10 Tips to Save at the Supermarket and the Pump
As prices continue to rise, paying for groceries and gas is significantly more expensive than just a year ago. These now larger price tags require more planning, and perhaps a budget overhaul. Before heading out to the store, consider these 5 cost-cutting tips:
1) Shop at low-cost, no-frills stores to keep costs low like Aldi and Lidl. These stores can offer cheaper products by having a smaller selection, generic items, and employing fewer workers. You’ll have to bag your groceries yourself—but you’ll spend less than going to your premium supermarkets.
2) Try curbside pick-up to avoid overspending. Grocery stores are designed to make us spend more. If you struggle to stick to your shopping list, shopping via curbside pick-up could be a solution to overspending.
3) Pay for groceries with a rewards credit card. Use the NIHFCU Cash Rewards Visa® credit card to earn valuable cash back rewards at the grocery store, as well as at wholesale clubs and more. Especially for those with frequent large orders, this can add up to a nice amount of points to redeem for cash.
4) Purchase produce from alternative services. Food waste is a large issue in the U.S., with as much as 40% of the nation’s food going uneaten due to cosmetic issues (such as “ugly vegetables”) or just being part of a surplus. Alternative services, such as Imperfect Foods, sell these types of products cheaper than in the store.
5) Start Couponing to save as much as $1-$2 off food items. Major retailers, such as Target and Whole Foods, have apps where you can create a free loyalty account. You can “clip” coupons straight into it so you receive discounts while checking out.
Everyone’s feeling a pinch at the pump, too. According to recent data as of April 1, the average national gas price recently reached an all-time high of $4.22 a gallon. Check out these 5 saving tips before you take to the road:
6) Use gas apps to find the cheapest gas near you. With these mobile apps, you can easily search for gas stations with the best gas prices. It could be worth a short drive to save at the pump, especially for those who drive a lot and have larger tanks to fill.
7) Participate in grocery store gas rewards programs. You can earn points at many leading grocery stores toward fuel savings at the pump. With Safeway’s Club Card, for example, you can earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on groceries; and 2 points for every $1 spend on gift cards. Check out your local store clubs to learn more.
8) Fill up on Mondays. Surveys have shown that gas is the cheapest on Mondays in most states across the country. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday were the most expensive days.
9) Improve fuel efficiency. The speed at which you drive at can impact fuel efficiency by 30%. Fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph on most cars. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 44%.
10) Buy gas with a rewards credit card. We can’t do anything about gas prices but the NIHFCU signature cards will earn you 3X points at the pump. For those with electric cars, you’ll get 3X at EV charging stations as well.
Here’s another great tip: With inflation squeezing your budget, learn more and apply for NIHFCU’s newly enhanced Cash Rewards or Travel Rewards credit card, with BIG rewards, lower fees and other great benefits.
Resource: Forbes.com
