It’s all about saving money on groceries today! If you’re like most families, your grocery shopping experience has probably evolved over the last several years. That’s because prices keep increasing, and quite frankly, we want more money left in our pockets after our grocery shopping trip.
Grocery stores know this and have become very competitive in earning loyalty by offering fantastic ways to save money. If your grocery shopping hasn’t changed over the years, you might miss out on huge savings.
Look at our essential guide for saving money on groceries while you’re at the grocery store.
How to Save Money on Groceries
Browse Store Flyers
Today’s shoppers are less loyal to one store than 20 years ago. Customers have learned to be more frugal with their money by going where the deals are.
This might mean multiple stops during your grocery trip and a little extra cherry-picking. Browse the store flyers and jot down the best deals you want to take advantage of on a pad, and plan your stops accordingly.
Get Set up on Customer Loyalty Programs/Apps
Sign up or download the store’s app to create even more savings opportunities. After you scan your card, you can watch the savings add up and see your bill go down.
Snag the Freebies
Many grocery stores promote a free item of the week just by being signed up with their loyalty programs. That’s free food! Just have your loyalty card or app on hand when approaching the checkout counter to get your free items.
Pharmacy Prescriptions
Another perk of shopping at certain local grocery stores in your area is that they have a pharmacy in their store. Because of your loyalty to that grocery store, you can get prescription refills for a fraction of the price.
I highly recommend looking at GoodRX because it shows you the cheapest place to buy prescriptions. I can pay cash at certain stores, and the cost is lower than the co-pay through my insurance.
Bring a Calculator
Another way to stay on budget during your grocery shopping experience is to bring a calculator. This keeps you from zero surprises when you reach the checkout area. Check out the total cost if you use the multiple-item expense instead of buying smaller amounts at a higher cost.
Get Groceries Based Off Your Pantry
Before you head to the grocery store, take a gander at the stock in your pantry. Is there anything with just one or two ingredients that can be transformed into an entire meal?
You would be surprised what you can make with the food you have stocked away. This also helps you avoid buying food that you already have in your inventory.
Stick to Meal Plans
Do you ever wander while grocery shopping and put miscellaneous items that look good at the time into your grocery cart? Most of us have.
Have a game plan before you even set foot in the grocery store. Write down several meal plans so you can choose the right items for your cart. Again, shop smart by looking at the ad flyers for your visiting stores.
Avoid Impulse Items
This is a biggie! Avoid putting impulse items into your grocery cart to help save even more money on your grocery bill. This might mean leaving your husband and kids at home since they often throw extra “goodies” into the cart while you’re not looking.
Steer clear of the candy bars and small bottles of refrigerated pop in the coolers by the check-out lanes.
Never Pay Full Retail
Avoid paying full retail on anything during your visit. Now, I know that sometimes that isn’t possible, but you can likely find that item on sale for much cheaper at another store location. Watch for my monthly “What To Stock Up On” series to save big bucks on needed items.
Buy the Generic Store Brand
You might not believe this, but buying certain generic store-brand foods is just as good as buying the leading national brands. No joke. Here’s a little secret for someone who worked retail for several years.
Many of the generic foods you find in your local grocery store are actually the same foods as the leading brands, simply under a different label. Once in a while, you might pick up a generic-brand food that doesn’t meet your standards, but I doubt you’ll find that is the case very often.
Don’t Fall for Eye-Level Products
Have you ever noticed that most of the products on the store shelves are more expensive at eye level? Grocery stores are smart and have strategically set up their shelves this way. Be sure to scan from top to bottom the sections you’re hunting for the best deals.
Check Unit Pricing
Checking the unit pricing can also save you a lot of money. Most grocery stores include unit pricing on their shelf tags to help you compare which container or package is the better value.
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk is also another great way to save money during your grocery visit. For instance, you might pay more upfront for a large bag of dried beans than for a small can of beans, but over time, you will pay more while getting less if you rely on the smaller packages.
Freeze Meats That are Great Deals
When you see a hot deal on meat, please don’t pass it up. When you get home, you can freeze the meat.
This way, you can stock up on meat and not have to buy it at a higher price on your next visit. Thaw it in the fridge when you’re ready to use it.
Look for Markdowns
Grocery stores hate throwing out perishable foods when they expire. Typically, a few days before an item is thrown out, stores mark it down to blow it out. Keep your eyes peeled.
This can lead to huge savings on meat, dairy, bakery goods, and produce. Just be sure to use them in a reasonable time, so they don’t spoil.
Pay With Cash
I’m not sure why this works, but it’s proven. Using cash will help you spend less money than putting it on a debit/credit card.
Experts have found that we find it more painful to hand cash over the counter and are more prone to spend less than if we swipe a piece of plastic. Plus, you can’t go over your budget once that cash is gone.
Rain Checks
Is there an item the grocery store is out of stock on? Be sure to pick up a rain check to get that deal. Some retail stores even give money back if they are out of stock on certain ad items. Talk about a win-win!
Final Word
This is an essential guide to saving money for future grocery store visits. If you’re a careful grocery shop spender, what other ways have you found to save money? If we know we save money on groceries every time we shop, we can reduce our budget. May God bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Pink Pig with Keyboard Depositphotos_58330293_XL By Serggn, Piggy Bank with Cash Depositphotos_22663189_S By Melpomene
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