How to Save Money At the Grocery Store

I love going to the grocery store and looking at my receipt to see how much I saved. The best I've personally done is 70% and I've only been able to do that once. I really try to save between 30% and 40% when I visit the grocery store, if possible.

In addition to the tips below I also shop at a grocery store that gives me gasoline discounts. Each time I spend $50 in groceries, the store gives me 3 cents per gallon off on my gasoline. My car usually will take 13 gallons. At 3 cents per gallon off, it's another 39 cents I'm saving when I shop. I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but if I fill my car 26 times per year (every other week), in a year I've saved $10.14. That ten dollars comes to me just for shopping at a store that has great prices to begin with.

Here are several of my tips for saving money at the grocery store:

1. Buy day old meat. If you freeze the meat it will hold for several months. Sometimes I can save 50% on the cost of the meat by buying day old meat. This applies to poultry also.

2. Buy bread at outlet stores if available. Again, I save 50% by buying the day old bread. I keep bread in my refrigerator, so it will last many days. If you don't have an outlet store, compare the price of store bought bread with the price of day old bakery bread.

3. Watch the store sales. I try very hard to not run out of items so that I only buy items when on sale. For example, we make spaghetti at least once a month. I use Prego sauce as a base. I buy it when it's on sale, knowing I'll use it in the next month.

4. Use coupons. If I see a coupon for a product I use, I cut the coupon. If your store offers double coupons, shop on the days your coupons will be doubled. If you can buy an item on sale and use a coupon, you'll save even more. Consider trying a different brand, if there is a coupon and it will cut your overall grocery bill.

5. Grocery stores tend to put the higher priced items at eye level. Check the top and bottom shelves to see if a different brand or different size might be a better price.

6. Compare brands. Don't be afraid to try store brand products. One of the major manufacturers is making the store brand product. I actually save quite a bit of money on mayonnaise by buying the store brand. We bought a small jar of the store brand and liked it. Now it's all we use.

7. Shop with a list. Try not to impulse buy. Stick to your list. I try to only impulse buy if I find something on sale that was not in the circular and it's an item we use.

8. Plan your shopping. We have one store in town that always sells eggs for a dollar a dozen. I seldom find them at the grocery store for that price. I make a plan to buy eggs while in the part of town where this store is. I plan ahead so I don't run out of eggs prior to going to this one store.

9. Buy in bulk if the price is right. We use real butter in my home. I buy 6 pounds at a time. I put it in the freezer and it keeps for months. I get the best price buying butter in bulk this way.

10. Always check price per unit, or price per ounce. Larger does not always mean a better price. Laundry detergent is a great example. I've been able to buy 3 smaller containers for less than the cost of one larger container.

Once you begin seeing the savings, you'll begin to look forward to shopping just to see how much you can save!

Tips to Help Save You Money at the Grocery Store

If you have noticed that your grocery budget does not stretch as far as it used to, you are probably looking for ways to save a few dollars at the grocery store. These tips can help do just that! And most are quick and easy, too!

Sign up for your grocery store's loyalty card. Most grocery chains offer a loyalty card that you will need to get their sale prices. Some even attach special deals to their loyalty card such as gasoline discounts. The best thing is anyone can get the loyalty card; most do not require a credit check or approval.

Plan your meals and make a list. Planning your meals serves two main purposes-- you plan a meal for each day so you are less likely to eat out and you have a set list of items you need while at the grocery store. Use the grocery ads to help you decide your menu. By seeing what is on sale, you can choose meals utilizing those items.

Shop the sales! If you have several grocery stores close by, be willing to go to several of them to get the good deals (be sure you aren't traveling too far or the money savings will be eaten up by gasoline costs).

Clip coupons. I know you have heard it over and over but coupons can really save you money. The biggest reason I've heard for not using coupons is the time it takes to clip and sort them. Get your family involved in helping cut coupons. Even young children can be involved. I carry along my coupons to sort when I am watching the kids at an activity or sporting event. Clip and sort while you are on the phone or watching TV.

Load coupons onto your loyalty card. Some stores offer clipless coupons you can load onto your loyalty card. You pick the coupons and load them onto your card then they automatically come off at checkout. No clipping and no remembering to take them with you to the store. Check your grocery store's website to see if they offer this deal.

Check the day old bread shelf and the deli in the evening. You can often find great deals on the day old baked goods shelf. Just plan to use it right away or freeze it for later. Some grocery stores will sell some of their deli items, such as rotisserie chickens, cheaply right before closing. It's always worth asking!

Use Upromise. Sign up for Upromise.com and earn some money back on grocery purchases. After you sign up, register your loyalty cards with Upromise. When you make a purchase of certain items with that loyalty card used, you will get a small percentage back into an account which can be used for college education expenses. They also have ecoupons you can load onto your loyalty card. If you purchase those items, a larger amount of money goes into your college saving account.

With a few easy changes, your family can still enjoy a variety of healthy meals without breaking your food budget.