10 tips for grocery shopping on a budget

If you’ve recently felt that grocery prices have risen significantly, you’re not alone. Inflation drives prices up, making saving money a challenge but not impossible.

And while we would like to blame everything on inflation, there are other reasons you have difficulty saving when grocery shopping. Walking into a grocery store can be like stepping foot on a battlefield, with the food on the shelves shouting, “take me home!” and the shopping cart whispering, “fill me up!”.

Sadly, we can’t save you from the shopping cart, but we can provide tips on how to save money when grocery shopping.

1. Plan your meals ahead of time

To avoid buying things you don’t need, create a weekly meal plan to determine what you need. Before going to the grocery store, write these down on a shopping list and stick to only buying them. This helps prevent buying items that will ultimately go to waste.

2. Look for discounts

To take it further, you can plan your weekly meals around grocery store offers. Check stores’ social media accounts for promotions and plan your meals accordingly. For example, if a store is offering a discount on eggplants, consider making an eggplant maqlouba. If you’re not a fan of maqlouba, don’t talk to us. We take it personally!

3. Don’t make a purchase just because it’s on sale

We know we’ve advised you to keep an eye out for discounts, but don’t fall into the trap of buying items you don’t need just because they’re on sale. Yes, the word “sale” in bold red letters can be tempting, but if an item isn’t on your shopping list, you don’t need it and will spend more than you had planned for.

4. Buy foods in the right quantities

While buying foods in bulk can save you money, this isn’t always the case, especially when it comes to perishable foods, such as vegetables. Why purchase a large quantity of produce like tomatoes only to throw half of them away due to spoilage?

On the other hand, non-perishable items like breakfast cereal can be bought in larger quantities. Just remember to always check the expiration date.

5. Compare prices

Don’t buy the first product you see in front of you, as the products placed at eye level are usually the most expensive. Look up and down the shelves and compare prices and weights to get the best value for money. This may take longer, but adopting this practice will help you save more money in the long run!

6. Don’t shop when you’re hungry

You may make many mistakes when you’re hungry, such as eating the chocolate bar your child hid in the refrigerator to eat after school. And while your child might forgive you for eating their snack, your grocery bill won’t be as forgiving if you shop when you’re hungry. Make sure you go to the supermarket with a full stomach, so you don’t crave everything you see.

7. Bring out the farmer in you

If you have a garden at home, bring your shovel and follow us! There are many vegetables and fruits that you can grow in your garden to save money, such as tomatoes, carrots, radishes, and bell peppers. Don’t have a garden? You can still grow some herbs in pots indoors, such as mint, parsley, and cilantro.

8. Take 5 minutes each week to check on your fridge

Your refrigerator has feelings, and you don’t want it to be upset by spoiled produce. Keep track of what’s inside and plan your meals accordingly. For example, if you have a few carrots and zucchini in your fridge, add potatoes to your shopping list and make vegetable soup for dinner. This way, you’ll save money and add a creative touch to your meals.

9. Shop alone

Going grocery shopping with your kids or spouse can lead to overspending. To avoid this, put your kids to sleep or turn on the TV to preoccupy your spouse! This way, you can avoid impulsive purchases and stick to your budget.

10. Get cashback

Let’s end our list of tips with the most important tip of all! Use any Bank al Etihad card when shopping to get instant cashback of up to 3% on all purchases. The cashback amount is sent directly to your in-app vault, and you can withdraw it at any time by transferring it to your bank account! Learn more here.

By practising these habits while shopping for groceries, you will be able to save more, achieve your financial goals faster, and invest in the future — or even save to buy that thing you want now.