The Frugal Grocery Shopper

In the last 15 years, my husband and I have enjoyed shopping together. It’s our guaranteed once a week getaway, and we find it loads of fun. My husband prepares the recipe list for the week (he does all the cooking) while I look for the best prices on the items he picks. I also supplement or subtract based on coupons and items we have purchased during our “bulk shopping” trips. But, even after all these years, we still look for tips and tricks on how to save money. Audrey Okaneko from www.recipe-barn.com had these tips to share:

1. Buy day old meat. If you freeze the meat it will hold for several months. Sometimes I can save 50% on the cost of the meat by buying day old meat. This applies to poultry also.

2. Buy bread at outlet stores if available. Again, I save 50% by buying the day old bread. I keep bread in my refrigerator, so it will last many days. If you don’t have an outlet store, compare the price of store bought bread with the price of day old bakery bread.

3. Watch the store sales. I try very hard to not run out of items so that I only buy items when on sale. For example, we make spaghetti at least once a month. I use Prego sauce as a base. I buy it when it’s on sale, knowing I’ll use it in the next month.

4. Use coupons. If I see a coupon for a product I use, I cut the coupon. If your store offers double coupons, shop on the days your coupons will be doubled. If you can buy an item on sale and use a coupon, you’ll save even more. Consider trying a different brand, if there is a coupon and it will cut your overall grocery bill.

5. Grocery stores tend to put the higher priced items at eye level. Check the top and bottom shelves to see if a different brand or different size might be a better price.