Saving money on groceries is one of those things that you think about a lot but rarely manage to do successfully. The lure of checking out every shelf and trying out new things is so enticing that you rarely stop and think, do I need all this stuff?

If you are also among the scores of people who want to reduce the grocery bills and can’t seem to manage it then here are some tips that would come in handy.

• Buy Fresh Produce

Everyone from celebrities to your healthy next-door neighbor keeps telling you to buy fresh produce and make your meals. Well, listening to them will not only help you stay fit but also avoid transportation and storage costs associated with storing out of season produce.

• Don’t be Impulsive

Retailers want you to be impulsive and buy stuff displayed at the counter. Avoid that trap by reminding yourself that you already have all you need and you don’t need that extra packet or chips or chewing gum.

• Go for Generic Drugs

As drugs are the main component of any home’s grocery list, make sure you save money on them by asking the salespeople to direct you towards generic drugs.

• Make Sauces or Trail Mix at Home

Make as much stuff as possible at home. Sauces and trail mixes can be made at home at a low cost as compared to buying store bought ones. If you want to go an extra mile, you can even start a little garden and plant spices, herbs or even vegetables and fruits (after a few months).

• Bulk Buying of Products that Have a High Shelf Life

Another smart shopper hack is to bulk buy products like tissues, toilet papers, etc. in bulk to save money. As such products have a long shelf life, you don’t have to worry about them going bad if you don’t use them for a few weeks.

• Avoid the Soda Tax

Soda or sugary drinks (even the so-called health drinks) are bad for your well-being as they barely have any nutritional value and do more harm than good. You will be smart to avoid them. You can buy some fresh limes instead so that you can enjoy fresh lime water instantly.

• Trust Your Water Supply

Bottled water comprises of a large part of people’s grocery list, especially those people who don’t trust tap water. There is no need for this added expense unless there have been instances of bad water supply in your area. Your city administration works hard to provide you water that meets several quality standards. You should learn to trust them.

• Go to Specialty Stores

If you want to buy stationery items or hardware products, the local grocery store might not help you save as much money as a specialty store can help to save. So, you better try specialty stores too. The added effort would be worth it if you get to save money via hefty discounts.

• Keep Calculating the Costs

One of the best ways to save money when doing grocery shopping is to keep calculating the costs of the goods you have bought. It will not only prevent you from getting a shock at the end of the shopping trip, but it will also help you to stay within the budget.