18 Changes You Can Make to Save $200 On Your Monthly Grocery Bill

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11. Avoid Prepared Foods

Food counters are a big hit at the grocery stores. It’s hard to resist the smells of the bakery counter, whether it’s freshly baked bread or donuts. Then, in another part of the store, they are cooking rotisserie chickens, there is a meat deli and even a sushi counter. These foods are often costly but don’t be fooled into buying them by the smell and sight. You could make these foods at home for a fraction of the cost.

For example, you could make enough pasta salad to feed a family of 6 compared to the cost of a store-bought salad from the counter. Allow these foods to inspire you to cook your own versions, but don’t fall into a costly trap. After all, nothing is tastier (or cheaper) than food you’ve cooked yourself.