Saving More at the Supermarket

   By drodriguez  Dec 13, 2008
49

There are lots of things we can cut back on when trying to save a few bucks, but when it comes to buying groceries many of us are left gasping at the bill after checking out.  We have to eat right?  With rising costs of food these days and soaring unemployment rates it is really important that we all learn how to be savvy shoppers.

And many of us have already become a lot better at finding deals that will save a small bundle each week.  Shoppers are taking advantage of websites that offer coupons for everything from laptop computers to breakfast cereal.  According to the Indiana News and Tribune, 89 percent of the U.S. population uses coupons.  The traffic on sites like EverSave.com and RetailMeNot.com grows higher as the economy sinks lower.  On average, a family could save close to $10 a month on groceries by using coupons. 

Aside from saving with coupons you can find on websites and in newspapers a recent article from CNN also offered some great ways to save at the grocery store.

A great way to get more value for your dollar is to buy in bulk.  Bulk items are almost always much cheaper than individual products.  Things like toilet paper and paper towels should always be purchased in bulk since you know you will use them and they will not spoil.  Stay away from deals on perishables like milk, eggs and produce that will go bad before you can eat them.

Buying the store brand item over a name brand can also help you save quite a bit.  The ingredients and taste are often similar if not identical.  The only noticeable difference is usually the cost

CNN reports about a blind taste test conducted by supermarket expert Phil Lempert.  The test showed that with items like cereal, potato chips, and ginger ale a big percentage of shoppers either could not tell the difference or actually preferred the generic brand.

Making a list may not always be the answer to avoiding impulse shopping.  Robyn Moreno, consumer editor of Women’s Day, told CNN that shoppers with lists spend over 40 percent more than those who shop list-free.  This doesn’t mean you should forget the list all together.  Just think of the shopping list as less of a “wish list” and more as an economically planned list focused around menus for you and your family. 

For a complete list of CNN’s tips you can visit: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/07/09/food.bill/index.html


What do you think of the tips offered above on how to save at the grocery store?

Have you figured out a unique way to save more on groceries?
 

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reddhedd by reddhedd | franklinton, LA
Dec 20, 2008

There is a store in my area called Dirt Cheap. It is a salvage type store. I have found some great bargins there. My duahgter recently found a chair there that she had been wanting from Target and the price was $235.00 she paid $35 at Dirt Cheap and that was in perfect condition. I buy can goods on sale in bulk and then buy my meats in large packs and devide it up. I try and buy from local vendors are far as produce. we have several that sit in a vacnt lot in our town and when it it items like sweet potatoes I buy in bulk and store. And I really try to stick to buying only what we use and using a coupon to try something new.

angelger28 by angelger28 | PHOENIX, AZ
Dec 20, 2008

I combine sales with store coupons and manufacturers coupons at CVS for free health and beauty products. I have a stockpile of toilet paper/shampoo/toothpaste/etc. that I payed literally, cents for. At the grocery store I rarely leave without saving at least 60% combining sales with coupons. I use the site afullcup.com for deals at all the grocery stores I shop, plus the site is free. It does take a little work to save so much money. I spend about 3 hours a week organizing and planning my shopping trips. We've gone from spending $400-$600 a month on groceries/health/beauty/etc. to around $200 a month for a family of 4 + cat. That includes fresh produce!

minari by minari | SCARSDALE, NY
Dec 19, 2008

I shop at Trader Joes for processed products/breads, frozen vegetables, fish and chicken and organic and Costco (but VERY carefully because just because it's Costco doesn't mean it's cheap) and Walmart . We are basically vegetarian (mostly beans, eggs, and cheese) and have a meat dish once a week (either fish or chicken). If we lived near an Aldis I'd go there as well!

misseltoe by misseltoe | ESCONDIDO, CA
Dec 18, 2008

I use coupons as much as I can. Lately the coupons haven't been for things that I normally buy so I haven't had any to use. I also ask for gift cards to the grocery stores I go to when someone wants to buy me a gift. I do use a list, but I make out my meal list first so that I am only buying what I need to those meals.

donna28777 by donna28777 | Bakersville, NC
Dec 18, 2008

When I married my husband, he was all about name brand this and name brand that. I shop at Ingle's and always buy the Laura Lynn brand of anything I can. He never knows that he's not eating the name brand of anything and when I told him, he bout hit the floor. Thats why I DO NOT take him to the store with me. If I did, my bill would probably be doubled just from buying name brand. I heard that its all the same stuff, just with a different label and for the most part I believe that!

