Here's a few handy tips that I have learned over the years:
1. Use a list every time - It is much, faster, easier and cheaper to shop if you have inventoried your pantry before you leave home. Stick to your list! When you shop from a list, you'll make fewer trips to the grocery store and save move in the long run because there are less chances from impulse buying.
2. Shop alone and after eating - One simple recipe for avoiding impulse buying: Do your shopping after a light snack or meal and leave the kids at home. If you aren't hungry, it's easier to stick to your list. If your children aren't with you, they won't be begging for all the goodies they see. You will be in a better position to do real comparison shopping.
3. Understand how stores work - A basic understanding of merchandising can help you avoid overspending. These simple habits will go a long way toward keeping your budget in check:
• Walk briskly toward what you came to buy and avoid distractions along the way. For example, have you ever noticed that the diapers and milk are often at the back of the store? You're forced to walk past a lot of temptation to get to the items you need most often.
• Products are displayed at the ends of the aisles in order to catch your eye. They may not actually be on sale - they are just placed there to catch your eye. Many "featured" items are not bargains at all.
• As you peruse the aisles, check the prices on the bottom shelves and compare them to the cost of the items at eye level.
• Avoid buying the items displayed by the register. The magazines at the checkout stand cost much more per issue than they would if you had a subscription, and cookies in little packages cost more than a from a box. Almost everything near the register is there to inspire you to buy on impulse, not to save you money.
4. Buy store brands or generics - The less-costly house brands on many items are often so similar to national brands that you wouldn't be able to tell them apart without the packaging. Read labels to compare nutritional value and you'll quickly see how little difference (if any) there is. Also, keep in mind that meat and dairy products all have to meet government standards, so store brands should be just as wholesome and nutritious as national brands.
5. Check the unit price - As you cruise down the aisles comparing products, take note of the unit price that is listed on the store shelf next to the item price. The unit price tells you what the product costs per ounce or some other consistent unit of measurement. Don't be fooled by packaging — compare per-unit prices, and buy the item that offers more for less instead of the one that looks like more for less.
6. Use store savings cards and coupons - Check your store's weekly ads for coupons on items you buy regularly — but also take advantage of your store's savings card. Keep your clipped coupons organized, perhaps separated according to grocery aisle or section. Whether you choose to hold them in envelopes, in a zip-top bag, with paper clips, or in a specially designed accordion file, store them in your purse or car so they're with you whenever you shop. Then, when you put the item in your cart, put the coupon for it in the checkbook, so that when you get to the checkout, it is all ready to go and you don't make everyone wait in line behind you while you sort out your coupons. This also avoids your forgetting to use it once you get the the register. Also, if a sale item doesn't appear on the shelves, ask for a rain check so you can get it for the reduced price when it's back in stock.
7. Buy in bulk - Buying in bulk is a no-brainer if you're feeding a big family. But you can still benefit from these discounts if yours is a smaller family or you have limited storage space. Here are some ideas for making the most of oversize buys:
• As always, arrive at your bulk-shopping store with a list.
• Buy mostly nonperishable items that you know for sure you'll use eventually — for example, paper products, cleaning supplies, baby wipes, juice boxes, and canned goods.
• If you do purchase perishables, separate large packages into smaller ones as soon as you get home. Divide chicken and steaks, for example, into daily portions and freeze for later use.
• Split the purchases and the bill with another family. Again, a list is a must — agree ahead of time on what you'll buy. If you trade off trips to the store, both families also save time.
8. Buy from the source - Get produce from a local farmer's market and you can avoid the store markup on fresh vegetables and fruit. Get your eggs or milk from a local farmer if you have one nearby. It's not worth driving for an hour to save a dollar or two, but if there's a guy in town, his stuff will be fresher and usually much cheaper.
