How to Save Money at the Grocery Store

The grocery store can be a real budget buster if you don't pay close attention at all times!

This article is written to help you to know how to save money at the grocery store.

The economic crisis we're in has more and more people in a bind when it comes to the family finances. Even in tough economic times, we all need to eat.

Usually that means a weekly trip or two to the neighborhood grocery store. There are a few very simple things you can do to keep this necessary shopping trip from becoming a budget buster.

From the time you arrive, you'll be tempted with aromas and colors designed to pull you off course. This article is designed to help you to maintain your focus as well as to keep you from overdrawing your bank account.

So read on and think about these simple yet effective ways to save money at the grocery store.

Things You'll Need

• advance weekly menu
• prioritized list
• coupons
• time to look very closely
• patience
• self discipline
• weekly budget
• cash only

Instructions

1. 

   The first issue is your upcoming weekly menu. Plan ahead. Make a list for every day's meals and snacks for the family.

   This is really about your health as well as how to save money at the grocery store. Realize that although those processed, pre-packaged meals for the microwave are convenient, they are quite expensive. They are also less healthy.

   The objective here is to save money, and sometimes that requires you to sacrifice a bit of time - as well as to do some of that grunt work your mother used to do - like food preparation.

   Plan your meals around fresh foods, not pre-packaged meals which cheat your health as well as your wallet.

2. 

   You need to anticipate buying enough fresh vegetables, fruits and meats for roughly 3 days each trip to the grocery store.

   Remember that fresh foods have no preservatives. Plan to buy only half that week's needs per trip. Any more than that will be wasted, eliminating the savings. That's why planning 2 trips each week is a necessity for maximum savings. And that's what we're looking for, isn't it? We need to save every cent we can when shopping at the grocery store.

   Plan what to buy, where and when to buy it. Try to coordinate with other necessary trips so you won't have to go out of your way. That will help save some money on gas. Then stick to the plan.

3. 

   When buying canned foods, bottled juices and paper goods, always check that tiny tab below the product. It will indicate cost per ounce or cost per sheet. Often the less expensive products occupy the bottom shelves. Don't automatically choose the brand name at eye level; quality can be found down below. Value is down there, too.

   Also be aware that "family sized" and "multi-pak" are marketing ploys. You might find the cost per sheet of a single roll of paper towels, for example, is much less per sheet than the so-called bargain of the 3-pack.

4. 

   When possible, buy in bulk. Warehouse clubs and farmer's markets often have the products you need at a much lower price per ounce and/or per sheet.

   Never marry one particular store. Sometimes another store will have a weekly special on a given week on an item you really need. More often than not, there are bargains close to home you haven't even considered.

   Is there a bakery outlet selling day-old bread? Buy a few loaves and put a couple in the freezer for later. Remember - you want bargains.

   Dollar stores can save you over 30% on canned goods.

   Summarizing this step; buy at the cheapest store, and whenever possible, buy in bulk. The bulk items are most likely such things as canned goods, paper products and grains.

5. 

   Grocery stores are laid out so as to guide you to the most profitable items. This is where that self discipline becomes so vitally important.

   Stick to your list. Avoid unnecessary items such as candies and sweets. Is that bottle of wine really necessary? Put it back on the shelf. If it isn't on "the list", it's out of bounds.

6. 

   The checkout area houses the most tempting items of all, especially designed for the ones who usually do most of the shopping and the ones who accompany them - the ladies and their children.

   Focus on what is in front of you. Instead of reading about Brad and whomever on the front of that magazine, watch the checker. Notice if he or she is alert and if certain items of the customers in front of you are ever scanned twice. A grocery checker has a monotonous job. Mistakes can and will happen. Is that checker making mistakes?

   Learn to say "no" to your little beggars eyeing the tootsie-rolls; don't be distracted. If it's your turn and you think the checker made an error with your order - or if you question a price - don't be too busy to stop him or her and ask.

Tips & Warnings

• Read my other money saving article under resources

• Use as many coupons as possible

• Avoid going over budget or off list

• Stay focused

• Treat shopping as a job - it's your money

• Don't fall into a trap by using only 1 store

• Don't allow impulse to get your money

• If the kids distract you, leave them with a neighbor

• Never buy over-ripe foods

• Copyright 2009 Rufus Surles. All rights reserved. Permission to link to this article in its original form granted.

Resources

• How to Save on Your Phone Bill