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Often, the things we buy routinely take up most of our living expenses. Your grocery budget probably takes the top spot when it comes to spending. If you want to save money at any opportunity, these regular purchases may be an excellent place to start.

We get it. When things become familiar, it’s challenging to evaluate how big of an impact they leave on your life. Regardless, if you’re trying to be more aggressive in reaching savings goals, it may be worthwhile to take a step back and see if your grocery shopping habits are becoming a stumbling block.

Even the smallest adjustments can make a big difference. Here are a few ways to shake up your grocery shopping habits and walk away with more savings.  

Practice Meal Planning and Preparation

All too often, it’s the impulse purchases that increase our spending. Many stores know this, and it’s why you see so many checkout lines still stocked with candy, drinks, and other knickknacks. These items are supposed to entice customers to grab them at the last second.

Going to the grocery store without a shopping list works the same way. While you may know what you want to buy for the week, it may be hard to maintain your composure when you see so many cool or delicious items as you dart from aisle to aisle.

Get in the habit of knowing what kinds of meals you want to prepare, and jot everything down in a list. Keeping a list has many benefits, including:

• Having a concrete plan when shopping
• Upholding accountability
• Getting what you need in writing
• A handy reference for keeping a tally
  

Stick to your list once you know what you want to eat or prepare for the week. A good meal plan may include snacks so the checkout line or chip aisle doesn’t blindside you.

Don’t Stray Away From Store Brands

More often than not, brand names are just that: names. Companies love to mark up their products so long as they can convince buyers that the branding is worth paying a little extra. Regarding food shopping, you shouldn’t have to pay a premium because something has a recognizable name or fancy packaging.

Instead, be more open to alternatives and buy store-branded items. Generally, items with generic store branding tend to be cheaper than their better-known counterparts. At the same time, these items tend to be nutritionally similar while remaining more cost-effective. Compare the nutrition facts between two similar food items to see what we mean.

Store-branded foods vary by location and chain. We recommend opting for dry goods and food items with long shelf lives. Examples include:

• Rice and pasta
• Canned fruits
• Canned vegetables
• Cereals and breakfast items
  

Not only will these items be cheaper than “big-name brands.” Dry and canned goods will ensure your pantry remains stocked, meaning you always have something ready to prepare in case you don’t have time to go grocery shopping.

Buy In Bulk

While we’re on the topic of buying things at scale, you can also try diversifying your shopping options. Wholesale clubs can be a great way to stock up on items you use often, like pantry staples, spices, cleaning supplies, and household items.

Wholesale clubs often require customers to sign up for a membership and use their store-issued credit cards. This may seem counterintuitive at first, but the savings are still possible.

Per-unit pricing makes a big difference when shopping at wholesale clubs and bulk stores. While the upfront price for these items seems high, they may allow you to save more in the long run. This means that the cost of an annual membership gets recouped as you buy in bulk.

Items that may cost less when buying in bulk include:

• Beauty and hygiene items
• Laundry detergent
• Cleaning supplies
• Paper goods
• Canned goods
• Frozen meat
• Sauces, spices, and condiments
  

As a bonus, a membership to a wholesale club may entitle you to further discounts, like gasoline and coupons that are valid through partner vendors and businesses. Explore your options and decide if signing up for a wholesale club membership suits you.

Use a Rewards Credit Card When Buying Groceries

We’ve covered how to use credit cards strategically before. As long as you pay off your balance regularly and keep your utilization ratio in check (not exceeding 30% of your credit limit), paying with credit is a viable option.

Why not add more value to your daily purchases using a rewards-based credit card? These cards allow you to earn points that you can redeem for cash back, gift cards, gasoline rebates, and even travel.

Many credit cards offer specific incentives, like rewards points or a direct cashback program. Review the terms of these cards carefully so you understand what you are entitled to and which purchases count.

Using a rewards card for groceries is like getting rewarded simply for completing your daily routine. You can accrue points week after week and then redeem them to get some of that money back. In conjunction with clever coupon use, you may score more savings month after month.

By changing a few buying habits and looking for ways to take your dollar further, saving on groceries can feel like paying yourself back. Try some of these tips as you go grocery shopping and see how much the savings add up.

First Florida makes it easier to get rewarded for your everyday purchases. You can check out our Rewards Checking account or Diamond Rewards Visa credit card to find the payment methods that work best for you.