Ever felt queasy while you are at the grocery store checkout, watching the numbers rise on your grocery bill? Or maybe you have wondered how many zeros you could shave off your grocery bill? Supermarkets like to make loads of money and that is crystal clear. Most shelves at eye-level are stocked with the higher-priced items, while daily essentials like dairy and produce are kept at opposite ends of the store. This forces you to walk past the inner aisles, making it very easy for you to overspend on groceries. If you would like to be a savvy shopper, here are some steps to cut grocery costs.
Look out for sales
Keep an eye out for the grocery store’s circular every week to find what’s on sale. Plan in advance and make a list of all the sale items that you plan on using within the next month or so.
Clip coupons
Clipping coupons can save you some serious money. So make sure you look for coupons in your Sunday newspapers or in a printable online format online. Pay attention to the items that are on sale, the items you already use, and the items you can use. Store your coupons in a folder, by date, so you can keep them organized for better use.
Make a shopping list
Plan out your meals for the week and create a grocery list based on the ingredients you require for each dish. By creating a shopping list, you will keep in mind the items you need, and this will keep you from adding unnecessary items to your cart. Make sure to write your budget over the top of your shopping list to give yourself a visual reminder that will prevent you from overspending.
Go shopping on a full stomach
When you are very hungry, it is easy to overspend while grocery shopping. While browsing the aisles, you might spot food you like and you might end up buying things that look really satisfying when you are actually craving dinner. Avoid doing this by stepping out to the grocery store on a full stomach.