You head out to the grocery store, with every intention of sticking to your budget. It starts out well with you going through the produce aisle and then the breads, past the deli counter. And then it all comes to a screeching halt. The ‘reduced (non-food) items’ shelf, the “wow, these are such a good deal I better buy extra” items, and the “Must buy 8” (to get the sale price) items. Not to mention the “Oh yeah, I forgot we need this” stuff! Before you know it, you’re halfway done and already over budget. Believe me, you’re not alone. My husband and I have a running joke that I need to send him to the store alone when our bank account is low, because I can’t walk out of the food store without spending $100, even if I just go for eggs and milk. And I’m assuming that I am not the only one that has this issue.
After doing some research, I decided to make a list of tips that you (and I!) can follow to help stretch those $$Bucks$$ while we grocery shop.
MAKE A LIST AND PREPARE BEFORE YOU GO!
To me, this is the most essential piece of advice in order to have a money saving kitchen. I plan my meals by what the store has on sale that week and the items I already have at home. It is sustainable because I am always rotating what I’m buying, and most of it (if not all) is on sale! Read the weekly sale flyer and organize your paper and/or digital (download that app!!) coupons as well. By doing this, (and sticking to it), you can easily save upwards of $30+ if your weekly order is $100 or more.
- STICK TO A FAMILIAR STORE!
Be sure to know the layout of the store you are going to. Going to a new store with a sale list can really be hard and time consuming. Grocery stores are known for constantly moving items from here to there, just to get the customers wandering around and buying items they don’t really need, so at least being at a familiar store will help with this. Being consistent helps as well, as you will start to recognize these tactics and (hopefully!) not fall for them as often.
- CHECK DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STORE FOR THE SAME ITEM!
In my experience, I’ve found that you can find everyday items in several areas of the store. For instance, Minced Garlic (in a jar) can be found in the Produce section as well as what my store calls the “Ethnic” aisle. The difference is the price. A small 6 oz. jar of the garlic is $3.29 in Produce, whereas a short walk to the aisle and I purchased a 32 oz. jar for just $3.59! Many stores place smaller, more expensive items in a more ‘convenient’ spot for customers, to make for a quick buy. By doing some research in your store, I’m sure you will find a few of these hidden gems down the aisles and save yourself a few dollars!
REPEAT AFTER ME: I DO NOT HAVE TO FILL MY CART!
Grocery carts have grown larger over the past few decades, and so have our waistlines. I think of this as the “eat everything on your plate” thing. Carts are pretty big, and when full, can really hit your wallet hard. So just stick to that list and don’t be disappointed if at the end of the last aisle it’s not full.
- DO NOT EXPECT TO USE ALL OF YOUR COUPONS!
When I make my list I take the coupons I need (and set up the digital ones) just for that trip, but I don’t always use them all. Once I get in the store and see the item and the sale, sometimes I change my mind. Perhaps they are sold out of the flavor/size/combo that I wanted, or maybe after thinking about it, I realize that it isn’t as good a deal as I had thought. Sometimes I have found a Manager’s Special that is an even BETTER deal, so I just scrap the whole coupon idea totally on an item. Just remember, it’s important to be flexible, because once you get to the store, you could possibly find a better deal. No biggie. Put that coupon back in your pocket or purse and use it another day!
I know it can be really hard to stick to a budget when shopping, but it’s not impossible. I always remind myself that no matter how small my budget for the week is, there is someone out there who has none, so be sure to make the most of it. I hope these tips have helped. If you have more, please feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear from you!
Happy Shopping!!
Suzy
Money Saving Kitchen 