How do you save on groceries and still feel that you're not being tight?

Question

Basically looking for ideas and inspiration.

Answer 1

Printable grocery coupons are one way forward. You get discounted rates on a lot of items if you look around a bit. A good 'buying relationship' with your store may also help.

Beyond that, take a look here: http://feastingfamily.pinurl.com

There's some real-world ideas and nifty inspiration that will be of use to you.

Answer 2

Invest $150 or $200 in a small chest freezer. Then, start watching sales and buy in bulk. Bring it home and separate into smaller packages and freeze it. It takes a bit of an investment at first, but within 6 months you'll find that you always have at least one of what you want for dinner in the freezer and the cost will drop way down on your monthly grocery bill.

I also shop the grocery outlets for all kinds of canned goods. For example, the green beans might only be 3/$1 at the outlet, whereas they are .50/can at the regular stores.

There is no reason to feel "tight" about the grocery bill. Food is expensive and any way you can cut costs will help your family enjoy other things in life.

Also buy generic brands of paper and plastic products. They are far cheaper than the name brands.

I always check the "per unit" cost. Sometimes a smaller container will be cheaper than the big container, but sometimes not. You have to shop smartly.

Hit the asian markets for fresh produce. For some reason, they seem to be cheaper and have a bigger variety than traditional grocery stores.

Answer 3

Go to the least expensive, but decent grocery store-like for me, Wal-Mart.
Store brands are okay. In fact good. And for the price, even better than name brands.
Also, if you get the Sunday paper, or Wed. paper, and you can get some coupons for items you usually buy (or even want to try), that helps save money as well.
I have a friend that makes a monthly menu-and buys everything she can in bulk, for the month at a place called Costco. She will buy perishable items like milk, veggies, etc. at the regular grocery store (prefer on sale) as needed.
I personally like to buy bread for the month (5 loaves) and put them in my freezer.
Nothing wrong with looking for sales either. It's not being "tight" it's just having a budget for food, and sticking to it the best you can.
Take care.

Answer 4

Store brand, store brand, store brand!!!!
I also take advantage of rice, so versatile. Can be utterly cheap to very very high end.
Also look into Sam's club, or even better, Costco.

Simple look for cheap things that can be bought in bulk that can be made into a multitude of things. Chicken is also cheap and can be very different dish to dish, plus the protein factor!

Answer 5

Try not to buy canned food, buy fresh and if necessary cook and deep freeze it, or buy larger amounts e.g. herbs and just bag and freeze into the amounts that are needed. Don't buy ready made cereals, buy open and mix your own.Don't buy packaged meat. Buy from a butcher fresh and package in smaller amounts and freeze.Don't order in.Cut out ready made meals and pre-cook your own meal from scratch the evening before.

Answer 6

make friends with an employee. ask for their number. try and get their house phone number. if your grocery store has a club card or savings card or whatever then tell the cashier you forgot your card. they will ask you for your phone number so give them the employee's. if it works, you should receive their employee discount. it is usually is only 5%, but trust me, it adds up FAST.

Answer 7

I buy store brands and I compare prices.Sometimes the store brand isn't the lower price after all. I check the prices of several brands before I choose one.

Answer 8

Who cares about feeling tight if your thick wallet is making your back pocket tight too.