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10 ways to Save on Groceries

by: SmartShopper | last updated: August 21, 2009
Category: Saving on Everything | Tags: sving, groceries, grocery shopping

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10 ways to Save on Groceries Planning before you head off to the supermarket will help you shop more economically. Take the time to do a quick inventory of your kitchen to determine the food that you need. Prepare your shopping list and make notations of applicable coupons that you may want to use. Read the newspaper and circulars for the best deals.

Choosing the Right Store

For basic grocery needs many grocery stores now offer excellent product and price selection, frequent shoppers programs, and double coupon days. However, for bulk buying, you may want to tackle the warehouse clubs or superstores. Non-perishable items are often at unbeatable prices at these types of stores. For the best prices on health and beauty products, check the national drugstore chains and superstores.

Give those shelves the once-over.

"The marketers aren't foolish," says Foreman. "They know that we're generally lazy." So they position the items they most want to sell on the shelves between knee- and shoulder-height. "The highest markup items are the ones at about chest level -- to make it really easy for you to grab it and toss it in the cart," says Foreman. And that's where the most expensive name brands will be, says Jyl Steinback, author of Supermarket Gourmet. "You can save up to 40 percent by selecting house or generic brands."

Store Brands - Try it, You May Like it!

The days of generic type packaging and bland tasting food in store brand products is over. Companies have worked hard to improve their private-label brands and often the taste is equal to the national brands. Do not be afraid to experiment. If you find the product meets your standards, you can save an average of 40 percent off your annual grocery bill.

Realize that sometimes the best bargain isn't the lowest price.

There are times when you want to spend a little more on things that are important to you. For instance, a good-quality ground chuck with a little less fat or a loaf of really good whole-grain bread. Saving is great, but beware of buys that could be "penny-wise and pound-foolish," says Foreman.

Learn to Be a Label Reader

Reading the product label is the best way to find out more then what is advertised on the box. Ingredients are listed in order by the quantity actually used when making the product. The ingredients used the most are listed first . So for example, if you are looking for avocado dip you will want to see avocadoes listed in the first part of the ingredient list, not the last part. If you are looking to cut fat from your diet, watch being sold with words such as lite or fat-free which have a broad usage allowance. By reading the label, you can get a better idea of what the fat to calorie ratio is as well as other valuable nutritional information.

If you want to win the savings game, learn the rules.

Read that weekly food section and check the Sunday paper to see what's on sale. And don't forget the fine print in those offers. For example, at some stores "buy one, get one free" items ring up at half price, which means you can use a coupon on each one and double your savings, says Kay. But other stores mark one item full-price and give you the other for free, allowing you to use only one coupon. In addition, some retailers guarantee that if the item doesn't ring up at the correct price, you get it for free or at a discount. "Be sure you pay attention to the details," Kay says.

Beware of Marketing Strategies

Avoid marketing ploys designed to draw your attention to a particular product. Knowing some of the tricks of the trade will ultimately save you money. Beware of end-of-the-aisle dump bins, island displays, recipe related item placement, and "middle-shelf" items. This is typically, where higher priced and impulse products are placed.

Check your receipts.

No matter how careful you or the store staff might be, mistakes happen. "I can't say it's widespread, but I do get reports of people saying they check grocery bills and very often they find mistakes," says Foreman. "And, four to one, they are in favor of the store."

Comparison Shopping

To determine the true value of a product, read the unit price, not just package price. The unit price information is usually on a sticker located on the shelf that holds the item. The package price only tells you the cost of the entire item. The unit price shows the cost per pound, ounce, etc. Taking a moment to compare this information in similar products will help you get the best value for your dollar. Also, be certain to check "expiration" and "use by" dates for the freshest products.

Coupons, Rebates, and Frequent Shopper Programs

You can save hundreds of dollars a year by taking advantage of product incentives. Even the less enthusiastic coupon clipper can shave an average of ten percent off their bottom-line by cashing in a small handful of coupons per trip. In addition, if your store offers a frequent shopper program, why not sign-up! You will receive advanced notice of special loss leaders, double-coupon days and other money saving information.