Finding it hard to stretch your food budget? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone. While President Trump promised cheaper groceries on his first day in office, the truth is that food prices have risen by almost 3% nationwide. That’s putting a strain on most Americans’ wallets, particularly at the supermarket. However, just because food prices are not going down doesn’t mean there aren’t a few tricks you can utilize on your next trip to the grocery store.
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Grocery editor Ali Domrongchai shared on MSN her mom’s trick to saving $20 each week at the supermarket that she’s been using for decades: buying in bulk. The savings, she explained, come from the “… often-overlooked section of the grocery store where the bulk bins are. That’s where I save the bulk of my money on some of my most regularly used pantry staples, like rice, nuts, dried fruit and other grains.”
No Membership Fees
Many stores — including Sprouts — offer bulk sections filled with grains, ingredients, candy and snacks. The best part: You don’t need a membership to buy in bulk. That means you save on both annual fees and your weekly grocery bill.
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Reduced Packaging
Domrongchai said that her mom started buying rice and grains in bulk to cut down on packaging. Buying in bulk, she said, “… cuts down on unnecessary packaging and plastic because I can just reuse the same containers over and over again.”
Those savings can add up even more now if you bring your own containers and reusable bags to buy in bulk, so you aren’t upcharged at checkout. It’s both good for the environment and your wallet.
Intentional Purchasing
Domrongchai said that buying in bulk makes grocery shopping faster and less overwhelming.
“… I spend less time choosing between the admittedly overwhelming number of brands on some shelves. I’m shopping with more intention and function, and saving a few dollars along the way,” she said.
Stacking Deals
During trips to the grocery store, Domrongchai noticed that by buying in bulk, deals stacked up in a way that saved money on each visit. One example Domrongchai found was that white jasmine rice was $1.99 per pound when bought in bulk at a local grocery store, compared to the roughly $2.99 a pound at other grocers.
“It might not look or seem like a lot at one shop, but stacking multiple items like rice with other things like peanuts, quinoa, and granola makes a big difference in the long run,” she said. According to Domrongchai, the average shopper buying in bulk could save hundreds of dollars in just one year.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 1 Grocery Shopping Trick That Could Save You $20 Every Time
