10 tips to save thousands on groceries by making a small change to your shopping habits

How can you save thousands of dollars a year on groceries with a small change to your shopping habits?

1. Shop end of day. This is often when end of day specials are promoted. However also be mindful that shopping when you're tired heightens your risk of buying high sugar, and processed foods, both which are not so good for you.

2. Buy unprocessed foods.This will not only be healthier for you. Creating new meals and discovering new recipes can be a pleasure (for those who love Masterchef) and even cost less than buying the proceed instant meals. However try to avoid the meals with a special ingredient, because if that ingredient is on sale either you'll risk buying to much of it and never use it again or the single special ingredient is expensive and blows out the total cost of the meal.

3. Buy bulk and plan your meals. Heck even plan your shopping and plan making meals by viewing an online weekly catalog before you shop i..e make a list and a weekly spend budget and stick to it. Spag bol is my default, then there is curry, lasagne... yum:)  Making lunch and diners that you can eat over the week will not only save the environment, you will save on takeaway meals too.

4. If you can wait, then wait and buy sale items that you require. This one is pretty obvious. Then again if your'e buying things that you don't need that are on sale, then this is not only silly, it's dumb for your finances.

5.With a big selection of the same items on offer at the larger shops i.e. tuna, butter, cheese, eggs sauce, etc.. Don't just pick from middle of shelf. Generally there are same items at a less price on the lower shelves.

6. Know what you are buying. Often the same no name or store items are 99.99% the same as more expensive brand name produce, but can be as much as 50% less.. I'm no food fashionista so to me butter is butter, so is milk, chick peas, pasta, rice, etc...

7. Eat before you shop. Remember the saying you eat with your eyes? So if you hungry and you go shop there a high probability you'll end up buying more than you intend.

8. If you can shop alone and you have self control with your shopping list and budget, then its best to do this activity alone.

9. Stay in season and buy in the middle or end of the season, not the star of the season. Especially when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables

10. Reward yourself. Cooking at home and penny pinching can be fun, but remember to reward yourself and put some of the savings you've achieved into a nice experience or even a nice restaurant meal. Doing so will keep you motivated and on track.

I hope you liked my top 10 tips. feel free to add more in the comments. 

This post was written by Me, as such they are my personal views and not financial or general advice.

You should always seek independent financial advice when it comes to choices about your personal finances. This is one area of your life where it’s worth paying for it to be done right.