Stretching Your Grocery Dollars

Shopping for groceries is an inevitable fact of our ever busy lives. We may imagine that we are saving time by dashing in, roaming the aisles and throwing whatever looks good into the cart. Most often, what we end up with is repetitive, nutritionally unbalanced meals and ballooning grocery bills. Or worse, frequent fast-food stops and pizza calls. Brighten your meals and save time and money by planning ahead ? an added bonus you may even save a few calories.

Some money saving tips:

? Before you visit the grocery store each week, check out the Sunday circulars. Clip coupons while you watch television or get your children to lend a hand. Organization is the key to the coupon game, so invest in an accordion coupon file. Trust me, it's infinitely easier than rifling through small slips of paper or finding yourself without the coupon you need when you get to the store. You can find some very user friendly organizers for around $10.00 at sites such as www.galison.com.

? Look through the food section of your local newspaper. You'll get some great ideas about bargains to look for as well as what produce, seafood, etc. is in season. The circulars and the food section are two places to begin building a weekly menu, that isn't boring, on a budget. It's also a good idea to comb the Internet. There are a wealth of sites offering ideas for budget menus.

? Consider joining a shopping club such as Sam's or Costco. If you don't have the storage space, but would like to benefit from the savings and convenience of buying in bulk share the bounty with a friend. You can each take a turn shopping from a list once a month or so.

? Keep your receipts for a month or so and notice the high, low and average prices on the items you buy most. When the price hits its low, buy a few so that you can skip it when it slides into the high range.

? Experiment with 5 ingredient meals. There are a number of books, videos and web sites that help you make great meals with only a few ingredients even on weeknights.

? Check out sites like www.cutouthunger.org/get_coupons!.htm; www.refundsweepers.com; www.refundcents.com; and www.aplusfreestuff.com for information on rebates, refunds, freebies and other savings. If you do take advantage of rebates, complete forms meticulously and keep copies of receipts, UPC, proof of purchase documentation and contact information for the vendor.

? Include your local grocer's weekly circular in your savings plan. When store sales are coupled with the savings cards now offered by many grocer's you can save hundreds of dollars each year.

? Pay attention to promotionals. Some grocer's offer reward if you spend the target amount within a specified period. Rewards generally include a percentage off of your grocery bill at a later date or cash back.

? Curb impulse buying. Grocer's have developed their floor plans with your dollars in mind; the object, get as many as possible with proper product placement. Learn the layout of your store and make a beeline to your destination. Temptation is especially tough in the check out aisles. Fight the urge to succumb to these powerful marketing practices by making, and sticking to, a list.

? Try not to shop when you are starved. It makes sense that you are more vulnerable to impulse buying when you are hungry.

? Make a budget and take a calculator to the store.

? Compare prices. Store brands are not necessarily least expensive. Take just a moment to scan the shelves for best prices on the items you buy. When comparison shopping, make sure to take note of per unit costs.

? Look below eye level. Bargain priced items are often shelved below eye level and out of your immediate view.

Grocery shopping can take a big chunk out of your budget if you are not careful. With just a small investment of time you will realize savings that you can take to the credit union.

Nicole Soltau is the President and Founder of http://CreditUnionRate.com - The Leading Credit Union Directory Search, Find, Join.

---

Debt Management ? More Ways to Save on Gas Consumption

The price of gas continues to climb, and with continued... Read More

A Fresh Start for Family Finances in 2005

While 40% to 50% of us make New Year's resolutions... Read More

Help With My Annuity

The cries are heard from the distance, "I need help... Read More

How To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime that continues to grow.... Read More

Make or Break Your Retirement!

The Prudential has dubbed those who refuse to leave home... Read More

Top 10 Ways Managing Your Money Is Just Like Riding a Bike

An avid cyclist and bike racing fan, I sit transfixed... Read More

How To Place an Online Order for Checks ? It is Easy as 1-2-3

If You Have an Existing Account and 5 Minutes, You... Read More

Money Saving Tips. Maximize Savings on Everyday Items!

Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion.... Read More

Vacations Made Easy: Buying a Florida Investment Property

Vacations Made Easy: Buying a Florida Investment PropertyA relaxing beach... Read More

Your Dry Cleaner?s Double Standard

Women are charged more for dry cleaning services. Don't fume,... Read More

Save Money on your Clothing Budget. Tame the Closet Monster!

Reducing the clothing budget was a serious challenge for me.... Read More

The Changing Shape of Family Finances

Super-mumsIt seems that the proof of maternal efforts is no... Read More

Whats The Truth Behind Your Finances?

Between 15 - 20% of people in our country (UK)... Read More

Reporting Identity Theft

Would you know what to do if you suspect that... Read More

The World is Not Enough - Calling for a More Ethical Approach to Personal Finance

At a time when the entire world's attention is focused... Read More

Identity Theft is a Major Problem: Whose Responsibility is It to Protect the Consumer?

We have heard a lot about consumers' personal information getting... Read More

Budgeting -- The Critical Flaw That Causes Most Budgets to Fail

Budgeting. It's a word we're all familiar with. Everyone knows... Read More

Take Control and Master Your Kitchen

Those who keep a watchful eye on where their money... Read More

5 Ways to Absolutely Destroy Your Finances!

Ben Stein has a book called How to Ruin Your... Read More

10 Tips To Save Money When Dining Out

Here are some tips that can help you save money... Read More

Save Money Off Your Home Utility Bills

Many don't realize that our basic utility bills provide the... Read More

Accessing Funds You Never Knew You Had- Household Utilities and Mortgage Expense Reduction Plan

For most of us the process of getting out of... Read More

Check Facts and Figures

Are you a check fanatic? Don't worry, you aren't alone.... Read More

Chex Systems ? Why Every American Needs To Guard His Checking Account With His Life

Most Americans have been brought up to be concerned about... Read More

Roth IRA Contributions - IRS Rules

Confused about whether you can contribute to a Roth IRA?... Read More

How to Save Money in a Grocery Store

Now there are ways to save money in the grocery... Read More

Tips To Save Money At The Supermarket

Are you interested in saving money off your grocery bills?... Read More

How to Choose Wisely a Credit Card

So, you've made the decision to apply for a credit... Read More

Know Thy Finances

The first step to financial success lies in knowing your... Read More

Single Mother and Learning how to Save

Saving may seem easier if you were saving for a... Read More

Im Broke, How Can I Afford...

I'm still amazed every time someone comes to me complaining... Read More

Creating A Household Budget

Creating a budget can be a very difficult task. Although... Read More

Bank On It: Places to Hide and Invest Money

Today I passed a thermometer at a bank that read... Read More