Things You'll Need:
- "Green" bags
- Customer savings cards
- Food coupons
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Step 1
In this time of rapidly rising prices, it is imperative to save money on food and other items purchased at the grocery store. Here are some hints to help you do that!
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Step 2
First of all, make sure you receive the sales papers from all local grocery stores in your area. If you do not, call the stores and request them.
You will also get the sales papers if you apply for a store savings card, which is top priority! The money you save using it each time you shop will add up to thousands of dollars over the years. So use a card at every store you visit!
Shop the ads in the sales papers. These papers tell you what is on sale and how much it will cost. You can plan a week's menu based on the ads and save a bundle. If you have several stores near you, it may be worthwhile to visit more than one each week, especially if you combine your visits into one errand to save gas.
Keep track of the lowest prices you have found for items you buy routinely. Then, you'll know if a sale is offering the best price for each or if you should wait for a better sale price. -
Step 3
If you can afford to, stock up on items as they go on sale to save money in the long run. Purchase a freezer to store the items. Bread, meats, butter, brown and powdered sugar, flour, fish, frozen foods, marshmallows, chocolate bars and chips, coconut, blanched tomatoes, chopped onions, spaghetti sauce and paste, fruit juices, lasagne, ice cream, cookies, and many, many other items can be frozen.
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Step 4
If you have a green thumb and the room, grow your own tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables in the spring and summer. Plant fruit trees and strawberry plants, too.
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Step 5
Watch for and clip coupons for items you normally buy. Clip them to your shopping list. Go to stores that offer double coupons to double your savings.
Keep an eye out for coupons attached to items you buy. Use them immediately when you check out. -
Step 6
Take advantage of special offers: 10 items for $20, 2 for one, buy one/get one free, 10 items for $10, buy 2 of something and get a free item or save money on some other item.
Shop carefully for the best price on an item. Store brands can save you a lot of money, as can special sale prices or buying bigger cans or boxes of an item. This is especially true for paper towels, toilet tissue, and paper goods. -
Step 7
Some stores offered a 10% bonus to customers who bought grocery gift certificates (to use later) with their federal income tax special rebates in 2008. That added up to a free $30 on a $300 card or $60 on a $600 card.
Some stores with pharmacies give rebates for moving your prescriptions to their pharmacy.
Some stores offer 5% off groceries if you get a number of prescriptions filled at their pharmacies. -
Step 8
Some stores give a small bonus if you use your own "green" shopping bags instead of paper or plastic.
Others have gas stations at which you can use your store shopping card to save money on fuel.
Comments
GHaider said
on 9/21/2008 Good suggestions for saving money.