Better Living > Frugal Living > ShoppingMarch 05, 2011
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Grocery Shopping Tips

I have worked in the grocery industry for over 15 years, so I'm going to share little secrets of how to shop and save big in your favorite local grocery store.
  • Number one rule, know your store's coupon policies. Many grocery store's will price match competitor's ads, so save all your Sunday ads and take them with you if you wish to buy something someone else has on sale that week.

  • Clip your coupons and be willing to be flexible on brands. Sometimes a name brands not cheaper even with a coupon, and more often than not, the product that's in the generic box was made by the same company on the same production line, just slapped in a different box. When you buy brand your not paying extra for a quality product, your paying extra for the copyrighted name on the box and the advertising that goes with it.

  • Make sure you are registered with your grocery store's website. Often times they will send you extra coupons or have internet coupons to use as well. Also, if you have a favorite brand name product that you just cannot give up, sign up at that company's website. They too will send you coupons for your favorite product and let you know when they are having special deals.

  • When shopping in the store, Do NOT buy products at the end of the aisle. We call these endcaps. They are there to tempt you into buying things you're not there for. Many stores "rent" the endcaps, meaning that Pepsico or Dorito's has rented that space to place their product there so you will think it's on sale. Never take something off an endcap without checking the aisle and comparing the price. Often times it's a product that is not on sale.

  • Watch the way things are stated: ten for ten dollars usually never means you actually have to buy TEN of those things. If you buy one you still get it for a dollar.

  • Never shop at eye level, this is how we get you. The most expensive brands are at eye level; the cheaper brands are high or on the bottom of the shelf.

  • Always know what you normally buy and the size of the product and the price. Since the economic turn many companies are downsizing the quantity of the product and raising the price on your favorite thing, so make sure you check the UNIT PRICE on the price slip in front of the product. Many times we put things on the sale ad that are not actually on sale, but it's the normal price we usually sell it for. We just need to get it off the shelf, so knowing that you're not really getting a deal is a step ahead and, more often than not, it's a gross product we have to much of.

  • Always check your expiration dates. Just like with milk, every product is rotated with the ones closer to expiring at the front - therefore you may not be able to use it before it expires. Although our grandmothers may have been mindful of this with milk and eggs, and things that don't last very long, you must also watch frozen products carefully (which do get freezer burnt) and even baking items. If possible, go for the product at the back of the other products.

  • Always know what day your meat, dairy, bakery, etc. mark things down ( if not everyday) and where they place the markdown items. It may be in the back corner of the store or somewhere out of place, so you will buy the product at regular price and not see a discounted item.

By Ronda F from Mulvane, KS

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By
03/10/2011

Excellent and concise list. Thanks for your openness!

By
03/07/2011

I find most times that brand name items on sale and with a coupon are cheaper than store brand. You hit the nail on the head though with endcap products and eye level items.

Sometimes generic brands are brand name products just with the different label but not all.....when trying a generic brand you haven't tried before, buy only one to be sure you actually like it otherwise it will likely sit on your pantry shelf if you bought a few of something you don't like.

By
03/07/2011

Thanks for these tips and sharing.

Related

Archived Discussions

Below you can read previous posts and comments about this topic. The discussions on this page has been archived 1 time. Select a discussion and read the feedback here.

(Archived Mar 05, 2011)Grocery Shopping Tips

Tip: Grocery Shopping Tips

Tips to help you at the grocery store. Post your ideas.

Feedback:

Shopping Without the Family

The next time you need to go shopping, I would suggest that you go alone. Children and even men are known to grab extra things that you don't need into the cart. By Robin (03/11/2005)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Grocery Shopping Tips

Go to www.google.com and do a Bakery Outlet store search for your area. We have saved so much money each month on bagels, bread and muffins by going to the local bakery outlet. (03/13/2005)

By Suzie

RE: Grocery Shopping Tips

I bring a list and then allow myself 1 impulse buy. This way I'm not completely depriving myself, but am limiting it. (03/13/2005)

By Mojjo

RE: Grocery Shopping Tips

I agree that you don't take kids. They're too problematic. I've actually abandoned my shopping and walked out of some stores because stupid parents can't control their spoilt, whining, shrieking brats. Remember, when you're in a public place, it's not just you that your kids are irritating. Have some courtesy for other shoppers. It doesn't cost much to hire a babysitter for an hour or do your shopping after hubby gets home. (03/13/2005)

By Cathy

Before you leave...

