5 Rule of Thumb Strategies for Saving Money on Groceries

Here are 5 strategies for getting the most out of your grocery budget each month.

1. Pay attention to your weekly grocery store circulars. Get to know the average prices on all your favorite meats or other higher ticket items. When prices dip (usually at a frequency of every 6 to 12 weeks), stock up. What usually goes on sale? Most frequently are things like whole fryer chickens, chicken leg quarters, ground beef, select cuts of beef (sirloin,ribeye) and assorted pork chops. Often times, meat will go on sale at 50% or more off the regular store price.
2. Plan meals according to what’s on sale for that week. If there is a great sale on country style ribs, plan a meal of ribs, beans and cornbread one night. Then buy an extra pack and freeze it for next time. See an sale on your favorite pasta dish? Buy one and have pasta night.
3. Have a vegatarian meal. Think of it as not only helping your wallet, but your waistline and the environment too! Less meat consumption will also lower our use of water, pesticides, grain…. http://www.chooseveg.com/environment.asp .
4. Compare not just overall price but price per unit. Sometimes, larger packages equal larger savings but not always. Pay attention to the shelving labels. Many stores like Safeway and Wal-Mart do the comparing for you and show price by unit (i.e., per oz, per lb, etc.).
5. Make your list and stick to it but not always. I make a list every time I go to the grocery store BUT I don’t always have a perfect memory. Sometimes I forget to add that essential item and only realize after getting to the store that I forgot it. So, I break the rule and stick it in my cart. OR, I see an amazing sale for something I use all the time. I stock up because I know I would buy it anyway. What I don’t do is buy a really cool looking cereal because it has girly swirly colors and says “promotes women’s health” on the front. Generally, I try to stay neutral to marketing snares whilst in the store.

There are so many ways you can help keep your budget in check. What’s your favorite tip? Leave it here or tweet it to me on twitter.  http://twitter.com/tjonsek