Five Ways To Save On Your Grocery Bill

Grocery shopping is one of those responsibilities we rarely look forward to

, but truly can't live without. And with the busy schedules of most households, it makes sense why so many of us put it last on our "to do" list. But now more than ever it is important to optimize your grocery shopping strategy to save yourself time and money on that never-ending grocery list. Here, we have 5 tips favored by frugality experts for conquering that hefty grocery bill.

Always make a list... and stick to it

This is one of the most effective means of limiting impulse buys, and it should happen before you even leave home. Take a quick inventory of your kitchenfridge, pantry, countersand know what you already have. Make a list of what you need (don't rely on memory), and be mindful of what you're running low on and what you have a back-up of. Also make a note next to any items you have discount coupons for so you don't forget. Try to stick to the foods your family will actually eat and always be aware of wants versus needs. If you're like most of us you have a budget, and those pricey individually packaged snacks or drinks that your kids want can drain your budget with high-in-fat, non-nutritional fillers.

Never go hungry

We've all done it. We go to the grocery store hungry and return with twice as much food as we intended to buyusually spending way too much money on quick-eats we should have avoided. Grocery stores know an empty stomach can't resist the smell of that freshly baked bread, so do yourself (and your bank account) a favor and have a healthy snack before leaving home. You may want to bring a water bottle as well so you don't splurge on that $2 bottle of water at the check-out line.

Compare by unit

It's common sense to always choose the less expensive item, but there's more to it than just the package price. Usually located on the shelf-tag you will find the "unit price" or "price per unit." This shows you the cost per pound, ounce, etc. rather than just the cost for the entire package. In most cases, larger quantity packages will offer a lower price per unit, so consider larger sizes for non-perishables. Understanding this simple value indicator will help you get the best value for your money while possibly saving you another trip to the market the following week.

Use those coupons

There's nothing more frustrating than running over to the local grocery store and only seeing "sales" for things you don't need. That's where a little bit of work can save you up to 20% off your bottom line. Yep, we said it, you can save up to 20% on groceries with coupons! There are literally thousands of printable coupons available online for almost every product you can think of. Head to an authoritative online coupon site and search for the brand or products you plan to purchase. Search, print, saveit's really that simple. Just grab an envelope to tuck all of your current coupons in and bring them along on your next grocery shopping spree. You'll be thankful when you see the savings.

Be alert at the register

When you're about to check out, it's really important to pay attention to what you're being charged for. We know all those tabloid magazines are tempting to flip through, but resist the urge and watch out for accidental over-charges. Be ready to politely stop the cashier anytime you think an item is ringing up incorrectly, and let them know. Most are happy to check to make sure you are being charged correctly. Also be sure you keep your discount coupons visible so you don't forget to hand them over. Once the transaction is complete, take a look at your receipt to ensure all coupons were accounted and there were no mistakes.

There you have itthe top 5 most effective ways to save on your next grocery bill. So get that list together, gather the coupons, and head to your favorite grocery store. Remember to compare those unit prices, stock up when it makes sense, and be alert when it comes to checking out. In a place where 60 to 70% of purchases are unplanned, you are now prepared to stick to your list and save on your next grocery outing.

by: Sarah Simmons

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