Make a grocery list and eat and drink well before shopping for groceries. Believe me, it helps! By Holly Dawson (03/19/2005)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Grocery Shopping Tips

I think it is unreal that people have no patience! If you can't bear to go shopping and "listen" to whiney kids, then stay home, and do your shopping on-line!! Also, it is the parent's fault if the children are having temper tantrums, I never once had a problem with my children in a store. It's all in how you bring them up. The "grown ups" need to stop whining and own up to their responsibilities! (03/20/2005)

By secret agent girl

Shopping with Kids

If you've taken your kids to the grocery with you, you know they'll grab items at their eye level. If you're a brand name loyal shopper or just want to quiet your kids, you'll more than likely purchase what they grab. This is part of the store's strategy. Be strong and search for the better price for your savings, the best size package for your family. Will your children eat this product or will this be something to toss out? By T.H. (03/25/2005)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Grocery Shopping Tips

I will say I do not have children yet, but I have a lot of experience with them. I was a little taken back with the way a couple of people spoke about mothers and their children going to to the grocery store. Some mothers have no choice in the matter of taking the kids or not. I do agree that it is the parent(s) fault if the child is misbehaving, it shows lack of discipline, but there is no reason to call them brats. I have to say some adults with no children can get in the way of your grocery shopping just as much. I have personally learned that if I take the time to get up early on Saturday or my day off and go the grocery store is pretty much empty. I am able to take my time without many interruptions and price compare different items,etc. I plan on trying to keep this grocery shopping schedule when my husband and I have children. (04/25/2005)

By Chelle

Shopping Tip

Be up on prices when you shop, Know whether the "good deal" the store you're shopping in says you're getting, is really a good deal. By Terri (04/26/2005)

By ThriftyFun

Shopping Tips

Never shop when depressed, hungry or tired, you'll end up spending way more money at the checkout than you had previously planned to. By Terri H. (04/29/2005)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Grocery Shopping Tips

I take my Mom shopping each week. I try to keep an open mind to sales and "shape" my shopping around unadvertised terrific buys. Just remember children are a blessing. Sometimes I feel cranky and whiney too! But, we have to learn patience and smile when things don't go our way. (04/29/2005)

By Tedebear

RE: Grocery Shopping Tips

Remember that the grocery store is laid out in the best way for them to make money off of us. The essentials are all the way across the store...meat, milk, cheese, bread and vegetables. In the middle are the extras. Cheaper brands will be at the bottom of the shelves or at the top when buying canned goods. Before buying the newest (something) think if you can make it from scratch or not.

For example, in the flyer today, but not a grocery item, but applicable, advertising for hummingbird nectar in a bottle in a liquid concentrate, $2.99 for a small container. Hummingbird concentrate is sooooo easy to make. Use 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Bring to a boil. Cool to room temperature and fill containers. If I want to make a concentrate I just use 1 or 2 parts water to the same amount of sugar and mark my container. I put it in the refrigerator and when I take it out I add warm water to it so I can put it out for the hummingbirds immediately. (I don't want to give their little bellies cold water.). (05/01/2005)

By valleyrimgirl

Buying Store Brands

A lot of the time, I choose a store brand. Just because it is store brand doesn't mean it isn't quality. Most of the time they are made by the same people who make the name brand stuff. By Brandy (05/18/2005)

By ThriftyFun

Calculating Savings At The Store

Always keep a small calculator at hand when shopping so you can quickly figure the sales out. By Brandi (06/06/2005)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Grocery Shopping Tips

Hi Brandi, since the last time we discussed grocery shopping, I decided to use up what we had on hand. I ended up going THREE weeks before we were actually getting "low" on essentials. I hope to do this at least once more this year. Six weeks of grocery money is a true gift! (06/06/2005)

By Tedebear

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