- Use Coupons
Coupons are a great way to get savings on your groceries. There are a number of online sites that can help you get started. If you really want to do well, use coupons that correspond to weekly sales at your store. Make sure you look through the store’s circular so you can figure out what you want to get ahead of time.
There are coupons for all your needs if you look hard enough. Most supermarkets will provide coupons online and offline for everything from food to clothing. If you’re on a fitness drive as many are at this time of year coupons can be perfect for saving on supplements, health foods and even protein powders – take a look.
- Avoid The Inner Aisles
The items that you need the most, like fresh fruits/vegetables and dairy, are often put as far from one another as possible. This is a strategic move; stores want you to traipse through the entire interior, hopefully picking up more items than you need along the way. Don’t give into temptation. Avoid the interior aisles and go right for the items that you have on your list.
- Avoid Brand Names
Generic brands are almost always cheaper than name brands, and for the most part, the taste is similar. Therefore, step outside your box and try a few generic brands to see if you like them. You can always compare ingredient lists to see how similar two products are.
- Don’t Buy Toiletries
Toiletries at the grocery store are often marked up in price. It is tempting to buy them when you are purchasing your food because it is convenient. However, make one extra stop and get toiletries at the pharmacy instead.
- Don’t Forget About Rain Checks
If there is a good sale on an item that a lot of people use, it goes out of stock very fast. Some grocery stores have rain checks; this allows you to come back and purchase the item at a later date for the sale price.
- Look High And Low
Grocery stores know what they are doing; they put the items that make them the most money at eye level, hoping you will see them and be tempted to buy them. If you want to save, make sure to look up and down along the aisles so that you get the best deals on items that you need.
- Shop When Full
Never go to the grocery store when your belly is empty. You’ll be much more tempted to buy things that you don’t need simply because you want to eat. Instead, go to the grocery store after you’ve had a meal.
- Go For Dried Beans
Canned beans are a little less intimidating than dried beans. Some people avoid them because they aren’t sure how to cook them. However, it is really not difficult and the taste is great. In addition, dried beans are cheaper, which simply adds to your savings.
- Buy In-Season Produce
If you are purchasing produce, go for items that are currently in season. The taste is fresher and the produce costs significantly less as well. Produce that is off season has to come a long distance to get to your store, and you pay for that trip.
- Avoid Prepared Foods
Prepared foods, quite simply, cost way too much. Take an extra few minutes to make a dish yourself. The money you save will be well worth the effort that you have to put into the meal. In addition, the taste will be that much better as well.