2024 is just around the corner
…and most of us start thinking about what we want to achieve in the new year. We usually want to be healthier AND save money but feel like we have to choose between the two. We think eating healthy usually costs more and saving money is hard so we want to cut ourselves some slack in other parts of our life. Well I know you CAN do both and I will let you know how!
To have a healthier lifestyle you should cook more of your own food and go to the grocery store. And the grocery store is the perfect place to save money. But healthy food costs so much more! No, that is a lie. You waste so much money on eating out and buying pre-cut, frozen meals at the grocery store and so on. You just need to do smart grocery shopping.
Ever since stopped working and had to step up my savings game, I have learned so many hacks that I use all the time. I will say that some of the tricks do take time and dedication to learn but I will share what I have learned so you can get started.
Learn the cost of groceries
I did not really know that beef was more expensive than pork so I now make my favorite pork dumplings more than I eat hamburgers. I am not compromising on anything really. I love both meals. I just know which ones cost more. This is an easy trick to still eat the healthy meals you love but also save money. Knowledge is power!
The chicken example
Okay so me and my husband love to eat chicken and I have managed to cut our chicken cost in half (and we eat chicken almost everyday)! So we used to buy pre-cut chicken breast. It was easy and fast to cook. Now I buy either frozen or fresh chicken thigh depending on what is cheapest at the moment. Thigh chicken tastes similar, is more tender and way easier to cook evenly! I really recommend trying it if you never have.
One way to save even more money on chicken is to buy a whole grilled chicken but we know we won’t eat all the different parts and it takes too much fuss and energy for us. But making an active choice is so much better than to just buy whatever out of habit! Take this example and apply it to other food items you want to eat and see if you can cut your cost like I did.
Buy seasonal items
Make sure to only buy what is in season. When you go to the store you will learn over time what fruits and vegetables are placed where during what season. It is actually fun to learn what food is fresh when, it is how we are meant to eat! Apples are in season in the late summer and fall and that is why when we think of apple pie, apple cider we get inspired for autumn. Some of these are more obvious than others and some foods are in season for almost the whole year while others only last for a few precious months. Have fun with this and learn about our food!
Frozen food is cheaper than fresh
This is a great way to get the produce you want when they are not in season. I would also argue it can be helpful to buy frozen veggies when you are trying to eat healthier since they won’t go bad and you will always have some vegetables ready to eat at home. Please make sure to only buy unprocessed frozen food like vegetables and meat. Don’t buy ready meals since they won’t be helping you on your health journey.
Don’t be scared of other new, other and different brands
We are creatures of habit and we can save money by having an open mind to new products and brands. BUT you can only do this while you are not actively shopping. Either shut your mind off and tell yourself you are only looking right at that moment or do this before or after you are done with your grocery shopping, not during. Try to think of it just as research and not any actual purchasing. Next time you need to do food shopping you will have that knowledge and are prepared to make a good decision.
Never go to the store hungry
You have probably heard this one but it is so TRUE. Don’t do it. You will decide what you are going to eat for the rest of the week just based on those specific hunger cues that very hour. This is why you also always should write a list.
Always write a smart list
I write my list in the order I know the food is placed in the store. That way I follow exactly what I need from the top of the list and work my way down. I do not get distracted and I won’t forget anything. You know exactly what you need and when in the store you will find it.
Have a specific day (or two) for grocery shopping
I only go to the grocery store on Mondays and Thursdays. This way I have enough fresh food for the week and I keep track of my expenses easier. Only two receipts to check. Pick the two days that work for you but spread them out so you have enough food for the days you are not shopping.
Use sales and special deals rarely!
You might be thinking you will save money if you buy that tomato sauce that says three for the price of two, but please do not fall for this. You will lose money in the end. I will explain why. If you let the grocery store determine what you will eat and buy you are not in control. Only buy whatever items you were planning on buying anyways. There are some wiggle room. If you were going to buy more cheese next week since it hasn’t run out yet but that exact cheese is on sale already this week then of course by all means buy that cheese and maybe freeze some if it will expire early. You need to be in control of what you buy and when and what you consume and eat. So only use sales and special deals rarely.
Bigger packages only works sometimes
If you are a family then bigger size packages might be for you. But if you are only one or two people, you need to make sure you will finish and eat everything. Normally when you buy a bigger package the kilo price is lower and therefore in the long run it will be cheaper to get the bigger size. But you need to eat it! Otherwise it is money down the drain…
Skip prepared food items
Grated cheese costs more because it is already grated. Pre-cut chicken costs more and pre-made salads cost more, and so on. This is really a way to lure you out of your money. It saves you time sure, but not money. Time is money and vice versa. So this depends on your lifestyle (working hours and such). I would also argue if you want to eat healthier you might feel tempted to get the prepared food items but meal prepping will help you with that. Sometimes the prepared food is also more processed to be able to keep it ready to use right away. It is more natural and better for your health to just slice it up yourself.
I am actively using this method and it has saved me sooo much money
The two biggest hack that saves the most money is to strictly follow my smart list and only buy sales items when it makes sense. This makes sure I always end up eating what I have bought and that I save money on things I actually want. If you save money on something you wouldn’t have bought if it wasn’t on sale then you did not actually save money. You just bought something you didn’t really want.
The key to staying healthy and saving money is to do smart grocery shopping and make the time to do it all.
You won’t get anywhere if you don’t make the time. All things in life you want to achieve will take time and you need to prioritize what means more to you.
The first few times you try smart grocery shopping it will take you some trial and error (do not give up!) but after the “setup” is done it will come to you naturally. I still have to look for the sales, discounts and coupons but I know exactly how much we eat and when. I use the same shopping list every week and tweak it to fit our current situation.
Good luck!
I hope you will try this method and will succeed with your goals of saving money and having a healthy lifestyle. It all starts at the grocery store! Let me know how it works for you down in the comments and check out my other blog posts about saving money *here*. And check out my Pinterest!
Until next time!
Love, Nordic Homemaking
