Grocery stores are like any other stores-they're in business to make money. They aren't in business to save you money but if you're a proactive shopper, you can learn to ferret out even the most elusive deals. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
You got to work for your bargains.
1. Before you shop, always read the sale flyers. Some stores will not be undersold. Know who these are and take the other store's sale ads with you. It'll save you time, gas and money. Go with a list, but be flexible enough to buy bargains when you find them.
2. Use coupons only if it is something you buy anyway. Coupons are almost always on the most expensive items and unless they can be doubled or tripled, it's usually cheaper to go with a cheaper brand. In some cases, store brands aren't different, but there are others that are terrible. so keep track of what you do and don't like.
3. Are there higher priced items you can't live without? Go online and search for coupons and rebates for those items. Search by the name of the product - "'Joe's Cajun Chili Sauce' coupons and rebates."
4. Always look at the displays on the end of the aisles. These are their 'big draw' items or the things to get people into the store in the hopes that they'll buy many other things. Make sure these are the best deals, though. Looks can be deceiving. Bigger packages are not always a better price. Always look at the amount of product when you compare prices. 64 ounces for $5.99 doesn't beat 8 ounces for $.59 although the biggest bottle looks like a great deal. You also have to consider how long it will take to use it all and where you will store it.
5. Go down the aisles and look hard at the most inaccessible items. Things down by the floor and up at the top are the least expensive items, so they never are at eye level. The items that make them the most money will be at eye level. Bargains will be found way at the top or way down at the bottom. Stretch and bend your way to better health and better buys.
6. Don't forget to check out items that are marked down. There are lots of day old bakery goods that are still good. Hard bread only needs a few sprinkles of water and a 350 degree oven for a few minutes to soften it. Crunchy things can be restored, even cereals and crackers, by putting them on a cookie sheet and into a 350 degree oven for a few minutes without the water. Test both by touch. The cooking time depends on the size of the item.
7. Old produce can be a great deal as well. A whole bag of apples for $1.00 is a bargain if you will use them. Make homemade applesauce using the apples, a little sugar and cinnamon mashed up. Make stewed apples (same recipe only keep the apples in chunks) are great with pork or for snacks. Old bananas are great for banana bread, old broccoli can be mashed into creamed potatoes. You can take the bad spots off lots of fruits and vegetables and freeze them or cook and then freeze them.
8. Do you have kids who won't eat anything but the most famous cereals and cookies? Start storing cereal in plastic containers. Keep it in the bag and then put it in plastic. Many times its just the name they want and not the particular product. Throw the boxes out where they won't see them and they may not know the difference. Homemade cookies are often cheaper if you want quality cookies.
9. When stores have a buy one, get one free item they often sell each single one for half the price, so you don't need to skip the deal if you don't need two. They set the registers to scan so each item has to scan for half. Not all stores will do this and probably none of them will tell you they do this, but try and see. All the stores I've visited except one will do this.
It'll be worth the effort
10. Be prepared by always keeping your coupons in your purse or car. You'll always be ready if you see something on sale.
11. Keep a running list of things you need on your refrigerator door or in your day planner. The easiest way to do this is to use a master list. Type it up and stick it on the refrigerator or in your planner. That way you'll never forget what you need while you're out and about.
12. With a little planning and a little more time in the grocery store, you can find bargains you never knew were there. Making a list and checking the sale papers, the online coupons and rebates take a little time but are worth it. In time you can get a system going and it will be a breeze.
Tags: coupons rebates, Always look, degree oven, degree oven minutes, expensive items, freeze them, great deal