Grocery shopping can be a dreaded task, especially if you are on a tight budget. Food prices can be quite high, but it is feasible to save money while shopping for food at the grocery store. With a little bit of pre-planning and staying focused and following a list, you can get the most food for the best value. Shopping for bargains does not have to be a chore, and saving money on food can pay off for you and your family.
Step 1
Join a free online grocery coupon site such as Couponsurfer.com where you can browse grocery store coupons for specific items and receive emails on new coupons or discounts. Also watch your mail and local newspapers for grocery store coupon inserts. Every penny saved by clipping coupons adds up and can save you money on food.
Step 2
Write a list of foods you need before you go grocery shopping. Shopping from a list saves you money if you only buy what you need instead of trying to remember what you need. Without a list, you can wind up getting things you don't need and spending more than you need to.
Step 3
Shop. alone. According to a 2008 Iowa State University article on money saving, going to the store by yourself causes fewer distractions while you shop. By shopping by yourself, you are more likely to stick to your shopping list and not buy items you do not need. When shopping with your children, let them pick a few items from your list to find in the store to help them learn to be good shoppers.
Step 4
Go down aisles that contain foods on your list, limiting browsing of extra items that are not on your list. This prevents you from the temptation of buying things you do not need.
Step 5
Buy store brand foods instead of name brand or national brands that cost more. Breads, packaged foods and drinks are commonly sold by stores under their own brand name. Also look for generic brands, which can save you a significant amount of money at the grocery store.
Step 6
Look for fruits and vegetables that are in season. Out-of-season foods are in short supply and cost more.
Step 7
Buy in bulk. When something that you use frequently is on sale, buy extra and store it at home. However, be careful with things that have a short shelf life, like fruits, milk and eggs. Don't overbuy, or you could wind up losing money. You can buy meat and chicken in bulk, though. Divide them up into smaller portions and freeze them for later use.
Step 8
Do not buy items from end-caps unless it is something on your list or you know that it is a good deal. According to the Moneyinstructor.com website, sale items displayed on end-caps or in the front of the store may actually not be a good bargain, because the product distributors are paying the store to display their items.
Tips and Warnings
- Buy what you can afford. Shop when stores are less crowded to avoid feeling rushed. Avoid shopping on an empty stomach.
Things You'll Need
- Coupons
- Grocery list
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