Are you sick of grocery shopping busting your budget – and your diet – before you even hit the checkout line?! Personal trainer and Holistic Health counselor Christine Boutross shared with us her top Fabulous & Frugal shopping tips that will benefit your body – and your wallet!
1. Never Shop Without a Shopping List! Yes, it takes a few extra minutes. But planning ahead will save you more than just a few extra dollars! Think about your schedule for the week to come and how many meals you’ll need to make, including snacks and bringing your lunch to work. Over the weekend look over store circulars to see what’s on sale, and plan meals around these items. Before leaving the house, create a list of ingredients and stick to it!
2. Be cautious with coupons! Most coupons are for processed food – you may have noticed it is rare to come across a “manufacturer’s coupon” for fresh fruits, veggies or whole grains. Don’t use a coupon as an excuse to waste money on an unhealthy snack you don’t need. Fill up your cart with whole foods first, and save money and calories by skipping junk purchases!
3. No Kidding Around! I can’t tell you how many extra boxes of crackers and cookies I’ve ended up with just because I’ve been desperate to keep my wee ones occupied at the grocery. If you’re shopping with your tots, be sure to bring snacks and a toy from home to keep them distracted without adding to your bill.
4. Never Shop On An Empty Stomach! Shopping after you’ve eaten a snack or protein bar will help you stick to your list and control the urge to purchase extra treats!
5. Store Brands Go Organic! The good news for those of us who like organic food but not the high price tag that goes with them: many big grocery chains now have their own “in house” organic lines! Sure, the labels may not be as inviting as the more famous brands -- but your body won’t know the difference. Food needs to meet certain standards to be labeled “Organic” so you know you’re still getting the real deal, just at a discounted price.
Visit Fab & Fru for our Top 10 Grocery Saving Tips! We’re sure we’re not the only ones who have grabbed at Halloween sized bags of candy or outrageously overpriced pre-cut pineapple… What have some of your impulse buys been at the grocery store?
