5 Tips to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half

rebeca  Tuesday, September 7, 2010

• 

By Melissa Hurst

Imagine cutting your grocery bill in half. What would you do with that 50% savings each month? Making a few changes in your shopping habits can drastically reduce your grocery and drug store cost.

Here are 5 Tips to get you started:

1. Watch sales and stock up when the price is low. Easy items to stock up on are toiletries such as razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair products, deodorant, soap, and feminine products. Grocery items to stock up on include cereal, soup, snacks, and freezer items. Many perishable grocery items, such as meats, cheese, and breads, can be frozen before their expiration date to maximize their use.

2. Buy produce in season. Buying fresh produce isn’t just healthier, it is cheaper, too. I recommend checking out a local Farmer’s Market, too. And, you can always try to grow your own fruits and vegetables, too. A garden can is a great way to get fresh produce, but it can also be a fun family activity!

3. Use Coupons to drastically reduce your grocery bill by at least 25%. However, when combined with store sales at grocery stores that double coupons, your savings will jump to close to 50%. Look for coupons in the Sunday paper, which usually has 1 to 3 inserts each week.

Don’t feel like clipping? Use printable coupons and ecoupons to help you save time and your scissors. And if you are looking for a specific coupon, you can look in the Coupon Database for a quick result.

4. Shop Drugstores. Don’t do all your shopping at the grocery stores. Drug stores like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid  have incredible sales with their reward programs, which can save money on some of the highest priced items on your grocery list – toiletries. Imagine getting razors, toothpaste, and deodorant free.

5. Make a list and stick to it. Even if you aren’t using coupons, you should have a plan on what you are going to buy in the store. This will keep you from impulse buying, which may cost you more than what you wanted and lead to buying unnecessary items. Plus, with a list, you’ll know how much you can spend, and how much you plan to save.

Utilizing these strategies each month, I have been able to save my family an average of 65% at the grocery store and 90% at the drug store. These simple steps will help you spend less on the items your family needs and stretch your hard earned dollar.

Melissa blogs at Saving Cents with Sense, a site dedicated to helping families find the best deals, store savings, and more.