8 Things You Should Know About Grocery Shopping Cheap

As I pondered the writing of this post I tried to think about the 8 things you should know about shopping cheap. I wanted to create the how to eat better for less bullet points, as it were.

While there are thousands of nuances to being a true grocery shopping guru, there really are only a few basic skills to master if you want to cut your grocery bills down to size. If you need a quick reduction in spending then here are the basics. These 8 must master strategies are listed in no particular order as they are all equally important.

:: Know yourself and your needs. Get to know yourself as a consumer. How much do you use of certain products in the course of a week or a month? I’m talking about doing the math here. Take a sharpie and mark bottles of shampoo or any other products you use day in and day out. Get a solid knowledge of how much you consume and how often you will need to buy. Knowing how much you use is vital to your savings plan. You’ll see why as we get to our next point.

:: Always buy on sale. Sale prices are 30%-50% off the full shelf price when products run on special. Grocers have a regular repeating ad cycle on almost every item in the store that runs between 3-6 weeks depending on the item. Know when the products you use the most run and buy enough to get you through to the next sale. Never, ever be caught paying full price.

:: Stockpiling is your friend. Know the sales cycle and embrace the sales cycle. Any nonperishable product, as well as those you can freeze and eat within a few months is a candidate for stockpiling. By stockpiling I don’t mean jamming the freezer, but purchasing just enough to ensure that you don’t get caught paying full price. You don't need to go overboard here unless the price is really a steal. See how the first two strategies build on this one? You want to buy just enough to ensure that you don’t have to pay the high dollar, but not so much that you will waste anything you buy.

:: Waste costs. I have seen estimates that food wasted in the average home ranges from 5-12% in most households. In dollars, a $150 grocery bill for a family of 6 means that you just threw out anywhere from $7.50 to $18.00 into the dumpster. Some families just learning to save are spending far more than $150.00 per week, so you get the idea. In a year you could be saving $390.00 to $936.00 or more that you didn’t even know you had. Use itall or loose it.

:: Coupons really do count. Every week I get asked if coupons are worth the time. My answer is always a resounding yes when used correctly! I save $50.00 a week with my coupons and get many products either free or for pennies on the dollar. Free is the best price in my book, all day long and everyday. Use coupons at double coupon stores or on double or triple coupon days if at all possible. Save your coupons for use when the product is already on sale and save an additional 30-50% just for having the patience to plan coupon use. I am often asked if you should ever use a coupon if an item is not on sale. My answer is sure, it's the second best choice if you need a to make a purchase and no sale can be found. Any savings is better than none. Don't forget that major retailers like drugstores, Target, Walmart and the commisaries if you are military also accept coupons.

:: Know your staples. Most people think that staples are products on your pantry shelves like flour and sugar, and they are. But, staples are also the large part of your shopping list that you buy every week or month or a regular reocuring basis. Staple items vary from family to family and generally comprise 60-75% of what we buy. Get to know the products you use the most and look for cheaper alternatives: generics and store brands are a good place to start.

:: Know the difference between the lowest every day price and a bargain. I know the cheapest place in town to buy my staple products. If I was really in need of laundry detergent, or health and beauty products you can bet I’d be heading to Walmart with coupons in hand. In my local area, unless there is a really good sale with a double coupon, Walmart’s price will beat anybody in town for staples on health care products and cleaning supplies. I take the time to make an extra stop and buy enough for months at a time to maximize my savings.

::Beware of impulse spending. Take a list, stick to the list and get in and out of the store as quickly as you reasonably can. The longer you shop the more you will spend.

If you are lost and perplexed about how to pare your grocery bills down to size as quickly as possible then start here. Mastering just these 8 strategies and being consistent with using them will save you over 50% off your grocery bills. You can fine tune and add extra strategies for savings later.