We’ve all seen how out of control grocery prices have become and it seems there’s no end in sight. But, saving money on grocery shopping sometimes means cutting out healthy foods. I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to when you shop seasonally and locally.
We all know that cooking out meals at home is cheaper than eating out, but now that the grocery cost have skyrocketed, is it really cheaper? One thing we can always be assured of is that cooking for ourselves will almost always be healthier – as long as it’s not frozen pizza and the like…
Saving Money on Groceries: Tips for Shopping Seasonally and Locally
Today let’s talk about some ways we can still shop healthy for our families and save money.
Let’s get to it!
What to Buy for Every Season
Buying your fruits and veggies in season is always going to be cheaper than trying to buy watermelon in December.
You will find this true whether you shop at the grocery store or your local farmer’s market. Even better – grow your vegetables and fruits yourself – it’s not that hard.
Spring:
- Avocados
- Asparagus
- Beans
- Brussel Sprouts
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Spring Onions
- Lettuce
- Mango
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Yellow squash
Summer:
- Avocados
- Blackberries
- Broad Beans
- Cherries
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Grapes
- Raspberries
- Tomatoes
- Whole Watermelons
- Zucchini
Fall:
- Apples
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Pumpkin
- Pears
- Sweet Potatoes
Winter:
- Apples
- Cabbage
- Celery
- Grapefruit
- Kale
- Kiwifruit
- Onions
- Prickly Pear
The grocery store is happy to provide you with fruits and veggies out of season – at a higher cost, of course. But, in season the veggies are in abundance making the prices lower. If you follow the list above about what to buy when – you’ll save money while providing healthy foods for your family.
You Might Also Like: 10 Easy Tips To Lower Your Grocery Bill
Why is Buying Locally Important?
When you choose to buy from nearby farms, co-ops, and farmer’s markets you are:
- Supporting families in your area
- Sure of how your food was grown because you can ask
- Saving money because you don’t have to pay all the mark-ups
Another pet peeve of mine is having to buy pre-packaged fruits and veggies only to get them home and find out what was on the bottom is either not ripe yet or rotten…
You Might Also Like: 10 Little Known FREE Grocery Store Services
Grocery Shopping Tips To Save Money
Say goodbye to overspending and buying unnecessary things when grocery shopping. Check out this list of shopping tips to save money:
- Make a grocery list
- Stock seasonal food like fruits and vegetables
- Shop at the farmer’s market
- Plan meals ahead
- Shop with a budget
- Limit grocery trips
- Get to know your store and what they offer for free
- Skip the big cart
- Pay attention to unit prices
- Preserve and store products
- Learn how to save on meat
Just keep in mind these tips and tricks next time you head out to buy groceries and change things up a bit. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save and help your own community in the process.
Do you shop the farmer’s market or a co-op? Share your thoughts in the comments below…
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