Holiday savings guide: 5 ways to save on groceries
Make your holiday grocery list, and check it twice to ensure you’re getting all the savings possible!
Whether you’re shopping for a Thanksgiving holiday feast or picking up baking supplies for a cookie exchange, ShopAtHome.com can help you save on your next trip to the grocery store. (Think of us as your holiday savings elves).
Here are 5 ways to save on your holiday grocery shopping.
Print coupons from ShopAtHome.com:
Go ahead, retire your coupon-clipping scissors. There’s a much easier, more efficient way to coupon by digitally clipping them online at ShopAtHome.com. You can easily scroll through categories — finding coupons for everything from grocery staples like canned goods, meat, dairy to sweet little extras like chocolate and candy and makeup. Need to get the home in tip-top shape for house guests? You’ll also find printable coupons for household supplies, with discounts on popular cleaners, trash bags and more. Find coupons here.
Shop what’s in season:
One of our favorite grocery shopping hacks? Always knowing what’s in season! When foods are at their peak, they taste their best and are also cheaper. (And, by shopping locally grown, in-season foods you’re reducing your carbon footprint since the produce doesn’t need to be trucked into your store from faraway farms).
Winter squashes can make for delicious and healthy main meals or side dishes this time of year. For example, during the holiday season — with rich, decadent meals on the menu — treat your family to a healthy spaghetti squash dinner. Substitute the spaghetti squash “noodles” for pasta in one of your fave recipes and you’ve got an inexpensive meal that’s light on carbs.
Bookmark Sustainable Table’s “seasonal food guide” to find what’s in season throughout the entire year, specific to your region.
Avoid pre-cut foods:
You’ll find major mark-ups on pre-cut foods at the grocery store — whether that’s pineapple that’s been cored and chopped for you or a pre-arranged veggie tray with dips. Spending a little extra time, though, prepping your produce can save you big bucks. A basic knife set will do just the trick for prepping party-worthy veggie trays. For dips, we’re loving mixing Greek yogurt with Hidden Valley Ranch packets because the yogurt is higher in protein and lower in fat than other, traditional creamy mixers like sour cream. Want to impress with presentation? Invest in a serving tray that you can carry all holiday season long — whether you’re bringing appetizers or desserts to a holiday party or setting up hors d’oeuvres at your own festivities. We’re loving this Regalia gold serving tray for both Christmas and Thanksgiving. Regalia Tray, Rectangle Gold, on sale $19.96 (plus Cash Back),
Shop non-perishables at Dollar General:
If you’re party hopping this holiday season, you’ll probably be packing up side dishes or bringing sweet treats. From cookie to cake mixes to food storage essentials like aluminum foil and plastic wraps, find discounts at the Dollar General plus earn Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com.
Bring your own bag:
More and more municipalities are adding on “bag taxes” for plastic or paper bags as a way to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. The bag fees are especially popular in cities throughout California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Massachusetts — but is gaining traction across the country. Be a savvy shopper — and kind to Mother Earth — by bringing your own reusable bags. Shop in eco-friendly style this holiday season with this Kate Spade polka dot reusable tote. Kate Spade New York Polka Dot Reusable Tote, $12 (plus Cash Back), Nordstrom.com
