How to Economize at the Grocery Store

When money is tight, you can shave precious dollars off your grocery bills. With just a little bit of extra organization and planning, you will see significant reductions in the amount you spend on groceries each week. As an additional bonus, these tips will inevitably lead to healthier food choices.

Planning

• 1

  Check your cupboards, refrigerator and freezer. Confirm that you have adequate amounts of staples such as oil, flour, rice, pasta, beans, potatoes and onions. See if you have any meat, vegetables, fruits, dairy products or left overs that need to be consumed in the near future.

• 2

  Consult the flyer for your grocery store and make note of what types of meats, fruits and vegetables are on sale.

• 3

  Plan your menus for the week. Incorporate any items currently in your refrigerator into meals for the next two or three days. Focus the rest of your meals on the bargains you found in the grocery store flyer.

• 4

  Clip coupons. Only clip the coupons for products that you normally use. You'll end up wasting money if you buy something just because you had a coupon for it.

• 5

  Write a detailed shopping list. Include only those products that you need for your meals for the coming week and the staples that need to be replenished.

Shopping

• 1

  Eat before you go and go alone. You don't want to be distracted by hunger, anxious children or talkative friends. While you're at the grocery store, focus your energies on finding the best deals on the products you absolutely need.

• 2

  Go to only one supermarket. Choose the one that offers the best deals on the products you typically buy. Traveling between different grocery stores can save you some money, but you will spend more on gas and it will take a lot more time.

• 3

  Look at the upper and lower shelves. Often the most expensive products are placed in the middle at eye level. Good deals can be found by looking at the upper and lower shelves.

• 4

  Buy generic or store brands. These often cost significantly less than name brand products, and the quality is comparable.

• 5

  Avoid purchasing something just because it's on sale or just because you have a coupon for it. That's a waste of money.