How to Save Money When Buying Groceries
- 1). Apply for a frequent shopper card at a grocery store that you shop at regularly. Frequent shopper cards can be used to obtain discounts and prices that are not available to the general public. These savings may range from a few cents to well over half off the original price on items such as milk, bread and produce. The sale prices associated with frequent shopper cards are usually unadvertised and are separate from coupon prices. Having a frequent shopper card is an easy way to save money on grocery items, especially when combined with coupons or sale flyer prices.
- 2). Check the newspaper on a regular basis for discount coupons on grocery items you buy regularly or would like to include in an upcoming meal. You can combine coupons with your frequent shopper card to receive an even higher discount on everything from pasta to frozen hamburger meat. Coupons can even be used to receive a discount on other necessities at the grocery store, such as cleaning products and paper towels.
- 3). Check sale flyers for grocery stores in your area and try to plan your meals around what is on sale. For example, if a flyer advertises that taco shells, ground beef and shredded cheese are on sale, plan to prepare and serve tacos for dinner one night. Compare the sale flyer to your coupons and combine them to receive an even higher discount on your groceries.
- 4). Look in the clearance section of your grocery store. Grocery stores often place items that are nearing expiration at a severely discounted price to sell them before they go bad. This can be an easy way to save money on perishable foods such as dairy products, meat and bread. This is only an effective strategy to save money if your family will consume the food before it expires.
- 5). Switch to store brands on as many grocery items as possible. Most chain grocery stores have a generic brand for everything from cereal to pasta noodles. When items that you need are not on sale with a frequent shopper card or coupons, buying the store brand can be an effective way of saving money on groceries.
- 6). Purchase items in bulk that your family regularly consumes. These might include things like cereal or condiments. Purchasing in bulk allows you to get more food for less money. However, this will only be effective in saving you money if your family will consume the larger quantity.
- 7). Eliminate unnecessary foods from your grocery expenses. Snack cakes, soda, potato chips and crackers are examples of grocery items you may not actually need but may be tempted to buy. Cutting these foods out of your shopping can save a considerable amount of money.
