Having a list helps.
- Keep a running list in you kitchen and add to you as you run low on something or plan a meal
- Highlight the items you have to have in one color and the extras in another color.
- Look over grocery store ads. Plan meals around specials.
Save some money for unexpected deals on staples such as ketchup or coffee.
- If the price says 2 bottles of ketchup for a certain price, you don’t have to buy 2.
- If the sign says “buy one, get one free” That might be a good deal if it’s something you know you like or will use.
Select one type of food each grocery store trip to look at more closely. For example look at cereals - which are the cheapest? Which are on sale? Which are favorites? Is there a similar store brand that is less expensive? Once you’ve done this for cereals your next cereal purchase will be faster and you’ll get more for your money.
Bigger isn’t always better. The shelf tag usually says the unit price, such as cost per pound or per once. If a 8 oz box of crackers is $1.99 and a 16 oz box is $3.99, you save 2 cents on the bigger package. The shelf tag would tell you that the cost per once is almost the same.
Items nearing their “sell by “ date can be a big savings if you can use them soon.
Fruit and veggies in the bargain bin may be a great bargain depending on how they look and how you will use them.
Frozen fruit and veggies are often cheaper per serving, keep longer and may have more nutrition than fresh
With canned fruits you’re paying for the sugar syrup
Most canned vegetables are higher in salt than fresh or frozen
Food items at eye level are usually the most expensive. Look high and low for better prices
Snack items and drinks are a big drain on food budgets. Cutting back on these and looking for ways to save on these things can lower your grocery bill
Shop less often-It’s hard to get organized, but it pays off. The more trips you make the more extras you will put in your cart
Know what’s in your freezer- Your freezer is expensive storage. Knowing what’s there and using it up can reduce your food bill and make room for specials on frozen food
Coupons may not be a savings. If a bag of chips is $2.99 and you have a $.50 off coupon, that’s $2.49.
What if another brand is “buy one, get one free” and the price is $2.99? What if chips aren’t even on your list and you’re on a tight budget that week? Compare and decide.
Going to different stores for their specials may cost more money in gas, time and all those extras you buy at each place. Fine a convenient store you like and stick to it.
Store brands like Food Club can be just as good as other brands and are almost always cheaper
Grocery stores are businesses. They want your business and they want to make money. They may offer specials that don’t make any money, so you will come to their store and hopefully buy lots of other stuff. Companies offer deals on new products, so you will try them. Coupon items are heavily advertised, so they are often more expensive.
It’s your money. With some knowledge and a little planning you can learn to save money on your groceries.
Louise Witherspoon, RN, CDE
Nurse Educator
1/2009
