Tips on Grocery Savings
Use a multi-faceted strategy to save money at the grocery. In February 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that a family of four spends slightly less than $1,000 each month. Use the following strategies to save 15 percent or more on your grocery bill every month. Dedicated coupon users can save up to 50 percent off a grocery order, according to Stephanie Nelson, author of "The Coupon Mom's Guide To Cutting Your Grocery Bill in Half."
Other People Are Reading
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Manufacturers Coupons
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Use coupons effectively with a strategy and a small investment of time. You have seen effective coupon users at the grocery: these shoppers seem to have a coupon for every item in the cart. To collect more coupons on items you purchase, join a coupon swap-and-exchange club. Find a local group or identify clubs online. Either way, find manufacturer coupons to lower your shopping costs while swapping coupons you don't need. Coupons seldom seen in one part of the country may be plentiful elsewhere. Don't forget to print coupons from manufacturer websites.
Shop Online
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Avoid adding impulse purchases at the grocery. To avoid buying items your family doesn't need, try shopping online. The practice can save time and money, and you can schedule delivery at your convenience. Notify the delivery service of any coupons to reduce your order cost. Many groceries offer an online shopping service, such as Royal Ahold's Peapod service. Peapod delivers to Stop & Shop customers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of New York and New Jersey. Giant Food customers in Maryland and Virginia also use Peapod. We Go Shop offers online shopping and delivery services for Winn Dixie, Publix, Sam's Club and Walmart. Ask about a free trial in your location.
Learn To Cook
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Make great food without spending a fortune. Most shoppers know that purchasing prepared foods costs more. If your family loves lasagna, make your own. Purchase the ingredients and save about half of the cost of a 61-ounce five cheese frozen lasagna (about $14). Buy lasagna noodles that don't require boiling first and save extra time without adding to the meal cost. Buy several new cookbooks or use an online source, such as 101 Cookbooks. Create a meal plan for each week, then purchase ingredients needed to make the meals. Try using a free meal-planning spreadsheet or software program.
Demographics
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Manufacturers may be looking for you. Share your personal information and shopping preferences with companies for even greater grocery savings. For example, new mothers may receive formula and diapers in the hospital. Contacting manufacturers after your baby comes home saves more money. Brands like Huggies offer a special welcome kit to new parents that includes coupons or free products.
Shop Discontinued Items
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Shop discounts and overstocks at your grocery store or at a dedicated consolidator. Many stores have a discount section. Depending on your needs, find discounted pet food, bottled water, personal care or staple canned goods at a discount. Buy only items your family uses. Discounted items can provide meaningful savings at more than 50 percent off every day prices.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit grocery cart image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
