Save Money on Groceries, With or Without Using Grocery Store Coupons! Grocery Savings

Kids can be so funny. One day I came home with a load of groceries from the store and looking at the bags one of our children said to their siblings, "Look, mom bought everything that was on sale!" Oh my! Well, as I explained to them (trying to contain my laughter), "No, I didn't buy everything that was on sale, I just bought SOME of the things that were on sale; just the things that we needed." I was tickled though; my children do know me well. ;o)

Here's some of my general tips for saving money at the grocery store, I hope they will help you Save, Save, Save!

Tip # 1 - Do not, I repeat, DO NOT shop without a list for exactly what you need! Then do your best to stick to it and get out as quickly as you can!

Tip # 2 - As you go through the store pay attention to the helpful aisle banners above each row... avoid any row that doesn't have something on your list!

Tip # 3 - This should really be RULE #1, do not shop while you're hungry! As a busy mother of 4, I often make this mistake - and I know better! It's just not good for the waist line (because you'll buy foods you shouldn't!), or the family budget. So don't do it!

Tip # 4 - Avoid last minute impulse purchases at the checkout for things like magazines and candy bars, and whatever else they're trying to sell you... including nail clippers, camera film and batteries. Unless they're on sale, you'll always do better at the discount stores for those items!

Tip # 5 - And if you have a magazine you tend to keep picking up each month (while you're at the GROCERY story), just subscribe to the darn thing and save yourself $20! (Try to limit yourself to just one or two subscriptions per year.)

Tip # 6 - Do NOT be brand loyal, and try to buy only what's on sale. Sometimes a name brand can even be on sale for the same price as the store brand, or less... so read those price labels!

Tip # 7 - Bigger does not always equal better! Be careful of big "value size" packages. Maybe it's because of sale items, but I often find that a smaller size product can be more cost effective than the larger size of the same product. Sometimes they are packaged for price value, but often they are simply packaged only for convenience. The store manufacturers must be thinking we'd rather save a trip to the store than save money... WRONG!!

Tip # 8 - There is no need to make a special trip (especially with gas prices being so high), but as you're shopping around town pay attention to the prices of items you buy on a regular basis. I do this everywhere I go! (And have been doing it for 20 years!!!)

Tip # 9 - Make a note! As a busy working mom of 4, I don't have time to keep a price log but I make a mental note of items that are much cheaper at particular stores. It's become such a habit that when we run out of something I know exactly which store I need to purchase it at for the best price. That is of course, if it's not on sale somewhere else!

Tip # 10 - Grocery stores are becoming harder and harder to get out of quickly. With the addition of greeting cards, books, hardware, pet supplies and even fancy gifts to purchase! This tip goes along with my Tip #1 - shopping with a list and getting out quickly. If you KNOW before you even get there, that every non-food item the grocery store has can be purchased much cheaper elsewhere, then don't even look at those items! Just shop for the foods that are on your list and then get out!!! (Of course stopping at the checkout to pay for your groceries first! ;-)

Tip # 11 - Here's a great idea from one of our featured "Tip of the Month" winners (subscribers to our free newsletter win cash and free grocery coupons for submitting the best money-saving tip of the month!) ... "While many people have their lists planned down to the ounce, often I find myself putting little extras in the cart as I shop. To avoid buying things that are not necessities, I always stop and survey my cart before I proceed to the check out. Does my family really need chips and pretzels this week? Three types of candy? I try to allow a treat or two every time I go to the grocery, but sometimes I get carried away if things are on sale. By reviewing what is in my cart before I get to the check out, I can eliminate items that are 'wants' rather than 'needs.' (Returning items to their proper place in the store.) This tip would probably help beginners rather than the experienced grocery budgeter, but it has saved me a lot!" - submitted by Katie

Tip # 12 - Be careful when shopping at grocery stores that require a membership card to get items for their special 'SALE' price, which is just about most of them these days. I've never had a problem before now but twice in the last 6 weeks I've had to ask the cashier to refigure my bill because the card didn't go through and they charged me full price for everything! (This was especially bad since 75% or more of everything in my cart is usually on sale, not just one or two items.) And yes, it is inconvenient to ask for the refunds and wait for the total to be figured, but both trips resulted in a membership card credit of about $17.00 each! On the second trip, I had even asked the clerk to check the receipt because I saw an item wring up at full price, she checked it and said, "yes it's there." But when I got home (always check your receipt before leaving the store, which I usually do!), I put the groceries away and was looking at the receipt and saw I had been charged full price for everything. Back to the store I went, I tried to be really nice and so did the store manager but I could tell she was not thrilled at having to refigure the bill and give me a credit. I'll do whatever I can to make sure this doesn't happen again, and will never leave this particular grocery store without checking my receipt first, but good grief! Super Wal-mart is looking better and better to me all the time, and they take coupons too!!!

