How to save money on your grocery bill

As oil and commodity (wheat, soy beans, corn, etc.) prices continue to soar in our global economy, many people are starting to feel a financial pinch from every direction. Higher prices at the gas pump, coupled with rising food prices have caused a tightening effect on personal budgets. In order to make ends meet, many people have been forced to cut back any way they can. I have put together a list of items on ways that my family is currently saving money on our grocery budget.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience
• Grocery list

1. Coupons – This is the most obvious and common way to save money on groceries. Begin by purchasing the Sunday paper to get the coupons that are included each week. There are also tons of online coupons available and even some websites that will help you combine coupons with sales to get the lowest price available or even FREE. Just go to Google and do a search on coupons to get a good list of resources. Finally, look for local grocers who double and triple coupons.

2. Shop special deals - Stores like CVS offer great deals on items with their Extra Bucks promotion. You can often find free items or even get paid for items if you use a coupon. Walgreens, Rite Aid, and some other stores offer similar promotions.

3. Buy Generic Store Brands - This is something my wife and I have been doing for years. We buy the store and generic brands to save on money. Often times when you don’t have a coupon, buying the cheaper store brand will help save money. There are many great deals out there on generic and store brands if you look.

4. Make fewer trips to the store – When you spread your shopping around to several stores to get the best available deals, it can become a concern in the amount of money you spend on gas driving all around. If you do shop many stores in a given week, try stopping on your way home from work if you are driving by the store. Another option is to combine your trips to the grocery store with other activities and errands, which can go a long way in conserving gas.

5. Buy Local goods - Purchasing locally grown produce not only helps the local economy, it also has the possibility of being cheaper as well. Gas prices are not as much of an impact on local grower’s who sell their products at farmer’s markets or even grocery stores in your area.

6. Start a Garden - Growing your own vegetables could help in reducing the amount you are paying at stores. One thought is to swap produce from your garden with friends and neighbors who may have an over abundance of one item throughout the growing season. This is a great activity to do with your kids as it helps them learn about nature and it is fun!

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient when trying to reduce your grocery budget.
• Look for local produce which will help the environment and the economy.
• Buy off-brands and look for weekly sales.
• Stock up on items when they are discounted.
• Don't shop for groceries on an empty stomach.
• Try to limit your impulse spending.
• Always have a grocery list and stick to it.

Resources

• Passive Income Streams

[TFMiser]

on 11/17/2008 Good tips. All ones that I follow.