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SNAP4CT Blog

6 Ways to Save Money Grocery Shopping

9/11/2018

10 Comments

 
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In our last blog, we gave you 5 tips to make grocery shopping easier. Many of those tips helped you to save money too. Now we want to help you save even more!

​Following are 6 easy ways to save money on your groceries. 
​

1. Shop the Sales / Use Coupons

Price Chopper grocer logo
Aldi grocer logo
ShopRite grocer logo
Stop&Shop grocer logo
Buying food items that are on sale, or using coupons, can save you LOTS of money.  All grocery stores have weekly sales. You can find out which stores have the best prices by reviewing sales flyers, or by checking store websites. Some stores even have grocery apps you can use on your phone. Use this information to plan your meals and make your shopping list. And, if you have room in your budget, stock up on pantry items or foods you eat often as soon as they go on sale. 

 

2. Check Unit Prices

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Photo from ChooseMyPlate.gov
We know you don’t want to spend much time grocery shopping, so we have a super handy tip for comparing prices. Most products have a price called the “unit price” listed on the shelf. It is to the left of the retail price of the item. This unit price tells you how much a food is per a set amount (like per ounce, or per pound). This helps you quickly see which item is the best buy. If yogurt #1 has a unit price of 5 cents per ounce, and yogurt #2 has a a higher unit price of 12 cents per ounce, yogurt #1 is the best deal. You would actually save 7 cents per ounce (12 cents – 5 cents = 7 cents)!

Most of the time buying a larger container is actually cheaper. But, remember, you’re not saving if the food goes bad before you can use it. To learn more see, “Understand the Price Tag”

3. Buy the Store Brand

Did you know that store brands are often made in the same facility as name brands? Sometimes they are actually the same product with a different label? Wild – right? Since store brands don’t spend a lot of money on advertising, they often cost less. They may taste slightly different, but generally they are just as good, making them a smart choice. When buying staples like beans, grains, nuts, pasta, and juice, the store brand is definitely the way to go. You can always check the unit prices to know for sure if you are getting the best deal.  

4. Buy Foods that Are in Season

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Buying fruits and vegetable when they are in season is another great way to save money. Check the CT Crop Calendar to see when your favorite local fruits and vegetables are available. Or, head to your CT Farmers Market to find healthy deals.

Bonus Tip: When the produce you enjoy is not in season, look for frozen and/or canned choices. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetable are just as good as fresh! They are often less expensive, and they last for a very long time. Just be sure to look for fruits canned in natural juice and vegetables without added salt.

5. Avoid Prepared Foods 

It may seem tempting to grab a pre-made meal thinking it will save you time. But, it will generally cost you lots more money. And, prepared foods are often high in salt and fat, making them less healthy.  Buying the ingredients and making meals yourself is almost always cheaper. Plus, when you learn to make Quick & Easy Meals you are able to season and prepare foods just how you and your family like them.

6. Don't Shop When You Are Hungry

​This may sound funny, but trust us, shopping when hungry is a recipe for disaster! It will be much harder to have the willpower to stick to your budget and buy only the healthy foods that you need. Have a snack or light meal before heading in to the store. A handful of trail mix or an apple may be enough to keep you full and focused, and able to make the best choices for your budget. 

For more great resources and tips on saving money​, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov’s:
  • Healthy Eating on A Budget
  • ​10 Tips: Save More at the Grocery Store
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Husky Nutrition at UConn Health
195 Farmington Avenue, MC 6030
Farmington, CT 06032​
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SNAP-ED Event Calendar
© COPYRIGHT 2018.  ​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

This information was funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP.  
SNAP helps low-income people buy nutritious food for a better diet.
​To get more information contact the CT Department of Social Services at
1-855-626-6632 or www.CT.gov/dss.


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  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Categories >
      • Kid Friendly Recipes
      • No Added Sugar
      • Vegetarian Recipes
      • Heart Healthy Recipes
      • Five Ingredients or Less
      • Quick and Easy Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Dips and Salsas
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Meatless Meals
    • Meals with Meat
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups and Stews
    • Sodium Free Spice Blends
    • Recetas
  • Farmers Markets
    • Find a Farmers Market
    • CT Crop Calendar
    • Using SNAP/EBT at Farmers Markets
  • Education
    • Healthy Eating >
      • MyPlate
      • Understanding The Nutrition Label
      • Added Sugar
      • Healthy Snacking Tips
      • Calories Needed Each Day
      • What is "enough" fruits and vegetables
      • Recipe Videos
    • Budget Shopping >
      • Healthy Shopping on a Budget
      • What Can $16 Buy?
      • Budget Pantry
    • Diabetes >
      • Healthy Eating with Diabetes
      • "Diabetes-Friendly" Recipe Guide
    • Heart Health
    • Exercise Tips
    • Physical Literacy
    • Water First for Your Thirst
  • SNAP4CT Blog
  • Resources
    • DSS Offices and SNAP Help
    • FAQ
    • Free Health Events in CT
    • Organizations
    • SNAP-Ed Events Calendar
    • Healthy Food Pantry Donations