How To Save On Gas And Food As Prices Increase

That bigger fuel or grocery bill isn’t a figment of your imagination, as the cost of many items has gone up in recent months. To be specific, in July, we saw our biggest jump in inflation since 2008, as consumer prices rose 5.4 percent. That means you have to change the way you shop if you don’t want your budget to burst, and here are some tips to help you do just that.

Save at the Grocery Store

It’s painful to shop as you always do, only to see a bigger number ring up when you check out. While some say higher grocery prices are temporary, they could still get more expensive in these coming months, so try the following to minimize your bill:

• Never shop hungry – Eat something before hitting the grocery store. It will prevent purchases of costly, prepared foods to help silence your growling stomach.
• Never shop without a list – Make a list of things you need to buy, then stick to it in the store. This will also prevent costly impulse purchases.
• Buy store brands – You’ve probably noticed that most grocery stores now have their own brands of items. Not only are they usually cheaper than brand names, but they’re also the same thing in terms of ingredients.
• Purchase in bulk – It’s no secret that buying in bulk usually helps you save. You can split bulk purchases with friends or family to save cash and storage space.
• Look for BOGO deals – You’ll get double the bang for your buck with buy one, get one free sales, which can be plentiful, depending on where you shop.
• Stop buying disposable products – Gone are the days when you can waste money on disposable items if you’re looking to save. So, instead of buying paper towels, use cloth towels. Or, instead of buying water bottles you toss in the trash, buy one reusable bottle you can refill as needed.
• Cut produce costs – You can save on fruits and veggies by buying them in season, opting for the frozen varieties, or going to cheaper farmers’ markets.
• Try occasional meat alternatives – Meat may be your most expensive purchase, so try to cut back on it a few times a week with alternatives like lentils, beans, etc.

Save at the Gas Pump

Rising gas costs are putting a dent in the wallets of many households. To combat these costs, try these tips:

• Carpool – It will not only save on gas, but it can also reduce the hassle of having to drive yourself every day.
• Get gas rewards – Your favorite gas station likely has a card you can sign up for to make each gallon less costly.
• Use an app – GasBuddy makes it simple to find the cheapest gas station in your city, which can make a massive difference in the cost of each gallon.