How to Save Money at the Grocery Store
Homecooking not only tastes better, it also saves you a lot of money. The $20, $30 you are to spend eating out can buy you a few days of grocery depending on how large your family is (or how hungry you all are!). Before you leave the house to go grocery shopping, below are tips you’ll need to help you save money at the store:
Collect Coupons. Have you ever stood in line behind someone at the store who just handed over a huge stack of coupons to the cashier?
You may think they are just out to inconvience you but in reality they’ve probably saved a lot of cash because of those things. You should think of coupons as free money that just needs to be cut out of the newspaper and cashed in when you go to shop.
Most manufacturers are only too glad to send coupons, or even sample products if you ask them nicely. Keyword: nicely.
Apply for Store Discount Cards. Big supermarkets like Shaws or Stop and Shop offer discount cards at no cost. These stores always have weekly specials for cardholders. Some supermarkets also have extra discounts for children’s items. Check with your local grocery store for their member discount options.
Make a List AND Stick to it. This goes hand-in-hand with “Have a Budget”. If you walk in the door with a prepared list, you’ll be much less likely to start wandering around and start picking and choosing random items to throw into your cart. Better yet, plan your menu for the upcoming week and write your list based on that.
Eat Before You Shop. Everything looks good to you when you’re hungry so make sure you go out with a full tummy.
Use Cash as much as possible. Unless you’re getting reward points for using your checking account. But NEVER, and I repeat, NEVER bring your credit card if you’re on a budget, chances are, you’ll blow it. Bring a calculator (or use your phone’s calculator) if you have to in order to discreetly calculate your grocery (including tax) before you hit the checkout counter.
Go Alone. If you can, children tend to race through every aisle with something they absolutely have to have =). If you have to bring them, make sure you have a budget for treats and make them decide on which one treat they can have for that day’s grocery. This teaches them to be responsible and to decide on their own.
Fast Forward. At the store:
Look Beyond Eye Level. Typically, brand name items are going to be placed at eye level. Look for the cheap stuff up high or down low.
Buy Produce in Season. If you go out looking for really great tomatoes in the middle of winter, chances are you are going to pay for it. Finding out what is in season isn’t all that hard, ask the produce guy.
Buy Cheese in Bulk. Look for the sales at your deli counter or if in the dairy section, buy your cheese in blocks and shred or slice yourself when you bring it home.
Seek Tough Cuts of Meat. Going meatless will save money, but if you must do beef, go with cheaper, tougher cuts such as the flank steak, London broil or chuck roast and slowcook them. You can also marinate tough cuts for an hour in citrus juice or light soy sauce to help break down the meat.
Consider Store Brands. Store brands are not only cheaper, they are often given additional discount prices for cardholders.
Happy Shopping!
