Learn to Save Money at Save-A-Lot Stores

How do you convince yourself to shop at Save-A-Lot? A little at a time. Is it worth it? Still in the process of finding out, I'm leaning toward, "Yes, but not exclusively."

What's "Save-A-Lot"? Its website (http://www.save-a-lot.com/display.do ) says it's "one of the nation's leading extreme value, edited assortment grocery chains, operating more than 1,150 value-oriented stores in all types of neighborhoods." The claim: "terrific savings, up to 40% compared to conventional grocery stores." In my area, Save-A-Lots are located near the grocery stores I'd normally visit, so they fit into my routine easily - provided I remember to include them.

Find out for yourself what it's like, before potential critics tag along. Having now entered and shopped two Save-A-Lots in Grand Rapids and Walker, Michigan, I've acclimated to the no-frills interiors. No exotic extras or colorful displays. Save-A-Lots are plain and simple - a shopper's mind remains on the goal of purchasing reasonably priced groceries, because there's absolutely nothing else going on.

Go when you can take your time. Save-A-Lots are smaller by square footage than the megamarts, but they may not be quicker - or not at first. The store layout and some product packaging will be unfamiliar, so approach an introductory visit as the new experience it is, not something to do in a hurry. I've not yet seen more than two cashiers on duty at once, but check-out wait hasn't been excessive so far.

Talk to Save-A-Lot employees. My first impressions of Save-A-Lot's customer service were positive - workers were quick and friendly. I was already checking-out when my cashier asked if there was anything I hadn't found. I barely said "pizza dough mix" before he sprinted to Aisle Two and retrieved one for me. I was stunned and impressed.

Bring your own bags - and plan on bagging your own groceries. Otherwise, large plastic Save-A-Lot bags are sold at the check-out at ten-cents apiece. In one location, when I brought my Other Store cloth bags, I was given a complementary Save-A-Lot cloth bag - good quality and spacious.

Pace the transition. I made a reasonable deal with myself: I'd make my grocery list, as usual, and shop elsewhere, as I wished. However, I vowed to make Save-A-Lot my first stop every time, emptying my list there as completely as possible before moving on. Retaining the freedom to shop around removed any sting of "punishment" I associated with my new "edited assortment" store. I also learned to leave a camping cooler in my trunk, so I could safeguard refrigerated or frozen items while indulging urges to grab just a few Other Store items during same trip.

Replace staples with Save-A-Lot substitutes first. Ingredient items, or things that often make little difference, are good places to start. Examples of some trial items I picked up were Kurtz 14-ounce squeeze bottle yellow mustard at 69 cents, compared to Other Store's French's at $2.39; Save-A-Lot's 15.5 ounce Wylwood Whole Kernel Corn at 47 cents a can, instead of Other Store's Freshlike, same size, at $1.08. Also check out boxed pasta, Mexican food items and Kaskey's soups.

Buy brand names, too. You'll find some familiar brands throughout the store - I've twice been able to buy Chiquita bananas at 39-cents a pound, instead of the 59-cents a pound charged at my Other Store. How consistently a certain brand will be available is another thing. Fresh produce seems to vary - but what was stocked was fresh.

Allow yourself a few treats. This is about saving money, but if there's a sweet tooth in the house, it's not likely you'll cut snacks or desserts completely. Ginger Evans cake mixes and frostings do not come in every flavor - pick chocolate, white or yellow - but the yellow cake mix and chocolate frosting were good. In fact, the chocolate frosting was surprisingly good, so never mind when the label falls off as soon as you handle the container (makes recycling easier anyway). Save-A-Lot's "Mountain Holler" soda was 69-cents per 2-liter bottle, compared with a 2-liter Mountain Dew priced at $1.25 in many stores. I like Matlaw's frozen Crab Cakes at 4 for $3.49.

Compare and become self-aware. Sometimes your Other Store will run specials that beat everyone else's. You may decide certain favorites really cannot be substituted - for example, we tried Save-A-Lot milk, but still prefer the Other Store's organic milk. Keep in mind Save-A-Lots can vary from store to store, as consumer reviews show (http://www.rateitall.com/i-845201-save-a-lot.aspx , http://www.viewpoints.com/search?q=save-a-lot ).

The main idea is to become more conscious of how you shop - do you know how much groceries, item for item, actually cost? It takes some time to recognize the spending habits one cultivates over time, such as pointless brand name loyalties, or menus created out of habit . If you're not a born bargain hunter, there is value in learning why you shop the way you do. Making a regular habit of finding the best deals is what pays over time.