RSS
Home
Saving at the grocery store takes planning
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
AP Photo / Charlie Meibergall
How do you shop for groceries? Are you a coupon clipper or do you haphazardly throw items in your cart regardless of the cost? When you get to the checkout stand, do you suddenly feel like you’ve just invested in the national debt? Grocery shopping is a necessary, yet money draining task. Nothing alters this money draining task like being unemployed. There are some simple ways that you can save and put a halt to high spending at the grocery store.
It goes without saying that it would be great to take all of the sales papers and run from store to store, buying the bargain items you find at each. This tactic, however, will not only increase your gas bill, but also consume too much time out of your day. What you will find is that all stores will have those bargain prices to entice you in the store, but the other items you’ll need may not make it worth the trip. You need to spend a couple of shopping trips comparison shopping to find which store actually has consistently low prices. That should be your main grocery store.
When do you shop? Do you go after you haven’t eaten all day or do you go on a full stomach? If you grocery shop while you’re hungry, you will find that every snack ever made ends up in your shopping cart along with food that you’ve never tried, but looks good. If you go when you’re stuffed, you won’t really want to look at food. You may find that you don’t buy what you need and waste a trip which will need to be repeated later in the week. Just like swimming, try going at least an hour or so after you eat. This way you’re not focusing on hunger or the sight of food making you sick. You can actually concentrate on buying groceries.
A controlled food budget requires planning, planning and then more planning. Determine your menu for the week. This may be hard for some, but with practice over time it will get easier and saves you money in the long run. Use the weekly circulars to determine a meal plan. Lasagna may sound tasty, but if the ingredients are going to cost $50, that’s the cost of a dinner out for one meal at home.
Make a list of the staple items you need prior to going to the store. There is nothing more frustrating then beginning a meal and realizing that you are out of salt, pepper, aluminum foil, etc… There is also nothing more frustrating then being at the grocery store and wondering if you need a spice and buying it “just in case”. Once you get home, you realize that you already have two jars of the same spice!
If you’re running into the grocery store for one item, do not take a shopping cart with you. Once entering the store, go straight to the aisle you need and then straight to the checkout. Impulse buying accounts for almost 25 percent of your grocery bill, more if you’re shopping when you’re hungry. Leaving the cart outside limits the number of items you can carry.
Finally, keep an eye on the cash register. Often times we assume that everything will ring up correctly. Items occasionally ring up incorrectly or the cashier may unintentionally make a mistake. For example, the cashier that rang up 2 for $5.00 cheese at $19.20 each! It’s your money, keep an eye on it!
Plan your work and work your plan is applicable to more than just on the job. Coupon clipping is great, but there is more to successful grocery store budgeting. Learning to plan ahead is essential in keeping food costs under control.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
