Saving money at the store is difficult and grocery shopping can be overwhelming.It helps to be a savvy shopper in the kitchen.To save money on groceries while still loving the food you eat, stock up on items when possible, and plan meals according to food sales.
Step 1: Before you shop, make sure to take care of your pantry and fridge.
Insufficient planning is the biggest cause of overspending at the grocery store.Before you go to the store, make sure you have what you need.According to a study by the National Resource Defense Council, Americans throw out 25% of the groceries they buy.Before you go to the grocery store, take stock of your pantry and fridge.The front of the fridge or pantry is where you want to put the items that are about to expire.To use these items for meals in the next few days, make a note on your calendar or in your kitchen.Save money on food by doing this at least once a week.
Step 2: Shop carefully if you make a list.
Before you go shopping, make a list.Over time, impulse buys can add up and make you spend more than you intended.It's important to be careful when you shop.When the shopping trip is over, avoid shopping hungry or stressed.Make a list and schedule your shopping as well.Aim to only shop once a week, as this encourages you to use the food you have rather than going out and buying more unnecessarily.When shopping, circle the items you spend the most money on and review your receipt.Consider what you could substitute for items that are expensive.
Step 3: You should shop on the days that are closest to you.
You can make a difference by shopping on the day of the week.It's best to shop mid-week on a Wednesday.You're likely to find items marked down on Wednesdays or Thursdays because food tends to reach its "sell-by" date midweek.Stores add weekly deals and are likely to honor the previous week's deals.Wednesdays are a great day to double up on sales and coupons.
Step 4: Prepare meals around sales items.
You should plan your weekly meals around what is on sale.It's a good idea to make a list of sales prices and meal plans.You don't want to include unnecessary items that are not marked down to complete a recipe.You have to work with what you have.You can also have a meal plan.You can type in a list of ingredients and get a variety of recipes.
Step 5: Buy in larger quantities.
If you buy them in bulk, they are cheaper.If the store offers specials if you buy in bulk, that's a good sign.Make sure you're getting a good deal.Many bulk prices show how much you would spend on an item.You can do a quick calculation on your phone or in your head.If you buy an entire case of a product, some stores will give you a small discount.
Step 6: You should know the average prices of items you buy.
Know the prices of the items you buy most frequently in order to gauge what is and isn't a good deal.If you know the average price of items, you are more likely to find a good deal.A discount that offers a pound for $.90 isn't saving you a lot of money when you buy bananas.You should do some basic shopping.If you want to find the best deal, you should make a list of the 10 items you most often buy and drive around to different grocery stores.You may save money buying certain items in bulk from a particular store if you take bulk items into account.
Step 7: Match price with local ads.
You can do a price match at many grocery stores.When you bring in prices or coupons from other stores, ask your grocery store to match their prices.You can get deals from different stores in one location.To find good sales prices on items you usually purchase, use local ads to find the best deals.Take that list to a grocery store that has price match deals.Make sure the store offers price matching first.Some stores only offer it on certain days or certain types of items.You will be price matching if you tell the cashier.Tell them the price you saw and the retailer that sold it.The prices will be rolled back by the cashier.
Step 8: If the sales item is missing, ask for a rain check.
If a sales item is out of stock, people can ask the store for a "rain check."Ask the clerk when they'll replenish the item, and request a rain check at the customer service counter.Even if the deal has expired, a rain check will allow you to purchase the item at the sales price.
Step 9: Use coupons with care.
If you use coupons wisely, they can be a great way to save.Each store has a coupon policy.Some stores allow double or tripling of coupons for a single item.If your store takes competitor coupons, you should see it.This is a great way to get the sale price most beneficial to you without having to travel a lot.You can set up an e-mail account for coupons.When you check out or sign up for a loyalty program, stores often ask for your e-mail, but many coupons end up in a folder you don't often check.Set an e-mail account for coupons and use it at the register to sign up for loyalty programs.Be careful with coupons, they can be a great way to save.Coupons don't save you a lot of money.You're fine with generic brands of peanut butter, but a coupon offers a discount on Jif.Jif may be $3.45 and the brand you usually buy is $3.50 with the coupon.You're buying something you don't really want and not really saving any money.Don't use coupons on things you would normally buy at full price.Saving really good coupons is a good idea when an item is on sale.You don't need to use a coupon right away if you watch the date.Save the coupon until you can get an in-store discount.This will double your savings.
Step 10: You can buy non-perishable items for 10 weeks.
Coupons and sales last around 10 weeks.Stock up on enough boxes to last you 10 weeks if an item with a long shelf life goes on sale.There's a good chance that item will be on sale again when you need more.
Step 11: There are farmer's markets.
The farmer's market is a great place to save money on food.For certain items, farmer's markets prices are cheaper.Get a sense of the price range by browsing a few farmer's markets.If grown organically, produce is more expensive, but items like dairy and cheese can be found cheaper at a market.If you agree to buy consistently every week, some local farmers are willing to negotiate a discount.To find out which farmers are interested in working with consumers, you can ask around the market.A food co-op is another option.The members of this organization decide which foods to sell, where to get them, and so on.Natural products can be found at reasonable prices.
Step 12: Go to a grocery store.
Some grocery stores give you access to certain discounts through a loyalty program.You can sign up for loyalty programs at the stores where you shop the most.You can access both store issued coupons and manufacturer's coupons through some loyalty programs.This makes it easy to double up on savings.In-store discounts are only available to loyalty members.Signing up for a program will allow you to get these deals.Ask cashiers about loyalty programs.If you can combine member savings with other purchases, ask if they offer benefits like cash back rewards.
Step 13: There is a clearance aisle in a grocery store.
The clearance aisle of local supermarkets is familiar to you.There is a clearance aisle in the back of the store.It's worth taking a look at the clearance aisle if something you normally buy is on clearance.
Step 14: There are discount grocery stores.
Most towns have a variety of discount grocery stores.You can find a variety of discount stores in your area.At discount stores, staple items like flour, sugar, and cooking oils can be purchased.It's a good idea to make a trip to such stores, as you can end up saving a lot.You should compare prices at discount stores.It may be better to buy certain items at regular grocery stores if there are sales going on.Be on the lookout for discount stores that offer price matches to increase savings.Consider joining a co-op.You will get fresh, local foods for a fair price, even if you have to pay a small fee to join.
Step 15: Have a pantry for a week.
Try to have a pantry week once a month in which you don't grocery shop and just rely on what's in your pantry.Use leftovers, frozen food, and anything else you can find.You have more food than you realize.You can search for recipes that only use the ingredients you have on hand.If you type in the ingredients you have, many websites will give you lists of suggestions.
Step 16: Some foods can be frozen.
Some foods can be frozen.If a bread item goes on sale, you can freeze loaves or packages to increase their shelf life.When frozen, bread can last three months.Most raw meats can be frozen.Poultry, beef, and pork can be frozen for months, but how long they last depends on the type of meat.If you like seafood, buy it in the store instead of fresh cuts.You can stock up on sale items and leave them frozen for a few weeks or months before you use them.
Step 17: It's a good idea to choose foods that are splurge foods.
It's okay to spend a lot of money on food once in a while.Pick the items you spend the most on.Some foods may cost more, but they're healthier.Whole grain foods are more healthy than foods that use wheat, rice or other grains.You will end up using less of these items as you will feel more full.Some organic foods can fill you up.If you notice yourself eating less, you can try going organic on wheat or grain-based foods.You may end up spending less over time if you swap certain foods for organic ones.