With food prices still soaring, supermarkets are offering many deals and specials to lure in food shoppers.
But sometimes, these good deals can actually cause people to spend more than they would have otherwise. Phil Lempert, author of Being the Shopper: Understanding the Buyer's Choice, offers these smart-shopping tips:
Limit Four Per Person: Scarcity can have a powerful impact on shoppers. A buying restriction can tempt people to buy more than they need, which could cause items to either spoil or sit in your pantry for a long time. Tip: In the long run, when you factor in the amount of products that spoil or are eventually thrown away, you will usually be better off financially if you only buy the amount you reasonably need and can use.
End of Aisle or Freestanding Displays: Often the "specials" displayed on the end caps of each aisle or on an island display aren't really the best deals that the store currently offers. These displays may also lead to impulse buys that you weren't intending to make. For instance, a display with graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows could make you think, "I'll make s'mores for dessert." Tip: While the location of these items is convenient, especially during busy shopping hours, you should only buy these items if they really are good deals.
Buy One, Get One Free: While these deals can make you feel like you are getting something for half price, if the cost is more than that of a similar item...or if you don't need a large quantity...than this may be one special worth passing on. Tip: Ask the manager if you can buy one item for half the price instead of buy one get one free. While stores don't always advertise this alternative, they often allow it.
Pre-Sliced Produce: While pre-sliced produce can feel like an easy choice, it can cost twice as much as whole produce, and can spoil faster than whole produce. Tip: Pay extra for prepared meals and produce only if the time and effort they save you is significant and really worth it.
For more great grocery shopping tips, visit www.supermarketguru.com.
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Pam: My shopping is hit and miss at the very best! I try to be frugal but, seem to find times when I go in with reckless abandon and go for the buy one, get one free and I don't REALLY need the second one, etc.! You're absolutely right too--another brand could have been a better buy--especially when only one will be used anyway!
Thank you Pam for the information. IT is so hard w/ these grocery prices going up. I think what frustrates me more is that they say it is for gas. But let's be honest, raising the cost of alot of items for 10 cents or more is covering more than gas!
Brooke
My wife and I are both so busy we are going out more. Wish we were home more often, but too hard to cook when you are busy.
The biggest tip, bring a list, and cash only. Stick to items on the list.
Pam, these are some good tips. Like Jim above, I always bring a list and stick to the items on the list. And I never buy sliced fruit -- I've got a good set of knives in my kitchen.
Pam - With our grocery bill increasing, we eat out more! Might as well, when I compare the cost to making a meal!
Great tips. I try to buy in bulk things that don't spoil. The fresh veggies and fruits I buy as needed.
All the best!
Pam: Once in a while many things that I normally purchase actually do go on sale. So... I do buy more than I can use...but I make sure the shelf life is long enough so that I am sure I will use all of that item, rather than waste it. Thanks for the great suggestions.
Make a list based on seasonal fruits & veg and use weekly store flyers when planning your meals. If you find products you use (and they're less than the store brands after your savings) use coupons, trying to combine these with manufacturers coupons. I love www.centsible.net/groceries for this. Everything I need in one place and I don't need to join or log in or anything.
I buy pasta and canned foods, ie, soups, sauces, etc. too, Pam , because of the advantages of shelf life and less likelihood of spoilage. Thanks for the 'food for thought'. :-)
Thanks for the tips, Pam, as usual! Wow, other than the last one, i am guilty of all the others. Probably a house of two's worth!
I pretty much do Walmart for everything ... its easy!
Hi Pam
Thanks for the tips!
Those "buy one get one free" items can sure be enticing. So are the low cost items, till you read the fine print "with a minimum purchase" Or one of our local store's current gimmick "spend $25, $50, $100 and you get these items free" I wonder how many try to spend that much just so that they can get that "Freebie".
Personally, my shopping style is to shop strictly from what's on sale. I save an average of 33% and sometimes 50% of my bill from doing this.