Pro secrets to pay less for groceries!
The average family spends about $200 a week on groceries, but you don’t have to! Our experts share the easy supermarket strategies that’ll keep more cash in your wallet!
Got sticker shock at the price of meat? Save at least 30% by buying a larger cut of meat, then asking the butcher to cut it up for you, which many will do for free, says savings expert Jeanette Pavini. Butchers cut everything from whole chickens to whole roasts. Taking advantage of their skills could save you as much as $2 per pound if, say, instead of buying portioned pork chops you ask the butcher to cut up a whole pork loin.
Reel in savings on seafood! Good-for-you fish, shrimp and other seafood is one of the most expensive items in the grocery store, but it doesn’t have to be, insists frugal living expert Melissa Burnell. “People don’t realize that ‘fresh’ fish is sometimes previously frozen, so you can save big if you buy frozen seafood and thaw it yourself,” she says. “I’ve saved 75% off the cost of fish this way!”
Tap your budget’s BFF!
Your freezer! “It’ll pay for itself in savings,” promises family budget guru Annette Economides. Tightly sealed, you can freeze all kinds of things you might not have thought to, such as nuts, cheese, flour and butter! Milk on sale? Simply pour out a little from the container to leave room for expansion, and pop in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge for a day or two, then give it a good shake before serving. Eggs on sale? Crack them, whisk slightly and store in freezer bags, or separate the yolks and whites for easy baking!
Turn left to save!
Try a little directional savvy! Walk into the store and turn left to start your shopping. “Stores often place tempting, costly buys on the right side, since studies show most shoppers start on that side,” says Burnell. You’re more likely to pass them up if your cart is already full!
Stop by the dollar store!
Surprise! It’s a great place to save on staples like packaged, canned and frozen foods, which can cost as much as 50% less than usual! Walmart also has good deals. A recent study found their prices on eggs, peanut butter, and milk were 20% cheaper than elsewhere.
Time it right to save a bundle!
If you can, do your shopping on Wednesday evenings. Supermarkets start their weekly sales in the middle of the week—and many will also honor the previous week’s ads. And produce, meat and baked goods are often marked down—as much as 50%—for quick sales at the end of each day.
Go solo!
Try to leave your kids at home and avoid other distractions while shopping. Experts estimate that for every extra minute you spend in a store, you spend about $2 more on unplanned purchases!
Use your phone! Follow your faves to save!
To get the inside scoop on good deals and new products, follow stores and brands on social media. “You’ll get special deals, coupons and free samples by liking your favorite stores, manufacturers and coupon sites on Facebook or Twitter,” promises Pavini.
Snap a photo to save cash!
Get money back on your favorite brands with the free apps ibotta. com and/or Checkout 51.com. How it works: Check the app for rebates,
such as 50 cents on milk or $1 on cookies. Then snap a photo of your receipt after your purchase, and you’ll get a credit. Once your credits total $20, you’ll get cash back!
Listen and save!
The store’s soft background music may relax you, but that can also make you spend more time in the aisles. “So listen to upbeat, fast-paced music on your ipod or MP3 player while you shop,” advises Burnell. “You’ll move through the store faster and be less inclined to add items you don’t need to your cart.”