7 Ways to Save Time & Money At the Grocery Store
Article 1 of 10: Shop Smart with Printable Grocery Lists
7 Ways to Save Time & Money at the Grocery Store
Ahhh, the grocery store. Who among us doesn't have a love/hate relationship with that particular food haven? While it's true that most of us rely on the grocery store to keep our pantries stocked, it's also true that most of us spend too much time and too much money each time we pay a visit. So what's a shopper to do? Here are a few ways you can save both time and money the next time you go to the grocery store.
Plan Ahead
You wouldn't go into battle without a plan, so why head to the grocery store without one? Make a list before you go, and stick to it (of course, use our world's best grocery list). Go through your refrigerator and cabinets while making your list so you have an accurate assesment of what you really have on hand and what you actually need to buy.
Eat First
Remember this rule: Don't shop for food when you're hungry. That's just asking for trouble. Why? Because when you're hungry, even those chocolate-covered burritos look good. Have a meal or a snack first so that all those yummy convenience foods won't look so tempting. Your stomach and wallet will thank you.
Shop Early...or Late
If possible, plan your trip to the grocery store early in the day or later in the evening. Why? Many people stop by the grocery store right after work, so if you're in a hurry, that's not really the best time to go. Before joining the after-work crowds, gauge how much time and patience you have at the moment. Yes, sometimes it's unavoidable, but try your best to plan ahead.
Clip (or Print) those Coupons
Taking the time to clip coupons - and actually remembering to use them - can save you some money. Just don't get caught up in buying items you don't really want or need just because you have a coupon for 50 cents off. There are also many online coupon sites that offer valuable coupons that you simply print out at home.
Price Match
Are you one of those people who doesn't even look at ads from stores you don't shop at? You may want to rethink that. Check to see if your usual grocery store honors price matching, and if it does, start looking at competitor's ads. Not only will it save you money, it will also save you time, since you won't have to drive around from store to store to get the lowest prices.
Make Your own 100 Calorie Packs
You know those great little pre-packaged 100 calorie snacks? You can make them yourself and save. For example, it costs less to buy a big bag of pretzels and package them by serving in small bowls or bags than to buy them already divided up. With convenience foods, you're usually paying for the extra packaging.
Shop in Bulk
No, that doesn't mean M&Ms. That means staples you frequently need like meat, frozen vegetables, laundry soap and toilet paper. Larger quantities usually cost less, and you'll also save yourself some trips to the store to buy these items.
Want more helpful grocery shopping tips? Check out these great resources: www.thefrugalshopper.com, www.getrichslowly.org, zenhabits.net and familyfinances.suite101.com.
