A lot of shoppers find themselves looking at the receipt as they leave the store wondering how they just spent their entire paycheck. It’s easy to find yourself spending several hundred on groceries a few times a month for what seems like it’s never enough.

Although eating well comes with a price, there are ways to reduce the overall cost. By knowing the right tricks, you can cut your food expenses down significantly. Here are some of the best ways to save money on food each month.

Use Coupons

Rather than throwing away coupons or deals which you receive, you should save them. In addition, you could look online as many deals like these sam’s club coupon offers are hosted on the web. Even though you may only be saving a few dollars on each coupon, it adds up week after week. 20 cents saved each day becomes $1.40 at the end of the week, then $5 at the end of the month. And that’s just from a couple of items, if you save dollars on your weekly shop then your monthly savings are going to be higher for sure.

Use promos and coupons every opportunity that you have. You’ll start to notice the savings pile up more and more.

Just be careful however about buying things only because they’re on sale. Make sure that you’re getting things which you have a use for in your daily life. Otherwise, you’re missing the entire point of using coupons.

Grow Your Own

Anyone who’s bought a few organic apples knows how expensive it can be to buy fresh produce. Why pay exorbitant prices when you can grow it yourself for free?

If you have space in your backyard, consider starting your own garden full of fresh fruits and vegetables which you can cook yourself without having to leave your own property.

If you don’t have the luxury of a backyard, then you can attempt to start a small indoor garden in your window. You’d be surprised what you can grow in the comfort of your own apartment!

Order Online

A lot of sites like Amazon have options to buy groceries online which are delivered straight to your home. They often have great deals and free delivery which can save you money not only on your food but also on gas and parking!

Take a look at the options for online delivery available in your area and calculate the savings for yourself.

Pack Your Lunch

Since a lot of people lead busy lives on the go, they may not make time every day to pack their lunch. As a result, they eat out every day which can add up very quickly.

Rather than spending hundreds a month on lunches, take a few minutes each morning to pack your own.

Not only will you save money, but many people experience weight loss since a home prepared meal has much fewer calories on average.

Go To Discount Stores

Try shopping at stores which offer marked down prices. The reason they’re marked down is usually that they’re approaching their expiry date or were a slightly damaged item, however, if you shop carefully, you can find some great products for a fraction of the price.