Budget Friendly Tips for Grocery Shopping
Before you go shopping...
- Make a list of all the foods you need. Do this in your kitchen so you can check what you have on hand.
- Look for specials in the newspaper ads for the stores where you shop. Sunday grocery ads are filled with great weekly sales, especially on meats and produce.
- Look for coupons for foods you plan to buy. But remember, coupons save money only if you need the product. Also, check if other brands are on sale, too. They may cost even less than the one with a coupon.
COUPONS! $1.25 for a newspaper on Sunday can turn into major savings in coupons. Get to know your local grocery retailers. Many offer double or triple coupons on certain days. This can add up to double-digit savings on your grocery bill.
FREEZE! When meats go on sale, stock up! You should never pay full price for your meat unless you use a specialty butcher.
PLAN AHEAD! Plan out your meals for the week in advance. Studies have shown that shopping daily results in extra impulse buying and 20 to 30 percent increases in your grocery spending.
LEFTOVERS! Stretch your ingredients by using leftovers. See: Lowdown on Leftovers.
While you shop...
- When your food budget allows, buy extra low- cost, nutritious foods like potatoes and frozen orange juice concentrate. These foods keep well.
- Compare the cost of convenience foods with the same foods made from scratch. "Convenience foods" are products like fancy baked goods, frozen meals, and vegetables with seasonings and sauces. Most of these cost more than similar foods prepared at home. Also, you can use less fat, sugar, and salt in food you make at home.
- Try store brands. They usually cost less than name brands, but they taste as good and generally have the same nutritional value.
- Take time to compare fresh, frozen, and canned foods to see which is cheapest. Buy what's on special and what's in season.
- Prevent food waste. Buy only the amount that your family will eat before the food spoils.
- MAKE A LIST and stick to it! Avoid those "impulse" items.
Using label and shelf information...
- Read the Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods. Compare the amount of fat, sodium, calories, and other nutrients in similar products. This can help you choose foods that have less fat, sodium or calories, and more vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Use date information on packages -- "sell by" and "best if used by" dates -- to help you choose the freshest foods.
- Look for the unit price to compare similar foods. It tells you the cost per ounce, pound, or pint, so you'll know which brand or size is the best buy. Most stores show the unit price on a shelf sticker just below the product.
