In sticker-shock over prices at your local supermarket? As food costs continue to rise (the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts a three to four percent increase in 2008 a three to four percent increase in 2008), rely on these money-saving strategies.
1. Pick products on the top and bottom shelves at the supermarket. Bigger sizes of items, which tend to offer a lower price per unit, are usually placed on the highest and lowest shelves. Smaller sizes, with a higher price per unit, are often given prime placement at eye level.
2. Buy store brands instead of name brands. Store brands are usually close to the market leader in quality yet less costly. In fact, the same manufacturer that makes the branded product often manufactures the house brand.
3. Avoid buying prepared and packaged goods. You’ll pay a premium for convenience. Consumer Reports once found that two pounds of carrots cost $1.29, compared with $7.16 for the same amount of precut sticks.
4. Join grocery savings clubs at local supermarkets. These free programs entitle cardholders to members-only savings on selected products, a benefit that could shave about 18 percent off your total grocery bill. The catch: The stores keep tabs on what customers are buying to study different segments of the shopping population.
5. Download coupons. Check couponcart.com or cool-savings.com for deals on frequently purchased items and shop on double-coupon days if your grocer has them.
6. Join a warehouse club. Bulk retailers can be 20 to 50 percent cheaper than regular grocery stores when it comes to products like condiments, coffee, bottled water, and canned beans and vegetables. (The supermarket has better deals on items like produce, chips, and cookies.) |
