With prices rising almost daily, wise consumers are seeking ways to lower the total of their grocery bill. There are simple ways that can trim costs and these include:
The Dozen Ways To Save
1. Buy fresh produce in season. Prices are lowest for fruits and vegetables when these are in season. Fresh strawberries are low priced in the summer; apples in the fall when orchards pick the ripe fruit.
2. Buy basic. The most basic products are almost without exception cheaper than packaged combination products. Buy fresh chicken and season it yourself rather than buy an all-in-one kit. If your family likes a Chinese stir-fry, don't opt for the frozen meal in a bag. Select fresh vegetables and meats with a sauce product for results that taste better - at a less expensive price. The same goes for tea - tea bags are much cheaper than instant tea products.
3. Buy the advertised specials - especially those on the first page of the ad. The weekly specials on the front page of most grocery ads are called "loss leaders" in the industry. Loss leaders are items sold lower than wholesale cost to bring customers into the store. Stock up on staple products when they are at sale prices. If the store imposes limits, divide your order with a spouse, significant other, or teenage child. Example: If a four pound bag of sugar is selling for 39 cents, limit two with $10 purchase, buy two and split your order with your husband so that he can pick up two bags for the lower price. If you can't round up a shopping partner, consider making two trips through the check-out.
4. Use coupons - but only for items you need. Clipping coupons can be time consuming and despite the coupon masters we see on television, it's seldom that consumers save more than a few cents with coupons. The best way to beat the system is to save coupons for products you normally buy - and if possible, buy the item on sale for extra savings.
5. Compare price per ounce. At one time, most consumers believed that they got more for the money if they bought the giant size of a product. Today, that isn't always the case so savvy shoppers should calculate the price per ounce. How to do this is very simple. Bring along a calculator and divide product price by the number of ounces. Check shelf tags - many stores now offer a comparison right on the grocery shelf.
6. Look for unadvertised in-store specials. Meat departments often cut prices with "butcher's special" or "manager's special". Normally this means that the store needs to move the meat while it is fresh and that means savings for you.
7. Buy store brands. Every supermarket chain offers an in-house brand for almost every product. Choose the in-store or generic brand and save because the store label products are often much less than the name brand item. One reason is that the cost of nationwide advertising is included in the price of those name brand products.
8. Never shop when you're hungry. If you're hungry, everything looks delicious and it's easy to load up a cart with much more than you need. Eat before grocery shopping.
9. Stick to a shopping list. Make the list at home before you go to the store. Avoid impulse purchases because these up the total of your bill and often are things you don't need.
10. Look for day-old bakery goods, slightly wilted produce, and damaged items at a discount. Don't buy anything that looks too old or damaged but day old bakery items heat up fresh in the microwave. Trim wilted leaves from lettuce for a tasty salad.
11. Shop in the early morning or after dinner. Avoid the rush hour crowd that is grabbing groceries on the way home from work. It's best to go at a quieter time when you can think about your purchases. Avoid Saturday - often the biggest shopping day in supermarkets. Stores are crowded, shelves can be empty, and the rush may cause you to make mistakes.
12. Watch the items ring up and check your bills. Stores often make pricing errors. If you spot one, be sure to point it out (be polite) and most cashiers will correct it. If not, ask for a manager or stop by the management desk on your way out. Errors can range from a few cents to dollars so keep an eye on your receipt.
Supermarket Savvy
Be a wise consumer. Buy what you need and learn to compare prices. The dozen tips can help almost any shopper to save money on necessary groceries and more.
Don't be afraid to ask about other in-store specials or special savings card program offered by some major grocery retailers. Some stores - including Wal-Mart Super Centers - will match advertised prices from competitors. Learn if your favorite market does this and save even more.