Grocery shopping without a well planned list is a definite mistake. Grocery shopping without a pre planned list leads to impulse buys or duplicating items already on home grocery shelves or in pantries.Grocery Shoppers should take time to prepare the grocery list before they shop...this is key to saving money.
Supermarket WarningsEliminate pre-cooked items. Pre-packaged, pre-cooked items are convenient but cost more than items you cook. For example, at a local supermarket a fresh baked pound cake sells for $9.95. Or shoppers might purchase the pound cake mix for $1.99.
Grocery CouponsMost food manufacturers encourage consumers to purchase their product by offering cost saving grocery coupons. Most Sunday newspapers are packed with money saving food coupons. And check out this popular coupon site couponsurfer, they state visitors are able to download and print coupons for free.
Organize Grocery CouponsCoupons are useless paper if they are not organized into a convenient form to use at ease. Here's an easy way for grocery shoppers to organize coupons. File coupons in envelopes according to their category. For example, meat products, paper goods, cereals, pet food, baby food, and so on.
Place the coupons with the earliest expiration date first and coupons with longer expiration dates last in their envelopes. Use this strategy for each food category.
When the shopper spots a product they wish to purchase they should remove the coupon for the item and place it in another empty envelope labeled purchases. Now, when the shopper is ready to check-out, all coupons for the items purchased are retained in a separate envelope.
Double Coupon Deals/SalesShop only at the stores that double your coupons, usually up to $1.00. These stores are adding extra money to a shopper's pockets. Purchase items on sale. This will save the average consumer even more if grocery coupons are used on the stores sale items. For example, the store has a brand of chicken soup on sale for $1.00. Add a 50 cent off coupon. The store doubles the coupon. Now the chicken soup is absolutely FREE with the double coupon!
Store Brands/Discount CardsStore brand quality has improved and rivals many brand name products. Purchasing store brands might easily cut the average grocery bill in half during one shopping trip. Most large supermarket chains offer customers free discount cards. Sign up is free. Use these discount cards to receive major savings only available to the stores' discount card holders.
Grocery Refunds/Rebates
Many manufacturers offer refunds or rebates on their products. Watch daily and Sunday newspapers' food section for those special offers. Save all receipts. Use these receipts to verify your purchases. Also, remember to save UPC Codes which many manufacturers request to verify or issue refunds.
Buy One Get One Free
Many manufacturers offer an additional item of the same product you purchased for absolutely free. Look for these product specials.
Use these money saver tips to cut your grocery bill in half and beat sky rocketing food cost. Soon, you will see those penny savings add up to hundreds of dollars.
