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Step 1
Do your grocery shopping once a week. Pick a time and day that is convenient for you and build other tasks around your grocery shopping trip. If you have to pick up a few items before your weekly trip, make sure you put them on a shopping list and stick to it! Avoiding impulse purchases is a key step to save money on groceries.
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Step 2
To ensure you can get in and out of the store efficiently, shop during off peak hours. Try going early in the morning or late in the evening. Stores will be the busiest on the weekends so take advantage of 24 hour venues to accommodate your schedule.
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Step 3
If at all possible, leave the kids at home. Small children can be a distraction when trying to shop for groceries. More than not they will tempt you to shop on impulse as they pick up items from the shelves that appeal to them. Accordingly, if they are disobedient you may forget to purchase some of the items on your list which may cause you to return to the store again later in the week.
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Step 4
Eat before you go shopping and you may save money on groceries. It is not uncommon to find the scent of freshly baked bread, pie and other desserts wafting through the store. This is not a coincidence. Store operators know that hungry shoppers are inclined to spend more than intended so eat a meal or light snack before you head to the store.
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Step 5
When you venture down the aisles, be sure to look for products above and below your eye level or your child’s eye level (if it is a product marketed to children). These items are often times the most expensive items. Take the time to look up and down (away from the initial product) that catches your eye.
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Step 6
Improve your shopping habits by being mindful of what it costs you to make the dishes your family loves. Calculate the cost of a larger size item vs. buying two or more of its smaller counterparts to see if it truly gives you more for the money. Compare coupon discounts with store brand prices. Figure out if you really save money making a dish from scratch versus buying a prepackaged version of the dish. Taking the time to do these comparisons can make a huge difference in your savings.
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Step 7
Leave the debit and credit cards at home and bring only enough cash to pay for the things on your list. It’s so easy to swipe a debit or credit card to make purchases but when you have to pay with hard earned cash, something about it triggers you to think twice.
Comments
jl5080 said
on 12/13/2008 Great ideas! I can definetly relate to the "eat before you go", that can save you a lot of money.
BCPASSIONS said
on 10/5/2008 Excellent tips! I need all the help I can get..great article.
3-Point said
on 10/1/2008 I like putting things back. Great idea
luv2blog said
on 10/1/2008 Great tips on shopping. Thanks!!
Tidbits said
on 10/1/2008 Nice article, but the part about putting 10% back can be dangerous. While meandering though the grocery store attempting to put things back, there is a huge possibility of finding additional "stuff" to put in the cart.