For most of us, groceries take up a major chunk of monthly expenditures and often exceed the dedicated food budget. We may put the blame solely on the increasing food prices. However, the truth of the matter is that we are also almost equally responsible for high grocery bills. If you also struggle to stay within your food budget limit, here are some simple yet effective tips and tricks to save money on groceries each month:

1. Compare Prices Online

Browse the websites of different grocery stores and compare prices for various items to find out which store is offering the best prices before visiting. You can also download price comparison apps to find the cheapest grocery store in town.

2. Plan Your Meals and Prepare List Accordingly

The best way to ensure that you only buy things you will use is to plan your meals for the week and prepare the list of items that you need accordingly. This will not only help reduce the grocery bill but will also avoid food waste.

3. Check Your Pantry

We often buy things at grocery stores making assumptions that we have run out of them. But, our guesses do not always turn out to be true. Often, we find things lying at the back of the pantry, hidden from your view. Therefore, it’s important to always check your pantry before going for grocery shopping.

4. Buy in Bulk

If you have a big family, buying in bulk can help you save a good amount of money, especially online. However, be careful when bulk buying and make sure to only buy things that you are certain of consuming, such as flour, rice, or meat.

5. Scan the Aisles before Buying

Before you grab a product from the center racks of aisles, always scan them from top to bottom. You will likely find better-priced items, most probably on the bottom shelves. Grocery stores have the strategy of placing renowned, pricier brands at eye level, in aisles, to increase their sales.

These tips and tricks may sound too simple, but they’re tried and tested. Use these tips to reduce your grocery bill without compromising on your needs.