Hi Everyone:
So last week as I was checking out from the grocery store the person before me was totally shocked when she saw the bill. The customer got a bit irate at the cashier because of the $120 bill. She complained that the prices were too high, meaning her high bill was the store's fault and not hers. Obviously, it wasn't the cashiers fault. But I see this a lot, even when times are not hard.
It seems that there are still a lot of people who shop like unknowledgeable shoppers. To some people, grocery shopping represents never knowing how much their final bill will come to and then are not only shocked at the final bill but they also blew their weekly grocery budget. Hence the black hole affect of sucking those hard earned dollars right out of your pocket. I have actually helped a bunch of friends trim their weekly food budget using my tried and proven methods. Here is my common sense approach to food shopping, even if you shop at multiple stores:
1) Sign up for the store's discount card. Without it, you will not get the best price each week on a lot of items. This is a great way to save money each and every time you shop.
2) Always read and use the weekly flyer(s) that comes in the mail or you might be able to get the same info online from their web site.
3) Using a pen, circle the items in the flyer that you want or need.
4) Write a list with each and every item that you want to buy. Omit nothing on the list. Make sure to also write down the costs of each item. When the list is complete add all the item costs together to get your total. If the amount is over your budget, trim the list until the cost fits your budget.
5) I make my list based on the aisle layout in the store. So I begin with the aisle next to the entrance and work my way around the store. You can get an aisle layout from the customer service desk so as to help you make your list.
6) When making your list, if you're not sure about what to have for a weekend dinner or whatever, just write down a dollar amount for the dinner or whatever and then make the meal fit your budget.
7) If you are not a brand loyal customer, check out the prices of the store brands. They are always less expensive. Even if you use the same item each and every time, try the competition if it is on sale. Who knows, you may find out that you like more than one brand. Then you have doubled your odds for a sale on what you like.
8) When you cross off something on the list, keep a running tab of the costs of each and every item. Rounding up is the easiest way to adding up the items i.e.: $.99 becomes $1.00 and $1.63 becomes $1.65. This is the second most important thing to do only being topped by writing a list.
9) When an advertised sale item is not available, check with customer service to see if they will make a substitution. If not, get a raincheck that is usually good for 30 to 60 days.
10) While in the store, always keep an eye out for unadvertised specials. You might be able to switch an item from your list for an unadvertised special. You have immediately saved money from your list.
11) Another way to save might be found at your local neighborhood gas station. A lot of gas stations sell staples such as milk, butter and eggs etc. at a lower cost then your grocery store. Since you get your gas there, why not buy the items, if they are less expensive.
12) You may also be able to save money when buying from Walmart, Target, Kmart or even your local dollar store etc. only if you are sure that the prices are less expensive that week.
13) When items that you use often are on sale, try to buy as many as your budget will allow.
14) Be careful when buying in bulk. Sometimes it is more cost effective, but other times it is not especially when the smaller size is on sale and the cost per item is less then even buying in bulk. Yes you might have to do some math to figure it out, but it is worth it when considering the bottom line, your weekly budget and saving money.
15) I have found in my area that almost everything that we use eventually goes on sale every 6 to 8 weeks. Therefore, I always try to stock up to hold us over until the next sale.
16) When you get to the check out, you will already know the approximate amount of your bill. I say that because (at least here in New York), non food items are subject to tax, especially beer!
17) When you get your final bill, if it is off by dollars, you will immediately know a mistake was made. Hopefully the mistake was the store's fault and not your ability to add correctly. More than likely, the computer didn't charge you the sale price but rather the regular price. At one of the stores that we use, if the item scans incorrectly, you get that item free up to a $10.00 value. I find that it happens more often than you would think. But if you didn't keep a running tab, you would never know that you didn't pay the sale price and you were overcharged.
I realize that doing all of the above, especially keeping a running tab, seems like a lot of work, but trust me you will save money and keep yourself on a budget without falling into the black hole. If any of you try my suggestions and you save money let me know.
Good luck and have fun saving some money. Saving money does make common sense.
Til next week.
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