Does anyone have any good tips on saving money at the grocery store other than coupons?

Question

I go to get groceries theese days and it feels like it just burns my money. There has to be ways of getting around spending so much for so little!

Answer 1

You can shop at cheaper stores too. Most Walmarts have grocery sections now and the prices are VERY low. If you live in Texas HEB is the best.

Answer 2

Opt for the store brands instead of name brands - they can be considerably cheaper and with some, you won't be able to tell the difference. Canned and frozen vegetables for example. A can of Dole manadarin oranges cost 99 cents at my grocery store, the store brand is only 59 cents, but they taste the same. Invest a little money on Sunday's to buy a newspaper and clip coupons. Some grocery stores will double the discount, so instead of a dollar off, you might get two. Also buy your meat in bulk and divide it into smaller portions in ziplocs when you get home. Bulk meats or family packs will be less per pound then the smaller packages. Try to cook most of your meals instead of buying premade foods or frozen dinners or prepared foods - these often have a huge mark up and will add up quickly on your grocery bill. Also, if you are looking at meat and see a package that is marked down for quick sale, go ahead and buy it. As long as it goes in the freezer when you get home, it's still fine. Stores will mark down meats a day or two before the sell by date, but the meat is still good. Most of all, make a list and stick with it! Before you go to the store, make a list of what you need to get. then when you go shopping, take the list (and coupons!) with you. If you realize your forgot something important (like milk or toilet paper), you can still get it. Otherwise don't buy anything that is not on the list. Stores are set up to tempt you to spend more on things that may not be on your list - soda, chips, etc. Just pay attention to what is usually on end caps, in the front when you come in or right before the check out. These are prime areas to target shoppers to get things they may not necessarily need to get. Last, but not least, don't go on an empty stomach. You will end up grabbing all kinds of stuff you probably wouldn't have gotten otherwise. Be sure to eat a snack before you go and maybe even take a drink if you are tempted by the coolers with sodas and waters at the check outs.

Answer 3

How about going to your local grocery store that is the cheapest? There are differences you know. Do you have a Food 4 Less nearby? They are the cheapest, or like a Costco? Or any wholesaler grocery store, where you can buy more for less and stock up. Buying in bulk can save, and it makes you get in your fridge and cook something rather than buy fresh all the time. Just when you buy bulk items to store in the freezer, have the stuff divi'ed up before you freeze it, so you can take out as you need to cook. Also, try going generic if you really want to save. Forget the brands, that's where a chunk of your change goes for each branded item you buy, and it adds up. Check out your bill after a week or 2, you'll see a difference. Hope this helps ;)

Answer 4

Buy the store brand on some of the stuff you get. Most of the time, it is just as good (there are exeptions of course). It is usually a lot cheaper.

Don't fall for the card programs where you get a card and get a discount. Just go to a store that just has cheaper prices to begin with.

Cook more. Don't buy prepared stuff if you can make it yourself. Buy a lot of chicken and ground beef and you can make a lot of different dishes, with some extra ingredients. The prepared stuff means that you are paying for the ingredients and also paying someone to put it all together for you. Besides, it is fun to do some cooking.

Plan your shopping. Some stores offer better deals than others. Also, pay attention to specials. Go online before you shop and check out the stores in your area. Many have specials listed online. Some stores are better for buying meat and some are better for buying vegetables. You need to try different stores and figure out which ones work better for you. Be careful not to waste your savings on gas going to all of the different stores.

Be careful buying stuff in bulk. Sometimes, you will end up paying more per item than if you had just bought them separate. Not always, but sometimes. You may need to bring a calculator with you. Just take the number of items in the package and divide that into the price. Choose the one that gives the lowest price per unit.

Answer 5

Yes, i am a stay at home mom so i'm always looking for a way to budget.

Here's something that helps me:

I make out a whole months dinner schedule. And then only buy the items necessary to cook those meals. Don't forget snacks and desserts.

Watch out for sales. Buy things you run out of quickly in bulk. Like toilet paper, paper towels. Etc.

Make a list before you go and STICK TO IT!

Don't be afraid to buy store brands. Not only are they much cheaper at times, but they often taste just like the pricer brands. The only exception I found is with off brand cereal. They seem to lack the taste found in originals.

When buying meats, search through the packages and find the cheaper ones. Sure the poundage is less but trust me you really can't tell!

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Go to the cheapest stores for food, because seriously a banana is a banana! You look around for the best deals and bulk-buy the stuff you get regularly like oatmeal or rice, for example, - often Indian or Chinese shops do good deals. I once lasted a week on roughly 14 dollars which I spent on filling natural food. The fresh produce and canned fruit and veg tends to work out cheapest. Stay away from frozen food if you can, because it costs a lot.

Answer 7

You do not say how many do you shop for? For buying in larger quantities Sam's Club or Costco are good, and you can freeze some of the food for later use and theirs prices are very good. You do need to join the club, and sometimes you can shop with a friend that already belongs and see how you like it before getting your own membership. There are many benefits of the membership as well on other items they carry. Yes everything has gone up in price and always watch for specials. I should know I am a saver too.

Answer 8

Buy things in bigger packages and separate it at home... Those little packages of things add up quick. Watch for sales and buy extra when the price is low. Buy the house brand - it is way cheaper and just as good. I generally don't shop with a list... I look at what is on sale and fix my meals based on what I get. Avoid junk food too - it is empty calories - and usually just a waste of money!

Answer 9

Buy store brand rather than national brand. Compare cost per unit rather than total cost of the container.

Answer 10

Get a membership. They are free at Fred Meyers, Carrs (safeway), Albertsons, and this one in Boston....