The good news it that by using the tips listed here, you can save money on groceries and have extra cash for other uses, such as
debt reduction.
Here’s our complete list of how to save money on groceries…
- Use a list when shopping- you will spend less.
Compare price using the per-ounce or other unit prices on shelf labels. Bring a calculator. If you buy the items with low per-unit costs, you can save hundreds of dollars a year.
This will also help you in deciding whether it is cheaper to buy a smaller amount of an item that is on sale vs. a larger quantity such as a case.
If you go grocery shopping when you're tired, you'll likely buy more high-carbohydrates items and sweets.
Eat something before you go grocery shopping. If you’re hungry, you'll buy more.
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Don't waste money on prepared foods. Of course, you need to put a value on your time. One way to save money on groceries as well as you time is to prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them. You can also double a recipe when cooking, and freeze the second portion.
Then you are all set for an upcoming day where you don’t have time to cook. Strive to purchase the basic ingredients, rather than pre-packaged components or ready-made items.
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You can reduce your food bill by as much as 19% simply by shopping at a couple of different stores. Your best bet are the lower-priced food stores.
By shopping at these lower-priced stores, you can save money on groceries, even hundreds of dollars a year. Convenience stores often charge the highest prices.
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It’s faster to shop early in the day when the store is less crowded. You’ll also likely spend less.
Try to shop without your kids accompanying you. Not only does it take longer, you will spend more.
Eat generic cereals, they cost much less than the name brand ones and often taste about the same. If your kids complain, keep a box of the name brand ones handy after the cereal is gone. When the kids aren't watching, put the bag of the generic cereal in the name brand box and see if they ever notice the difference.
Know that the you’ll see the highest marked-up items on the shelves at about chest level. To get the cheaper generic and store brands, look up and down on the shelves.
The main aisles in the store will have the highest marked up foods. These items are there to entice the people who are running in to grab a gallon of milk or loaf of bread. You can save money on groceries by realizing that fact and avoiding the main aisles.
Get menu ideas from your newspaper's weekly food section and look for local grocery sales.
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Clip coupons.
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Look for and use the in-store coupon displays and the coupon machines attached to the shelves.
Utilize the Internet for the national-brands coupon-offering services. Also, check your supermarket's online home page for coupons.
Seek out supermarkets that will double the face value of manufacturers' coupons. There are even stores that will triple the value of the coupons to attract shoppers.
Keep track of how much you save money on groceries from using coupons. Have some specific goals for the money you are not spending on food. Reward yourself by spending some of the savings on a luxury you like. Not only is this fun, it will motivate you to keep saving this way. This will also prevent your little luxuries from adding on to your debts.
Avoid purchasing non-grocery items from a grocery store. Examples are toiletries and medicines.
If a sale item is sold out, always get a rain check.
Request price matching. Try to find a store in your area that will honor all competitors' ads. You will save money on groceries, plus time and gas.
Beware of "discount store syndrome." That’s where you think that everything is a bargain just because you are in a discount store. That isn’t the case.
Learn when the store marks down goods that expire, like meat and bread. You can either freeze the items or use them that day.
Check your receipts. Mistakes happen.
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Always send in for the rebate no matter how much it is because the savings adds up.
Do what the restaurants do with stale bread: make your own croutons. This is easy…freeze your stale bread. When you have several pieces, put butter, herbs, and spices on them, and toast them in the oven. 300° works best. The pieces can be cut into croutons or crushed to make breadcrumbs.
At Financial Freedom Trail, we are committed to helping you save money, reduce debt, save more, earn more and manage you money wisely.
