7 Ways To Save Money On Produce
Being able to save money on produce is good for both your budget and your health. Many people think that you cannot save money and still eat healthy.
We are all trying to save money on our grocery bills. We clip coupons, we stockpile and we comparison shop to make sure we are getting the best possible bargain there is. It is usually pretty easy to find coupons and sales for canned goods and convenience foods but what about produce?
Sometimes it seems impossible to buy fresh produce when you are trying to stay on a budget, but it’s really not. Take a look at these 7 ways to save money on produce.
Save Money on Produce:
1. If you have a local farmer’s market nearby, take a look at their prices. You can save up to 50% of what you would pay at the grocery store. Some items may be priced higher, so make sure you know your basic pricing before you head out.
2. Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as good as fresh and a lot cheaper. If you make smoothies, ingredients like frozen spinach, greens, berries and pineapple are perfect to pop in the blender. You will not need to use ice which can water down the taste of the smoothie. Frozen vegetables are also perfect for soups and stews.
3. Those bagged prepared, pre-washed salads are usually not a bargain. Buying the ingredients, washing them and chopping or shredding them yourself will definitely save you money. You pay more for the convenience of not having to do it when you get home. Take the few minutes to prepare the salad yourself and save some money.
4. If your store offers a savings card that earns points towards a discount, use those coupons or points when buying produce to save some extra money on your bill.
5. My local grocery store offers packs of pre-washed and pre-cut fruit. Even though it may seem like buying the whole watermelon may cost more than single serving fruit you are actually getting more bang for your buck. Buy whole melons and other fruit and prep it yourself at home. The work it takes is most definitely worth the savings.
6. Start your own garden. Research what fruits and veggies are easiest to grow in your area and choose a few to start with. Once you have a bountiful garden you can save tons of money. If friends and family also garden, grown different things and arrange a produce swap so that everyone gets a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
7. Buy produce in season. All fruits and vegetables do not grow everywhere all year round. For example, from May to August, strawberries are in season, so these months are when you will get the best prices. During the off season months, fresh strawberries will be quite expensive. Research what produce is in season and only buy those items during those times. The rest of the year consider switching to frozen to get the best nutrition and value.
Even though eating healthy can seem more expensive, it does not have to be. There are numerous ways to save on produce and healthy food options. Use our 7 ways to save money on produce and enjoy a healthy diet while cutting your grocery bill.
More Ways to Save Money:
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