How to Save Money At Grocery Stores

[zarkys]

1. Always check flyers:

-Stores want to draw you in with great deals and what better place to check then the flyer? Before you go to a store always check either online for their flyer, in your mail or at the entrance of the store.

2. Always shop with a list:

You are more likely to spend more money if you go shopping without a plan. If you don't have a list, you could end up wandering aimlessly around the store and picking up items you don't really need. Try to group the items on your list by department (example: dairy, produce, bakery).

3. Pay With Cash:

Before you go to the store, get a rough idea of how much you are willing to spend. If you plan on spending $50, bring $75 just in case. But get rid of all your credit cards/ debit cards because it is easier to justify a purchase if you don't actually have to hand over the physical cash.

4. Compare Prices- Don't always assume your getting the best deal!

Even at discount chains, sometimes not all their prices are the cheapest. For example if milk is $2 cheaper at Store A vs. Store B then it is worth it to make an extra trip. Go through the flyers and plan out which stores have the best deals that week. Remember a penny saved is a penny earned. But remember to way out the cost of gas, it helps if you live in an urban setting where the stores are close together.

5. Don't be fooled by marketing terms "Sale" "Save x%" "Discount"

Sometime stores will put special signs on products that aren't actually a good deal. Ask yourself if you are really saving money ? If a product is 50% off at Store A, but the regular price at Store B is cheaper, buy it there.

6.Look To See if Your Grocery Store has a Reduced Section:

Stores will often reduce items like sandwiches, salads, dips etc. just to make room for the new items. If a sandwich is reduced it isn't necessarily lower quality, the store just wants to move the item. Go near the end of the day to see if items were reduced, that way it is still fresh but you get it at a better price.

7. Ask Employees About Current Promotions

Don't be afraid to ask store employees if they know of any good deals this week. They may show you an item that you would have never found. It also saves time too.

8.Fight Off Impulse Buys:

Grocery stores tend to place the items with the highest demand such as milk, eggs, bread etc. at the back of the store. This is so you have to walk past 100 other food items before you get to the one you actually need. Even at the cash registers the chocolate bars and candy are the items with the highest markup. Resist purchasing if you can.

9. NEVER Shop When You're Hungry:

You will probably come out with double the bags if you go shopping on an empty stomach. Always make sure you have lunch or dinner or even a snack before you leave.

10. Try Not to Bring The Kids:

This is a tough one, because sometimes it's unavoidable. If you have the option of whether to bring the little ones or not, let them stay at home. If they do have to come shopping, let them bring a toy or a snack to keep them preoccupied, that way they will be less likely to sneak items into your cart. Or let them know ahead of time, if they are good they can each pick one item to buy.

11. Take Advantage of Free Samples:

Some stores may have free samples throughout the store, don't be afraid to try some new products!

12. Make a Menu Plan Each Week

If you have a Menu plan for the week, you are more likely to buy only the food that you need and avoid waste. Also if you want to take it a step further, match the sale items with recipes that way you save even more money.

[tiffanyhungry]

Thanks for the great tips

[MortgageQueen]

Excellent suggestions. . .especially #12. You can go onto several recipe sites and list 2 or 3 "ingredients" (i.e. the ones on sale) and you can find recipes that use those ingredients. Shazaam!! Your meal planning/bargainshopping is done!

[Darth Penguin]

Never ever ever shop with your husband....

[walkonby]

Never ever ever shop with your husband....

ha ha YES... +1 I always find things in the cart that I did not place there and end up with a much larger bill to pay.

[zarkys]

Never ever ever shop with your husband....

Completely agree!!!

[frugal50]

# 9 is a must for me

flyers are your bestfriend

i only buy on sale items and make meals around them

never pay retail, for anything

[lucy16076]

Retail bad, sale good! Thanks for the reminders of all these great tips!

[cath007]

I think I respect all of those rules..except the 12 ones...still on working.Would love to save my time and had ready my menu plan...avoid what we are eating question and get better deals

[Brad]

Nice list except for the #3, the idea that it's "easier to justify a purchase if you don't actually have to hand over the physical cash" only applies to dumb people with no self-control, anyone with even the least bit of intelligence realizes that just because you don't pay now doesn't make it any cheaper. Besides, many credit cards give you cash back on groceries.

[alicia]

Well then, I guess I am dumb and not intelligent according to Brad's comment above, because I take cash to avoid easy temptation.

Good list OP - I practice all of these.

[Shwa Girl]

Never ever ever shop with your husband....

If I can add to OP's list --- read the brags on Smart Canucks.

[Shwa Girl]

Well then, I guess I am dumb and not intelligent according to Brad's comment above, because I take cash to avoid easy temptation.

Good list OP - I practice all of these.

Financial experts agree that people who want to reduce their spending should look at a "cash diet" even for a short time.

[Darth Penguin]

Well then, I guess I am dumb and not intelligent according to Brad's comment above, because I take cash to avoid easy temptation.

I have to remember when I'm using a CC not to go over budget since it's not "real" money at the time.

[Darth Penguin]

Financial experts agree that people who want to reduce their spending should look at a "cash diet" even for a short time.

IIRC, Dave Ramsey is a big fan of envolopes to separate out various types of spending money and not dipping from one fund into another.