Select the store with care. With the planning done, you are now ready to shop. But where will you do your grocery shopping? There are several alternatives in most populated areas from which to choose – supermarkets, warehouse stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets and co-ops. Food prices, of course, are one of the major factors in determining where you will shop.
No-frills and warehouse stores can be less expensive because the cost of doing business is lower. Many shoppers who live in rural communities find a once-a-month trip to a warehouse store saves on foods that store easily and on non-food household supplies. Convenience stores almost always charge higher prices on food, with the possible exception of dairy products and soft drinks. Some farmers' markets and co-ops have helped families reduce their food costs. The selection of products may be more limited than in most supermarkets, but the prices are sometimes lower.
Usually, it's more efficient to shop at one store close by that has reasonable prices. Some stores will honor coupons from other stores or match advertised prices. Shopping at several stores each week just to pick up specials wastes time and energy. Remember the more often you shop or the greater number of stores you shop in, the more likely you are to buy more food than you need. Learn the layout of the store you usually shop at, so you can find foods quickly.
| Supermarket Shopping Tips |
- Learn where things are in the stores where you shop frequently.
- Shop systematically...up one aisle and down another to avoid backtracking or missing specials or items needed.
- Ask for personal advice when you need it in self-service sections.
- Handle merchandise with care and respect to help keep overhead down and control food prices.
- Save time at checkout counters by having money or check ready, by unloading items with prices up and with multiple-priced things together.
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Find the bargains. Most stores have some bargains. Rarely does one store have all the best buys. One store may have good buys on meat, another on canned goods. A third store or market may have the freshest fruits and vegetables. If stores are not located near each other you may shop one store one week and buy enough bargain items for two or three weeks. The following week shop the other store. Use these tips to locate bargains:
- Market researchers have found that shoppers do not stop and linger in an aisle until they’re in the middle. They often turn around halfway down the aisle instead of going to the other end. Thus, the end of the aisle is less appealing for retailers and more appealing for bargain hunters.
- Look for lower-priced items on the bottom shelves. The most expensive stuff will be just below eye level.
- The top shelf you can find the bigger sizes which tend to offer a lower price per unit.
- Two for the price of one doesn’t always mean you have to buy two to get the same savings. If you don’t need two – don’t buy two.
Remember, prices do vary from store to store. Prices change, so keep alert. Consider using a grocery price book to determine the stores that offer the best prices and services.
Shop the specials. Plan your menus around sale items, especially more expensive purchases, such as meat. A dollar saved is even better than a dollar earned, as you don’t have to pay taxes on it!
TIP -- If you have storage and room in your budget, non-perishable or freezable sale items can be purchased for future use. Buying several packages of meat when it is on sale and freezing it may save quite a bit when you store it correctly. Learn more about properly freezing meat and poultry.
Be cautious about one-stop shopping. As long as you're already at the store, might as well pick up laundry detergent and light bulbs, right? Wrong. Supermarkets often price non-food household items such as spices, cleaning supplies, paper products, birthday and party supplies, pet food 20-40% higher than discount stores, knowing that shoppers will buy them anyway out of convenience. So remember, grocery stores are for groceries only.
Find it fresh. With modern farming, processing and delivery, many stores are able to put produce out for sale within a day or two after it is picked. Ask your store’s produce manager for delivery days so you can get to your favorite fruits and veggies before quality declines. Consider visiting the farmer's market near you for fresh produce. and check out the Fresh Vegetable Guide to see what is in season, how to evaluate produce, and storage tips.
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