5 Tips for Saving Money Grocery Shopping

Times are tough here in New York. Everyone is trying to find way to save money, but at the same time maintain a comfortable lifestyle. One of the easiest ways you can reduce spending is through improving your shopping habits at the grocery store.

1. 1. Do not go shopping when you are hungry. If you are hungry and you go to the supermarket, the supplies you would normally buy might not seem sufficient. You don’t need a scientific study to prove this point; we all know that if you walk into grocery store with hunger pangs, you’ll buy the items you know you need to fill your pantry, but your cart will also fill up with items you didn’t know you needed, but that just look so appetizing right now! So eat first, then go ahead and get to shopping.
2. 2. Go with a list and do not stray from it. That means actually bringing the list to the store with you and referring to it throughout your food journey. This will stop you from impulsive buying. Just adding one or two items may not sound like a bad idea but it all adds up in the long run. Stick to the list and you’ll buy only what you need, saving cash. Not only that, but it will save time spent in the store since you won’t need to try and remember everything you needed to buy.
3. 3. Store brands are not bad. Just because something is not a name brand does not mean it is a bad thing. Name brands are more costly since they pay to be in the middle isles where they are visible to both adults and children sitting in carts. Store brands tend to be much cheaper and of are often of the same quality.
4. 4. Buy everything you need in one shot. It may sound like a hassle to some, but buying everything at once is better than spreading shopping out through the week. It reduces the number of times you’re tempted to stray from your shopping list, and also allows you to buy in bulk, which can save money. Going on one big trip also means saving your own valuable time, and spending less on transportation than you would making multiple small trips. It is very simple but gets you more bang for your buck.
5. 5. Try to find specials on the products you need. Grocery stores will advertise many specials they have in newspapers and online, but it does not mean they advertise all of them. When at the store, see if there any unadvertised sales. Try to find items on sale that are already on your list, or which can substitute for items on your list; resist the temptation to buy things only because “it was on sale.”

Using these shopping tips will help you save money at the grocery store. Use your savings to help pay the bills, or set it aside, either towards a specific savings goal or just to treat yourself to something special down the road.

We give the best deals on gold, jewelry, electronics and more, whether you just need a temporary loan or want to sell an item permanently. In the meantime, the tips above will help you live better while spending less.

Photo credit: Don O'Brien on Flickr