Money-Saving Tips: Mom Meghan Birch Saves Almost $6,000 a Year on Groceries By Doing These

Stay-at-home mom Meghan Birch has gathered quite a following online for her money-saving tips on grocery shopping. With five kids to raise with her husband, the mom said she could save almost $6,000 a year after learning how to be a smart shopper.

Speaking with WCIA, Birch said she always plans out her shopping strategy since she has a big family to feed. On top of her to-do list is to go to the grocery store at least once a month only because this will avoid impulse buying.  

Birch said that she used to spend beyond $500 a month for essential items alone when she made frequent trips to the supermarket. Now, her average spending rounds up to a dollar per person per month in her family, and she makes sure to get all they need in one trip by perfecting a system.

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Meghan Birch's Money-Saving System

First, Birch keeps a regular inventory of their supplies at home before going to the store because that's where she can save the most money. In an interview with "Good Morning America," the prolific shopper said she needs to go through their food supply at home to determine what she should no longer buy. 

"If you have those things in your fridge [or cabinet] that keep getting pushed back...take an honest look and say 'I'm not going to continue to buy those things,'" the mother advised.

Then, Birch shops for bulk items first, like toilet paper and meat, or anything the family uses a lot. She then divides these products into smaller packages for storage when she gets home. 

The mom avoids buying smaller items at the grocery store, which could stack up the cost more. She also goes for store brands than big brands because the price difference between two similar items can be substantial.

However, Birch said that there are some items that she needs to buy weekly like dairy, bread, or produce since these can turn bad quickly. She chooses between three main stores in her area and heads out between Thursdays to Saturdays as these are the days when the stores are well-stocked, thus minimizing the need to keep going back.

To avoid going around in the store, Birch goes directly to the customer service counter to ask where she could find a particular item. 

She uploads her money-saving tips on Planting Birches, her YouTube channel.

Food Prices to Keep Rising in 2022

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its most recent Food Price Outlook for 2022 with a 4.5 to 5.5 percent price increase projection. Nearly all staples will continue to cost more as the Federal Reserve attempts to fight inflation rates, dictated by plenty of factors in the world market. 

Many economists and other smart shoppers agree with Birch's money-saving tips to shop strategically with an updated inventory or list and buy the store brands. Families can also save more by enlisting in cash-back or rewards programs from their preferred store or credit card. 

Related Article: 4 Penny-Pinching Tips from the Pros to Save Money on Groceries