Here are some of the easiest ways to save money at the grocery store:
Don’t be in too big of a hurry. Good shopping takes some time. While you don’t want to doddle around in the store, you do want to make sure that you have time to compare prices or to go to more than one store to get the best deals.
Take as few trips as possible. Try to stay out of the grocery store as much as possible. Plan regular trips accompanied with a thorough list. The more trips you make to the grocery store, the more opportunities there are for you to buy something on impulse.
Be smart about size. Larger packages of the same item are not always cheaper, especially if the smaller size is on sale. Carry a calculator with you to always check the price per unit. In addition, certain manufactures have reduced the size of the product they sell so they can offer it at the same price as before but make more money. Ice cream is a good example of this. Most name brands now sell ice cream in 3.75 quart sizes, instead of a half gallon. Make sure you notice these things when you are comparing prices.
Always compare prices. No matter how flashy the display or how big of a bargain an ad claims to be, never fail to compare prices with other brands. Don’t fall victim to a sale that really isn’t a bargain but just a gimmick. One great way to keep track of prices and know when an item is really a bargain is to use a price book.
Try store brands. Maybe this goes without saying to some, but there are still those out there who almost refuse to buy the store brand of anything. Generic items are often as good as or better than the name brand. It really doesn’t hurt to try the store brand either, since most
stores offer guarantees. You can always get your money back if you don’t like an item.
Make a list. We’ve all heard this one, but how many of us really stick to our list? Make sure your list is thorough, including everything you need for every meal and snacks. If you are confident in your list you can better resist impulse buys.