Tip # 13 - Many people do not realize this (and the stores probably don't want everyone to know) but when a product is on sale, let's say for example "buy 4 for $10.00," you can almost always purchase just one of the items for the sale price (which in this case would be $2.50). In other words, you do NOT have to purchase 4 items to get the sale price! (However, if it's an item you use regularly it's a good idea to go ahead and purchase more than one, as long as you have the money to spare AND the room to store the extra items.)

Tip # 14 - This may be a surprise to you (it certainly was to me), but grocery clerks do not always know their own store's coupon guidelines! Recently, I had some special store coupons I wanted to use with matching manufacturer's coupons. Since I am fairly new to this store I stopped by the customer service desk first to make sure it was okay to do this. With no employees attending the desk, a cashier happened to be walking by and asked if I needed assistance. I asked her about the coupons and she said "No, you can only use one coupon per item!" Later, as another cashier was ringing up my groceries I mentioned it to her and told her I thought it was okay to use a store coupon with a manufacturer's coupon, and she said "Yes, it is!" And I would say in MOST cases it's going to be okay... a store coupon is not the same as a manufacturer's coupon, it's really just their own sale price! However, if you want to make sure your store will honor both coupons at the same time before you try it, just be sure you speak directly to the manager!

Tip # 15 - Grocery stores must be REALLY working hard to compete with the discount store prices, or vice versa, and I'm impressed. They've fooled me a few times with this smart marketing tactic but I've decided to consider it a learning experience so there's no hard feelings, at least on my end. ;-) So anyhow, here's the scoop... let's say a certain product at the discount store costs $3.97. You know the price well because after all, you're a bargain shopper! But when you happen to be at another store (which shall remain nameless) and you see the same product (with the same brand name, same color, same approximate size, same flavor, scent, or whatever!) and the SAME PRICE, you go ahead and purchase such product because after all, they are the same! However, upon returning home and placing the new product beside the old product (which is waiting to be recycled) you discover that it was all a hoax! As it turns out, everything about the product is indeed the same, except the size and weight! They just made it appear to be the same product by pricing it exactly the same as the larger size that is available at the discount store!

Tip # 16 - If you have time (or even if you don't) you can also create a price log in a small notebook to record the best price of your favorite products at each store, that way you'll always know if you're getting the same size or not! Here's our FREE Printable Price Log to help you get started!

Tip # 17 - We often receive letters reminding us that stores like Wal-mart (since I evidently talk about them all the time, sorry, but I've been shopping at Wal-mart for over 20 years and I still love them!) not only do they take coupons but they also offer price matching as well. So, I finally decided it was time to make a note of it on the site! :o) And in fact, some of our readers even make a habit each week of taking all their sale flyers to a particular store and asking for the price matches (you guys rock!), but with the full load of groceries we buy for a family of 6 I think the cashiers would faint if I handed them a stack of store ads to match up! ;o) However, although I do not do this each week, I have price matched and it really does work. It's also a fantastic service to loyal customers that all stores should offer and can be a real gas saver too, especially if all of the stores are not close to your home.

Tip # 18 - Our local grocery stores annually run a food drive for our community food bank, it's a great opportunity to help those who are really in need. Just with a few extra dollars each week (if you can afford it) you can provide several days worth of meals for a family who might otherwise do without. If your grocery store doesn't run food drives you can simply buy a few non-perishable items (canned meat--like tuna or chicken when it's on sale, beans, rice, pasta, and canned vegetables) and deliver them to your local food bank yourself. Being the savvy grocery shoppers that we are... when we find a really great deal we could probably stock them up!

Tip # 19 - One of the best ways to save money on groceries is to keep wasted food to a minimum. Use up leftovers quickly (keep a list on the fridge if necessary so you remember what’s inside) or freeze them for later use. If you’re cooking for just one or two, freeze leftovers in single-size portions, they’ll make quick and easy dinners on nights when you’re too busy or too tired to cook. Over the years, I’ve learned that using clear see-through storage containers for leftovers and keeping them on a special self in the fridge works best for our family. You can also keep items that the children might like (especially healthy after-school snacks like fruit, yogurt and cheese), on a lower shelf so they can reach them easily.

Tip # 20 - When items are on a buy-2 for one-price sale, such as 2 boxes of cereal for $4.00, it is usually not necessary to buy two to get the sale price. If you use the item regularly and will need to buy more before they go on sale again (possibly in just a few weeks) go ahead and buy as many as you need. But if you only need one, then just buy one. The money you save by not purchasing that second item (just because it’s on sale) may be needed for something else that you might need more, such as milk, bread, produce, chicken, fish or meat.

Tip # 21 - If you're able to use coupons the same rule applies; sometimes it’s better to just buy one sale item instead of the two or more the store is hoping you’ll pick up. And if you have two coupons it’s okay to use both on a buy-2 for one-price sale, because you are purchasing two items! It might even be worth purchasing an extra Sunday newspaper to get a duplicate set of coupons; if a certain week has a lot of great coupons for products that you use often!

