Everybody’s got to eat, but that doesn’t mean we should break the bank doing so! Food and drink are often among the largest expenses in our lives. Whether it’s going out to eat or leaving the grocery store with more than you anticipated, we all find ourselves spending too much money on food and beverages. Here are eight easy-to-remember habits to get into that will help you avoid eating through your savings.
Eat Slowly
Easy tiger! Chew your food before you swallow it. Studies have shown that eating slower helps us feel full with less food. When you eat your meal too quickly, your brain isn’t convinced that the meal is over, because you haven’t given the food enough time to settle. That’s why you get that way-too-full feeling when you scarf down your meal in a hurry. Eating slower means it takes less food to make you feel full, so your portions can be smaller. When you don’t eat as much, you end up saving!
Bring Your Own Bag to the Store
Bringing your own bag to the grocery store can save you a ton in groceries. It limits how much you can buy at one time, and forces you to really only get the essentials. Not to mention, this is an environmentally responsible way to shop! Reduce your grocery bill and waste from paper and plastic bags at the same time!
Walk to Get Groceries
Walking to the grocery store isn’t only the healthy option, it’s also the cheaper option! You will be less tempted to buy all those unnecessary treats when it means you’ll have more to carry. If at all possible, try to walk to the store to go shopping and limit the amount of groceries you buy at one time.
Shop in Bulk
If walking to the grocery store isn’t an option (or maybe just not your cup of tea) and you plan on driving, buy your groceries in bulk! Getting nonperishable food items and home goods in bulk will often-times save you loads of money. Places that sell in bulk offer great savings. If you have the storage space, this can be a great way to reduce your grocery bill.
Avoid Brand Name Foods
More often than not there is barely a difference between the generic goods and their marked-up counterparts. Buying the store brand or the generic brand of groceries can save you loads of money in the long run.
Pack Your Lunches
Bringing lunch with you to work or school helps you avoid restaurant prices while also provides an opportunity to eat healthier. Packing your lunch only takes a few minutes in the morning or the night before, and can do wonders for your wallet and your diet!
Make Your Own Coffee
Brewing coffee at home helps you avoid that few dollars at Starbucks every morning, and before long, those savings really add up! Invest in a thermos and a coffee maker. The up-front cost will seem like nothing once you see how much you have left over in your bank at the end of the month!
Drink Tap Water
You’d be amazed at how much money you can save by drinking more water. Don’t waste money on soft drinks, teas, and sports drinks. Not to mention, many Americans don’t drink nearly as much water as they should every day. This option is healthy and great if you’re trying to pinch pennies.
The list doesn’t end here. For more tips on how to save money on food and beverages, be sure to check out the links below. If the savings from these tips aren’t enough, and you still need some fast cash for whatever reason, apply for a loan from Short Term Loans today!
Courtesy of…
Greatist
http://greatist.com/happiness/ways-save-money
Money Saving Mom
https://moneysavingmom.com/reader-tip-how-i-lowered-my-grocery-bill-by-60/
Frugality Gal
https://savorandsavvy.com/how-to-save-money-on-groceries-without-coupons/
