How to Plan to Save Big on Shopping

What’s the single most important thing that you can do to save the most money on your grocery bill? Plan! What should be common sense, isn’t so common; and not because most people don’t grasp the concept. We don’t think we have time for it. Well, as they say, “Time is money.” Here are just a few helpful tips that will save you both time and money on your shopping trips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A shopping list that sticks to the refrigerator.

1. Budget. How much money do you have available and need for groceries? I recommend that you do a general budget for all of your expenses so that you have a good sense of where you stand. Spending $1000 of a $3000 monthly income to feed a family of 3 is crazy. But look back at your bank statements and see how close you’ve come to doing “crazy”. Those little trips back and forth to the market and McDonald’s add up.
2. Pick a day. Doing your major shopping the same time every week or every other week allows you to learn your family’s consumption patterns. You’ll be able to determine about how much of an item you’ll need to last until the next trip. This will not only help you cut back on wasted goods, but will help you cut back on those extra “quick trips” that can cost time, gas, and money.
3. Create a menu. The easiest thing for some is to have a theme for each day of the week like Pasta Monday, and Chicken Tuesday. Others write down full meal ideas for every day on a calendar or grid. What you need for your menu makes up most of your shopping list. A benefit of the menu-- getting your mouths set everyday for something that is actually in your refrigerator.
4. Take inventory. Having extras on hand is fine, but an overabundance is wasteful. Check your cabinets and take note of the things that you absolutely do not need to get. Don’t unwittingly pick up an 8th can of creamed corn. Put that money elsewhere.
5. Clip coupons. It’s money in the bank! If Proctor and Gamble wants to give you a dollar, take it. Clip them while you’re watching TV. or let the kids do it. Get a newspaper subscription or two. The savings you’ll find will more than cover the cost. Also, ask your grocer if they double coupons. If so, $0.50 is as good as $1.00.
6. Shop at home first. Check the sales paper. This and clipping coupons often go hand-in-hand. How great is it when you find a $1.00 off 2 coupon for cereal AND it’s on sale for 2 for $4.00. Even if you don’t have a coupon, buying items while they are on sale just makes sense. So if you have room in your budget and your kitchen, this would be the time to grab those extras.

Tips & Warnings

• Saving big has nothing to do with luck, but it is something that you have to plan for. As it becomes routine, you’ll find that it doesn’t really take as much time to do as you originally thought. Planning your shopping trips saves money, time, and your sanity. Save gas by running to the store less frequently. Have your ingredients readily available rather than shop just before dinner. Imagine coming home to a meal in the slow cooker ready to be served because you planned it that way. No gripes and moans because you skipped Burger King today, because it's Tuesday. And the family knows that that means chicken!