Many people go to the grocery store without a plan. Without a plan, it often means you spend more, buy stuff you don’t need, don’t buy the stuff you do need and basically waste time. Unless you LOVE to grocery shop, the 6 tips I offer below will help you save money and get in-N-out of the grocery store fast and effectively.
**Organized Food Shopping = Saving $$$**
**Organized Food Shopping = Saving $$$**
Tip #1: Create a List
Write a list! Start it and add to it as you go along. Check your pantry BEFORE going to the grocery store. Don’t rely on your memory. I have a good memory and I always forget something if I don’t have my list.
Tip #2: Coupons/Circulars
What about coupons and circulars? Should you bother with either?
I hunt through the Sunday coupons and the store’s weekly circulars strictly to find items that I use. Often, coupons will coincide with the item being on sale at the store. Many people feel it is a waste of time and is it worth it? If you only look for items you actually use, it takes just minutes to peruse circulars and clip coupons. Save a few dollars with a few minutes.
I hunt through the Sunday coupons and the store’s weekly circulars strictly to find items that I use. Often, coupons will coincide with the item being on sale at the store. Many people feel it is a waste of time and is it worth it? If you only look for items you actually use, it takes just minutes to peruse circulars and clip coupons. Save a few dollars with a few minutes.
Tip #3: Regular Use Items
What about staple items? Do you run out of an item, think you will remember when you are at the the store, then quickly forget until you need the item again (and you aren’t at the store)? When I am running low or out of a staple item, I leave it on the counter to remind me to write it on a grocery list. I don’t put it back or throw it out until I have written it down.
Tip #4: Bags
Do you bring your own bags? Some stores (like Target) give you a 5 cent credit for every bag. Saves a little of money and is better for the environment. I keep them in the back of my car and grab them before I head into the store.
Tip #5: Things to Avoid
Do you go to the grocery store hungry? Do you drink alcohol while at the grocery store--click here to learn more about this. Both of these will also encourage you to buy items you don’t need and spend more money. It is fun to buy cereal while intoxicated though.
STAY AWAY from the bakery. Just don’t go there. Stores purposely bake the most delicious bread and donuts to draw you to the bakery. (This is why eating before going to the store is crucial.
STAY AWAY from the bakery. Just don’t go there. Stores purposely bake the most delicious bread and donuts to draw you to the bakery. (This is why eating before going to the store is crucial.
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Tip #6: Meal Planning
Need help with meal planning? Alyssa Glenn offers weekly yummy and healthy meal plans (she provides the shopping list too) at a nominal fee: Eat Happy meal plan.
Okay, now that you have 6 tips, it is time to get into action. Creating a list saves you time, minimizes clutter and saves money in the end. It’s all about the Plan. I’d love to hear more grocery tips, if you have any to share, please leave them in the comments below. Happy (sober) Shopping.
Image credit: Day 3/365 - Ride in the Shopping Cart.. (Explored) by Caden Crawford via Creative Commons License Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0
Okay, now that you have 6 tips, it is time to get into action. Creating a list saves you time, minimizes clutter and saves money in the end. It’s all about the Plan. I’d love to hear more grocery tips, if you have any to share, please leave them in the comments below. Happy (sober) Shopping.
Image credit: Day 3/365 - Ride in the Shopping Cart.. (Explored) by Caden Crawford via Creative Commons License Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0
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