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Jun 11

Basics on Saving when Grocery Shopping

83Savings

Going grocery shopping is a must for everyone…we all have to eat right? But doing so doesn’t mean that we have to go broke in the process. Did you know that there are simple, easy tips that if followed can save you some cash when shopping? Here are the few that follow every time I go grocery shopping:

~Make a Menu! Menu planning alone can save you 10% on your grocery bill because you can go shopping with a plan in mind! I personally make a menu once a month (only dinners) and do the majority of my shopping at the beginning of the month – leaving some fresh food for the end of the month. I have friends however that make their menu weekly and then shop weekly. Some make their list based off of what is on sale that week and others just prefer the to shop weekly.

~MAKE A LIST! – Did you know that you can save about 25 % off of your grocery list right off the top just by using a list? WOW! That’s a great savings without much effort. I always go to the store with a plan – a list to shop from. And I do everything I can to NOT buy anything that isn’t on my list! When making your list make sure that you aren’t putting items on it that you already have in stock!

~Never go hungry! If you’re hungry you’ll impulse by and that will cost you extra cash!

~Use Coupons. You can save SO much by using coupons, you can even often get items for free when you match a coupon and a sale! If you already get the newspaper and you don’t use coupons, well, you’re just throwing money away! Whenever I shop I have my list and my coupons. To find out more about saving with coupons and how to set up a good system I recommend checking out this link: Couponing 101. Even if you are a less enthusiastic coupon clipper you can shave an average of 10% off their bottom-line by using just a small handful of coupons. That 10% saving will add up all year long!

~Sign up for grocery store club cards. If you don’t like to carry around the card then be sure to connect your phone number to it and then you’ll just have to punch in your number when you go. By using a club card you will get the best sale price that store has.

~Buy generic. Whenever I can I buy generic. There are food items I will always prefer to buy brand name but there many I don’t notice any difference in brand name vs. generic so in those cases I buy generic simply to save money. The average consumer can save 40% annually by purchasing generic items.

~Pick the right store. If you coupon, find the stores in your area that double coupons. In Southern California Ralphs and Vons double coupons. (each have their own coupon policy so check with them first). But if you don’t use coupons, then shop at the store that is cheaper on average. In my area that is Stater Brothers. So when I go shopping I make my list, pull my coupons and then split the list between Ralphs and Stater Brothers. The items that are the best deals at Ralphs because of coupons (or sometimes sales) I buy there. Everything else I make a second trip to Stater Brothers. (Sometimes I shop at Vons instead of Ralphs if they have better deals with coupons that week).

~Check this blog for grocery deals every Wednesday! I post deals for grocery stores in the southern California area every Wednesday, when the new ads take effect. I will post the highlights for each store matching the sales with coupons to maximize your savings. I you don’t live in Southern California, email me and I will let you know if I can find a blog that posts deals for your area.

~Keep in Mind the “true value” of a product! To determine this the unit price, not just the package price. The unit price information is usually on a sticker located on the shelf that holds the item. The package price only tells you the cost of the entire item. The unit price shows the cost per pound, ounce, etc. Taking a moment to compare this information in similar products will help you get the best value for your dollar. Also, be certain to check “expiration” and “use by” dates to insure you are buying the freshest products.

~Last check your receipt. Items don’t always ring up right. I’ve had times that coupons weren’t scanned and items have not rung up correctly. Check your receipt BEFORE you leave the store. This will save the hassle of having to back to the store.

What are you tips for saving money when you go grocery shopping? Leave a comment below!

(Some information gathered from this article.)