How to Cut Your Grocery Bills

We all want to save money on our grocery bills, which can skyrocket with items that are not a necessity. Given the economic climate we live in, we have to watch our spending and that also includes grocery bills. There are ways to bring your food bill under control without sacrificing your family’s health and your time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Shopping lists
• Coupons
• Store circulars

Getting the Best Deals at the Supermarket

1. Analyze your spending. Determine much are you spending on actual food. Separate the toiletries and miscellaneous items to really find the answer. You will be amazed at what you find out.
2. Make out a complete list of all the items you will need before you go shopping. Determine the total costs and go to the supermarket with that amount in mind.
3. Avoid purchasing non-grocery items, such as painkillers, over-the-counter allergy pills or Christmas decorations, at the supermarket, unless they are on sale and at a deep discount. It is convenient, but you will pay double the cost.
4. Look for double coupons. In most places, you will find a coupon that will let you buy the nationally advertised brand at the same price as the generic or house brand. Look for stores that offer double coupons, which can be a real saver. Kroger is one such supermarket that offers double coupons.
5. Warehouse clubs and discount stores can be misleading. Not because you are in a discount store or warehouse club you will get a bargain or the best price on every item. Calculate the per item cost and compare to the supermarket to see if the deal is worth it. Remember, you can use coupons at the supermarket to reduce the price as well.
6. Give those shelves a second glance. The most expensive name brands are located on shelves between knee- and shoulder-height. The highest markup items are the one at about chest level. You can save 40 percent by selecting house or generic brands.
7. Stick to the edges of the supermarket. The most healthy, least processed foods are at the edges of the grocery store, such as dairy, fruits and vegetables and meats. The main areas where you are walking, the paths of bread and milk, are usually strewn with high-priced items.
8. Set your shopping mood. If you shop when for food when you are hungry, you will purchase more.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a journal to track your spending and note prices of items purchased.
• Read the weekly circulars and Sunday paper for items on sale.
• Watch your receipt, if the item is ringed up incorrectly, you will get it free or at a discount.
• Coupons are generally in the Sunday papers and online.
• There is no easy fix. Track prices over time.