Lessen Stress: Stay Within Your Grocery Budget

If you are not a conscientious shopper, you can spend ten percent of total annual expenses on groceries. This can cause a great deal of stress because you will always go over your budget. Making a few smart choices can cut hundreds of dollars off your grocery bill annually and help to lessen stress by keeping you within your grocery budget.

1. Never shop when you are hungry. This entices you to pick up articles that you wouldn't normally buy.

2. Shop only at one store unless you find great bargains elsewhere. Driving from one supermarket to another takes gas and wastes valuable time.

3. Look for specials, but be cautious. Premium-priced goods are always placed on shelves at eye level. Look on higher and lower shelves for bargains.

4. Buy no-name brands. These are much cheaper and are often made by the same companies as more expensive brands. The only difference is the label.

5. Shop midweek when sale items are still in stock. Shop early morning, late evening or at mealtime. This will allow you to complete your shopping in a fraction of the time it would take during peak periods.

6. Shop only once a week. If you make frequent trips to the market the impulse to buy unnecessary items will be greater.

7. Compare Unit price. This is the price divided by weight or volume. For instance, if two items are priced at $2.49 but one is a 10-oz package and one is 12 oz., the 12 oz. package is cheaper by the ounce.

8. When buying household cleaners, dish detergent and laundry soap, try generic brands. These items often come off the assembly lines of brand name companies. The only difference is the packaging.

9. Shop only when you are well-rested and alert. This will enable you to calculate bargains more accurately and keep an eye open for errors at the checkout.

10. Shop with a calculator. Add each item you put into your cart so you won't be surprised when your purchases are totaled.

11. Buy staples in quantity when they are on sale. A word of caution here. Only buy what you are able to store and use before the "good before date" expires.

12. Clip coupons or use a preferred customer card. This will take approximately ten per cent off your total bill.

If you follow these tips, you will be pleasantly surprised at your savings. Happy shopping.

There are many other ways to save money on groceries. If you have any suggestions, please be sure to post them in the Discussion Area at the end of this article. Let's promote the Suite motto, "Real People Helping Real People.