend on groceries, you can add to your savings!

Read more ideas on saving money and making a budget during COVID-19.

Take Charge of Your Savings
Earn rewards for creating a brighter future
Sign up to save more

Recommended Articles

What Is a Recession and How Do I Prepare for One?

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is the organization that decides if the US is in a recession. They define a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and lasts more than a few months.” So, what the heck does this mean? In a recession, companies are… Read more

3 Strategies to Stretch Your Food Dollars

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you may have to stretch a lower income to cover regular expenses. If your income has been reduced or you have had a lot of unexpected expenses, having enough money to feed yourself and your family may be a challenge. Food is a necessity to maintain a healthy life. But… Read more

8 Tips for Financial Planning During an Economic Downturn

It’s difficult to create a solid financial plan when the economy is booming. Add an economic downturn and creating a financial plan can seem impossible. Here are eight tips for financial planning during a downturn that can help you stay the course. 1. Be Sure You’re Thinking Clearly It’s easy to give in to panic… Read more