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Step 1
Stockpile. Most grocery stores discount items at least once during their quarter sales cycle. Study supermarket advertising frequently and purchase your favorite items on sale rather than pay full price two weeks down the road.
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Step 2
Explore. Lowering your grocery bill requires more effort than running into a store clutching a list. Comparison shop before making a decision. Advertisers love to set up displays of unadvertised sale items all throughout the store, so keep your eyes open for a good deal.
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Step 3
Store Brands. Food experts have always felt that most people couldn't tell the difference in the quality of a meal that was made with store brand items in place of recognized name brands . The same manufacturers who make your favorite brands are often the same companies who produce the store brand items. The only differences are the labels, and the price.
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Step 4
Discount Foods. Grocery stores routinely lower the price on dairy, baked goods, produce, and meats as the approach the sell-by date on the packages nears. These items are safe to eat several days after the purchase. Find out what time of day these items become available at a discount price.
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Step 5
Sunday Shopping. Many shoppers maximize their purchasing power by buying groceries on Sundays, using coupons cut from the morning newspaper or weekly store advertising circulars.
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Step 6
Item Unit Prices. Buying the larger size isn't always the best deal; certain items might be more expensive per unit than their smaller counterparts. Crunch the number before making a purchase decision.
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Step 7
Online Coupons. Your computer might take your search for coupons into a whole new dimension. Newspapers are no longer the sole source of coupons; grocery stores offer coupons as part of their club membership programs. Manufacturers are also offering a larger dollar value coupon in their online advertising.
