Practical tips to save at the supermarket

Usually when we go to the supermarket, we end up buying more than we had planned, and this implies a monthly expense that could be used for other activities, whether family, personal, or simply to save. In light of this, we want to provide you with some very simple tips to achieve significant savings on supermarket shopping, and by the end of the month, you will notice how your wallet will benefit. Plan your menus. It sounds laborious, and at first, it is, but it is possible to do. Engaging in this activity simplifies everything related to food and helps us save because there is no waste, impulsive buying, or last-minute expenses. Evaluate your recipes. If your recipes require expensive ingredients, consider whether it is worth preparing them or if you can substitute them. Prepare your shopping list. With the menu ready, the next step is the shopping list. If you don’t have menus, you can still prepare your shopping list, but it’s not as effective. Check what you have at home of what you will need and what you need to buy. Stick to the shopping list. Avoid impulsive purchases that add up to small amounts but become large over a year or monthly. Prefer seasonal vegetables and fruits. Besides having more nutrients and better flavor, they are cheaper. Shop at farmers’ markets or vegetable stands. In addition to helping small traders and therefore your community, you will be buying fresher and cheaper products. Shop at a cheaper supermarket. Not all products are cheaper at warehouse clubs, and some supermarkets are more expensive than others. Buy offers and use coupons. In many places, coupons are very popular because they can save a lot; in other places, they are not as generous, but every penny counts. Try cheaper brands. In many cases, they are new brands with introductory prices or store brands. Avoid impulsive purchases. There are reasons why certain products are closer to the checkout than others. Avoid gossip magazines; you can read the same information for free online, etc. Don’t buy outside your list unless it's a great deal and you really like the product. Look around. There are reasons why some products are more visible than others. Don’t just look at the products on the shelves that your eyes reach. Check the products on higher shelves and those close to the floor; you might find better-priced products. Pay attention to promotions. Stores use many tricks to get us to buy more products, like 2 for 5. Read carefully if you have to buy two or if you can buy just one product for 2.5. There are many similar tricks. Avoid expensive products. If you are on a budget, avoid very expensive products and save them for special occasions. Cooking Recipes Now that you have learned some tricks to save on supermarket shopping, we want to share several recommendations for low-cost recipes, meaning they don't cost much to prepare and are also nutritious and delicious. (we recommend you click on the recipe title for more preparation details) Cajeta Flan. This flan recipe is prepared with a bit of cream cheese and is topped with cajeta instead of caramelized sugar. Very good! Mashed Potatoes. This tasty mashed potatoes recipe is easy to follow and prepare. Serve this mashed potatoes with your meat dishes. Glazed Ham with Baked Jam. A delicious glazed ham with citrus jam and spices baked for 2 and a half hours and served with a rich citrus sauce. An excellent dish for a Christmas dinner or an elegant meal. Glazed Carrots. Delicious glazed carrots that can be served with a main dish or simply as an appetizer. Mushroom Soup. Chopped mushroom soup with white wine, cream, and broth. Tomato and Basil Bruschetta. An Italian snack of little bread pieces with tomatoes prepared with olive oil. Also tasty when combined with a bit of serrano ham on top. Grilled Chicken with Tomato Sauce. A delicious chicken breast served with a sauce of cherry tomatoes and corn kernels. Chicken Salad in Pita Bread. The chicken salad is a very tasty and easy recipe to make. This recipe has touches of celery and mandarin that make it spectacular. Yogurt, Granola, and Forest Fruits. This breakfast is delicious and ideal for starting a good day. This recipe can also be served as a dessert by replacing the granola with meringues.   To find more economical cooking recipes, click here.