There’s a new diet sweeping America! It’s called, “I can’t afford the increasing cost of groceries, so I’ve stopped eating” diet. Before you go to the store just to hang out at the sample tables, asking for seconds and thirds - STOP. Groceries aren’t cheap, but there are ways to save yourself money and desperation, and make filling your refrigerator more affordable.
Stores Galore
You have options when it comes to where you shop, so know your neighborhood (and know what’s near work, too). Don’t be afraid to explore your choices. Prices may be similar, but it never hurts to check out the different grocery stores near you and “investigate”. You may find apples and meat are always cheap at one particular store, while another has better deals on other products. You don’t have to buy all your food in one trip at one store. Consider alternatives. Drug stores, chain retail stores, bulk warehouses, local farmers’ markets, and, yes, dollar stores. Dollar stores are actually the perfect way to save cash; not only are groceries cheaper, but they do sell some brand name products too.
Fliers
Next time you find store fliers in your mailbox, don’t curse “junk mail” under your breath and throw them in the garbage. Take a couple minutes and page through the fliers. You may find great sales and bargains. Think ahead. If it’s a really good deal, now might be the time to buy a couple extras and stock up.
Coupons
Don’t dismiss the idea of coupons. Sometimes they’re an easy way to save a couple bucks. You can find them online, in your newspaper, in that store flyer you didn’t throw away, on or in the product itself, or in dispensers sprinkled throughout store aisles. Put all your coupons in an envelope and look through them before you hit the store. Don’t laugh at those 50-cent savings. They can add up, especially if your store doubles coupons.
Store Discount Card
Most grocery chains and drug stores have a discount/club card affiliated with their store and it’s free to sign up. So go ahead and register. You’ll smile every time you look at your receipt and see the total savings at the bottom – all thanks to a simple scan of the card.
Keep in mind; grocery store chains do track your purchases for marketing research. They may offer you discount coupons on products you buy or may want to try. But basically, someone’s watching what you buy and how much you spend. It can lead to junk mail. If that bothers you, there is a way around it. When you sign up, you can give a fake name and address.
Consider Generics
Don’t eliminate the possibility of generics. You may fancy certain brand name products, but consider what generics you can switch to without compromising taste and quality. You may not be able to tell the difference at all, and may even be surprised to find you actually like the generic version better than the brand name.
Find more ways to save at:
http://www.videojug.com/tag/eat-well-for-less