9. Buy in season - Strawberries can cost $2 a package or $4 a package, depending on whether you buy them in June or January. The price of lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, and other fruits and vegetables also varies by season (and sometimes by the weather, as droughts and other extremes shrink crops and raise prices). Know what's in season & plan your meals around what you'll find at the best price. Then take things a step further and do as our grandmothers did: Get a roast or a ham, serve it on Sunday, then slice it for sandwiches on Monday, and toss in a few veggies to turn the leftovers into a stew or soup on Tuesday.
10. Grow your own - Fresh herbs can cost a pretty penny at the grocery store. Why not grow your own in little pots on your kitchen window ledge? When a recipe calls for it, you can pinch off a bit of basil, dill, thyme, or chives — and in the meantime, the herb plants will decorate your kitchen nicely. Chia herb gardens are a nice way to start. It's all in the box - but the fresh herb starts will soon be available at your local Walmart or other garden center so you can have immediate gratification instead of waiting for them to grow. (One thing to be aware of - I grew mint one year and it tried to take over my entire flowerbed. Even if you grow other herbs in your flower beds - grow mint in pots to avoid having it take over everything else.) Tomatoes and many other fruits and vegetables are also easy to grow in containers. Strawberries have charming flowers and make a good ground cover. I have them in my decorative rock garden. Whether you have a yard, deck, or even just a small balcony, you can turn a little sunshine and water into both a garden oasis and grocery savings.
11. Make your own baby food - I know it sounds daunting to some - but trust me - it's easy and good for your baby. I made most of Ashley's baby food by simply putting my leftover stews, mac & Cheese, meats, fruits and veggies into my 'Magic Bullet' blender. I made her food for the next day every night after dinner, stored it in the fridge in little Tupperware containers, and it was very easy. I just could not see paying for all those tiny jars when it cost me nothing extra to make the food myself.
These are just a few tips. I will discuss one of my favorite things to do in my next blog entry - making freezer meals to save time, money and energy. Until tomorrow - Happy shopping!
1. Use a list every time - It is much, faster, easier and cheaper to shop if you have inventoried your pantry before you leave home. Stick to your list! When you shop from a list, you'll make fewer trips to the grocery store and save move in the long run because there are less chances from impulse buying.
2. Shop alone and after eating - One simple recipe for avoiding impulse buying: Do your shopping after a light snack or meal and leave the kids at home. If you aren't hungry, it's easier to stick to your list. If your children aren't with you, they won't be begging for all the goodies they see. You will be in a better position to do real comparison shopping.
3. Understand how stores work - A basic understanding of merchandising can help you avoid overspending. These simple habits will go a long way toward keeping your budget in check:
• Walk briskly toward what you came to buy and avoid distractions along the way. For example, have you ever noticed that the diapers and milk are often at the back of the store? You're forced to walk past a lot of temptation to get to the items you need most often.
• Products are displayed at the ends of the aisles in order to catch your eye. They may not actually be on sale - they are just placed there to catch your eye. Many "featured" items are not bargains at all.
• As you peruse the aisles, check the prices on the bottom shelves and compare them to the cost of the items at eye level.
• Avoid buying the items displayed by the register. The magazines at the checkout stand cost much more per issue than they would if you had a subscription, and cookies in little packages cost more than a from a box. Almost everything near the register is there to inspire you to buy on impulse, not to save you money.
4. Buy store brands or generics - The less-costly house brands on many items are often so similar to national brands that you wouldn't be able to tell them apart without the packaging. Read labels to compare nutritional value and you'll quickly see how little difference (if any) there is. Also, keep in mind that meat and dairy products all have to meet government standards, so store brands should be just as wholesome and nutritious as national brands.
5. Check the unit price - As you cruise down the aisles comparing products, take note of the unit price that is listed on the store shelf next to the item price. The unit price tells you what the product costs per ounce or some other consistent unit of measurement. Don't be fooled by packaging — compare per-unit prices, and buy the item that offers more for less instead of the one that looks like more for less.
