MPmomof3Frugal Grocery Store Food Shopping Tips
February 19th 2010 20:55
Does the thought of cutting your food budget send shivers down your spine? Do you have a tendency to buy impulsively when you shop for groceries? Are supermarkets getting a good chunk of your paycheck? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please read on...
Here are some tips that I have used to cut my own grocery bill. I hope you will find them useful.
Tip #1 NEVER EVER go shopping for food when you are tired or hungry!
Why? You are much more likely to fall prey to food and drink marketing tactics when you have a low level of physical energy. Hunger and fatigue can cause you to impulsively buy higher priced convenience foods and beverages to make yourself feel better. Examples include candy bars, caffeinated beverages, etc.
Tip #2 Consider the alternatives.
Coupons are great when they really save you money. They may or may not save you more money when compared to prices on other brands, however. Determine the price of the item minus the value of the coupon. Let's say, for example, the item you want to buy costs $1.99 and you have a coupon for 50 cents off of that price. That makes the "coupon price" $1.49 if your store does not double or triple coupons. If the generic version of the product is of acceptable quality to you and costs 99 cents for the same size it is still the less expensive item even though you have a coupon for the name brand item. You should also consider coupon restrictions such as size requirements, not subject to doubling, etc. in your decision. If you aren't sure about coupon restrictions or your store's coupon policy, ask a store employee for assistance. You can ask them in person, contact them via the store website or call the store. It is best to know coupon policies prior to entering the store if possible.
Tip # 3 Bigger isn't always better.
Supermarkets know that their customers perceive larger items to be a better value. This is usually the case, but not always. Again, do the math. How? Divide the cost of the item by its units. Units may be ounces, pounds, etc. This will give you what is called the unit price or price per unit. You should also consider if you will use the entire product prior to its expiration date as wasting the product will factor in to your actual savings.
Here are some tips that I have used to cut my own grocery bill. I hope you will find them useful.
Tip #1 NEVER EVER go shopping for food when you are tired or hungry!
Why? You are much more likely to fall prey to food and drink marketing tactics when you have a low level of physical energy. Hunger and fatigue can cause you to impulsively buy higher priced convenience foods and beverages to make yourself feel better. Examples include candy bars, caffeinated beverages, etc.
Tip #2 Consider the alternatives.
Coupons are great when they really save you money. They may or may not save you more money when compared to prices on other brands, however. Determine the price of the item minus the value of the coupon. Let's say, for example, the item you want to buy costs $1.99 and you have a coupon for 50 cents off of that price. That makes the "coupon price" $1.49 if your store does not double or triple coupons. If the generic version of the product is of acceptable quality to you and costs 99 cents for the same size it is still the less expensive item even though you have a coupon for the name brand item. You should also consider coupon restrictions such as size requirements, not subject to doubling, etc. in your decision. If you aren't sure about coupon restrictions or your store's coupon policy, ask a store employee for assistance. You can ask them in person, contact them via the store website or call the store. It is best to know coupon policies prior to entering the store if possible.
Tip # 3 Bigger isn't always better.
Supermarkets know that their customers perceive larger items to be a better value. This is usually the case, but not always. Again, do the math. How? Divide the cost of the item by its units. Units may be ounces, pounds, etc. This will give you what is called the unit price or price per unit. You should also consider if you will use the entire product prior to its expiration date as wasting the product will factor in to your actual savings.
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