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
