How to Compare Prices at the Grocery Store

Grocery Shopping Cart

When consumers face tough economic times, one of the first things they do is cut spending. The days of new toys and electronics get put on hold. At the same time, everyone has to buy groceries, no matter what. There are ways to save on this expense as well, if you know the right steps to take.

Things You'll Need

• Coupons
• Grocery list you will stick by

Instructions

1. The first thing to do is make a list. If you know exactly what you need, it is much easier to compare prices and get quickly through the store.

2. Make sure you set your budget, before comparison shopping. You might be able to afford a higher quality product if it only costs a few cents more.

3. Compare prices from multiple stores as well. This can be done online or with the weekly shopper. Most stores now have a price match program, so you can buy everything at one location and get all the best deals.

4. The biggest concern when comparison shopping is size. You can often find great prices for a small package on sale, but when you break it down to price by weight or portion you can often find a larger package is cheaper. Cereal is one item that is very tricky. You may find one box on sale, but the exact same item is cheaper when purchased in a different size.

5. Buying individually packaged items like snacks is another area to watch. You can often find a great price, but you have to divide the total price by the servings to understand what the best deal is.

6. You should also check the quality of the items you are buying. Paper products like paper plates, paper towels, and toilet paper will vary greatly in quality. You can often find plates for just a few bucks, but if you have to use two or three for one sitting, you might not get the best price.

7. You should always pay attention to coupons as well. While fifty cents off sounds great, it might not be the best deal if you have to buy three items to get one fifty cent discount. Buy one get one free coupons also need to be watched. Buying one most expensive item might cost more than just buying two generic products.

8. Always check to see if there is a discount rack as well. You can often find the same high priced items on sale if the box has been ripped or the can is dented.

Tips & Warnings

• Browse online sites to help you price compare. A good site is available in the Resources section below.

Resources

• Grocery Shopping Tips
• Grocery Guide - Compare Prices in Your Area