Living at Parkside Commons has
many perks including our fitness center, seasonal swimming pools, and our
eco-friendly buildings. One amenity that is often taken for granted is the
kitchen right inside your apartment. With your own kitchen there is no need to
spend extra money going out to eat. Instead you can cook home-made gourmet
meals in the comfort of your home. Cooking at home can save you large amounts
of money, especially if done properly. Here are some tips on how to save money
while grocery shopping!
Start
couponing
Couponing can seem like a
daunting or pointless task sometimes but what is better than saving money just
by cutting paper? You can find coupons in your weekly Sunday paper and can save
them up for one big trip a month or cut them out each week based on what you
need. By cutting and saving coupons you
can save upwards to $100’s of dollars. So when you receive this week’s Sunday
paper don’t recycle the coupons. Instead see if there are any coupons for food
you need for upcoming meals or weeks and start saving!
Make
a list
The reason most people end up
over spending when they go grocery shopping is because they roam the grocery
store aisle by aisle and discover items they don’t need. These impulsive
purchases can add up though. Therefore before leaving for the grocery store
make a quick list of the items you really need for this week’s meals. This will
also help you effectively grocery shop. If you come across an item you forgot
on your list don’t worry, but with a list at least you can leave the store and
won’t get home to realize you forgot to pick up milk.
Buy
bulk when it makes sense
There are certain items in
every household that are consumed almost every day. Whether its pasta, soup or
even snacks for some reason these items can’t stay in your pantry. When these
items are on sale this is your time to bulk up. You never know when the next
sale will be and this is a chance to save money on an item you know you will
eat. This is especially important with non-perishable items or paper products.
Make sure you always consider the amount of space in your apartment though
because you don’t want to be living in a grocery store of your own.
Purchase in season fruits and vegetables
Fruits
and vegetables are necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, they are
expensive in general, especially in off seasons. Therefore, in order to save
money purchase fruits and vegetables based on the best seasons for production.
For example, strawberries have the best flavor during the spring and summer. In
result, they are more expensive and aren’t as flavorful in the winter months.
By purchasing your produce during the peak seasons you will not only save money
but also experience the most tasty fruits and vegetables.
Time your trip wisely
If
you are trying to save money while food shopping, you should avoid shopping
during a meal time or even worse on an empty stomach. Shopping for food can
result in impulse buys and will distract you from what you really came to buy.
Shopping around 10 a.m. is a perfect time because you’ve probably already eaten a meal and
beat the afternoon crowds promising for a less expensive and stressful grocery
trip. If you ever have the urge to shop on an empty stomach try to stop
yourself because it will likely end in your spending extra money and indulging
on the food you just bought when you get home.
Grocery
shopping can be an expensive part of life, but with these tips and tricks you
can help manage your money and maybe even save up for a weekend getaway from Parkside
Commons in New England!
Here is a list of local grocery stores to check out in the
area! From specialty stores to supermarkets, you will definitely want to check
out all the stores have to offer. Don't limit yourself to just one store- find
your best deals and where the best places to splurge actually are. With that,
it's time to get shopping!