Tip # 22 - And speaking of coupons, double coupon offers are great but in our local area we currently have only one store that offers double coupons--and only up to 65 cents--and, they are also one of the more expensive grocery stores. The double coupons are nice, but then when you buy grocery items that generally do not have coupons (such as milk, bread, meat, produce, etc...) you will more than pay for that double coupon savings. So, if your "double coupon" store is similar to ours (i.e. on the high-end) use the coupons on their sale items when you have time and purchase everything else at a lower priced store of your choice.

Tip # 23 - When grocery stores have a Grand Opening for a new location be sure to stop by and pick up their big sale items. They usually have some really LOW, LOW, prices during the first week, or even the first month. Also, register for prizes if they're being offered... I rarely ever win anything but I won $100 when my favorite store, Food Lion, opened up a new store! And with a family of 6 that was certainly a welcomed gift!!! :o)

Tip # 24 - If you need a quick dinner for your family try your local grocery store for some great food instead of going to a restaurant. You'll save a ton of money (especially if you have a large family like we do) and probably calories too! Some quick ideas we've come up with include homemade deli sandwiches, spaghetti or other quick pasta dishes with your favorite jar of sauce, premade hamburger patties, and even broiled fish. You can literally make a quick trip to the store, pick up these items and have them on the table in less time than it takes to drive to a restaurant, order your food, wait for the food, eat the food, and then pay for the food (saving time and money!)

"Don't be afraid to ask for a rain check if the item you want is sold out!" - Teresa Wilson

"This is just an add on to tip #17 - price matching at Wal-Mart. I price match all the time and to keep it simpler for the cashier (and myself as I am unloading and loading groceries with three kids), I make a list of the items I am matching, the price and the store that advertised and hand it to the cashier at the checkout. This works well for me because I have my notebook with my list (the ad prices marked on my list so I don't have to carry all the ads with me) and I can just jot it down after I double check to see if store brands or the Wal-Mart price is not a better deal. If I am only matching a couple of things I just put a sticky note with the info right on the item." Brenda

"As soon as your children are old enough, buy them a calculator (discount stores have them for as low as a dollar for basic calculators). Have them help you figure how much an item costs per serving or ounce. Compare the prices together to find the best deal on several items. Not only does this teach them about bargain shopping, but they also get a good math review (I'm a teacher if you can't tell). Soon, they'll try to beat you on finding the best bargains!" - Angela R.

"After moving to a new suburb of Columbus, I was happy to find that I had several other choices in grocery stores near our new home. One grocery store that I frequent has a savings card program (but watch to make sure everything rings up at the "card" price) where you save $0.10 per gallon of gas at their gas station for every $50 you spend on groceries. They are also very competitive with a larger chain grocery store across the street, plus they have cheaper prescriptions on their antibiotics and cough/cold prescriptions. So at this one store I can get all the deals that the other store is getting, they double their coupons up to $0.99, I save on gas, and they price match! It truly helps to learn the differences and benefits that each store has to offer!" Jenny W.

"When preparing your shopping list for the week, list items in the same order as the stores aisle layout. (usually not a problem when using the same grocery store weekly). This will not only save you time but keep you from adding extra items to your cart you may accumulate going up and down every aisle." - Linda

"This may only be in Michigan, but we have the bounty hunter law which stipulates that if the item scans incorrectly, the consumer is entitled to receive both the difference between the scanned and advertised price plus a bounty of ten (10) times the difference up to $5.00 as a reward for catching the pricing error. You almost always have to ask for it, although some Wal-Mart employees have just gone ahead and given it to me. And since Wal-Mart regularly makes mistakes, it really saves you money on your grocery bill! Many times, they are paying you to take the items home! For about a month, they had a six-pack of a brand of ice tea that was normally $3.00, marked down to $2.00 on the shelf. It always rang up $3.00. I would tell them about the problem - they obviously knew it was a problem because they gave me the $1.00 + $5 bounty, but they never fixed the problem. For a month, I was eligible to get paid $4 to buy iced tea. I didn't ask for the bounty every time because my conscience bothered me, but I was eligible for it, and they should have fixed the error." - Lori

"Don't forget about 99 cent only stores and The dollar tree. You can get their weekly add in the mail by subscribing on the internet or just checking the net when you have time. Paying $0.99 for a jar of brand name pasta sauce is better than paying $2.98 at your local store. Last week I went to the 99 cent store and purchased 1 box of noodles, 2 cans of pasta sauce, mustard, mayo, cinnamon, 2 doz. large eggs, a bag of shredded cheese, tomatoes(4), 1 head of lettuce, bag of potatoes, bell peppers(4), 1 pkg. of lunch meat, loaves of bread(3), 1 gallon of milk, 1 pkg. of sliced cheese. I bought 2 lbs of ground turkey meat from my local store which was on sale for $3.00 and my grand total was $25 (this includes tax) I had Friday's dinner...Saturday's breakfast...Saturday's lunch and the leftovers from Friday for dinner...then Sunday's breakfast...now that's a steal! (I HAVE A FAMILY OF 4 and a daycare of 4 extra children ages 5-13) 8 people total. And if I still wanted to push it...I had enough cheese and bread (I already had butter) to make grill cheese for Sunday's lunch." - C. Herrera