Buy Cheaper Groceries at Convenience Stores
Alternatives to the Supermarket; Buying Food at Gas Stations
Sep 16, 2008
You may not be able to save on gas at the pump, but it could be a good place to get your groceries.
As you watch the numbers on the pump propel upward while you fill your tank, you might want to watch for sales instead. More and more gas stations are trying to lure customers inside with discounted prices on everything from milk to bread to frozen food.
How to Save Money Buying Groceries at Convenience Stores
- Pay attention to advertisements on gas pumps. Many filling stations are installing screens on gas pumps to advertise their products inside. If you see steeply discounted prices on milk that you know is cheaper than your local supermarket head inside and buy some. Sure, these are loss leaders. The merchants are trying to get you inside the store by advertising great specials outside. All you have to do is stick to your guns. Only buy what you came in for. If you walked inside the store for milk, don’t leave the shop with candy, chips and gum. You need to be aware of what those same items sell for at grocery stores and warehouse clubs before you end up paying too much.
- Look at signs on the window. Gas stations that are too low tech for moving LCD screens on the pumps might opt for plain old cardboard signs on their store windows. If you see a discount on a food item you normally buy, pay for your gas outside and then head inside. This is so you don’t overspend once you get in the store. If you make your gas purchase a separate transaction, you’re more likely to spend less on other items. Because gas is so high, you’ll subconsciously think, "what’s another few bucks?" But if your food purchases are on a separate bill, you’ll track them easier.
- Only buy loss leaders at a convenience store. If the product is not advertised on the window or at the pump, chances are, you won’t save money on it. The store is counting on impulse shoppers who are coming in because they forgot something, or feel hungry, so they pick up a candy bar or two. Only buy what you know you are getting a good deal on, and not something you decided to throw in your bag because it looks tasty!
With a little planning and organization, you can buy certain items from convenience stores that you know are low priced, and save the rest for bulk purchases where you’ll definitely save money.
The copyright of the article Buy Cheaper Groceries at Convenience Stores in Consumer Education is owned by L. Marie Dubuque. Permission to republish Buy Cheaper Groceries at Convenience Stores in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
 |
