What's the best way to save money at the grocery store?

Question

It seems like every time I go I spend more money! I always go in with a list, but I add stuff I inevitably forgot. I feel like I don't leave with any actual food to make, just snacks and drinks.

Are there cheap staples I should be buying in bulk to save money?

Answer 1

Don't shop when hungry. Eat before you shop.

Answer 2

1. spend more time making the list and stick to it - don't stray from it.
2. plan your meals for the week on the list - include main entree, sides, etc.
3. it is always better to make one big trip than several little trips - it's the in-between trips that add up and end up being very costly.
4. If you do feel the need to impulse buy, don't put the item in your cart right away. Finish shopping for your list, and if you still think you need the impulse item then you can go back and get it. - 9 out of 10 times you will find that it was a want, not a necessity.

Good luck!

Answer 3

1. Read all the flyers that come in the mail or are inserted in the newspaper. Compare prices to see where things are cheapest.

2. Have a "savings" card for every store that offers it and always carry it with you.

3. If your local stores are within a reasonable distance of each other, shop at all of them every week for the best buys.

4. Try to only buy what's on sale at each store (especially those that offer a "savings" card).

5. Do not go shopping hungry.

6. Do not go shopping without a list.

7. Plan your menus weekly, and prepare your list according to your menu.

8. Do not go shopping with children.

9. Use coupons religiously.

10. Buy in bulk with a friend. Split the cost and the items.

11. Check your receipt before leaving the store, and take care of errors not in your favor immediately.

12. Buy "buy one get one free" sales with a friend. Split the cost and the items.

13. Buy meat that is marked down in price because it is nearing the date that the store is allowed to sell it. This is perfectly good meat. In fact, sometimes its better because it has aged (like beef). Either use in a few days, or repackage, mark with pertinent data, and freeze.

14. If storage isn't a problem, buy sale items of products you always use, and always need.

15. Belong to a discount warehouse (like Sam's Club). But be advised that you really have to know your prices.

16. Shop at "dollar stores." One 99 cents Only store that I shopped at when living in CA had amazing produce. The selection was phenominal, and nothing cost over 99 cents!

17. Take advantage of rebates.

Hope this helps you. Happy Holidays!

Answer 4

The best way to save is to buy at Costco or Sam’s. You can get some snacks there- the snacks you like the most and have a long shelf life- like fruit cups, chips (chips are SO much less), poptarts, pudding cups, cereal bars. Then get 5# or 10# of ground beef. When you get home, freeze the beef in bags in portions of 1 or 2#. For chicken, Tyson has frozen chicken breasts. A 6.5# bag is 14-15- way less than the grocery store. The bag is resealable- so you don’t have to do anything extra there. When you have to choose what to cook- search online for recipes- enter the ingredients you have- you’ll always have ground beef and chicken- so you probably have hundreds of items you could make by adding a few items from your pantry.

Answer 5

Clipping coupons is one way. The other way, especially with a list, is to avoid the center aisles. All the staples meats, veggies, dairy etc. are normally against the walls. Then only go down the aisles you have to for your laundry soap, shampoo's etc. People start picking up the junk when they go up and down each and every aisle. And never go when you are hungry or you'll end up buying more than you intended.
Instead of buying stuff like packaged mushroom buy them loose, you pay for the packaging. That's the same with things like peppers, buy 1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow instead of the prepackaged assorted and you save about a dollar or more just by doing that.
Some stores have member cards and they are worth having especially if you always shop there, it really makes a difference.

Answer 6

Check the paper for the ads and use coupons. One thing I do is memorize the layout of the store. I always plan the month's menu ahead of time and make my grocery list from that. I never forget anything at the store. It's definitely hard because you're always tempted at the store to buy other things.....that's what they count on. That's one reason why the milk and things like that are at the back of the store....you have to go through a lot of other tempting things to get to it. Anyway...that's something you have to have willpower for....only buy the things on your list.

Answer 7

well that hapens to every body who doesn´t make a list, before you go to the grocery store. make a list of what you need. and stick to the list, if you don´t know how to make a list, make sure you know what are you going to cook that week, make a menu for the week and then you know what you need. Every time you go shoping don´t go with hunger, eat and then go, thats a great tip. and that way you will only spend what you need
Thats the whole secret

Answer 8

Number one, don't go to a grocery store. Clip your coupons, make a list and go to a supermarket. Go after you have eaten dinner too. This way you won't be hungry and tempted to add snacks. Stick to your list and do not do any impulse buying. Good Luck!

Answer 9

ok

Make your list and STICK TO IT.
Also, go AFTER you have eaten because you will feel full and less likey to impulse buy snacks.

Also, take only the cash you will NEED so you are forced not to spend what you don't have.

I take a £10 note now when I go to Tesco, and its amazing how much I can get for it, and how much it lasts ! Enough to make a stew and soup to last a week, some fruit, bread and milk.

Answer 10

Not spending money is impossible but saving some is. Coupons do work but you can still save more. Go to this website for more info it has some really really good tips on how to save money when your at the grocery store.
http://www.kcci.com/money/1250592/detail.html

Answer 11

Write a menu for the weeks meals and then make your shopping list of the ingredients. Then stick to your list.