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| Being a Savvy Shopper at the Grocery Store |
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Many people in today’s immediate-gratification society don’t realize how much money they can save just by eating food purchased at a grocery store instead of a drive-thru. People think nothing of spending up to five dollars on fast food three times a day, five days a week, then wonder why they can’t afford build any savings.
If you spend an average of $30 a week on fast food, you would probably be shocked to learn that the same $30 will buy enough at a supermarket to feed two people for the whole week, including the weekend. Another great benefit is that you’d almost certainly be eating healthier food.
So simply changing your food-buying habits to include a weekly trip to the grocery store will save you a lot of money. Saving even more on food takes a real smart supermarket shopper who knows the right strategies.
Everyone’s heard the one about not shopping when you’re hungry, and that’s a very good idea. Hunger makes you crave foods you wouldn’t otherwise buy, and you end up walking out with a more than you need. Another good strategy is to move quickly and efficiently through the store. Bring a shopping list and a pen with you, and when you get in the door, take five minutes to look at the directory and jot down the correct aisle number for each item. You'll spend a lot more money if you're just browsing aimlessly through the aisles.
Also, look for generic brands of items where it really doesn’t make a difference. For example, most over-the-counter drugs have the same active ingredient and dosage levels, regardless of whether it’s a name brand or the store brand. The difference in price, however, can amount to as much as a 50 percent discount. Paper products, seltzer water, dairy products, and canned goods are also good examples of products that are practically identical, whether you buy generic or name brands.
For people who use coupons, it’s important to use them only for items you would have bought anyway. Also, make sure you compare the price of a product with the discount on the coupon to the regular price of the brand you normally buy. You might be surprised to find out that it’s still more expensive, even with the coupon.
Another merchandising trick to look out for is the “two-for-one-low-price” offer. Usually, what you see is a brightly colored sign next to the product that blares out, “Special! Two for Four Dollars.” Take a look at the actual price for just one, though – it may only be two dollars. If that’s the case, and you don’t need two, just get the one. Also, have you ever been shopping in the meat section, looking for a pound of ground beef, and all they have is two-pound packs? Feel free to take one of those packs to the butcher and have them cut it in half. It won’t cost you a penny per pound more.
And finally, don't assume that all supermarkets have the same prices. If you have a few chains in your area and you don't know which ones are least expensive, check them all out. Make a list of the ten or so products you buy the most and do some comparison shopping. Often you'll find a huge difference between chains, and if you can save just five percent, it adds up to hundreds of dollars over the long run.
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