How to Slash Your Grocery Store Budget

With the economy in turmoil and many people losing their jobs, we are all looking for ways to cut our spending and reduce our budget. One way to do this is to be a smart and conscientious shopper. Read below for 6 tips on how to slash your grocery store budget.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Sign up for any reward/loyalty cards that your supermarket may offer. (Our local Kroger’s has a Kroger Plus Card. For every $100 I spend in groceries, in any given month, they give me 10 cents off at the fuel pump. They also send me valuable coupons throughout the year…often for free items!)

2. Clip coupons. Watch your local newspapers for valuable coupons, look online and/or contact the manufacturer of your favorite products and ask for them.

3. Review the local circulars and keep a grocery journal. You will begin to notice a pattern of when certain items go on sale.

4. Shop from a list. It is much easier to go over budget when you just go in and walk up and down the aisles, instead prepare a list (plan of attack) and get in and get out.

5. Shop high and low. Often times, name brand products are at eye level and are more expensive than generic or store brands.

6. Compare the price per unit. Sometimes the largest jar/box isn’t always the least expensive.

Tips & Warnings

• To stay on budget, carry a small calculator or notebook with you to keep track of your spending.

[boatst]

on 5/16/2009 Good tip on how to save at grocery store.