Saving Money on Groceries - What to Avoid

There are many things you can do to save money on groceries, including clipping coupons and shopping sales. However, consider some things you want to avoid when you want to trim your grocery bill.

1. Avoid being brand loyal.

This means buying the same brand repeatedly, no matter what. You don’t need to buy generic products, but try other brands when you have a coupon or they’re on sale, or if you notice they’re just cheaper than the brand you normally purchase.

2. Don’t buy nearly expired items.

You won’t save any money if you need to toss out groceries before you can use them. Check expiration dates especially for sales items and don’t buy anything you know you won’t use before it spoils.

3. Don’t buy something you won’t use just because you have a coupon.

A deal is not a deal if you buy something you won’t use, no matter how much money you might save. Be cautious about using coupons on foods you’ve never tried, cleaning products you know you’ll never use, and anything else that will simply go to waste.

4. Don’t overspend just to save.

Sometimes you need to buy a certain amount of groceries to take advantage of sales or to get discounts. If you are overspending in one area just to save in another, you haven’t really saved anything. Be careful of limitations and exclusions when shopping.

5. Don’t cook haphazardly.

Match your menu to items that are in season, which can be bought in bulk, and which are on sale. This may take some extra time but cooking haphazardly can mean needing ingredients for which you’ll pay full price and missing out on savings on seasonal items.

6. Avoid convenience foods.

Convenience foods may be necessary at times but they are usually more expensive, sometimes two or three times the price of other items. Plan your schedule or do whatever is necessary to cook on your own rather than relying on convenience foods, precooked items, and other more expensive but more convenient grocery items