Prices at convenience stores are almost always higher than larger supermarkets. They have to be in order to compete. Their appeal is that they are, well… convenient! It makes no sense to blow a carefully crafted food budget by succumbing to the lure of the corner store. If you don’t go in, you can’t spend any money. As with the shopping once a week rule, however, if an emergency arises, and this is the only store open, you might not have a choice.
There are certainly other ways to save money on groceries besides those listed here. Food clubs and discount stores often offer great savings on bulk items, which are great for large families. But you have to pay to join, and it doesn’t make much sense to pay to join a store when you really don’t need to buy huge quantities of items on a regular basis. Often, with store sales and coupons, you can realize the same types of savings at a regular supermarket.
If you are able to do so, plant a vegetable and herb garden each spring. Fresh vegetables from the garden are a summer treat, and they can be frozen for future use. There is something very rewarding about growing and eating your own produce. Of course, this is not without some cost. Seeds are expensive and the garden must be tended and watered regularly. If you don’t have the time to work in a garden, it is probably not a good idea to spend the money getting it started.
Taking control of your grocery expenditures is rewarding on many levels. By getting out of the habit of impulse buying, you will have more money left over at the end of the week, and that money can be used for fun things such as movies or vacation. Keep track of how much you save using coupons and put that money aside. It adds up quickly and makes the extra effort worthwhile. Try following this plan for a month and you will certainly notice the difference.