How to Save Money at the Grocery Store

To save money at the grocery store, I like to go to the grocery store every week instead of monthly because it is easier on my budget.

I’ve tried shopping monthly and found that although I get the items I need, there are always things I forget or run out of and need to make multiple runs to the store during the month.

Before I leave for the grocery store, I check the store’s circular to see what is on sale, then create a menu plan for the week. The goal is to plan my meals around what is on sale that week.

I write out my grocery list, then grab my coupon binder and pull out any coupons for items on my list. I don’t take my binder to the store anymore because I always go over budget. I would see things on sale that were not on my list and match them up with a coupon. I would purchase items even though I didn’t need them that week. Now I just take the coupons with me and leave the binder at home. That way, I am only purchasing the items on my list and no more!

When making your list, I recommend creating it by the aisles in the store. If you make your list by the aisles, it will keep things running smoothly and help you get out of the store quicker. I make sure to visit the meat and dairy aisles last, so the items are not sitting in my cart for too long. Estimate a cost for each item and write down the total.

Be sure to decide on a budget for your shopping trip. My monthly grocery budget is $400 for four people, and that includes groceries, paper products, and personal care products.  Try to bring cash to the store to resist the temptation for impulse purchases. Using a calculator will ensure you don’t go over your budget.

Ok, you’re at the store with your list and coupons. Now what? Start at one side of the store and work your way across, visiting the aisles you need on the way.

When you come to an item that you can use a coupon for, remember that you don’t go by the picture, go by the wording on the coupon. For instance, the coupon may say “$1 off one box of Kellogg’s Cereal 10 oz or larger” and have a picture of a cereal you don’t eat; as long as you purchase any Kellogg’s Cereal that is 10 oz or larger, you can use your coupon.

If the coupon doesn’t state a size, the coupon can be used on trial-sized items, and you can possibly get them for free if your store doubles coupons. Be careful, though; some coupons will state “not valid on trial sizes,” which means you can’t use the coupon on trial-size products.

When using your coupons, keep your eye out for smaller sizes. It is usually a better deal to purchase the smaller size with a coupon than to purchase the larger size with the same coupon. You can compare this by looking closely at the price tag. It will state a unit price: the smaller the unit price, the better the buy. You will end up spending less money and getting more things you need by purchasing the smaller items. Just be sure to check the unit prices, though.

If the larger item is on sale, the unit price may be lower than the smaller item’s unit price. If the unit prices for the large and small items are close, consider if using your coupon would make the larger item a better buy. Example: the larger item is on sale, and the unit price is $1.00/pound, and the smaller item’s unit price is $.96/pound. If you use a coupon, it would bring the cost of the larger item down and therefore reduce the unit price. It would make better sense to purchase the larger item if you have budgeted for it. If you didn’t budget for the larger item, just get the smaller one.

Here are a few issues that come up for new coupon users:

• If you have a coupon that states “$1 off 2 Windex cleaners”, you must purchase 2 Windex cleaners to use the coupon, and you will receive a total of $1 off your purchase.
• If your coupon states “$1 off Windex cleaner”, you can only purchase one Windex per coupon. If you want to purchase 4 Windex cleaners and get $1 off of each one, you will need four coupons-one coupon for each product purchased. Keep in mind that some coupons have a limit to how many you may use in one transaction. This will be stated in the fine print of the coupon. It is usually limited to 4 like coupons.
• If there is a Buy One Get One (BOGO) sale where you buy one and get one free, if you are at a store that charges 1/2 price for each item, you can use a coupon for one item. Example: The sale shows that Hillshire Smoked Sausage is on BOGO and priced at $4 each. The store will charge you $2 for one. If you have a coupon for $1 off one Hillshire Smoked Sausage, you can purchase it and only pay $1. You could also purchase both for $4 and use your $1 off coupon and pay $3 for 2 sausages (then you’re paying $1.50 for each sausage instead of $1 for each one) You can learn more about how to use BOGO sales to get free or very cheap items here.

That’s it! You have now learned how to save money at the grocery store.

Once you are comfortable using your coupons at the grocery store, you can begin to take couponing to the next level and use them to save on everything you buy.

Feel free to ask any questions. I’d love to know how much you are saving at the grocery store and if you have any additional tips.

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Easy Ways to Save at the Grocery Store

Save Without Coupons