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One of the necessary evils is grocery shopping. It has to be done, so I have made it a hobby to get all the items I need and pay as little as I can. I think I do pretty well at it and would like to share some of my tips with you. I live in a small community and have found that it is worth the time and trouble for me to go to the city to shop. We have a couple of small "mom and pop" stores around, but the prices are nearly double many of the times and they don't use coupons. When I do my grocery shopping, I have to make a day of it. I visit the mall, Walmart, a couple of thrift shops, and treat myself to lunch. Before I head out the door, I make sure I have a shopping list. Just by making a list of what is needed for the next couple of weeks, I save a good 30 percent or more. I plan menus and take stock of what I have in the house, then write up the list. I also go through my coupons and make check marks next to the items that I have coupons for. It is also good to have some store flyers so you can know what sales are going on, who doubles coupons that day, etc. I generally pick one store to shop at. It is too much trouble going from store to store just to pick up sale items. The store I prefer doubles coupons up to $.50 everyday. They have 5 coupons in their flyer that you can use to triple 5 of your coupons. They also have a Preferred Members Card, which can be used to lower your bill some more, as well as give you some extra coupons with your receipt. Then of course, there is the ValuPage (www.valupage.com), which, when used, will give you Web Bucks to use on your next purchase. If you do not use coupons, there are the "pack your own" stores. Their prices are generally good. There are also the price clubs. (I found I do not do good at the local price club. I go in for groceries and come out with too many things I want and don't need. I never renewed my membership.) I have also found a store which sells generics, cans with no labels, nearly expired food, etc. The prices are good, but you have to watch the dates of the food items. It is a good place to stock up on non-perishables, but I first check out my coupons and see if I can do better with them on brands that I like. I found dishwashing liquid for a great price. It was an off brand, but that didn't matter. Then I found out I could have tripled a coupon for a brand that I like and it would have been cheaper. Oh well, live and learn. No matter where you shop, you need to know your prices. Some of the frugal people I know like to keep a price book as a resource. I haven't got that creative yet, but it is a good idea. I found out a trick of the stores that you need to be aware of. Sometimes there is a product in several places. Like Parmesan Cheese, as an example. It is with pasta, sauces, and cheese. I found the same brand, the same size, 3 different prices! Always compare the weights and the prices of the items you want to buy. A box might look bigger but might weigh less. Try the generic products. Some, not all, are just as good as the brand names. A big bit of advise is to eat before you shop. Then you won't be tempted to get all the cookies and quickie foods that you don't need and probably really didn't want.
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