Frugal Grocery Shopping Tips

I have a monthly budget and I stick to it unless it is an absolute emergency then we take from our emergency budget to cover it. I am stingy with what I think is an emergency so we dont use it much. I treat shopping like a game and try to stay under my budget. The extra I roll over to next month and so on. I also buy what is on sale and then what we need to make that a meal. I have a list of when it is a good price to buy common things and when that price comes around we stock up on it. Ususaly like a years worth is the budget will let us. That way most of what we have was bought at the lowest price of the year. I know it sounds complicated but it really isnt.

I find the best way for us to save money on groceries is to make a menu. I survey what we have on hand and what is on sale. Then I make my menus. I then make my grocery list. i shop with a calculator. We have a 50.00 a week budget. When I reach that 50.00 mark we are done period. I will not spend extra. We also occasionally buy a box of food from angelfoodministries. This helps stretch our food budget out for the month.

I think the most important thing is don't shop when you're hungry. Second to that, is shop alone. No kids, no spouse or friends. Thirdly, go with a list and pay attention to it, but don't let it dictate. If you have ground beef on the list, but ground turkey is on sale and will do what you need, it's ok to change your mind. Coupons, menus, watching the sales all work, but usually better for some than others.

I always scan the 'reduced for quick sale' tables and shelves. Our local grocery stores put meat out on Tuesdays that is on its last day to be sold . Keep in mind that it is good in the freezer for a while after this. The bakery aisle and produce aisle in our stores always have tables of reduced items too. As others have said, don't shop while hungry. I eat a huge meal so that I am almost bloated before I leave for the grocery! This way food doesn't even appeal to me! I also buy items by price per unit...in other words..not necessarily by the price on the item. One has to look at ounces in the box and that type of thing. I buy generic rather than national brands too.

go large on things that you will use up like rice, flour etc..they are generally cheaper than the small packaging. buy the store brands (often they are made by the same companies that make the brand name items.

I find that if I write a menu for the week, I save on my grocery bill. I usually write out my menu, then list the things needed for groceries, then go threw the coupons that I have to see what I can save on. When writing my menu, I also have the grocery store add in front of me so I can get the things on sale for our menu. I try to only go to the store once a week, but I always hit 3 stores. One for my boxed items~ walmart. One for fresh fruits and veggies~ a local stand here, much cheaper and much fresher. and the regular grocery store for meats.

Always have a grocery list with you and stick to it; of course, you buy only the basics; if you bring with you your kids, there is a big chance of overspending for junk foods and other stuffs you don't really need. So if possible, children should minimize trips to the groceries. Then of course, read labels since there are products which are cheaper but have the same ingredients with the more expensive ones. Do buy in bulk if it is possible to save on gas--more trips to the grocery results to more expense to gasoline which is expensive these days. If it is not necessary to go to the grocery, then don't. I did that too. Instead, I just buy few things I need in a mini grocery near my place of work. I have noticed that I save this way. Say, I need eggs and toilet papers. If these are the stuffs I need, I don't need to go to the groceries. Lately, I count myself fortunate because it is my son who spends for groceries...all I do is just to accompany him and assist him in choosing things we need for our house. I am now relieved of expenses for groceries, which for me eats most of my salary. He is still single at 22, earning handsomely, so I am really lucky to have a son as thoughtful as him....