For the past five years, Americans have faced rising grocery bills, and Kentuckians have been hit especially hard. On average, Kentuckians spend between $600 to $1,000 per month on groceries. However, there are ways to lower your grocery bill. Here are six money-saving hacks from AAA to help you save at the supermarket.
1. Make a List and Stick to It
Lori Weaver Hawkins with AAA Bluegrass advises making a shopping list before you enter the store and sticking to it. Avoid wandering down aisles you don’t need.
“If you go down every aisle, you’re very likely to end up with items you don’t need,” said Weaver Hawkins.
2. Skip the Prepared Foods
Another tip is to avoid prepared foods, like pre-cut fruits and vegetables, which come at a higher cost.
“You can get the head of broccoli for dollars less per ounce than you can the cut-up kind,” Weaver Hawkins explained.
3. Choose the Largest Shopping Cart
Research shows that carrying a basket instead of pushing a shopping cart makes you more likely to make impulse purchases. Choose the largest shopping cart to help limit extra spending.
4. Use Self-Checkout
To reduce impulse buys, consider using self-checkout. Traditional checkout lanes are often filled with candy, snacks, and drinks that tempt shoppers to buy more.
Studies show that self-checkout results in 32% fewer impulse buys for women and 17% fewer for men.
“The store knows these things, and that’s why they’re displayed that way,” Weaver Hawkins added.
5. Look Up and Down the Aisles
When shopping, make sure to look up and down the aisles. Stores place higher-priced items at eye level for easier grabs, so you can find better deals by searching higher or lower.
6. Skip the Health and Beauty Section
While it may seem convenient to grab your toothpaste along with your groceries, Weaver Hawkins suggests avoiding the health and beauty section. Toiletries are often priced higher in the grocery aisles than at big-box stores.
“Not only is that a bait for impulse shopping, but those prices will cost you more. So just wait and get those items at a big-box store for a lower price,” she recommended.
These money-saving hacks can help Kentuckians cut back on grocery spending, so stick to the list and be mindful of where you shop to make the most of your budget.