6. Use store savings cards and coupons - Check your store's weekly ads for coupons on items you buy regularly — but also take advantage of your store's savings card. Keep your clipped coupons organized, perhaps separated according to grocery aisle or section. Whether you choose to hold them in envelopes, in a zip-top bag, with paper clips, or in a specially designed accordion file, store them in your purse or car so they're with you whenever you shop. Then, when you put the item in your cart, put the coupon for it in the checkbook, so that when you get to the checkout, it is all ready to go and you don't make everyone wait in line behind you while you sort out your coupons. This also avoids your forgetting to use it once you get the the register. Also, if a sale item doesn't appear on the shelves, ask for a rain check so you can get it for the reduced price when it's back in stock.
7. Buy in bulk - Buying in bulk is a no-brainer if you're feeding a big family. But you can still benefit from these discounts if yours is a smaller family or you have limited storage space. Here are some ideas for making the most of oversize buys:
• As always, arrive at your bulk-shopping store with a list.
• Buy mostly nonperishable items that you know for sure you'll use eventually — for example, paper products, cleaning supplies, baby wipes, juice boxes, and canned goods.
• If you do purchase perishables, separate large packages into smaller ones as soon as you get home. Divide chicken and steaks, for example, into daily portions and freeze for later use.
• Split the purchases and the bill with another family. Again, a list is a must — agree ahead of time on what you'll buy. If you trade off trips to the store, both families also save time.
8. Buy from the source - Get produce from a local farmer's market and you can avoid the store markup on fresh vegetables and fruit. Get your eggs or milk from a local farmer if you have one nearby. It's not worth driving for an hour to save a dollar or two, but if there's a guy in town, his stuff will be fresher and usually much cheaper.
9. Buy in season - Strawberries can cost $2 a package or $4 a package, depending on whether you buy them in June or January. The price of lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, and other fruits and vegetables also varies by season (and sometimes by the weather, as droughts and other extremes shrink crops and raise prices). Know what's in season & plan your meals around what you'll find at the best price. Then take things a step further and do as our grandmothers did: Get a roast or a ham, serve it on Sunday, then slice it for sandwiches on Monday, and toss in a few veggies to turn the leftovers into a stew or soup on Tuesday.
10. Grow your own - Fresh herbs can cost a pretty penny at the grocery store. Why not grow your own in little pots on your kitchen window ledge? When a recipe calls for it, you can pinch off a bit of basil, dill, thyme, or chives — and in the meantime, the herb plants will decorate your kitchen nicely. Chia herb gardens are a nice way to start. It's all in the box - but the fresh herb starts will soon be available at your local Walmart or other garden center so you can have immediate gratification instead of waiting for them to grow. (One thing to be aware of - I grew mint one year and it tried to take over my entire flowerbed. Even if you grow other herbs in your flower beds - grow mint in pots to avoid having it take over everything else.) Tomatoes and many other fruits and vegetables are also easy to grow in containers. Strawberries have charming flowers and make a good ground cover. I have them in my decorative rock garden. Whether you have a yard, deck, or even just a small balcony, you can turn a little sunshine and water into both a garden oasis and grocery savings.
11. Make your own baby food - I know it sounds daunting to some - but trust me - it's easy and good for your baby. I made most of Ashley's baby food by simply putting my leftover stews, mac & Cheese, meats, fruits and veggies into my 'Magic Bullet' blender. I made her food for the next day every night after dinner, stored it in the fridge in little Tupperware containers, and it was very easy. I just could not see paying for all those tiny jars when it cost me nothing extra to make the food myself.
These are just a few tips. I will discuss one of my favorite things to do in my next blog entry - making freezer meals to save time, money and energy. Until tomorrow - Happy shopping!
2 comments:
The latest easy way to save your money by free printable grocery coupons at www.clickmycoupon.com
and get huge discount on shopping.
This only works in select states - not here in Utah - but it must be nice for those of your where it is up and running.
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