Saving Money at the Grocery Store

Most of us have trouble staying within a budget, especially when it comes to the supermarket. The temptation to take advantage of a good price often overshadows the fact that we already have five of the same item gathering dust at home. If you are among the many people who consistently spend more than you should when grocery shopping, here are a few tips that may help.

First, plan your shopping trip in advance. Go to the cupboard and survey the food you already have on hand. Decide what food items would go well with what you already have on hand. Make a list of those items you need, and promise yourself that those will be the only items you purchase.

Next, organize the list into sections. Group all your dairy needs into one section, meats into another, canned vegetable into still another. The idea is to create a resource that allows you to instantly identify the items you need when arriving on a particular aisle. Not only will this save time, but also help to cut down on impulse buying.

Always take that written list into the supermarket with you. Never go grocery shopping without a list in hand. You already know that making it through all those aisles with a mental list does not keep you out of trouble. Your handwritten list will empower you, and make it harder for special offers and promotions to entice you into spending more money than you can afford.

Don't forget your calculator. By running a current tally each time you place another item into the shopping cart, it is much easier to keep within the food budget. Seeing how much you've already spent will make it easier to resist those bargains that you really don't need.

Avoid shopping along the outside aisles of the supermarket. The layout is set up to introduce you to items that will weaken your resolve and cause you to start reaching for items you don't really need. Move quickly to the middle of the store, and shop those aisles where the boring but necessary staples are usually found.

Always remember that pricier items are typically placed at eye level on the shelves. If you really want to stretch the budget, look below. You will find brands that are just as good, but save a little off each unit you buy. Don't be afraid to try store brands; some are of the same quality as name brands, allowing you to enjoy the same level of quality without paying for the fancy name and label.

Your last big hurdle will be at the check out lane. Items like magazines, candy, chips, and other desirable but unnecessary items are placed within easy reach as you wait your turn. Remind yourself that you can read the same stories online for free, and that the candy and chips will produce nothing more than momentary satisfaction. If necessary, don't allow yourself to look at the racks of goodies; focus on loading your purchases onto the counter instead.

Only after paying for your groceries, loading them into the car, and leaving the parking lot can you truly say you've won the battle. Up to that point, the temptation to go back in and pick up a couple of extra items can still be overpowering. But once you leave the store and begin the trek home, chances are that the magic of the supermarket will fade, and you can bask in the glory of making it out of the store with nothing other than those items you meant to purchase.

Assuming you can consistently use these tips, you should begin to see a significant impact on your food budget in a matter of two to three weeks. If you find yourself with some extra money at the end of the month, use it to treat your family in some way, or put the money into savings for something special, like next year's vacation. Little rewards will make it much easier to continue shopping efficiently, and increase your resolve to stay within your budget, no matter what.