Guide to Grocery Shopping: 10 Ways to Save at the Checkout Counter

With today's prices steadily on the rise and no end in sight, people are searching for ways to stretch their dollar and make it go further at the grocery store. This can be a very daunting task. Here are 10 money-saving ideas to help stretch your dollar at the checkout line.

1. Make a grocery list from your store sales circulars before going to the grocery store. Do not buy anything that is not on the list. Binge buying will raise your grocery bill considerably more than you realize.

2. Chances are the town where you live has more than one grocery store. Take advantage of that fact and buy the sales items that each store has to offer. This may take a little more time out of your busy day but the savings will be well worth the time spent.

3. Plan your weekly menu around the items that are on sale. You will be surprised at how much money you can save just by doing this one simple thing.

4. Buy your grocery items in quantity. For example a package of 24 rolls of toilet paper will cost you a lot less than a package of 4 rolls, or a case of bottled water is less than the single bottles or for that matter, a gallon of drinking water will save you even more money!

Meat may also be bought in quantity, such as 5 pound chubs of hamburger or family packages of pork or chicken. These can be divided into smaller portions to fit your families needs and then repackaged in freezer bags to be used when needed.

5. Choose a cheaper cut of meat. A sirloin steak may not be as tender as a rib eye but it is just as flavorful. Chicken thighs will not pinch your pocket book as much as chicken breast but they taste just as good. Pork steak is less expensive as pork chops but will satisfy your family just the as well.

6. In general, store brands will be a lot cheaper than name brand products. As for the quality and the taste you and your family will not be able to tell the difference. However, always check all the prices, because on occasion the name brand will be the least expensive.

7. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables, that are in season, directly from the farmer at a farmers market or roadside fruit stand whenever possible. You will be surprised how much less you will pay.

8. Avoid pre-packaged foods. This may prove to be very tempting, as packaged foods are a quick and convenient way to prepare a meal. They are also one of the costliest.

9. Clipping coupons is one tried and true method of saving money at the grocery store. But, just because you find a coupon for $1.00 off of a bag cat litter don't go buy it, if your cat stays outside. Only use coupons for the things you need.

10. Buy large packages of meat, such as a pork roast and cut it into pork steaks yourself at home. The same can be done with a whole beef brisket or pork loin. These can be sliced into steaks, ground into hamburger(with a food processor) or cut into stew meat. Whole chicken can be bought and cut into fry pieces at home.

If you will incorporate a few or all of these methods of saving money at the grocery store into your next shopping venture you will be very pleased at the overall reduction of the final cost of your purchases at the checkout counter.