If it sometimes feels that your grocery bill is getting higher each month, you may not be imagining it. The cost of food is indeed going up, and is likely to continue to do so in the foreseeable future. According to statistics, an average large sized family in the US, of about five or more members, spends about $405 each month on food items consumed at home.
So what can you as a shopper do to cut down on your grocery shopping? Well, here are a few tips which may help you to reduce your shopping bills:
Make a List: People who go shopping without making a grocery list usually end up making impulsive purchases, which can dramatically inflate to the bill. You can begin by planning a menu list for the whole week, then make your shopping list according to it.
Sometimes it's Better Not to Use a List: When it comes to vegetables and fruits at the grocery store, buy what's in-season, inexpensive, and fresh. This will cut down on your bill, plus your family will get to eat fresh and healthy food.
Avoid Buying Convenience Items: When stores term something as a 'convenience' food, it usually means that they will be charging a hefty amount, and you as a consumer won't even complain, and instead may even be thankful for saving you some time. So next time you go shopping for groceries, check what you have in your cart. A considerable portion of the money you pay for a convenience food item is for the individual serving sizes, packaging, and of course the 'convenience'.
Get a Diary: Jot down each item you buy regularly in it, as well as the price you usually pay for each. If you spot a particularly good price, note down what and where it is. By doing this, you will be able to keep track of when a store special or sale is really good value or is just going to be advertising. So, on finding an item that you use regularly, it is a good idea to buy it in bulk. You can save as much as 15-20% on your grocery bill on items bought at markdown prices.
Become a Coupon Collector: Local newspapers are the best sources for keeping track of money-saving coupons for grocery items. If you check up closely you could even find coupons with as much as a dollar off on certain items. Money-saving coupons are also available online.
Watch Your Mood: Never go shopping when you are hungry. Also avoid shopping when you are angry or tired. Because these are the times when you are more likely to reach for those expensive goodies and snacks, as well as junk foods. So if you just had a tough time at the workplace or have had a fight, avoid shopping.
Buy Only Groceries at Grocery Stores: Don't buy non-grocery items at your store. While it may be more convenient buying your painkillers, toothpaste, laundry detergent and so on at your store, they may be more costly. It's better to find out the prices of such items at outlets like Super Target, K-mart, Wal-mart, etc. You could save up to $15-$20 per week merely by purchasing your non-grocery items from some other place instead of your store.
Find Out the Prices of the Competitors: Suppose you visit another store that you generally don't shop from and find an item you buy regularly being offered at a lower price than your regular grocery store, then don't hesitate about asking your store to match the lower price. This is a particularly good way to avail of bargains on items like vegetables and meat for which coupons are hardly offered.
Online Grocery Shopping: While the actual prices will not differ much, between online grocery outlets and regular stores, however, it will be far easier to locate sales, for they will be displayed on a single web page at the click of a mouse button. Plus, when you do your shopping online, the chances of succumbing to buying on impulse will be negligible. And, of course, you save on the fuel and time.
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