Supermarket Supersavings
Feeding a family is a costly proposition. In fact, next to housing, it’s often the biggest line item in a household budget. Fortunately, there are tried-and-true methods you can make use of every time you visit a grocery store to help hold costs down.
Here are a few key points to remember –
1) Plan ahead – Take a few minutes before the trip to make sure you know what you need. It’s a great way to avoid buying unnecessary items that in some cases could go bad before they get used. Go a step further and plan meals for the upcoming week so that you’re only buying what you’ll use in the immediate future.
2) Buy generic (usually) – Grocery store-labeled brands have improved in quality over the years, yet they remain far more cost-effective than name brands. Particularly for items such as paper products, there’s no need to pay extra unnecessarily. If this concept makes you uncomfortable, begin with baby steps. Choose a few items on each visit. Over time you’ll know which items pass your taste test.
3) Be cost-conscious – Obvious, sure, but buying non-perishable items when they’re on sale and scouring the store discounts and specials really make a difference. Consider looking for items online as well, especially for products such as hygiene and cleaning supplies that can often be found cheaper in other locales.
4) Defeat sweets/avoid small packages – Small packages may be handy for school lunches, snacks and travel, but they usually come with an excessive cost. You’re better off buying in larger sizes and creating your own smaller portions. When it comes to candies and soft drinks, the alternatives are more nutritious and often cheaper.