Big SAVER? how do you save on groceries?

Question

Big SAVER? how do you save on groceries?

Answer 1

I wait until there's a 15% off sale at Kmart (Australia) and buy all my washing powder, light globes, and toilet paper there. This saves me heaps. Of course, I check the prices to make sure they aren't just marking it up to discount it.



I don't buy lunch at work. I always make my own. Sandwiches freeze well, as do curries and pasta in plastic containers. This saves me about $700 a year at least.



I grow my own vegies in the back yard. This doesn't take up a lot of room. You can do it in pots if all you want is a little lettuce and some zucchinis. I water them all out of my shower recess.



I buy generic for most things. If a brand name item I use is on sale (I won't drink home brand coffee) I buy two. I have a homebrew kit (I love beer) so this saves me quite a lot. If I drink wine I normally water it down a little or add ice blocks, because it's hot here.



I shop at factory sales outlets. I live in an industrial town so there's three within 10 km of my house. I get stuff on sale there (10 cent cakes of soap, a jumbo pack of caterer's clingwrap, and cheap canned food that's just underweight or incorrectly labelled) This saves me thousands of dollars a year.



I pay a little on my bills nearly every week. I pay maybe another $10 or $20 a week so that by the time I get the bill, it's usually half paid. This guarantees I get any discounts, and also makes it far easier to budget my living allowance. I have a mortgage, and half my income goes to that (we're making double payments so we can get rid of it in 5 years).



I buy clothes whenever there is a real clearance sale. I set a budget, and when stores like Target (I work there casually) are clearing out their old season's stock, I go in and buy cheap clothes. It saves me heaps, and I always have nice clothes.



Second hand shops are fantastic for homewares. I don't own any new saucepans. Everything in my kitchen is second hand from my University days. There is nothing wrong with cutlery that doesn't match, or plates that are all from different sets.



I set myself a budget each week to spend money on stuff I don't need. Things like cds, books, clothes, or junk food. That way I have budgeted for pleasure. It makes it easier to live on a tight budget when you allow some breathing room.

Answer 2

Do your wages go straight into a bank a/c? If so open another a/c in say a building society and make a s/o for an amount to be paid out the day after your wages are paid. £25 per week would be enough, so you don't miss it, but it will soon mount up weekly/monthly. That way you will know at the back of your mind you do have some savings for a rainy day. Next do you draw little bits of money all the time as you need it for coffee, snacks etc. Work out a budget per week and draw that money out at the beginning of the week, then keep thinking, this has got to last me, do I need to spend this. At the end of the week, hopefully you should have some left over, put in a separate purse, then when there is enough, treat yourselves to a day out, trip to cinema, meal whatever.

Answer 3

I shop at Aldi.s grocery store or a Save-A-Lot grocery store or even some stores like The Dollar General have spaghetti noodles and can good lots cheaper than Walmart or Giant Eagle. Happy Shopping

Answer 4

Use coupons and shop the sales. You can get things nearly free that way. I get all our toilet paper free, huggies wipes nearly free, spaghetti sauce, etc... Get the coupons you want at a site like centsoff.com or buy them in bulk on ebay. You can get 20-30 coupons for the same thing for only $1-$3. Many stores double coupons under a dollar, so use the coupons to stock up when stuff is on sale. Just don't get carried away buying coupons, and make sure to check the exp date of them. It would be a waste of money to buy 30 great coupons for something if they're going to expire in a few days so you won't have the chance to use them.

Answer 5

I used to think it was kind of silly when my grandma would shop for things on different days and go to different stores - why not get everything at once - who has the time anyway? But now that Im all grown up, I find out which stores has sales and when (meat at one store, produce at another, etc) and take advantage of it.



I also used to shop at Wal-Mart thinking it was cheaper, but its actually not. What that other person said about buying store brands is right - and I find that certain store brands actually DO taste better than brand name stuff - Wal-Mart does not have store brand stuff, so I found I wasnt saving money really at all!



Also, most stores accept other store's coupons, so I try and take advantage of that.



Oh, and don't always fall for buying stuff in bulk of you dont need it, even if you 'save' by buying more of it. If you are on a budget and you only need one of that item, just buy one and only one.

Answer 6

1) Coupons,

2) Buy only what you will actually eat

3) Keep you choices simple the fewer ingredients the better

4) Buy Generic

5) Eat before you go grocery shopping this decreases impulse buying

6) Look for sales

7) For non-perishable items that you consume a lot of buy in bulk.

Answer 7

I make a very detailed list, i look at the adds, I stock up when things we use are on sale, and I only go once a week. If you run to the store every couple of days to get something you forgot, you end up spending more.

Answer 8

Shop at Walmart for shelf items and the regular grocery store for everything else.

Answer 9

FARMERS MARKET!. i dont know where you live but in new york and in most places they have a farmers market usually on the weekends. and they sell almost everything very cheap. like onions are a dollar, red peppers and green papers are a dollar. a nice bunch of carrots are 2 dollars etc. so try looking for a farmers market in your area.

also coupons are great as well that u get out of the sunday paper but most times you have to buy TWO of something in order to use the coupon. i would suggest going to your favorite food site.. maybe you like perdue chicken? they have coupons on their site..





*edit* farmers market is where farmers come to sell their products.



http://www.localharvest.org/

Answer 10

coupons and read the weekly sales fliers. I return bottles/cans.



edit: I buy store brand when I can. (I prefer the brand name but will buy the store brand if I think it's a better value. I recently bought store brand plastic bags. They are perfect. No different than the brand.)

Answer 11

besides coupons..

i tend to go for the store brands of stuff

i think it tastes just as good and it's cheaper

there's also grocery stores around here that are cheaper than others... just search your area.

Answer 12

Buy things ON Sale!!!



I stock up when I can

Answer 13

buy the strores version of everything like stopandshop milk

Answer 14

a 5 finger discount

Answer 15

coupons coupons coupons