While rent and mortgage payments are usually people's most expensive monthly bills, groceries and food don't lag far behind. And with inflation sending the price of just about everything, but especially food, skyrocketing, it's important to trim down on as many costs as you can. Not buying food is not an option (and why would anyone want to give up their favorite dishes anyway?), but there are some simple shopping hacks just about anyone can follow to cut down on their expenses.

Invest In A Slow Cooker For Cheap Cuts

There are a couple of different reasons slow cookers are a great investment for anyone looking to save money. For one, they don't usually use as much electricity as electric ovens or stoves. However, their biggest advantage is their ability to turn cheap, tough cuts of meat into delicious, slow-cooked meals at the end of the day. You don't even have to tend to it; just throw your cheap cuts into the pot, and by the time you get home from work, you've got a great dinner.

And some of the best cuts of meat out there are actually the tougher bits after you slow-cook them all day. Just think brisket, which is extremely tough before it's barbecued.

Cook More Than You Need, Then Save

If you're someone who usually cooks much more than they need by accident, then this hack is for you. It's sometimes a good idea to double up the amount of food you cook and then freeze it. It might cost a bit more upfront, but it'll save you money and time in the long run. You're basically cooking your lunch or dinner in advance, which means you won't have to spend more money on ingredients the next time you cook.

It'll also save you a ton of time since you won't even have to cook another meal whenever you decide to eat the saved portion of whatever you cooked.

Make Your Herbs Last Longer

Fresh herbs are a great addition to just about any meal. However, they do have one big drawback, which is they tend to dry out or spoil quickly. A lot of fresh herbs only have a couple of days in them before they go bad and are unusable. But there is a way to store them that keeps them fresher longer. All you need is a glass, a Ziplock bag, and a rubber band.

Fill the glass with water and place your herbs in. Then cover it with your bag and wrap everything up in a rubber band to keep out excess air and ensure any wilting stays contained.

Don't Take The Kids Grocery Shopping

If you're a parent, then you likely already know this, but kids can be a handful at stores. They usually don't want to be there and make the way they feel known. They also ask for things like snacks or drinks, which can quickly add up. So, sometimes it's better to leave the kids at home with your partner or someone you trust than it is to take them grocery shopping.

It might help cut down on the amount of money you end up spending or at least cut down on the temptation to spend more. It might also be a bit more relaxing.

Take Inventory Of Your Pantry

This next item on the list takes cues from restaurants, which always have to take stock of their inventory to avoid buying or wasting food. It basically involves taking stock of what you already have in your pantry before you go grocery shopping. Not only will this help prevent you from wasting money on things that you already have at home, but it'll also make you more conscious about some of the older items in your pantry.

Just put any new groceries you get at the back of your pantry when you get home and move the older items to the front. Then, just make dishes using those since they're closer to their expiration date to help cut down on waste.

Buy Off-Brand Items

The simple fact of the matter is that you don't always need to buy expensive brands to be able to whip up a great meal. Sometimes, the generic brand is just as good as a more expensive option. Of course, this isn't always true, and it's up to you to decide what products you can and can't go without out, but odds are there are a couple of cheaper alternative just about everyone could save some money opting for.

You could also just try buying more expensive options when you have guests over and want to cook for them, which is what a lot of people tend to do.

Shop The Edge Of Grocery Stores

We're not sure who first designed the general layout of the modern grocery store, but they were geniuses in human behavior. Most grocery stores are designed so that junk foods are situated in the middle, which bogs most people down and gets them to spend more time in these spaces. That's not good since these junk foods are more expensive than fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats, usually located on the edges of a grocery store.

So, the next time you go shopping, try to avoid the middle of the grocery store. You'll find yourself saving a bit of money while also shopping much healthier.