How to Really Save Money on Groceries

Between soaring gas prices and having just a few hours a week to do any effective grocery shopping, you want to make the best of it!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Coupon keeper or small accordion-style organizer
• Large and small paper clips

1. Start a route. Begin by setting aside a day as well as other errands that can be taken care of along the way. Making several stops through the week eats up gas, time and your $!
2. Set aside time to clip coupons and make a list. You can buy a coupon keeper online or at your local office supply store (they are located by the organizers). These usually come with adhesive labels that you can personalize to your needs. If you don't want to use this, then a 6 X 9 envelope will do. Use paper clips to separate by categories if you have more than ten coupons at a time.
3. Do not ignore the discount grocery stores. Yes, they are not as glamorous as your upscale grocer and chances of finding brie samples are nil but they serve a purpose. Sometimes the discounts are as much as 40% off one item. Consider them for large quantity items if nothing else. Or if you find their edibles items questionable for consumption, then just check in every so often for non-perishable items only such as detergent and toilet paper.
4. Do not shop on Mondays. Seldom do stores fully replenish items from the weekend rush. If you hate dealing with the crowds but want first pick, then reserve Wednesdays or Thursdays.
5. Do not be afraid of bulk food items. Some of us have vivid memories of small children sticking their bare hands inside a barrell of dry beans to throw at someone. Nowadays, the mini-shovels and barrells have been replaced with upright containers that shoot the product out directly into a bag or other container. No human can touch product that may be consumed by someone else.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes going in with a friend or relative on certain items can cut costs!