Top Ten Ways to Save at the Supermarket
We know it's hard to imagine life without all seventeen varieties of yogurt that you 'need' and 'love,' but the economy is bad, costs are way up, and if we want our quality of life to remain, on the whole, unaffected, it's time to start learning some tricks to cut corners and save on the things we don't really need'or at least can get for cheaper. Let's start wit the most important first.
1) Organize beforehand. This means going through those newspapers, magazines, and mailers you usually throw out to look for what is on sale. Clip endlessly on items you generally purchase and save them, so that way you will have an organized folder of all your coupons. If this means planning your week's meals in advance so you know exactly what you have to buy, go for it.
2) Create a list. Know what you need going in. Don't impulse shop. In other words, don't go to the supermarket hungry. This is a bottomless pit of spending for the average consumer, when a box of Hostess cupcakes will seem like a great idea at the time. And keep your eyes closed at the checkout line. No, you don't need 'Us Weekly' to tell you about Angelina's new adopted baby.
3) Coupons, coupons and MORE coupons. Manufacturers make coupons to encourage you to buy there product, these coupons can you save 20% or more on your bill each month. If you are like most of the people I talk to, you don't have a lot of time to cut coupons from the weekly flyers, instead try one of my favorite's selectcouponprogram.com. For a small handling fee you can log into their site and choose the grocery coupons you want. In a day or two they will arrive at your front door.
4) Shop around. We know it gets said a lot, but comparing prices from different stores and brands can save you hundreds throughout the year. You may even want to go back to your now-flawlessly-organized coupon folder and see which stores have discounts on which items. Try to be flexible instead of harboring unneeded loyalty to a single store or brand. Be efficient in the way you maneuver from one store to another, or else what you save on your bill you'll end up spending on gas.
5) Don't balk at the brand names. While yes, most discount sites will tell you to go with store brands because they're 'cheaper,' this is a common misconception. At face value? Yes, of course they are cheaper. But when was the last time 'Malt-O-Meal' cereals were on sale, as compared to Kellogg's? Don't look so shocked. With proper coupon usage, the big brand names will always wind up saving you money.
6) Take the store card! Don't be shy! This may mean going to the grocery store with five or ten of those annoying little things, but over time, you'll save a bundle. Almost every major supermarket offers discount or rebate cards. Take advantage of their generosity!!
7) Get the best bang for your buck. Often, the largest package will provide the cheapest option for the most amount of food, but not always. Bring a calculator with you if quick math is not your thing, and don't worry if you think you look foolish in the fresh meats aisle adding up unit prices per dollar. Trust us, you'll feel smarter when you end up saving a few bucks every month.
8) Be familiar with your local stores. Generally, food from the deli counter is more expensive than in the aisles. Also, products at the ends of aisles tend to have earlier expiration dates and are probably not apt to be on sale for the most part. Most supermarkets want to keep you in the aisles, when in reality it's the perimeters of the stores where you'll find the best bargains.
Make one big trip a week, not three smaller trips. If you compile a grocery list throughout the week instead of going out whenever you run out of x, y, or z, you'll find you can end up saving more. Why? Because going to the store once a week will force you to learn how to survive without every household good and will help you target the items
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Are you paying too much for groceries? Having trouble with rocketing gas prices? Need to find extra ways to save money for things you really want? We can help!
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