How do you save money at the local grocery store ?

Answer 1

paying cash helps me. Its easy to swipe a credit card, but when you count out 10s and 20s it hurts. I always spend less using cash even if I take plenty in there with me, I'll always spend less.

Answer 2

1. Shop the TOP and BOTTOM shelves. High price brand names actually PAY to have their products at eye level.
2. Don't by 'meal kits' or other 'ready to eat' foods. They are ALWAYS more expensive than ingredients to prepare your own food.
3. Make a list AT HOME, and by ONLY what is on the list. If you see something else you want, write it down. Unless you want it enough to go back a different day, don't buy it.

Edit: Someone mentioned store brands. In many cases these are actually made in the same plant as major brands. The LABEL may be the only difference.

Answer 3

Buying store brands. Many are actually very good (Wegmans for one example).

Also, buy fresh fruits and veg, not prepared foods and junk food.

Buy less meats and fishes, or use cheaper cuts and prepare them in a different way. You don't always need that rib eye or filet mignon - go with a skirt steak or a roast.

Local farmers markets also offer f&v at a much more reasonable price. And it's local - even better!

Answer 4

I try to buy only items that are on sale. Try to not pay full price for anything, including meat. It is kind of hard when you first start out because items that are on sale may not be what you want this week, but once you keep doing it, it gets easier. If you know it is a product you will use (spaghetti, for example) buy a couple of them when they are on sale. The next week when other items that you use are on sale, buy those.

Also, you'd be amazed at how much you can save if you use leftovers. Try to make leftovers into another dish if you can. Like turning leftover chicken into chicken salad or chicken enchiladas, or something.

Answer 5

read the packages on everything. do that wonderful grocery store math and if the off brand of something offers more for the same, if not a better, price, go with it. with foods, most off brands taste exactly the same anyway.

also if you pay cash, you pay more attention to how much money you're spending and thereby budget it better.

Answer 6

our grocery stores show not only the price, but price per ounce etc.. allowing you to compare two different sizes.

We also don't buy much in the way of "food", just side items. We use www.letsdish.com to get dinners, and it works out at $4 per plate, which keeps us from wasting food, and allows for portion control.

Answer 7

Use lots of coupons and I shop at Walmart and price match everything. That helps alot.