How to Save Even More Money on Groceries

After searching numerous websites looking for advice on saving money on groceries, I noticed that there is almost no information on money saving tips that would assist the impoverished. Most of the info out there is very basic and is mostly about coupon clipping. After years of trial and error, I have quite a few different tips to add to the list.

First and foremost, grow a garden if you can. Even apartment dwellers can grow a garden. At the very least, you should be able to grow your own fresh herbs in a windowsill. See my article on apartment gardening (How to Grow a Garden in Your Apartment) or go to your local library and check out a book on square foot gardening. There are few things as wonderful as knowing that even if you are broke and hungry, you can always go out to your garden and have delicious fresh, free food and it will always be better for you than anything you could ever possibly buy in a store.

Clip coupons, BUT shop wisely. The biggest mistake I see people make is to buy something because it is on sale or because they have a coupon. This does not automatically make it the best deal. Check for the best price in the entire section and only use your coupon if it makes that item the best deal. Also, only purchase the item if you need it or will use it, not just because you can get a good deal on it. Many people think that they have saved money by using a coupon to buy an item when they really are losing money because they would not have bought the item at all in the first place if they did not have a coupon for it.

Always take a calculator shopping with you. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, you can use it to tally up a total so that you don't go over a set budget. Secondly, you can use it to find the best price for the amount of food you are getting. You can determine this by dividing the price by number of ounces or grams. This will give you the cost per ounce. Some stores, like Safeway, do this for you and put the price per unit on the price tag.

Find the stores with the best overall prices. You will notice that some stores are very expensive while others are much cheaper. Don't be fooled by stores like Wal-Mart who claim to have the lowest prices, but don't. They often carry many items that are very cheap, but then raise the price on other necessary items in order to make up the difference.

Check the weekly newspaper for sales. If you do not get the paper, you can go to your local library and check the newspaper there. Otherwise, you should be able to pick up a copy of the store's sale items in the store itself. I like to check for sales and coupons. A great way to do this is by using an envelope.

I save my used envelopes and use the back to write out my grocery list. The envelope stays posted on the fridge and any time we need something, I write it down. Right before doing my shopping, I go through the paper and find the good sales at my grocery store. I write these at the bottom of my grocery list. If there are any good coupons, I clip them and keep them inside of the envelope so they do not get lost. Always go on the first day of the sale as soon as possible. The sale items are usually all gone by the end of the day. If they are out of an item, ask if you can get a rain check.

If something good goes on sale, buy lots of it. When something goes on clearance, I sometimes buy it all. If soup is suddenly fifty cents a can, I grab all I can. This means you will be overstocked on some things, but it will last a long time and save you money in the long run.

Make each trip a long trip. Most shoppers have a tendency to go directly to items and brands that they usually buy. What most do not realize is that stores get new brands all of the time. If you keep buying the same item because it was the cheapest one the last time you were there, you are cheating yourself. Take your time each trip and go down every aisle. You may find something on clearance that you would not normally buy and get it almost for free.

Try to stick to staples. Staple, raw materials are usually cheaper than the overpriced processed goods. They are healthier for you, too. Instead of buying a box of cookies, buy flour, eggs, and sugar and make your own. Having to prepare your food means you will have a tendency to eat less junk and your food will be cheaper and healthier.

Also, when choosing groceries, try to pick items that are useful for a variety of recipes. Spaghetti noodles, for example, can be made into spaghetti, soup, casserole, and other dishes. Taco shells, however, can only be used to make tacos. Ask yourself how many things can be made from each item you buy. This will make it easier to produce meals when you start getting down to the bottom of the barrel. No one wants to find themselves at the end of the month with only a jar of jelly, some taco seasoning, a package of hamburger helper (but no hamburger), and a can of condensed milk.

Take stock of what you already have before you go shopping. Check once through your refrigerator, freezer, and cupboards to see what you have. That way, you won't accidentally buy more of something that you do not need. It also helps to plan meals if you know what ingredients you've already got.

Never buy low calorie foods when you are poor. Not only are they very unhealthy for you, but if you are having trouble affording food, you need all of the calories you can get. If you are overweight and need to lose weight, you should be eating healthy foods, NOT low calorie junk. Foods with calories and nutrients such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, and meat should take precedence. Anything else is like throwing money in the trash. Food money should always go toward buying food, not cookies, chips, candy, ice cream and the like.

Avoid any foods that are unnecessary. For example, drink water instead of juice, tea, coffee, and especially soda or beer. People who complain because they cannot afford food have no business buying soda or alcohol. It will not feed or sustain you. Other foods to avoid are potato chips, jelly, jell-o, candy, gum, Kool-aid, popsicles, mayonnaise, salad dressing and sauces such as barbecue sauce which are mostly corn syrup.

Have a set amount that you can spend before going into the store. This helps me save because I tend to put back things that are unnecessary in order to stay under my spending limit. For some people, it helps them to take only cash with them and leave their credit and debit cards at home. That way, they cannot be tempted to go over their limit.