Better Grocery Shopping: Avoid Impulse Shopping and High Prices

The weekly or bi-weekly trips to your local grocery store are necessary. Cutting down on the number of trips you take to the store is essential. Being fully prepared for your upcoming meals can save you hundreds of dollars every month. Be sure to get a good night's sleep before planning your shopping day. Shopping while tired can result in impulse purchases of sweet items, coffee or energy drinks.

Locate the best deals. Check your local paper for the weekly sales circulars to find out which stores have the best deals. Create a separate list for each store that you will visit. Write down your meals for the week, based on the sales circulars. Write down which ingredients you will need. Open your refrigerator and cabinets to see exactly what you need to replenish. Jot down your snacks, drinks, dessert, and non-food items. Sit down, and make yourself a snack. Never go to the grocery store hungry.

Start with the produce section first, stick to your list, and be sure to check for freshness. Select seasonal vegetables and fruits for the best quality. Try generic and store brands for frozen fruit and vegetables. Continue throughout the store sticking with your list.

Find the best value in prepackaged products. On each aisle, look at the very top and bottom to find the lowest cost for each item. Look at the unit price. In most supermarkets there is bar-coded price label on the shelves, in smaller numbers than the price. You should be able to see the unit price per ounce. For example, a 12 ounce name brand bag of rice may cost more than a 16 ounce bag of store brand rice. Be sure to look for unpublished sale items and specials throughout the store. Check the price of each item you select. Make sure that the sale item is truly a sale, and that there is not a lower cost alternative on the top or the very bottom of the shelf. The higher priced products are always prominently placed at eye level. Avoid impulse purchases of items on the ends of the aisles.

The outside of the aisles will have the greatest cost savings. The inner aisles of the grocery store contain processed food items. The more convenient the product, the higher it will cost. When buying snacks, and non food items, look for the generic version of your favorite products. If the price is still too high, visit your local dollar store.

Never pay full price for non food items. Visit the Dollar tree to see what new products they have in. Name-brand snacks, small gifts, candy, toiletries, and all non food items are regularly priced for one dollar. Many of the larger Dollar tree stores carries clothing, shoes, dishes, house wares, frozen foods, and numerous rows of grocery items. Take notes of which food items you can start to buy at the Dollar Tree instead of at the local grocery store.

Pay detailed attention as each item is scanned at the cash register. Point out all discrepancies. Every store has a different policy for items that ring up incorrectly. Keep your receipt. Make it a habit to read over it for mistakes. Return any item you discover has spoiled. For Example, Aldi's supermarket accepts all spoiled produce, replaces the item, and gives you your money back.

By organizing your shopping day, and paying attention to the unit sizes, and sale prices you can save thousands every year on your grocery budget. Grocery stores are set up so that you spend more money. Every banner, and product placement, is working to separate more dollars from your pocket. By being aware you can save thousands on your grocery bill every year.