Saving Money on Groceries

/ Planning Within Reach, LLC/

Groceries and eating out are a huge part of most people’s budgets.  It can also be one of the easiest places to cut.  Here are some suggestions I compiled from clients who have had great success saving money on groceries.

  1. Cook from scratch as much as possible. It is healthier for us and better for the environment to reduce the amount of prepared food we buy in elaborate packaging. Our family makes things like pizza sauce and soup in bulk. We freeze it in small containers until needed.

  2. Grow as much as possible in your own garden. Some things are incredibly easy to grow and need very little space. Zucchini is a great example - one or two plants can be more than enough for a family of four. Figs are another example. We planted a fig tree in our front yard and two years later we get enough figs to make fig jam for the entire year.

  3. Find a local CSA. If having a garden is not an option or you can’t grow all the fruits and veggies you need, look at a local farm that has an organic CSA option. In many cases, the fruits and vegetables are harvested more recently than the food in the supermarkets so they tend to last longer.

  4. Plan Ahead. This takes some practice. I hear from families about how they are trying to reduce their dining out costs but without fail, they both come home at 6PM starving. Eating out seems like the only option. I find I can avoid this by planning meals out on the weekend.

What else?  Email me with your tips on reducing your grocery budget so I can share it with others.  linda@planningwithinreach.com 

Linda Rogers, CFP®, EA, MSBA is the owner and founder of Planning Within Reach, LLC (PWR). Originally from New Jersey, Linda services clients throughout San Diego county and nationwide. She leads the design of PWR's investment portfolios which utilize broad, low-cost investments that integrate environmentally, socially, and governance (ESG) factors.

Planning Within Reach, LLC (PWR) is a fee-only and fiduciary wealth management firm offering one-time comprehensive financial planning, ongoing impact-focused investment management and tax preparation services in San Diego and nationwide. PWR is a woman-owned firm that specializes in busy professionals and impact investors. Planning Within Reach, LLC and their advisors do not receive commissions and do not hold any insurance licenses or brokerage relationships.