Saving Money At the Grocery Store

Here are some easy things you can do to save money at the grocery store!

1. Join your grocery store's loyalty program and swipe that card/app every time you go. Most of the time, this only requires your name, phone number, and address. When you join, you will likely be issued a store card or app you swipe each time you shop to receive automatic in-store savings. Your store card may be used in conjunction with in-store ads, sales, and promotional prices, so always read the sales signs/stickers to understand the requirements to receive the special price. The store will track your purchases, but that's not necessarily a huge breach of privacy, because they may send you curated, personal coupons or sales based on products you consistently buy. You may even be awarded with gas discounts, or $5, $10, $20 off your next purchase provided you meet certain requirements or a specific dollar amount at the register.
   

2. Shop the online weekly ads before you make your grocery list. Is ground beef on sale this week and do you have the money and space to stock up on it? Is the breakfast cereal brand you adore $2 off? Perhaps it's time to buy a box for your pantry even if you still have half a box left. Use the grocery ad in tandem with what you can or would like to cook in the coming week and make the most use of sale items.

   1. Recognize there will be certain times during the year and certain items that will go on very good sales. Stock up on them for future use. For example, pasta, pasta sauce, dry pasta mixes, cake/brownies mixes, ramen, and soups will go on sale for something like 10/$10. That's a great time to load up your pantry.

   2. Grocery stores tend to run two ads during the week. It's not a bad idea to look at both of them when you are making your weekly menu and list to determine if a later stop mid-week to pick up one or two items could save you a few dollars more.

   3. Crunch the numbers! If you come across a sale that saves you $5 if you buy 5 specific products, make sure those products are things you like and also need. Buying a single item will always be less expensive than buying all 5 to save $5.
      

3. Dig online and in the mail for additional coupons. My grocery store offers digital store coupons I can load to my account and they are taken off automatically when I check out. You may also receive manufacturer's coupons in the mail as well. Take the time to clip them out and bring them with you the next time you go shopping.

   1. STORE COUPON: these are coupons directly from the store you are shopping and can only be used there. Make sure you follow the expiration date and are purchasing the correct item and/or quantities to receive this price.

   2. MANUFACTURER COUPON: These coupons are sent out by the product companies and can be used at any store (that will accept them). The store collects the coupon, gives the consumer the discount, and is later reimbursed by the company. Most grocery and retail stores accept manufacturer coupons, but there is no law stating they must take them. You will need to follow the terms and conditions listed in the fine print on the coupon and know some stores may not let you "stack" multiple coupons on the purchase of one item or let you use the store coupon in conjunction with the manufacturer coupon. When in doubt, ask the cashier, review the receipt, and choose the best coupon with the most savings if you can only use one at a time. Be sure when you clip these out of the paper, you do not cut off the expiration date or other information on the coupon.
      

4. Make your list and stick to it!
   

5. Double-check your pantry, refrigerator, spice rack, and supply cupboard before you go so you know what you have, what you are low on, and what not to buy to avoid costly duplicates.
   

6. Consider buying the generic store brand instead of the name brand product. Make a note if you like it or not for future purchases.
   

7. Don't be afraid to shop other store ads. You may find lower prices or deals on items your "home" store isn't currently running. You'll need to figure out if your time and gas is worth multiple trips to save a few dollars here and there, but don't always be married to one store. You may find one store consistently has the best prices on meat and another store has better prices on produce, so it makes sense to shop two stores every week. Crunch the numbers and release yourself from perceived guilt if running around to multiple places doesn't make sense for your schedule.
   

8. Lastly, see if one of your friends would like to be a grocery buddy with you and share the cost of meat or other larger, expensive, or bulk items. For example, let's say you love pot roast, but don't have the money or space to buy a $30 roast and freeze half for another time. Perhaps you have a friend that would be willing to go halfsies on this or other expensive items with you.

Now simmer down and get to saving! xo