gr1153 by gr1153 | BROOKHAVEN, PA
Dec 18, 2008

I too use alot of coupons. I'm particularly fond of the deals availalbe at CVS. CVS lets you use a manufacturer coupon and a CVS coupon on the same item. Plus, the extra buck program is a great way to get free stuff.

rugzyschick by rugzyschick | Shamokin, PA
Dec 18, 2008

coupons, coupons, coupons. I usually use coupons and alot of the time i use coupons when things go on sale, and then stock up.

jennifer12885 by jennifer12885 | charlestown, MA
Dec 17, 2008

i hate going food shoping i ahve a family of 4 and i spend about 600a month on food

natcoleandliamsmom by natcoleandliamsmom | CANYON LAKE, CA
Dec 17, 2008

Yes, I agree with lorelei999, this website is a lifesaver!!!

elisi989 by elisi989 | OVID, MI
Dec 17, 2008

I just started using coupons myself and am truly amazed at how much you can save. The sercret is only buy what you normally buy. Buying something that you don't usually buy just because you have a good coupon is not a savings on your bill. I learned this quite quickly, I think the first time out with a handful of great coupons lol. I love store brands, I've found that in most cases they are exactly the same as name brands. As far as meat goes, since there are only two of us, I'll buy a large family size package and split it up when I get home and freeze, and of course when there is a good sale I'll buy a lot and freeze.

jamiesmom by jamiesmom | Sterlington, LA
Dec 16, 2008

I use coupons and buy store brands but meat costs are hard to cut. So I started trying a few new recipes that can really stretch your meat budget. Last night I made a box of Uncle Ben's wild rice (the mushroom one) and had my hubby grill a steak (just one). I sliced the steak into thin strips and served over the rice. And the $1 off coupon for the rice made the meal even cheaper. I've also found that if I freeze left overs for the next week, we're more likely to eat them than if I just stick them in the fridge. I also freeze bread (not sandwich type but italian or fenchbread works great). I buy the loaves that are day old and 40% off. When I get home, i slice it and stick in a freezer bag. I pull it out as I need it, wrap in foil, and stick it in the oven. No more moldy bread tossed in the trash.

musicismybf by musicismybf | Grand Rapids, MI
Dec 14, 2008

I usually like to find a bunch of coupon offers because with the economy now they're EVERYWHERE. In the newspaper on the product's website, etc. It's really great because these companies want to help you, because they want you to buy their products. Although I don't use a lot of coupons I do also like to wait and I a lot of times--wait for it-- buy generic. Some people find generic products to be low-quality but I dont think all generic products are like that. I admit, I do love my Target, and you could never pry me away from there, but sometimes I fess that I do need to cut back on spending, especially since I am a student and I do have other expenses to pay for. So really, a "unique way" to save money on groceries that some people haven't found out yet: BUY WHAT YOU NEED AND NOTHING ELSE.

bufflady by bufflady | BUFFALO, NY
Dec 13, 2008

my store doubles coupons up to 99 cents - i save $15-$30 per trip. i found sites on line where i can trade coupons that i dont need for those i do . It really makes a huge difference !

am_i_lost by am_i_lost | Centralia, IL
Dec 13, 2008

I don't mean to brag but my family calls me the "Coupon Queen". I use coupons, watch for sales and yes, you do have to read the fine print and comparitive shop to make sure it is a savings. Just last week I was in Sears to get a Christmas gift. I was looking to spend $50 for the gift/gifts for our son. My husband found a wrench set that he wanted on sale for $39.99 and then a cutting tool for $9.99. I thought great! I have a $5 coupon I printed! And a Craftmens Club Card!! Then I asked; "What did you do with those gift cards I gave you that I received for taking tose on-line surveys?" He still had them in his wallet!! It still gets better....there was also a $10 mail-in rebate on the wrench set!!! So, all together $5 off coupon, $10 GC, $5 GC, $3 Craftsmen Club Card Disc., and I'll be getting a $10 rebate in the mail!!! After the rebate; grand total $20.23!!!

TraceyS by TraceyS | Saint Peters, MO
Dec 13, 2008

I generally save 10% or more every shopping trip by using coupons. Plus, and this is probably "cheating", but my local grocery store has these No Coupon $10 off Thursdays. If you spend $50 or more you automatically get $10 off (before any coupons- so it adds up!) But the way I cheat is, since I only shop every 2 weeks I usually spend over $100-$150, so I do "trips". I buy my non-perishables first, check out, get the $10 off, load into car then go back for a second trip for the refrigerated and frozen foods so that I get another $10 off. Those Thursdays save me about $40 to $50 a month beesides what I save from coupons.