by MC Allen

Created on: August 09, 2010

With the economy still struggling, we are all looking for ways to save money.  Grocery shopping is a necessary evil and to save money, attention to detail is an absolute must.  Coupons are fine but who has the time to clip, search and shop when, by following a few easy instructions, there are still savings to be had. 

Buy large bulk items at superstores.  Use places like Costco, Super Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and BJ’s to purchase toilet paper, paper towels, soft drinks, detergent etc.  These items are always needed and if you have the space to store the bulk; bigger can be better. 

Peruse the weekly grocery store ads for BOGO (buy one get one free) and other great deals.  If you need to, sign up for the VIP program to get the best deals.  Use these leaflets as a guide to lunch items for school, or for dinner ideas.  For example, if granola bars are buy one get one that week then guess what the children are having for snack?

Make a menu for the week and stick with the menu when you go to the store.  If you write down exactly what you need then you have a harder time varying from the list.  Use the weekly inserts for ideas on meat and vegetable specials and create your menu accordingly. 

If you arrive at the grocery store and meat has a sell by date of that day on it, buy it.  The meat will actually last for at least another day and the markdowns are normally very generous.  This is also true of produce (although with produce I would suggest cooking it that night).

Also remember that frozen vegetables can be healthy too.  I know that when buying vegetables we all want the freshest and best, however, if something is not in season you pay a premium to have it flown in to your area when a frozen option could be cheaper.  Just make sure that you check the sodium levels on the package. 

Obviously taking the time to clip coupons is a wonderful way to save money.  However, if you do not have the patience or time to become a coupon shopper the ways above will still help you to save money at the grocery store and allow all of us to make it through this recession.

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