How many times have you run into the grocery store for just a few things … only to wind up with a full cart? The other day, I had to grab a couple items at Festival. Those “couple items” totaled almost $200! Was the cashier surreptitiously sneaking jewels and bars of gold into my grocery order?!
We all walk that line of not wanting to fork out a fortune at the grocery store and not wanting to hear the kids whine: “Mom! There’s nothing to eat!” To help, I’ve put together five tips to keep your grocery receipt in check, regardless of where you shop:
- Plan ahead: Even the most diligent mom on the planet can overspend at the store if she doesn’t make a list. And remember to bring it to the store. I use a grocery list app on my phone to mark down items as they run out. This also helps cut back on the “quick trips” through the store that end up costing the same as my mortgage payment!
- Know your prices: Stores always have coupons and sales – often, really good ones. But if you aren’t aware of what your basic staples cost to begin with, you won’t know when you stumble upon a really good deal. So use that grocery app, make a list, whatever. Educate yourself on what is a really good price for the items your family loves and devours. That way, when you find pork tenderloin on sale for $1.99 per pound, you grab two or three. Which brings me to my next tip…
- Buy in bulk: Costco and Sam’s Club can be a bargain shopper’s paradise; that’s where I get all my chicken breasts and ground beef. My husband and I invested in a chest freezer, because we try to buy a side of beef or half a pig every year, and that’s equated to huge cash savings on our proteins. Do be careful, though, when buying pre-packaged snack bags, like potato chips (sometimes you pay more money for less product). Same with produce – only buy what you will use. The most expensive food in the grocery store is the stuff that goes bad before you eat it. Onto my next point…
- Be realistic: Most of us would love it if our families had a healthier diet. But don’t lie to yourself and fill your cart with kale and quinoa if it’s never going to be eaten. Pro tip: Cycle in one or two new produce items per trip, as they come into season. Your kids might surprise you with which fresh flavors they like. Citrus is still plentiful, for a time anyway. Asparagus, salad greens and some mushrooms will be filling the produce shelves soon.
- Keep your eyes open: Last thing, if you know your prices (see No. 2 above) you can find sales just about anywhere. Kwik Trip, for example, will often run specials on milk, butter, eggs and orange juice. And you just never know – you might find your favorite coffee on an amazing sale at Target. Ohhhh, boy. Target. There’s another place you can’t escape without paying $100 or more!
Do you have a favorite tip to save money on groceries? Please share in the comments!
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