1. Eat before you shop. Never go shopping on an empty stomach. Even for clothes. With a full stomach, you will be able to concentrate on the prices and health facts more than your rumbling stomach.
2. Make a list. Stick to the list unless you see a deal so great that you can’t help but stock up. Make sure that if you stock up, it’s something that you need and not want.
3. Know your store layout. This helps you shop with your grocery list.
4. Never buy items from end caps. End caps are those shelves that are at both ends of the aisles. The prices may appear to be good, but rarely are. Always go to the aisle and find it on the shelf in its regular spot. Then compare the sizes with the special prices.
5. Always check the food options on the top and bottom shelves. Eye level products are most often hiked up in price. If you look down or up just a little, you are likely to save money.
6. Never buy anything while in the checkout line! This is a bad bad thing. You are going to spend way too much for anything that is there. Read a magazine while you wait in line instead. (Don’t buy the magazine though.)
7. If you must go shopping with your kids, here is what you must do. Give each child a list of items that you need. Depending on the age, you may want to use pictures or easier words. Allow them to help you search for your items that you need. If they are helping you shop for what you need, they will be less likely to shop for the things they want. Put your kids to work and you can promise them a reward for their good shopping manners. Buy a box of fruit roll-ups or an inexpensive box of popsicles. Tell them that they can have it as soon as they leave the store.
8. If you can, always try to buy generic or store brand. This will save you a lot in the long run.
9. Go to your store early or late if you are buying breads. They normally have discounts in the morning or late in the evening to empty their shelves. Or better yet, go to a bread store. Their prices are normally always better.
10. Buy your fruits and vegetables according to the season. If apples are not in season, you can pay almost a dollar per pound more than you would if they were in season. Same goes with all fresh foods.
11. Keep a list of favorite dinners. Keep an ingredients list with it. This will make it easier for you when deciding what to make and what to buy.
12. Designate your days. Sunday-turkey or ham Monday-pasta Tuesday-ground beef Wed-chicken dish Thurs-Fish dish Fri-homemade pizza sat-leftovers (just a general example—fix according to your families likes and dislikes)
