How to Shop Cheap for a Large Family
With ever-increasing grocery prices, having lots of mouths to feed quickly becomes expensive. Shopping at discount wholesale clubs, outlets and discount stores instead of at supermarkets and malls can save your family lots of money, especially when buying in bulk and using newspaper or online coupons. Learn how to take advantage of these cost-cutting techniques to shop for your large family without spending a fortune. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Shop for your family's food, personal care, medications and household supplies at discount warehouse clubs. Although it costs a fee to join, you can save hundreds or even thousands over the course of a year instead of shopping at the grocery store.
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Purchase items with long shelf lives in bulk to maximize savings without having to throw away unused, expired products.
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Shop for paper products such as paper towel, bathroom tissue, napkins and paper plates in bulk.
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Shop for pantry items with long shelf lives such as cereals, coffee canned goods and grains in bulk at warehouse clubs.
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Purchase meats in bulk and freeze excess quantities for future use.
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Purchase personal care products such as shampoo, razors and mouthwash in large containers, sizes or packages instead of buying several small ones. Purchase three-, six-, nine- or 12-packs of toothpaste, shaving cream, soap and deodorant.
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Purchase vitamins and medicine in large containers or sizes and have prescriptions filled at the discount warehouse club instead of a pharmacy to save money and take advantage of wholesale prices on these costly necessities.
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Tips & Warnings
Shop for your family's clothing and shoes at outlet stores. If there aren't any outlet stores near you, look online for your favorite stores' "Outlet" section to purchase apparel at cheap, wholesale prices online.
Shop at discount department stores to purchase things like bedding, curtains and electronics for less.
Set up storage shelving in your basement, garage, hall closet or pantry to use space effectively and make room to store items bought in bulk.
Many brand, product and store websites feature printable coupons and also offer free samples. Check for coupons online before heading out to the store and take advantage of free samples to help reduce the amount you spend on household items.
Check your newspaper for store and product coupons or sign up for your favorite stores' newsletters to have special deals and coupons emailed to you directly.
Join a free Internet coupon club to receive discounts on your family's favorite brands and products.
If shopping at a supermarket, sign up for and use the store's discount card, use coupons and take advantage of circular sales and purchase deals to minimize costs and maximize grocery store savings.
References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
