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Spending less money on groceries is easy and the savings can add up quickly. Here are some ways to cut down on your expenses without starving yourself.

1. Only buy what you need. It sounds like common sense. Why would you waste your money on things you don’t need? Breaking this rule is all too easy though because once you’re in the store you can convince yourself that you do need certain items. Something catches your eye and you decide you want it right away. It’s called impulse shopping. Impulse shopping is your worst enemy when it comes to shopping for groceries. Most people tend to think of buying candy, ice cream, and magazines as typical impulse shopping behavior. That’s true in the sense that it’s the easiest form of impulse shopping to recognize. However, you need to be aware of an even more dangerous type of impulse shopping, which is buying bargain items you don’t need. Sometimes you find a great deal on an item, but if it’s something you don’t really need, then you shouldn’t buy it in the first place. Even if the bargain item is something you do need, you should only buy as much as you can possibly use. This last rule applies especially to perishables.

2. Use a shopping list. Planning ahead with a shopping list will help you overcome the urge to buy things you don’t need. If it’s not on your list, you should think twice about buying an item. If you didn’t need that $1 candy before you stepped into the store, you sure won’t need it after you leave the store. Ideally, you should prepare your shopping list so it matches what’s available on sale that week.

3. Shop around. If there are several grocery stores near you, you should definitely shop around. Different stores will have different sales going on. Even if you have a membership at a warehouse club like Costco, you should still compare prices at other grocery stores. That’s because warehouse clubs consistently offer good deals on certain items only. You can use the weekly ads that are mailed to you to plan your shopping list around items that are on sale.

4. Compare unit pricing. Groceries are packaged in different sizes. Bulk packaging is not always cheaper. Read the shelf tag, which tells you not only the total price but also the unit price of an item. The unit price gives you the cost of an item for a given volume or weight such as per ounce, per pound, or per quart. When you need to decide between two similar products (e.g. two different bottles of milk), compare their unit prices. The more expensive product will have a higher unit price.

5. Use a price book. In order to be a smart shopper, you need to know when an item is a good deal and when it’s not. Not everything advertised as a sale is a good deal. You should record the prices of items (including unit prices) you buy frequently in a notebook or in a spreadsheet on your computer. That way you can keep track of the price history of an item and recognize a good deal more easily.

6. Buy loss leaders. Supermarkets are known for using loss leaders. These are a few products that they are willing to sell at cost or at a loss in order to attract customers to their stores. Since customers usually buy more than one or two items, the store can still expect to turn a profit. Check the store’s weekly ad and use your price book to identify loss leaders.

7. Shop on a full stomach. Avoid shopping for groceries when you’re hungry. You’ll be in a rush and end up buying unnecessary things. When doing groceries, you need to think with your head, not with your stomach.

8. Shop alone. If you’re serious about saving money on groceries, leave your sidekick at home. For one, you won’t be pressured into buying stuff you don’t need. It’s hard enough to control your own impulses. It’s almost impossible to controll somebody else’s. Second, smart shoppers take their time when they do groceries. This can be a frustrating experience for someone who is used to shopping more quickly.

9. Avoid processed food. It’s bad for your health and more expensive. The markup on processed food is so high that even when it’s on sale, you’re still better off not buying it. If you want to buy food that someone else made, go to a restaurant once in a while. That’s usually more enjoyable and almost certainly more healthy.

10. Stock up on non-perishables. When you find a great sale on non-perishables, by all means, stock up. Make sure, though, it’s something you really need.

11. Use coupons. Whenever possible, you should combine coupons with in-store sale specials. Be sure to go to a grocery store that doubles manufacturer coupons. When a grocery stores doubles coupons, they will match the discount up to a certain amount, usually $1. So a $1 off coupon turns into a $2 off coupon. Clipping coupons can be very time-consuming, so just take what you need. Plus, you won’t need to use your coupons right away since most coupons don’t expire until weeks or months after they were first issued. Keep your coupons until there’s a sale so you can save even more. Be selective about the coupons you use. Coupons are great when they are for personal health care products such as toothpaste, shampoo, or deodorant, which you actually need. They’re not so great when they’re for processed food. Most people get coupons in mailers or in their Sunday newspaper. In addition, you can check the weekly store ad for specials that will give you Catalina coupons when you buy certain items. Catalina coupons offer a discount on your next purchase. Avoid using online coupons for groceries. Some grocery stores refuse to accept them. Having a coupon denied this way can be a embarrassing experience. More importantly, however, the websites that give them out will usually ask you to install so-called coupon printers on your computer. These coupon printers often come bundled with spyware. If they really wanted to give away coupons, you should not be required to install software on your computer.

12. Check your receipt. Grocery stores are notorious for overcharging customers. They know most customers won’t notice. Be sure to check you receipt at the checkout. Don’t be afraid to point out a mistake to the cashier. This is not just about you saving money. It’s about letting grocery stores know that customers are paying attention.

Photo Credit: iboy daniel

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