by Jennifer Blanke

Created on: August 06, 2008   Last Updated: August 22, 2008

Saving money at the grocery store can be a challenge, but there are ways to save that are simple, quick and won't compromise quality and taste. These smart shopping tips will save you money at the checkout and will not take too much of your time. A little planning each week will help you save on groceries.

Make a grocery list and stick to it. Use the weekly grocery store advertisement to meal plan and make your shopping list. Try not to purchase anything not on your list except for necessities that you forgot to include. Planning ahead will help you to stick to your list. Impulse buying will cost you!

Be smart when clipping coupons. Coupons can save you money, but only if you use them wisely. Clip coupons for products that you usually buy. Use coupons to buy sale items advertised in your local store. Watch for special coupon days and deals from your local grocery store. Stock up on those items as they are usually a great deal. You can find coupons for grocery, paper and personal products in the newspaper and online. Some websites are: www.coupons.com, www.couponmom.com, www.grocerycoupons.net.

Buy in bulk. Purchasing items in larger packages will usually save you money. Check for per ounce or per item price listed on the shelf tag below the product. You may only save a few pennies, but it all adds up. Look for family pack deals in the meat department and save money per pound. You can divide the meat and put in your freezer. Larger bottles of condiments, dressings, sauces and baking items usually cost less than smaller containers.

Buy generic and store brands. Compare prices with brand name items and you will find that usually the generic and store brands cost less. Compare ingredients and you will notice there is not much difference and sometimes none at all. Compare taste and you will come to know the brand name items you prefer. Everything else you can buy generic and store brands. You will save money especially on cereal, canned goods, condiments, cookies, crackers, and snacks.

Look for products about to expire. Sometimes you will find special deals in the bakery and meat department on items with a close expiration date. Your grocery store wants to sell these items first and will price accordingly. Look for Manager Special stickers, Price Breaks or something similar. Only buy these items if you can use them by the date or plan to freeze.

Choose a grocery store that costs less overall. Depending on where you live, you may or may not have several grocery store options available. When trying to save on groceries and if possible, shop where the overall cost of food is less. You may have to bag the groceries yourself, return the cart to get your deposit or have less brands to choose from, but you will save money on your groceries.

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