We know every penny counts - and with rising food costs - these tricks from Self magazine may help you save on your next trip to the grocery store.
- Why not break up those bananas!
Fruits and vegetables often come in packages, but you don't have to buy the whole thing. You pay by the pound for most produce, so just buy what you know you'll eat. Likewise if a store is advertising three of something - like kiwi or lemons for 99 cents - you don't have to buy three to get the deal. Buy what you need for 33 cents each.
Recommended Videos
- Same goes for prepackaged lunch meat. Check out the deli counter before you pick up that prepackaged lunch meat. Chances are you can get the same meat at a lower cost per pound at the deli where they may also offer low-sodium alternatives.
- Did you know you're wasting money on nuke-able popcorn? It's about 25 cents more an ounce than loose kernels.
Boxes of nukable corn are almost 25 cents more per ounce than loose kernels.
- Upsize at the dairy section. Buy a larger tub of yogurt and just spoon it into reusable single-serve containers and add your own fresh fruit. You can save $2 buying the larger size.
- Go generic on one-ingredient items such as canned beans, rice, oatmeal and dried spices. here's virtually no difference in taste between generic and brand-name options. If you don't like it, most stores will refund your money if you have a receipt and the original packaging.
- Frozen isn't always frugal so be sure to compare prices per ounce. A store sale on an item may be better than the frozen price. Similarly, in-season produce usually costs less than frozen. If you're worried about fresh food spoiling, buy the frozen. It's better to spend a few cents more now than throw away spoiled food.
- Name brand sprays may be as cheap as $3.29 and generic, $2.49. A generic bottle of heart-healthy canola oil, however, is $5.59 for 48 ounces. That's nearly 30 cents less per ounce. Why not create your own non-stick spray by filling a spray bottle with low-cost canola or olive oil?
- A bottle of vinaigrette can cost you $3.69 for 8 ounces, or 46 cents per ounce. But a do-it-yourself dressing made with red wine vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil costs about 24 cents per ounce. Blend oil, vinegar, a dash of mustard, sale and pepper and shake for your own great home-made dressing.
- Limit yourself to one treat per trip to the grocery store. Cookies, chips and soft drinks not only add to your grocery bill, they add empty calories to your diet.