After a summer of extravagance (“yes, boys, we can go to the trampoline park then out to eat!”), it is time to tighten up again. One of the easiest ways I shave money from our expenses is to look more carefully at that grocery store bill. But I am not an Extreme Couponer. I never use them before the expiration date, I lose them, I have a lot of brand loyalty for some products, and some things (like chicken) I pay more money for organic, free-range, hormone free, etc.
But there are some simple ways I have learned the save at the grocery store, without using coupons.
To start, there are two key things when it comes to grocery store savings:
- Do NOT shop with your kids. There is absolutely no way to take the time and care to price compare and pay attention when you have your sweet progeny running into senior citizens or begging for cocoa puffs.
- Do NOT buy stuff you don’t want or need because of a craving or because it’s on the endcap of an aisle, looking pretty. If you don’t follow the age-old advice now, start: don’t grocery shop while hungry.
I also meal plan every week. This helps me save a slew of money every week, and it also keeps us from eating out too often or swinging by a restaurant for takeout. (We’ll talk about meal planning more later.) This also means we eat healthier than we would otherwise.
While meal planning, I make my grocery store shopping list of what I need. I take that list and I do not deviate. I am focused, I know what I need, and I get out. We don’t waste much because of this process. This may be the biggest way we save money on groceries.
But here are some other tips…
1. Buy Bulk.
It is nearly always cheaper to buy in bulk (except when it isn’t -more in a moment). I usually do my grocery shopping at Harris Teeter. Most grocery stores will clearly state for you what the “per unit” price is. I LIVE by this. I don’t know how to shop without it. Make sure you are paying attention to this.
2. Know when to go to your grocery store and when not to.
DO NOT BUY DIAPERS AT YOUR GROCERY STORE. Know when to head to your grocery store and when to go elsewhere. Don’t buy kitchen utensils at your grocery store, either. (Get the Bed, Bath & Beyond mailer coupon for that.)
3. Know your store’s policies.
Harris Teeter doubles every coupon under $1.00 any day of the week. Thursday is Senior Citizen discount day. And every now and again they offer double and triple coupon week. Also, at Harris Teeter, they are SLY. They post big tags on things like Cheerios and such when they are trying to promote it: “2 for $5.00!” But it turns out you do NOT have to buy two to get the promotional rate. So take one and roll on up for that $2.50 price.
4. NEVER EVER EVER check out without a store loyalty card.
These cards are so easy to get at the register and they are nearly always worth the time. You will put something in your cart that will be discounted if you are a “member.” As long as there is no cost or credit line associated with the rewards card, get it. This applies even if you think you aren’t ever going to shop there again (we always end up at Food Lion on vacations even though in our daily life we never go).
In fact, you are probably cost comparing based on the “rewards” price. But if you don’t receive that price at check out, it doesn’t help.
To keep all cards organized and out of your wallet, use an app like Card Star or one of the alternatives.
5. You can’t be brand loyal unless you want to pay for it.
Our grocery store makes their own label for most products, including oils, rice, noodles, cereal, pesto, peppers, olives, cheese, deli meats, and so on. They are good (generally as good as the brands they are imitating) and much cheaper.
If you are going to be brand loyal to something (if you just can’t stand Krispy Rice over Rice Krispies, for example) just make sure you know that it is worth it and be conscious of your decision.
6. Decide what is worth splurging on.
Sometimes there are things you know you can’t swap brands for (we feel this way about coffee). It’s okay to splurge on some small items, but recognizing this as a splurge helps me control other costs. I also spend more on my meat (see below). Knowing this, though, also helps me recognize that when my preferred brand goes on sale I need to stock up.
It helps to know when to bring things in-house, too. For example, we eat a lot of granola. I learned how to make our own granola and shared the recipe here and have since I realized that I can cut considerable cost doing this.
7. Don’t get distracted!
Get the things you want and the basics! Stick to your list! Do NOT be distracted by the end aisles, the displays, or the newest things. Keep it simple!
8. What about organic?
Organic is usually a lot more. When my hubs and I were young professionals living on dual incomes (“DINKS”) I had the luxury to eat organic and shop at the local farmers first. (I am an avid reader and read all of Michael Pollan’s books and where the industry is going scares me.)
But we ended up, after needing to cut back with two kids and less income, having to reassess. I asked: 1- why I want to buy organic? and 2- am I willing to trade for it?
For some families, all-organic is the only option. For us, it’s a hybrid approach.
As I mentioned, meats matter to us. I cough up more for organic chicken, beef, wild-caught and local fish, and cage-free eggs. (We don’t eat much pork.) To me, this is incredibly important. But paying those prices also means that our budget has to flex somewhere else.
There are many other ways, I am sure, to help cut costs. How do you save at your grocery store?
Food is powerful and important, and necessary of course, but it also doesn’t have to control our wallets.