Inflation has cooled significantly since 2022, but prices of essentials like groceries remain uncomfortably high for many Americans.
In fact, food prices were 2.5% higher in December 2024 than in December 2023. Grocery store or supermarket food purchases were 1.8% higher year-over-year, while prices of restaurant purchases jumped 3.6%.
Fortunately, with a little planning and preparation, there are ways to save money on your grocery bill.
1. Make a shopping list and meal plan. If you’ve ever walked into the grocery store with no list and ended up spending more money than you thought you would, you can appreciate the importance of planning ahead. Decide on the meals and snacks you’d like to have for the week, and create a list that only includes the necessary ingredients.
Sticking to the list can help you avoid impulse purchases. Create meal plans based on healthy items that are on sale and in-season.