You know how most people’s guilty pleasures are things like trashy reality TV, or a whole pint of Graeter’s, or sleeping in until noon on Saturdays? I’m not saying I don’t like those things, too, but recently I’ve found myself with a new obsession. It’s called grocery shopping.
Yes, I’m aware of what an exciting life I lead.
Maybe I should explain: My goal at the grocery isn’t to load up on wedges of blue cheese, cartons of black raspberry chip or the tempting-but-frightening vat o’ cheese puffs. No, this is a little bit healthier for my body and my wallet. I’ve gotten into the habit of seeing how much healthy, wholesome food I can get for the least amount of money.
It started when I visited two stores in one week and came away with a haul consisting of several pounds of chicken, sweet potatoes, fresh herbs, fruit, bread…the list goes on, and for how much, you ask? Under $20. I was hooked. I’ve always made it a point to try and save at the store, but since then, I’ve fine-tuned my approach and made a once-tiresome chore into what almost feels like a game.
The tips below aren’t anything earth-shattering, but they’re things that have helped me save a lot in the recent weeks – and hopefully they’ll help you, too. My store of choice is Kroger, so they’re geared toward the way I shop there, but they’d likely also apply to whatever store you frequent.
- Know before you go. This one has a few parts: First, know the store layout and how you’re going to find things once you’re there. It’s hard to stick to your list when you’re wandering aimlessly, looking for things. Know what’s on sale, too, by perusing the weekly flyer and matching items up with what you want to make.
- Make a list. Even if you’re just stopping in for a few things, write them down. On an index card, in a note on your phone, on the back of your hand – it doesn’t matter how, just that you’ve written it somewhere. You will forget something if it’s not written down, requiring an extra trip back to the store later. I usually check my list once before I go in and then once before I check to to make sure I’ve remembered everything. A good strategy is to list items in the order you would come upon them at the store.
- Download digital coupons. Here’s the fun part. Kroger offers digital coupons through your Kroger Plus account, which you can access online or through their app (see the next point for more info on that). With one click, coupons are added to your account; no clipping or scanning required. When you check out, the amount is automatically deducted from your total. If you know you’re buying something already, a digital coupon can save you at least a little money.
Just beware of things that seem like good deals but aren’t; for example, 50 cents off three boxes of fruit snacks probably isn’t worth it, unless you’re in the habit of stockpiling them, but 99 cents off a pack of sliced cheese I was going to pick up anyway? Yes, please. And each Friday, you can download a coupon for a free item that can be redeemed anytime within two weeks. It’s usually something small, like a granola bar or some candy, but it’s a good way to try a product you might not normally buy; free’s free, right? - Use the app. You can load those digital coupons we talked about, check out the weekly ad, and see how many rewards points you’ve accumulated (which can be redeemed at Kroger’s gas pump for savings on each gallon you buy). But what’s quickly become my favorite feature is the ability to look up products and prices at your local store. At first it didn’t seem very useful to me, but now, I can know without even setting foot in the store if something’s on sale and if now would be a good time to pick it up, or if they carry a specific product I’m looking for.
- Take advantage of special deals. Along with things like the free Friday download, I’ve become fond of closeout deals and manager’s specials. Just look for the tags denoting these items throughout the store; they’re either things that the store just isn’t going to carry anymore (closeouts) or things that have been drastically marked down (manager’s specials). I used to turn up my nose at these items, but the truth is I’ve found incredible bargains on things that would normally be pretty expensive, like a box of buckwheat cereal for $1 that would typically run more than $5, or cups of Icelandic yogurt for 25 cents each. Keep your eyes peeled for these deals, and grab them while you can!
I could probably write another post entirely on this subject, but I feel these tips are a good foundation for looking a little closer at your grocery bill. And as a thanks for putting up with my rants and ramblings, here’s a free printable to use and share: a weekly grocery list template that I’ve organized into food types, so it’s easy to pick up items as you move throughout the store. What are your favorite ways to save at the grocery? Have you ever found any too-good-to-be-true deals? Let me know what you think – and if you’d like another post on the topic!
bloom. 