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10 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill
by Crystal Ware
Don't let people convince you that things on your budget can't be controlled.
Basically everything you can put on your budget has some way of being controlled
by you including loan payments and interest. A major category on the budget that
usually deserves some scrutiny is grocery. This category is just screaming at
you to take control. Following are 10 easy ways to save money at the grocery
store.
#10 Shop at different stores. Scan the grocery sales that come in your mail to
locate deals that may be better if you shop around. It may take a bit more time
out of your day but could save you a substantial amount of money. Avoid making
last minute purchases at places like convenient stores where prices tend to be
much higher.
#9 Beware of sales and bulk items. Despite having a great sale prices attached
to the item, it might not actually be a better deal. To get the best deal you
possibly can, shop by unit price. For instance, the large basket of organic
strawberries might have a colorful sign that says $2.00 per pound while the
regular strawberries are $2.49. That may seem like a great deal until you
realize the organic strawberry price is $.20 per pound while the regular
strawberries are $.10 per pound. Unless you are keen on having organic, the
non-sale item is a better buy.
#8 Shop local. Find a local farmer's market that offers fresh produce (and
sometimes meat). Usually that produce is a better buy because the middle man has
been cut out. Take note that you will be getting fresh, in-season fruits and
veggies while supporting your local growers.
#7 Coupons. Some people despise the idea of taking the time to clip a few $.25
cent coupons. They don't see the long term benefit. Keep in mind that a lot of
grocery stores have double and triple coupon days. Those quarter coupons then
become worth much more. Combine those with weekly sales and your savings can
really add up. Most stores will also allow a shopper to use manufacturers'
coupons in conjunction with store coupons on products. Don't forget to look
through women's publications as well as newspapers.
#6 Request price matching. Wal-Mart is famous for this and you might be
surprised how often a store will actually grant you a price match. Instead of
risking business being taken elsewhere, managers will often allow a price change
if you can prove the lower price. Try asking before heading off to another
store.
#5 Make a list. And stick to it! Planning meals in advance and making a list of
everything you will need will save both time and money at the grocery. Remember
to include snacks on the list as well. Break the list in sections listing
everything you need for breakfast, then lunch, then dinner, drinks and lastly
snacks. This keeps everything in order and easily manageable.
#4 Make a lifestyle change. This can be difficult for some people but learning
how to eat healthy can really cut the budget. Avoiding sweets like cookies,
soda, and chips can save quite a bit of money. Replace those items with
healthier choices like apples and yogurt, which are cheaper. Avoid restaurants
and fast food joints or only partake sparingly. Brown bagging four days a week
can save around $40.
#3 Shop with a calculator. Knowing the amount of money you are spending as you
place the items in the shopping cart is a great reference. It lets you see just
how those "maybe" items really impact your bill. Using a calculator can also
help you figure out the unit pricing for those items not marked. If you are
working on a weekly budget then knowing when to stop and re-evaluate your cart
is essential. Using a prepaid credit card to keep track of your weekly grocery
allowance can be a great way to monitor your spending. Also, knowing an estimate
of what you cart is suppose to cost will help you notice if things did not ring
up as their sale price (which is another reason to always check your receipt).
#2 Avoid anything not "grocery." Most times those extra essentials like
toiletries and over the counter medicines can be found cheaper at a discount
store. Focus on FOOD while at the grocery and hit up the local Dollar Store for
the rest.
#1 Never shop on an empty stomach! Eat a meal, or at least a small snack, before
heading out to the grocery store. This can really help cut out impulse buys
while you are walking the isles. If you follow no other rule, let this be the
one you always remember. Impulse buying is the root of all evil at the grocery
store.
Learn more about using a prepaid debit card or prepaid Mastercard to take
control of your finances.
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