There are certain times of the year when the sales at the grocery stores just aren’t, well, spectacular. There are still ways you can save money on groceries if you are willing to spend a few extra minutes!
- Look for items on mark down – if you need yogurt, check to see if any other items have been marked down. You will save 50% or more this way. You will have to eat them quicker, but in most cases, they probably get eaten quickly anyways. 😉 This is the only way we get meat! We look for the managers specials, then separate and freeze them.
- Be willing to buy the less expensive brand. While I would like to say “generic” brand here, it is not always the case for the store brand to be less expensive. Especially at Wal-Mart! So before you just grab and go, compare prices and make sure you are getting the least expensive kind.
- Check for coupons. If you shop at a store that offers a shoppers card, check to see if there are any digital coupons you can use. You may also get flyers in the mail and in the newspaper that you can use. If they accept competitors coupons, you can use those as well. Coupons like $5 of $50 purchase can add up! That’s $5 more dollars of groceries for FREE!
- Use your stockpile. This is one reason why it is important to have a stockpile. There will be times when the sales aren’t good, or you just don’t have a lot of money to spend, so you can use food from your stockpile to “supplement” your weekly grocery shopping. Then next time the sales are good, stock back up on that item! (this is the true secret to cutting your spending on groceries. Build up your stockpile with items that are at a stockpile price so you don’t pay full price anymore!)
Be sure to download and use our FREE Price Point Stockpile Sheet, and we also have a FREE Stockpile Tracking Sheet so you know what you are using and how much you need to stockpile!
I always check the clearance/markdowns first. Then I compare the prices to find the cheapest, but I also make sure that I have a coupon for the item that will make for an even sweeter deal.
Good suggestions! Thanks a ton 🙂
Good suggestions, I try to save money any which way I can! I am a coupon aholic, always checking websites and newspapers, only wish the stores by me double couponed, oh well 🙁
I always shop for meat early in the am. That is when most mark downs are done.
Except for meat, produce, and milk unless its on sale or have a qpon for, I will not buy it. Groceries r just too expensive now a days. Unless its something we have to ahve right then & there I will wait, usually will go sale in a few days. i try to always combine my qpons w/ store e-pons, & manufacture qpons. Few more ways to save is with the ibotta app, gives u money within hrs of purchase, and SavingStar app. If u don’t use them know check em out. Within 6 months on Savingstar I have been credited almost $100 to my paypal acct.
Don’t got shopping with your husband 😉 He always picks the expensive stuff!
It’s not always the best to go for generic brands, but sometime generic brands are actually better!
watching for unused coupons is a great idea!
I love all these tips!! They will definitely help next time I’m at the grocery store on a budget!!! 🙂
A lot of times at Walmart, they will have coupons for a certain item on the shelf. Sometimes you can substitute what you need for one of those items that has a coupon.
Great time to do a thorough check of clearance
thank you so much for all this much needed information.. times are hard and saving money sure does help!!!
Only shop w/ coupons!!! 🙂
Someone I know is always getting Manager Specials, but I can’t ever seem to find them. Maybe I should talk to a store employee and ask. I could definitely save more this way. I already coupon and stock-pile, but would like to do more.
I’m always looking for markdowns especially in the dairy department!
I typically buy meat, produce, and bakery items when they are marked down. We do have to eat them faster and shop more often, but the grocery store is on my way home from work anyway. It saves me a lot of money on items that typically do not have coupons.
I use stockpile. Buy a bunch when it’s on sale.
I would use available coupons while shopping. If there are no coupons available, I will compare prices in my favorite stores (Target, CVS and Shoprite) and buy in the store with the lower price.
thanks for the tips! unfortunately, due to the area i live in, when the meat is reduced, it is unsafe! i have spotted GREEN ground beef in walmart! i complained and was horrified! what if a struggling family bought that meat and got very ill? thankfully the pictures you posted your meats look good even when they are on special. in that case, buy it up!! haha
i watched a show onthe food network called the great waste about a year ago and they were talking about just how much stores waste each and every day.. they said to ask the produce dept about produce that is going to get thrown out and ask if you can have it.. i have yet to get the courage to do this….!! im such a wuss!
thank you for these tips….i wish i had more room to start a stockpile but i barely have enough room to store what we need. i do stock up on some things when i know they are a really good deal and i know that i will use it.
I always by meat that is on managers special. I love the fact that some store will use other store coupons. There is always some way or another to save on groceries.!!!!!
I never really understood the “stockpile” concept, so thanks for explaining it so well! 🙂
I like to go later in the evening after the markdowns have been done and also check the end-of-day racks for bakery and bread items
I go shopping at a grocery store where they have a value section and sell everything that it is coming to date or is already expired at a very low and reduced price and depending on what it is alot of stuff past the date is still good.
first place i always go…the markdown sections for dairy and meat!
We use a lot of these techniques. 🙂 We also go between two stores for which has the better deals, the Commissary or Walmart, (we haven’t really used HEB yet…)
I always buy marked down meat and try to buy in bulk. And when the sales at the larger chain grocery stores aren’t good and I don’t have coupons, I also shop at Aldi and other discount stores.
Stockpiling meat is the biggest money saver ever! I won’t be able to until I get a stand alone freezer. But this is how my Dad saved thousands of $$’s a year
I always buy marked down meat and try to buy in bulk. And when the sales at the larger chain grocery stores aren’t good and I don’t have coupons, I also shop at Aldi and other discount stores1
I just started using coupons and looking for sales, it helps a lot ..
Thanks for all the tips! When I grocery shop I usually try ALDI for fresh fruits and vegetables, you can get great prices on them their.
I never go grocery shopping when i’m hungry
I like to use coupons on my grocery shopping trips. I try to only use coupons on things that I would normally buy any way.
Buy in bulk when something you use is on SALE!
I but meat when it is marked down. As long as you use it right away or freeze it, it is just as good!
I agree with Colleen! Thanks for the tips!
I always buy meat that is marked down & either use it that day or put it in the freezer, I also buy a lot of the store brand food!
love the idea of the price point stock sheet
I do a lot of this and I only shop the sales and try to find coupons.
Dont buy something that u wont use just because you have a coupon….give the coupon to someone who will.
Thank you, I get a little overwhelmed when the sales aren’t good.
Thanks for the tip, I need to build a stockpile for these occasions
Coupons help alot@
keep a budget dont go over it also make a list and stay with it
Thanks for the advice. I will keep this in mind next time we go to the grocery.
Only shop with coupons
This is great information. A great way to help people save and be prepared for anything.
Never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry!
i always look for food that’s marked down. if i find some,awesome.if not-that’s cool too.