Post by Lady PP on Jul 2, 2005 22:10:35 GMT -5
Shopping for groceries is an inevitable fact of our ever busy
lives. We may imagine that we are saving time by dashing in,
roaming the aisles and throwing whatever looks good into the
cart. Most often, what we end up with is repetitive,
nutritionally unbalanced meals and ballooning grocery bills. Or
worse, frequent fast-food stops and pizza calls. Brighten your
meals and save time and money by planning ahead – an added
bonus you may even save a few calories.
Some money saving tips:
• Before you visit the grocery store each week, check out the
Sunday circulars. Clip coupons while you watch television or
get your children to lend a hand. Organization is the key to
the coupon game, so invest in an accordion coupon file. Trust
me, it’s infinitely easier than rifling through small slips of
paper or finding yourself without the coupon you need when you
get to the store. You can find some very user friendly
organizers for around $10.00 at sites such as www.galison.com.
• Look through the food section of your local newspaper. You’ll
get some great ideas about bargains to look for as well as what
produce, seafood, etc. is in season. The circulars and the food
section are two places to begin building a weekly menu, that
isn’t boring, on a budget. It’s also a good idea to comb the
Internet. There are a wealth of sites offering ideas for budget
menus.
• Consider joining a shopping club such as Sam’s or Costco. If
you don’t have the storage space, but would like to benefit
from the savings and convenience of buying in bulk share the
bounty with a friend. You can each take a turn shopping from a
list once a month or so.
• Keep your receipts for a month or so and notice the high, low
and average prices on the items you buy most. When the price
hits its low, buy a few so that you can skip it when it slides
into the high range.
• Experiment with 5 ingredient meals. There are a number of
books, videos and web sites that help you make great meals with
only a few ingredients even on weeknights.
• Check out sites like www.cutouthunger.org/get_coupons!.htm;
www.refundsweepers.com; www.refundcents.com; and
www.aplusfreestuff.com for information on rebates, refunds,
freebies and other savings. If you do take advantage of
rebates, complete forms meticulously and keep copies of
receipts, UPC, proof of purchase documentation and contact
information for the vendor.
• Include your local grocer’s weekly circular in your savings
plan. When store sales are coupled with the savings cards now
offered by many grocer’s you can save hundreds of dollars each
year.
• Pay attention to promotionals. Some grocer’s offer reward if
you spend the target amount within a specified period. Rewards
generally include a percentage off of your grocery bill at a
later date or cash back.
• Curb impulse buying. Grocer’s have developed their floor
plans with your dollars in mind; the object, get as many as
possible with proper product placement. Learn the layout of
your store and make a beeline to your destination. Temptation
is especially tough in the check out aisles. Fight the urge to
succumb to these powerful marketing practices by making, and
sticking to, a list.
• Try not to shop when you are starved. It makes sense that
you are more vulnerable to impulse buying when you are hungry.
• Make a budget and take a calculator to the store.
• Compare prices. Store brands are not necessarily least
expensive. Take just a moment to scan the shelves for best
prices on the items you buy. When comparison shopping, make
sure to take note of per unit costs.
• Look below eye level. Bargain priced items are often shelved
below eye level and out of your immediate view.
Grocery shopping can take a big chunk out of your budget if you
are not careful. With just a small investment of time you will
realize savings that you can take to the credit union.
www.CreditUnionRate.com
About The Author: Nicole Soltau is the President and Founder of
CreditUnionRate.com - The Leading Credit Union Directory
Search, Find ,Join.
lives. We may imagine that we are saving time by dashing in,
roaming the aisles and throwing whatever looks good into the
cart. Most often, what we end up with is repetitive,
nutritionally unbalanced meals and ballooning grocery bills. Or
worse, frequent fast-food stops and pizza calls. Brighten your
meals and save time and money by planning ahead – an added
bonus you may even save a few calories.
Some money saving tips:
• Before you visit the grocery store each week, check out the
Sunday circulars. Clip coupons while you watch television or
get your children to lend a hand. Organization is the key to
the coupon game, so invest in an accordion coupon file. Trust
me, it’s infinitely easier than rifling through small slips of
paper or finding yourself without the coupon you need when you
get to the store. You can find some very user friendly
organizers for around $10.00 at sites such as www.galison.com.
• Look through the food section of your local newspaper. You’ll
get some great ideas about bargains to look for as well as what
produce, seafood, etc. is in season. The circulars and the food
section are two places to begin building a weekly menu, that
isn’t boring, on a budget. It’s also a good idea to comb the
Internet. There are a wealth of sites offering ideas for budget
menus.
• Consider joining a shopping club such as Sam’s or Costco. If
you don’t have the storage space, but would like to benefit
from the savings and convenience of buying in bulk share the
bounty with a friend. You can each take a turn shopping from a
list once a month or so.
• Keep your receipts for a month or so and notice the high, low
and average prices on the items you buy most. When the price
hits its low, buy a few so that you can skip it when it slides
into the high range.
• Experiment with 5 ingredient meals. There are a number of
books, videos and web sites that help you make great meals with
only a few ingredients even on weeknights.
• Check out sites like www.cutouthunger.org/get_coupons!.htm;
www.refundsweepers.com; www.refundcents.com; and
www.aplusfreestuff.com for information on rebates, refunds,
freebies and other savings. If you do take advantage of
rebates, complete forms meticulously and keep copies of
receipts, UPC, proof of purchase documentation and contact
information for the vendor.
• Include your local grocer’s weekly circular in your savings
plan. When store sales are coupled with the savings cards now
offered by many grocer’s you can save hundreds of dollars each
year.
• Pay attention to promotionals. Some grocer’s offer reward if
you spend the target amount within a specified period. Rewards
generally include a percentage off of your grocery bill at a
later date or cash back.
• Curb impulse buying. Grocer’s have developed their floor
plans with your dollars in mind; the object, get as many as
possible with proper product placement. Learn the layout of
your store and make a beeline to your destination. Temptation
is especially tough in the check out aisles. Fight the urge to
succumb to these powerful marketing practices by making, and
sticking to, a list.
• Try not to shop when you are starved. It makes sense that
you are more vulnerable to impulse buying when you are hungry.
• Make a budget and take a calculator to the store.
• Compare prices. Store brands are not necessarily least
expensive. Take just a moment to scan the shelves for best
prices on the items you buy. When comparison shopping, make
sure to take note of per unit costs.
• Look below eye level. Bargain priced items are often shelved
below eye level and out of your immediate view.
Grocery shopping can take a big chunk out of your budget if you
are not careful. With just a small investment of time you will
realize savings that you can take to the credit union.
www.CreditUnionRate.com
About The Author: Nicole Soltau is the President and Founder of
CreditUnionRate.com - The Leading Credit Union Directory
Search, Find ,Join.
