How Gas Prices Changed Where I Shop for Groceries

When gas hit $4 a gallon in 2008, many of us discovered that the grocery prices at our favorite grocery store jumped as well. Some of us pulled money elsewhere out of our budget to cover the increased costs while others cut back on the quality of what was purchased. For myself, I changed WHERE I shopped for groceries to keep prices in check.

With 2011 gas prices on the rise again, all of us can expect that rising grocery costs won't be too far behind. Here's how to keep grocery prices in check simply by changing where you shop.

Actively shop the competition. I no longer shop at one store for all my groceries. These days my shopping trips includes several other supermarkets so as to take advantage of advertised "loss leaders". Loss leaders are groceries priced at below-retail prices to entice shoppers into the store.

Include non traditional stores in your shopping loop. In addition to shopping at different supermarkets, my grocery shopping also includes stops at non traditional markets that carry a few groceries. These include places such as gas stations, discount grocers, dollar stores, bakery thrift stores, and pharmacies where food & beauty items are often priced 10-50% less than a traditional supermarket.

Patronize stores with fuel rewards programs. Warehouse clubs and supermarkets such as Krogers, Albertsons, Safeway, Ralphs, and Bi-Bi offer discounted fuel prices to their customers. Including one of these stores on your shopping loop means that you can fill up the car with gas at a 10 cents a gallon discount.

Shop at processing plants & growers. During the peak of growing season, our family will take a drive to the country where we purchase groceries at wholesale prices from processing plants, canneries, and local growers. Fresh produce, dried beans, dairy products, meat, and canned goods are just a few of the discounted food items we can find a couple of counties over.

Plan your route carefully. All that grocery savings doesn't mean much if the family car consumes more gas in the process. I limit my grocery shopping trips to twice a month and plan a circular route which includes all the stores on my list. This strategy combines the best of both gas and grocery savings.

More articles by this contributor:
5 ways to get cash discounts of gasoline.
10 ways to cut food expenses and increase your savings.
10 grocery shopping habits that are costing you money.