Things You'll Need:
- Paper
- Pen
- Coupons
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Step 1
Don't take one than trip to the store per week used to be the advise given to shoppers but now it is recommended to shop every 10-14 days. This can be done with planning. This tip will also help you save gas and give the store less of an opportunity to trap you into buying something you don't need. This is a great tip to get you to use your imagination and planning skills. Do you have some rice or other boxed mixes like Hamburger Helper or beans in the cabinet that have been there for months? Well this is the time these things can come in handy. Take note of what you have in the cabinet and work around them. Maybe you have everything you need to make spaghetti but you don't have French bread? Use regular bread, toasted with butter and garlic salt it tastes just as good. Try making a game out of it and try to spend as less as possible for 1 month, you will get used to it.
For perishable items, you can start out by buying some vegetable plants to start a garden and some fruit trees. While you are waiting for those to grow you can buy fresh fruits to use in the first part of the 10-14 days and then use canned or frozen fruits and vegetables in the later part of the 10-14 days. Make so to buy canned fruits with no syrup or sugar added so you can keep the fruit on the healthy side. Use can freeze milk, cheese and bread to use later in the 10-14 day period. -
Step 2
We have all heard of product placement used in the TV shows we watch. This is because Tivo and other DVR's are used more and more so that we can skip the commercials. Supermarkets use the same tactics in a sense. Products used to be placed in price order on the shelves by placing the most expensive on top and the cheapest on the bottom this is why we were advised to look at the middle shelf to get the best quality but mildly expensive item. Because of this new product placement idea supermarkets are being paid by companies to place their products at eye level so it is now advisable to look at the top or bottom shelves and spend some time comparing items to get the best deal. Most supermarkets don't advertise when these other items are on sale at rock bottom prices.
Manufacturers will also pay to have their items placed on tables or end caps (the area at the end of each aisle) so don't fall for these advertising tricks either. Compare the items on the sale table to other similar items in the store for the best price. Occasionally these items will be cheaper. -
Step 3
Is it time for all the back to school sales or Summer time sales? Often stores will catch you eye by placing a "theme table" right when yu walk in the door. These tables will have everything you need for the occasion. For instance, when it's time for back to school shopping you will find pencils, paper, erasers, and backpacks on these tables. But you will notice it is all a particular brand, only one brand of pencils is on the table. The best thing to do is note the prices on the sale table then go down each aisle for the product you need and most of the time you will find better prices in the individual aisle. You will occasionally find some great sales on these tables so don't completely ignore them. Again, just learn to compare prices.
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Step 4
We all hate waiting in line right? Stores are on to us and use our weaknesses against us. They fill the checkout line with marked up items. We have all seen the Chapstick, the razors, candy and sodas right at out fingertips. We don't even need to get out of line. Avoid picking these items up at all costs. Plan ahead at choose less expensive brands in the aisles or choose to fight against them. Use the checkout line as a teaching tool for your children by first telling them will not be able to buy anything from the checkout line. Once you are in the checkout line every time they pick something up remind them of the rule or remind them what they already picked up elsewhere in the store. This will teach your kids that they can't have everything they see and will teach them to resist temptation. Remember you are the role model at this point so you must do the same. If you are having a bad day or don't feel you are strong enough to avoid the temptation then opt for a candy free aisle, most supermarkets have them.
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Step 5
Most people watching their food budget will shop by the sale circular and sale signs. This is no longer advisable. The store circular is now used as a marketing tool as well. I'm not saying to avoid the sales like the plague but be aware of the prices of things you normally buy and when they go on sale. You might get a sale ad that says milk is on sale only $1.64 for 64 oz. You normally buy a gallon (128 oz or double the amount) for $1.99 which is only 35 cents more for twice the amount of milk or what about this new tactic of buying 10 items for $10? If you look closely you will find that most items were only 69 cents each the previous week with only a few things a couple of cents below their previous price. Sometimes you will get taken by advertisements of 3 for $5, why don't there just put the actually price per item? Because they are banking on you just saying "that sounds good" because most people don't bring a calculator to the store and won't spend the time figuring out the actual price of the item. If you did this you will find you are not getting a deal based on comparable items on the shelf. Learning to take your time and compare prices is one of the best things you can do to lower your food costs. The second best thing, don't take your kids (if you arrange this) until they are old enough to use the grocery store as a learning tool (see this article for further instruction on this http://www.ehow.com/how_2261173_save-money-groceries.html.
