Amidst all the uproar surrounding coupons, there are many frugal shoppers who regularly save on their grocery bills without ever using coupons. These aren't cheapskates or tightwads; they are rather thoughtful shoppers who regularly follow a smart set of rules to keep their spending under control and who know where real bargains can be found.
A popular pearl of wisdom among thrifty grocery shoppers is that anything that merits printing a coupon costs more than it should. That's the first rule of smart shopping without coupons. The key is to find stores where low-cost items can be found on a regular basis. This entails a bit of comparison shopping. The same rationale that goes behind shopping for big-ticket items, such as a new car, should be applied to grocery shopping.
Comparison shopping for groceries should start with a little investigative work. Asking friends, relatives, and co-workers about where they shop for groceries and how much they pay is a good initial step. Online social networking works wonders for this step; due to the tough economic times we live in, everyone is interested in saving money and helping others along the way.
Planning ahead is key. Households that plan their menu for the week usually spend less on groceries. Portion control should determine how much to buy, not the other way around. A shopping list should that is made from a menu results in greater savings than simply buying in bulk. This also prevents having to make frequent trips to the store.
Grocery stores are often full of prepared, semi-prepared, convenient and tempting items that are designed to bring in higher profits. Packaged vegetables that have been pre-washed, peeled and cut may be time-saving, but they aren't money-saving. The same goes for boneless and skinless chicken.
The next important step is choosing the right stores to compare. Stores in large metropolitan areas are bound to have higher prices and, thus, should be avoided. Sometimes, it is better to take a quick trip to the suburbs or to rural areas to find better prices. Once inside the store, it is important not to become distracted by the colorful bargain displays. The only items on sale that should be purchased are those that are consumed regularly. Too often sales are centered on buying higher quantities instead of offering items that are truly discounted.
A real way to determine if a store is cheaper than others is by looking at the unit prices. When investigating a new store, it really helps to bring a cash receipt from another one.
Items placed at eye level and on top shelves tend to command higher prices. The really affordable items and generic “Brand X” items are often placed on bottom shelves.
When coupons and regularly low prices are combined, however, savings are heightened considerably. Look for coupon shopping en route to low prices for maximum convenience.
No comments:
Post a Comment