“Shopping Savings Advice & Tips On How To Spend Less & Get More”
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GROCERIES & SUNDRIES TOPICS
The first “rule” on saving money when shopping for groceries and sundries (paper goods, toiletries, etc.) is only buy what you need. If you really do not need an item, do not buy it. Most of us only have a limited amount of money to spend, and not buying something provides the highest level of savings. And if the item not being purchased will not be missed much, all the better.
1. Establish a budget and stick to it. Decide how much of your monthly budget will be allocated to groceries and sundries and do not go over budget. If necessary, take a small calculator to the store and keep a running total. Maintaining this discipline will provide you the wherewithal to look for all possible savings. Without a budget, grocery and sundry expenditures will creep up to a point that causes real financial issues.
2. Prepare a shopping list of necessary items, and purchase only those items when at the store. Preparing weekly menus, in order to understand all groceries that will be required in the near future, will assist in making sure you purchase only necessary items. And make sure you check that pantry, fridge and freezer when preparing your list. Making a checklist, and keeping it on the fridge or pantry door, of all items normally stocked and how many are on hand is sometimes helpful. This will not only help you not buy items that are already at home, but will also alert you to items that you really do not use often and maybe can be eliminated from future purchases.
3. Do not fall into the trap of impulse buying.
a. Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. All those snack and other unnecessary foods are a lot less tempting if you are not hungry when food shopping.
b. Make sure, if at all possible, you leave the kids at home. Kids are great, but at the grocery store they can be real budget busters by talking you into purchases you otherwise would not make.
c. When you have an item in your hand ask yourself if it really is a necessary item, or if you really can do without. This is not only true for food, but also toiletries and other items. Do you really need that extra bottle of nail polish, or fancy new razor?
d. Try to plan ahead for your grocery and sundry needs. Eliminate those trips to the store when only a couple of items are purchased. It’s a waste of time, and the cost of gasoline can become significant. Try consolidating your shopping trips.
4. And, when it comes to buying only items you actually need, try breaking old habits and even addictions.
a. By all means, do yourself and your budget a favor and quit smoking. It’s not
difficult to spend $2,000 per year ($3,000 in before-
b. Alcoholic beverages are also very expensive. Cut back and save.
c. How about snack foods, etc. The list is endless of items that many of us eat or drink by habit. While doing without all the fun foods and drinks would make life a bit boring, cutting back from what may have become unnecessarily high levels of consumption will save a considerable amount.
d. While water is a necessity of life, do we really need to buy it prepackaged at
the store either as water, ice or flavored beverages like soda? Try using tap water
straight up, or even mixed with powder mixes for some flavor, and save. And put
a few Ziploc bags of home-
Where to shop is important in limiting expenditures on groceries and sundries. Let’s face it, some stores are less expensive than other stores for the majority of items, or for selected items. And, of course, sales and specials can momentarily turn an expensive store into the cheapest store in town for certain items. So, within reason, patronize several stores to get the best price for each item, and more value for your budgeted dollars.
1. If at all possible, find a good discount warehouse store. For most groceries and sundries (as well as many other items) these stores are by far the best deal in town. Use them regularly.
a. The major national discount warehouse stores are Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s. Other regional discount warehouse stores are also available in certain areas of the country.
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