Things You'll Need:
- Calculator
- Price Book
- Ads
- Coupons
- pencil
- coupon organizer
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Step 1
Compare prices. Keeping price book is a great way to see what store is selling what you need at the best price. If you are not sure how to make a price book, see the link at the bottom of the page. Also compare ads with you price book to see if the store is selling the product at a good price. If store A is normally higher than store B, then store A sale price might not be that great of deal. That is why it is good to have a price book so you can check and see.
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Step 2
Shop at multiple stores. Figure out which stores have the best deals for which items and go to them. Sometimes one store will have the best price for something, but when the ad comes out, you will discover that another store has the item at a better sale price.
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Step 3
Clip coupons, a lot of them. Find as many coupons for the products you use as you can to have on hands for when products go on sale or for when you really need them. At the bottom of the page is a link on how to find grocery store coupons.
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Step 4
Shop store brands. Buy store brands when possible to save money. Try to find several store brands that you and your family will eat for those times when you can't get a good deal on name brands. Always figure if the sale/coupon price of a name brand is better than the store brand price before you buy. Of course only buy quality store brands. If your family won't eat it, it is not a bargain.
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Step 5
Keep a coupon organizer. Organize your coupons so you can find them easily and take them with you to the store so you can take advantage of unadvertised sales.
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Step 6
Double Coupons. Go to stores that will double your coupons. This can add a lot to your over all savings.
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Step 7
Get rainchecks. If a sale item that you were after is out of stock, make sure you get a raincheck. Keep it with your coupons so it doesn't get lost.
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Step 8
Buy in bulk. Buy in bulk, but only how much you will really use. It is not a bargain if half of it goes to waste. Food clubs (Sam's, Costco) are great places to buy in bulk, but just like with the store brands, make sure it really is a good deal before you buy it. Some stores will make it look like its a good deal, but when you figure up the price per unit, you really aren't saving.
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Step 9
Use a list. Always go to the store with a list and stick to it. The except of course is unadvertised sales.
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Step 10
Eat before you go. Don't go to the store hungry. You will be at risk of impulse buying. Everything looks good when you are hungry and it will be very hard to resist stuff like junk food.
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Step 11
Leave your kids at home. Leave your kids at home while shopping with your spouse if you can. It is harder to compare prices, look for coupons and such when your children are bored and want to leave. Also children usually beg for things and to keep your sanity, many parents will give into at least one item. It just usually costs more to shop with children.
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Step 12
Watch the cash register. As you are checking out, try to watch things ring up. Computers ofter have errors and prices are charged wrong. Coupons don't always ring up like they are suppose to. So keep an ey on it.
Comments
anniewrites said
on 2/16/2009 Great tips that work. Thank you very much!
idealady said
on 2/3/2009 This is a comprehensive list of tips. Some I was already doing, but others were things I have not tried. Almost everyone should find something here that can save them money.
sunshine11219 said
on 1/18/2009 good shopping tips
Yevgeni said
on 1/6/2009 I don't mean to drop names here, but in my town there are four large local supermarkets, but I go to my Wal-Mart for the best prices on everything. I've found items at Wal-Mart for literally half the price of what other supermarkets ask. Also, if you have a dollar store or a Big Lots, check those out. Sometimes the food can be questionable, but there are some enormous deals to be had.
FrazzledNanny said
on 1/3/2009 Thanks for the tips. I never thought of keeping a price book.