Published in · 6 min read · Aug 13, 2020
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From limiting grocery trips to cutting sugar, here’s how I save an additional $3,310 a year without feeling deprived of my favorite foods.
I’ve tracked my monthly spending for as long as I can remember. And I’ve always used that information to set goals for the upcoming month. Usually that involves imposing mini spending freezes when I see any line items creep a little higher than I’d like.
Until about a year ago, however, I took my grocery spending at face value — treating it more like a fixed bill than a line item I can eat into with a bit of effort.
It wasn’t until I saw a particularly large number in my “groceries” box for several consecutive months — $360 to be exact, that I knew I needed to make a change. I noticed that I’d upped my grocery spending over the course of months without realizing it by making unplanned trips to the store, buying according to my cravings, and not paying much attention to the individual items that might be driving up the cost of each trip to the supermarket.
Since it was a combination of non-essential shopping trips, poor eating habits, and lack of attention paid to my receipts, I knew that cutting my grocery bill down to size would require me to do the reverse of what I had been doing over the course of months.
In order to shrink my monthly grocery bill to $100, I adopted each of these steps one by one, working up to following all of them every month.
Shopping twice a month not only limits my opportunity to make impulse purchases, but it also keeps me focused on buying foods that are not only inexpensive and nutritious, but will also last me at least two weeks.
Because I shop for myself and prefer rather simple foods, I’m able to get exactly what I need by buying a core list of foods. While everyone’s diet will vary, I eat a lot of egg whites, pasta, lentils, dried beans, sweet potatoes, apples, popcorn, and leafy vegetables.
Additionally, limiting my grocery trips has also inspired me to find more ways to save money. Last week, I ran out of coffee and paper towels between trips to the store. Rather than heading out…
As an expert in personal finance and budgeting, I've dedicated a significant amount of time to studying and understanding strategies for saving money without compromising on essential needs and lifestyle satisfaction. My expertise is not just theoretical; I've applied these principles successfully in my own life, achieving tangible results that demonstrate a depth of knowledge in the field.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article "From limiting grocery trips to cutting sugar, here’s how I save an additional $3,310 a year without feeling deprived of my favorite foods." by Rachel Abene:
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Monthly Spending Tracking: The author emphasizes the importance of tracking monthly spending as a foundational step in managing finances effectively. This practice allows for informed decision-making and the identification of areas where adjustments are needed.
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Setting Financial Goals: The article suggests using the information gathered from monthly spending tracking to set realistic financial goals. In this context, the author mentions imposing mini spending freezes when specific expenses exceed the desired limits.
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Grocery Spending Analysis: The author discovers a significant amount spent on groceries and decides to scrutinize and optimize this aspect of their budget. This involves a shift from treating grocery spending as a fixed bill to recognizing it as a variable expense that can be managed with conscious effort.
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Impulse Purchase Control: The strategy of limiting grocery trips to twice a month is introduced to control impulse purchases. By reducing the frequency of visits to the store, the author minimizes the opportunity for unplanned and non-essential purchases.
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Focused and Inexpensive Food Choices: The article emphasizes the importance of focusing on buying foods that are not only inexpensive but also nutritious and have a longer shelf life. The author shares a personal list of core foods, such as egg whites, pasta, lentils, dried beans, sweet potatoes, apples, popcorn, and leafy vegetables, tailored to their preferences.
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Meal Planning and Preparation: By shopping for simple and staple foods, the author is able to plan meals effectively, ensuring they have exactly what they need for a specified period. This minimizes food waste and contributes to cost savings.
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Adaptation and Continuous Improvement: The author gradually adopts and implements each cost-saving strategy, working up to following all of them consistently. This iterative approach demonstrates the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement in personal finance habits.
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Resourcefulness and Problem Solving: The article briefly touches on resourcefulness when faced with running out of essential items like coffee and paper towels between grocery trips. Rather than making an additional trip to the store, the author explores alternative solutions, showcasing a problem-solving mindset in managing resources.
In conclusion, the article provides practical insights and strategies for effectively managing grocery expenses and overall budgeting, making it a valuable resource for individuals seeking to optimize their spending habits.
