“The price of everything keeps going up and up, especially right now,” said Donna LaBorde in an October 2008 interview with Suite 101. “Coupons, rebates and sale items are free money.”
LaBorde can be considered a "smart" Indiana shopper. She normally won't buy anything unless it is on sale, and gives shopping advice to friends and neighbors. With the use of coupons and weekly specials her receipts will be anywhere from 30 to 60 percent less than what the shelves say they should be.
With the price of groceries on the rise, some peoples’ tight budgets are being run straight into the ground. Does a large portion of your paycheck go toward groceries for you and the family? If so, follow some of these tips to save money at the grocery store.
Save Money and Eat Healthier
To start, it can be a good idea to figure out just how much money is being spent on groceries each month. To do this, put all the grocery receipts in a single envelope and tally everything at the end of the month. Separate the actual food from the toiletries – what is found might be surprising. Try not to buy toiletries at the grocery store because they are often more expensive than other places.
It’s a good idea to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season – the prices tend to be lower and the products more nutritional.
Take home the basic products, they are almost always cheaper. Season chicken at home instead of buying it pre-spiced. Select fresh vegetables and meats for a recipe like stir-fry instead of buying the meal in a bag. Buying the basic products will not only save you money, it will also lead you to a healthier lifestyle.
Switch to water. Drinking plenty of water has healthful benefits of its own, but it is also less expensive than pop and juices.
Never go to the grocery store hungry. People tend to add more to their cart when their stomach is rumbling. Impulse-buying can be deadly to a tight budget, so fill up before shopping.
Also, avoid running into the local convenience store for a drink or a quick snack. Convenience store prices can be as much as 60 percent higher than grocery stores. If the snack is necessary, try to bring in close to the exact amount of change to help curb the impulse to get those extra little items.
Look for Rebates and In-Store Specials
“Rebates are wonderful. A lot of places give you the item for free after you buy it and send in the rebate,” LaBorde said.
Be sure to search for the unadvertised in-store specials. Meat departments tend to cut prices and “manager special” meats. After finding a good price, stock up. Most meats can be stored in the freezer for months after they’ve been sold.
“When I buy stuff on sale, I usually stock up,” LaBorde said. “With what’s in my freezer, I can probably go eight months without having to buy any meat.”
Opt for store brands instead of name-brand products. Generic brands are often much cheaper since they don’t always get advertised, and in most cases nobody can taste the difference.
“The real good thing to watch for is when a store has a buy-one-get-one-free sale,” LaBorde said. “You can still use coupons on most of those items, and then you can get an even better deal.”
Before going shopping, check the weekend grocery store advertisements found in the local newspapers. Or, go with modern-technology and check online. Many specific brands will offer coupons at their websites. Just print, clip and save.
Jessica Cochran - I've been writing for print publications ever since I was in high school. Actually, I began writing "articles" when I was eight, forcing ...
