Savvy How To: Money Saving Shopping Techniques

 Savvy How To:

Money Saving Shopping Tips

There's nothing better than eating food today, but at last years' prices! Saving money on groceries requires a few simple skills that can easily be learned: organization, shopping techniques and bulk purchases.

Organization: If you always put things back in the same place every time, you'll never lose them. The same goes for coupons. Organizing your coupons helps save you time and money. Try using a three-ring binder filled with transparent nine-pocket baseball card holders. Coupons easily slide into each slot with expiration dates, products and savings clearly visible. Divide your pages into 10 or more shopping categories like Bread & Cereal, Desserts, Paper Goods, Personal Hygiene, etc.

Shopping Techniques: First, make a shopping list and stick to it. Shopping without a list is like going to the store hungry - you often buy more than you need. And remember, items displayed at eye level usually cost more, so look lower! Second, watch the front page of your grocery sale ad. The deals posted there are usually a good place to start saving money as these items are often considered loss-leaders (leading you into the store at their loss). Finally, find your price points. A price point is simply the price at which you are willing to spend money on any given item - your good deal price. Create a price book and determine what the lowest sale price the items you buy most will reach. Then wait for a sale that meets your range of prices to stock up on those products and add coupons to save even more.

Bulk Purchases: If a product is a great deal don't buy one, buy two or three or even more! Stocking up on items when they are at their lowest prices ensures that you'll have some on hand the next time you need them - and it's like they're always on sale in your cupboard. Create your own storehouse of food in a pantry, a closet, a basement or under your bed if needs be. When preparing your meals try to shop your personal “store” first. Use items from your own pantry to create weekly meal lists and supplement with produce or other weekly sale items to create cost-effective meals.

Saving money has never been so easy!