Simple Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Saving money on groceries doesn't have to be complicated. You don't need to sit and clip coupons for hours at a time. Here are some simple
suggestions on how to cut back on your grocery bills.

Check out the internet - There are websites that research the sales that are happening each week at supermarkets including Kroger, Meijer, and
Albertsons, as well as drugstores like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite-Aid. Couponmom.com is a free site that lists the week's sales at many stores
and then shows the coupon that you could use with the sale to get ultimate savings. The Grocerygame.com is also a savings site that you can
join for free for the first two weeks and then pay a nominal fee to be a full-fledged member, with access to forums and advice on how to improve on other areas of your life.

Buy the Sunday Newspaper - Pull out the coupon inserts from your local newspaper. Mark the date on the top of the inserts, so that it's easy
to find the exact coupon that's been listed on the internet sites such as Couponmom.com or Grocerygame.com.

Be Loyal To Your Store - Supermarkets such as Kroger and drugstores like CVS have loyalty programs where, after you register, you
use a loyalty card and get additional savings coupons. CVS has ExtraBucks which is basically free money. If you follow the sales list on
such sites as Couponmom.com or Grocerygame.com, or even check out the circular on your own, you can find out what items qualify for
ExtraBucks and use the appropriate coupon to get additional savings. Sometimes a certain brand, such as Procter and Gamble, will have a
promotion where if you spend a certain amount of money you will get ExtraBucks back at your next shopping trip. Some CVS stores may even
print out your ExtraBucks at the register at the exact time of purchase.

Take Advantage of Rebates - Walgreens and Rite-Aid have promotions similar to CVS. Check out the sales lists on the internet or get a
promotional booklet in-store. Each month there are some kind of toiletries that you can get for free after the rebate. I've gotten Rimmel
mascara, Garnier shampoo, and Gillette razors for free after rebate. The sales period lasts for about a month so when you've taken advantage
of the offers that which interest you, fill out the rebate form in the promotional booklet, follow the directions, include your receipts and send it by mail to the appropriate address in the stated time period, then you'll get a check or a giftcard with the rebate amount sent to you in the mail.

Buy On Sale - Try not to wait until you need an item. Buy things when they're on sale. That way you're getting the best price. This may
mean buying ten tubes of toothpaste and twenty cans of soup because they're being sold at a great price. That being said, don't just buy
something because it's on sale if it's not something you'd be interested in buying at a regular price. If you don't like pistachios, but
there's a 3 for 1 sale going on, don't bother spending your money. But, if it's a case of brand loyalty, you may want to try something new.
If you usually buy BumbleBee tuna, but StarKist tuna is a steal then maybe give it a try. With sales, you can't always be brand loyal, but
when you're getting a really good deal, that doesn't always matter.

Try Store Brands - If you really need something, but that item is not on sale you may want to try a store brand. Most supermarkets and
drugstores have their own brands and they are worth giving a try. I've been really happy with Kroger brands - especially their breads and
canned vegetables.

Stockpile - You'll need to make room for your savings. Some people even get a second freezer or build some additional shelving in their
garage to hold their extra goods.

Plan Your Meals - Refer to the lists mentioned above or to the store circulars to see what is on sale. Then plan some meals around the sale
items. If hamburger meat is on sale, maybe plan for chili one night and tacos another.

Avoid Microwave Meals - Convenience foods are often more expensive per serving than something you make yourself. Sometimes, however, you can
be in a crunch for time and you can't avoid popping something into the microwave for a quick and easy meal. This is when making a double
batch of a meal is convenient. If you're make lasagna, make an extra tray and freeze it. A favorite of my kids is pancakes. I'll make
extra pancakes and freeze them - placing a few in a Ziploc sandwich bag.

Bake - If you have children or you're just big on desserts and you find yourself buying prepared and processed snack foods, you may want to
try making some baked goods. Snacks like Rice Krispie Treats, Banana Bread, and homemade cupcakes are simple to prepare and are inexpensive
(especially if you buy your ingredients on sale).

Go Meatless - Try to make a couple of dinners a week without meat. For example, try pasta, pancakes, or grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Buy In Season - You'll get the best prices on fruit and vegetables when you buy in season. Oranges, apples and broccoli seem to be on sale
in the winter, while peppers and berries are least costly in the warmer months. In the spring and summer, I've even found going to my local
farmer's market gets me my best savings on high quality fruit and vegetables.