How to save at the grocery store
1. Read through the grocery circulars or use on online source to compare prices. - Several grocery chains now offer online versions of their circulars. Free online services like GroceryGuide.com and some subscription services allow you to compare ads in one location and give you personalized alerts special sales.
2. Plan meals around the grocery sales. - Buy and use what's on sale. Try planning your evening meals for the week. Use recipe sites to help you plan. GroceryGuide.com pairs key ingredient recipes to current grocery sales for you.
3. Use a shopping list. - Nearly every article written on grocery savings lists this near the top. Research shows that you often spend considerably more on groceries without a shopping list and of course may end up making another trip for items that you forgot.
5. Use coupons. - Printable online coupons, checkout coupons, in-store and package coupons will add up and can yeild surprising savings. Watch for the product to go on sale then match your coupons for even more dramatic savings.
6. Shop only once a week or less. - The more you time you spend in a store, the more money you will spend.
7. Leave children at home. - Not always as easy as it sounds but will always save you money. Distractions will cost you extra at the checkout. Try trading babysitting with a friend.
8. Never go to the grocery store hungry. - Research demonstrates that hungry shoppers tend to buy more and select more "prepared" meal solutions.
9. Shop when the store is not crowded. - Crowded stores create distractions in the aisles and at the checkout which cause mistakes. They will cause you to spend more time in the store and of course, more money.
10. Read product labels. - Colorful, fancy labels can mask the nutritional value of grocery products. Learn more about food labels by going to the FDA's How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
11. Don't be afraid to use store brands.- Compare quality, store brand are often just as good as name brands and usually cost less.
12. Compare unit prices. - Bigger is not always better, unit price stickers tell you how much something costs per ounce or pound. They will help you understand and compare the cost of similar products and package sizes.
13. Buy in bulk. - Usually bulk products will offer better grocery savings. Understand unit pricing is helpful. If the unit price is lower, buy bulk and divide the product into meal-size portions for later use.
14. Restock the pantry. - Watch the grocery sales and coupons for pantry staples, like flour, sugar, seasoning and oils. Replace then when they are on sale and when you can use grocery coupons to increase the savings.
15. Watch for unadvertised sales - Often referred to as "Managers" or "In-store" special these products can really help you save at the checkout. Be sure to check the freshness dates, milk is usually good for about seven days after the "sell by date" has passed
16. Select your refrigerated and frozen foods last. - The great price on that ice cream means nothing if it melts on the way home. Put a picnic cooler in your vehicle and place your frozen and refrigerated groceries in it.
17. Pay attention at the checkout. - Watch for pricing and coupon mistakes at the checkout line. Try to have all of your grocery products on the conveyor and your coupons in hand so that you can follow each scan. Make sure you get the correct amount of change.
18. Make your grocery shopping the last stop before you go home. - Put things away immediately and store foods properly. Make notes on meal or recipe ideas that came to you while shopping. Don't get distracted by phone calls or TV programs.
2. Plan meals around the grocery sales. - Buy and use what's on sale. Try planning your evening meals for the week. Use recipe sites to help you plan. GroceryGuide.com pairs key ingredient recipes to current grocery sales for you.
3. Use a shopping list. - Nearly every article written on grocery savings lists this near the top. Research shows that you often spend considerably more on groceries without a shopping list and of course may end up making another trip for items that you forgot.
5. Use coupons. - Printable online coupons, checkout coupons, in-store and package coupons will add up and can yeild surprising savings. Watch for the product to go on sale then match your coupons for even more dramatic savings.
6. Shop only once a week or less. - The more you time you spend in a store, the more money you will spend.
7. Leave children at home. - Not always as easy as it sounds but will always save you money. Distractions will cost you extra at the checkout. Try trading babysitting with a friend.
8. Never go to the grocery store hungry. - Research demonstrates that hungry shoppers tend to buy more and select more "prepared" meal solutions.
9. Shop when the store is not crowded. - Crowded stores create distractions in the aisles and at the checkout which cause mistakes. They will cause you to spend more time in the store and of course, more money.
10. Read product labels. - Colorful, fancy labels can mask the nutritional value of grocery products. Learn more about food labels by going to the FDA's How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
11. Don't be afraid to use store brands.- Compare quality, store brand are often just as good as name brands and usually cost less.
12. Compare unit prices. - Bigger is not always better, unit price stickers tell you how much something costs per ounce or pound. They will help you understand and compare the cost of similar products and package sizes.
13. Buy in bulk. - Usually bulk products will offer better grocery savings. Understand unit pricing is helpful. If the unit price is lower, buy bulk and divide the product into meal-size portions for later use.
14. Restock the pantry. - Watch the grocery sales and coupons for pantry staples, like flour, sugar, seasoning and oils. Replace then when they are on sale and when you can use grocery coupons to increase the savings.
15. Watch for unadvertised sales - Often referred to as "Managers" or "In-store" special these products can really help you save at the checkout. Be sure to check the freshness dates, milk is usually good for about seven days after the "sell by date" has passed
16. Select your refrigerated and frozen foods last. - The great price on that ice cream means nothing if it melts on the way home. Put a picnic cooler in your vehicle and place your frozen and refrigerated groceries in it.
17. Pay attention at the checkout. - Watch for pricing and coupon mistakes at the checkout line. Try to have all of your grocery products on the conveyor and your coupons in hand so that you can follow each scan. Make sure you get the correct amount of change.
18. Make your grocery shopping the last stop before you go home. - Put things away immediately and store foods properly. Make notes on meal or recipe ideas that came to you while shopping. Don't get distracted by phone calls or TV programs.
