By Kelly Kennedy
The grocery store is full of delicious items that may all seemtempting to buy however use these tips to keep your costs downand not purchase more than you need.
Before Heading to the Grocery Store
Check to see what you already have so you don't buy more thanyou need.
Plan your spending to avoid impulse buys like candy bars at thecheckout or unnecessary snacks.
Grow your own fruits, nuts, and veggies or make it yourself tosave!
Prepare a menu list of items for the week based on the week'sbreakfast, lunch and dinners, around what you already have, andwhat's on sale.
If your local area has food co-ops, sign up! A food co-op cangreatly reduce your weekly food bill by as much as 50%.
Shop for products before you run out of them. If you run out ofan item the price might increase the next time you go topurchase it so buy it when the price is down.
Due to volume discounts, larger stores are generally cheaperthan smaller ones so shop there for non-perishable items.
Avoid trips to the convenience store because prices are raisedup.
Keep an ongoing grocery list during the week and take it whenyou go shopping and stick to it!
If you go to the supermarket early in the morning you might havea better chance of getting marked down items like fresh produce.
Shop alone so you get done fast and wont buy any additionalitems.
Don't shop for groceries on an empty stomach because you'll wantto buy everything you are craving.
Clean out your refrigerator, so you can easily put yourgroceries away.
The best sales are on the front and back of your supermarketflyer so be sure to check it out.
While Shopping
Stick to your shopping list.
Ask for help rather than wasting time looking for items orbetter deals.
Meat is a good source of protein but it's costly. Cheese,poultry, eggs, peanut butter, dried peas, beans, lentils, andsome fish are some great alternatives for less.
Buy whole chickens instead of just the breasts. Buying breastsseparate is very expensive.
Buy locally grown foods; they are fresher, and more nutritious.
Shop the sales! Go to different grocery stores to get the bestdeals.
Most bargains are found on the higher and lower shelves. Lookfor store brand products not name brand.
Look for unadvertised specials.
Shop for items that you use regularly. Once you run out, youwill have to pay whatever the supermarket charges and the pricemight have changed.
Stock up! If a product you use is on sale, buy as many as youcan and store them to last you until the next sale.
Wait until the item goes on sale. If you study your products andstores, you can have enough to last until the item is discountedagain.
Take advantage of your freezer and stock it with frozen or dairyitems, such as cheese, butter and milk that are on sale.
Buy in bulk when the unit price is less. Packaged items do notalways mean lower prices.
Just because an item is marked that it's on sale doesn't meanyou are getting it for a lower than normal price so be sure toknow your prices.
Use store savings cards.
Try generic or store brands. You can usually return it if youaren't happy.
Buy in season veggies and fruit.
Always check the expiration date on dairy products.
Convenience foods are more expensive. Prepare a meal the daybefore to save time instead of spending more on prepared foods.
Check the day old bread bin, and the reduced merchandise cart.
Ask for a rain check if an advertised special is out of stock.Look for more coupons for that product until it comes back in,you might save double!
Breads and rolls freeze very well so stock up at bread outlets.
After Shopping
Return any product that is spoiled.
Send out for rebates to get items free, or close to free!
Study the sales cycles of the stores you shop at, so you willknow when to expect certain items to go on sale.
No store has the lowest price on all items; it will vary so besure to investigate.
Watch as the clerk rings up your purchases and be sure to checkyour receipt. Lastly, make sure you have all your bags beforeleaving and empty your cart completely, don't forget underneaththe cart if you used it for larger items
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