10 Supermarket Savings Tips
June 13, 2012 § Leave a Comment
We all have to eat. The trick is to do so without spending your whole paycheck. Here are 10 tips to help you save at the check out stand and have everything you need.
1. Create a list. This list should be planned out by cross referencing a planned weekly menu with what you have in stock. Be sure to include lunch necessities in menu planning. The more you eat from your fridge, the less you eat out and the more you save.
2. Don’t go when you are hungry. The supermarket is an obstacle course of tempting treats just begging to jump into your cart. Eat some protein, even a handful of nuts will do, and avoid being lured to buy the unnecessary items, which when you are hungry tend to be high sugar and fat content foods.
3. Check the lower shelves. Supermarkets tend to stock higher priced items at eye level. Check the lower shelves for lower priced versions of the item you want to buy.
4. Hand test fruits and veggies. Bright lights in produce sections are designed to make fruit and veggies look fresher than they really are. Don’t trust the brighter color alone. Take a feel and be sure you are getting the tastiest and ripest produce.
5. Check with cashier to see if multiple product purchase savings can be acquired if you purchase less than the advertised amount. The 10 for $10 sales are great if you need ten of the same item. If you will not use 10, check with cashier. Quite often you can still get the discount even if you purchase less than the advertised amount.
6. Use store flyers and coupons only for items on your shopping list. Stores advertise products they have to sell. If you don’t actually need the item you are reaping no savings by purchasing it at a discount. Cross reference coupons and circulars with your shopping list to make the most of your money.
7. Know your stores. You may find the best deals for bath tissue, paper towels and laundry detergent at Target, but why buy your produce there? You will most likely not be getting the best deal, supporting your local economy or getting the best tasting produce. If a store specializes in well-priced whole foods, they may not necessarily have the best price on other necessities like foil or dish detergent. Shop the right stores for the right products for the best savings overall.
8. Cut back on meat. Meat and fish can be very expensive. Cutting back on meats to make two veggie meals in a week can save you more than $20 a week in your grocery bill. And you don’t have to be a tried and true vegetarian/vegan toi know how to create a satisfying pasta or rice dish with sauteed veggies. Your family won’t notice, but your bank account will over time.
9. Use a hand cart whenever possible. Studies show the bigger the cart the more we are likely to purchase. Humans like to fill up spaces. If you use a hand cart or smaller rolling cart, chances are you will only fill up the smaller space you have. Less stuff, more savings.
10. Watch out for displays. Supermarket advertising displays are designed to stop you in your tracks and entice you to buy whether you need it or not. Remember, if it’s not on your list, it probably doesn’t belong in your cart.
