I once shopped for a family of seven, but now it's just for my husband and myself. However, I still practice many of these cost-cutting steps today because I still like to save money!
1. Invest in a freezer! Keep it stocked with sale meats, frozen foods and bakery items.
2. Check your pantry shelves, refrigerator and freezer before making your shopping list.
3. Read the weekly food ads, and make a list of the grocery items and costs (I tape a post-it note list on the front of each store's ad)
4. Cut coupons
from the newspaper, but only those you know you'll use. I generally cut
only those with a 50-cent value or more. Cull the expired coupons
before shopping. Separate the coupons into two envelopes marked "Food"
and "Non-food," taking them with your list.
5. If a WalMart is
in your neighborhood, they "AD MATCH," so take advantage of this
terrific opportunity to save on everything, including brand names,
meats, sundries, and even house brands. You must take your food ads with
you. You can match the ad specials from any market (even Sprouts and
Trader Joe's), as long as it is a food market (not a drugstore,
department store, etc.). The only food items which cannot be "matched"
are 2 for 1, and percentage discounts (the price must be shown in the
ad). Remember to buy the exact brand and size. Other stores' house
brands can be matched with the WalMart house brands, too. Separate your
"AD MATCH" items from the rest of your groceries to save time at the
check-out. Before "AD MATCH" was used, I visited as many as three or
four stores to get the best prices for my family. No more....just find a
WalMart! . It saves you gas, more than pays for your newspaper, and
cuts your food budget!
5. If a discount bakery is in your neighborhood, it is cost-effective to
stock up monthly and freeze the goods, double-wrapping everything.
7. Warehouse stores aren't always a bargain. If you have to store the
giant-sized goods in a pantry, or super-sized perishables in the
refrigerator, you'll soon notice that you have no space available, and a
lot of perishable goods will be wasted. However, this way to shop is
great when shopping for large groups, parties and gatherings.
8. If WalMart doesn't carry your specialty items and you can't do
without them, then...and only then...pick them up from another store
when you're in the vicinity, but buy two or three, if possible.
9. Whether you buy sale produce, or grow your own, by canning or
freezing them, you'll save a lot of money. Also, cooking and baking from
scratch is much more cost-effective than buying "convenience" food, and
tastes better, too.
10. Refrain from frequent trips to the store because the more often you
go, the more you tend to spend. Your money will go farther, and you'll
be happier by following these steps!
Consider grocery shopping a "game." It's your money being spent. Try to
plan ahead, and challenge yourself to do better each time!
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