I don’t have to turn on the news to see how bad the economy is; I just need to check my wallet. There isn’t an area in my family’s life that hasn’t been scrutinized and squeezed for every cent we can save. One of the first places most people look to save money is in the grocery store. I normally swear by a weekly menu and a grocery list, but these are different times. Maybe what I want to cook isn’t what I ought to cook. Maybe I should let the sales do the talking.
When you walk into the grocery store, you’ll notice a remarkable thing. You can’t turn down any aisle without walking into a “Buy-One-Get-One-Free” sign, a “Price Cut” sign, or a “Reduced Items” sign. I started to think, what if I only chose items on sale? Could I make dinner with just those ingredients?
If you plan your meals using recipes that are tried- and-true, this is going to be a challenge. But, don’t fret. You know what your family likes to eat, so you already have something of a meal plan. Even if spinach is half price, if your family won’t eat it, don’t buy it. Plan your grocery shopping for a weekend even though it may be too busy for your tastes. It’s busy because serious shoppers know when the prices are the best!
Once you get into the grocery store, you need a plan. Get your main ingredients out of the way first. You may want to begin in the meat, fish, and poultry section, choosing only those items that are on special. Now you can run around to the vegetables and see what’s on sale. You’ll already be developing sort of a plan in your mind. Don’t forget cheese and other dairy items that may be on special. These main ingredient items are typically on the outside aisles of most grocery stores, so walk your cart all along the outside aisles first.
It’s time to quickly push your cart through the inside aisles. You’ll want to grab only items that are on sale and that your family will eat. It’s amazing how quickly you begin to get ideas for dinner. But don’t think too hard or take too much time struggling with ideas. When you get everything home, you’ll find items in your pantry that you can use as well.
What about coupons? Clipping coupons can be a very useful tool in saving money, when used properly. I can’t see how buying something just because there is a coupon saves you money if it ends up just taking up space in your pantry, never to be used. If you use it, use the coupon. Now, if you don’t care much about what dish soap, bath soap, laundry detergent, or paper towels you use, then coupons are a great way to save money. If you buy a brand of soap because you can save a few cents, and you use it, then that’s smart shopping.
Now, you’re home and the challenge really begins. Start by sorting your groceries into categories like protein, vegetables, dairy, and canned goods, or whatever makes sense to you. Look in your cupboards to see if you have any rice, potatoes, or pasta, too. Now you can see a menu start to develop. If you review each pile, you should be able to pull an item out and mix and match until you’re looking at what appears to be a meal! See… you are creative after all!
Give this “shop the sales only” tactic a try for the next couple months and see if you don’t see a reduction in your grocery bill. You may even enjoy the challenge of figuring out what to cook from the items in front of you, instead of having every meal planned out. What if you found out you could really cook instead of just following recipes? Are your cooking “habits” stopping you from really saving money? You’re more creative than you think. Give it a try!
Now it’s up to you; here is some helpful information on how to save on food and some guidelines for a family food budget. By implementing a few of these tips, you can start saving money this week.
