Guest Post from Annie Johnson:
Every magazine and website seems to have some sort of article along the lines of “10 Grocery Savings Tips,” or “27 Ways To Save Money on Groceries.” But many of these tips and tricks are really just what works for the author and not a hard-and-fast rule that everyone should follow to have the most efficient grocery budget.
Today, we are going to bust seven of those commonly-spouted myths.
1. Always Shop With a List and Only Buy What is On Your List
Having a plan and shopping with a list is a good strategy. However, be prepared to be flexible. While you are at the store you may find asparagus marked down more cheaply than broccoli. Then you might choose to change your menu. Maybe you check the meat specials and find your husband’s favorite pork chops marked down for quick sale. It is time to change your menu and spend less than you would have for your original plan!
2. Grocery Shop Once Weekly
This is truly a personal preference. If planning a weekly menu is working well for your family, keep doing it. Shopping once a month or every other week have their benefits as well. Shopping weekly lets you take advantage of all the sales, but fewer trips to the grocery store can also mean less impulse spending. Experiment until you find the way that works for you and your family.
3. Keep a spreadsheet or savings book so you will know when you find a
good sale.
There is nothing wrong with keeping a small document of prices, but writing down the prices of everything you buy is more work than you are going to get back in savings. Sales tend to run in 3-6 week cycles. You may want to jot down prices of some of the more expensive things you buy for that time period until you get an idea of what THE good sale price is. For example, skinless boneless chicken usually goes on sale here for just under $2 every three weeks. I am not too worried about whether I pay $1.88 or $1.77 a pound for it. Just having a general idea is good enough and takes much less time.
4. Buy Frozen Vegetables Instead of Fresh
Yes, frozen vegetables are usually a good buy over fresh, out-of-season ones, but fresh in-season vegetables are often a better deal. Check the fresh produce for what is in-season (it will usually be what is on sale) and then fill in the gaps with frozen.
5. Eat Store Brands
You know what, if your family won’t eat it, it isn’t a good deal…no matter how cheap you got it. Yes, some of the store brands taste fine, but some of them…not so much.
6. Shop at Several Stores to Get All of the Good Deals
Going to every store to make sure you get every little deal may cost you more in gas than it saves you in groceries. Go to the store that has the most good deals first. Then, my rule of thumb is that any additional stores need to save me at least $20 to be worth another stop.
7. Save money by shopping at the big bulk stores.
Prices at my big bulk store are usually a little cheaper than the everyday price at my local supermarket, but they aren’t usually a good deal compared to regular sales prices at my grocery store. It is also easier to over-spend with a couple of impulse buys just because the packages are so much bigger.
Don’t hesitate to read all the grocery tips and articles you find, but the best idea I can give you is to use the ones that work for you and your family. With a little bit of trial and error, you will have a set of strategies that will work for years to come.
Annie Johnson is a stay-at-home wife and homeschooling mom of six beautiful children ranging in ages from 1 to 14. Annie teaches simple, easy-to-follow principles that will help you learn to stretch your grocery budget without working yourself to death. Visit her at www.JuneCleaverImNot.com
Have you fallen for any grocery shopping myths? Feel free to share in the comments! Also, find more hints and helps for trimming your budget and using coupons here.
Karie says
These are excellent tips, especially #3 and #6 (for me). I almost drove myself crazy trying to make a price list and running around to several stores is impossible for me.
There is no “one way” to shop. Some families are small and need lots of flexibility in their food choices. Some are larger and need structure. I think the main thing is to make food shopping fit your lifestyle as best as you can, and then look for ways to cut costs; either by less expensive ingredients or by looking for sales, or raising your own veggies/meat.
Thanks again for this post. It was definitely a weight off my mind…
Stacie says
I think if you have a good idea for the best price on the items you purchase most, you’ll be able to save quite a bit! I definitely agree — there are probably “best” practices, but each family is going to be different and have different goals for saving.
I also did a post on 5 Signs You’re Becoming Overwhelmed by Coupons which is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but I did find myself overwhelmed when I first started using coupons!
Dan says
My wife car pools with others when shopping at the Big Box stores, discount grocery stores (where you bring your own bags and boxes), and to the butcher. All those places are located in neighboring towns. This saves on gas big time and makes planning easier since the “runs” are scheduled.
Stacie says
That’s a great idea to coordinate with others! Makes it more fun, too!
Christine Rose Miller says
Hey! I was reading through your website and loved the design and content. Is there any way I could help contribute?
Thanks,
Christine
Stacie says
Hi, Christine,
Feel free to send me an email with what you had in mind! Thanks!