Practical Application: Hints for Reducing Your Grocery Bill

Hints for Reducing Your Grocery Bill (taken from Crown Financial Ministries)

Always use a written list of needs.

Try to conserve gas by buying food for a longer time period and in larger quantities.

Avoid buying when hungry (especially if you’re a “sugarholic”).

Use a calculator, if possible, to total purchases.

Reduce or eliminate paper products—paper plates, cups, napkins (use cloth napkins).

Evaluate where to purchase sundry items, such as shampoo, mouthwash. (These are normally somewhat cheaper at discount stores.)

Avoid processed and sugar-coated cereals. (These are expensive and most of them have little nutritional value.)

Avoid prepared foods, such as frozen dinners, pot pies, cakes. (You are paying for expensive labor that you can provide.)

Determine good meat cuts that are available from roasts or shoulders, and have the butcher cut these for you. (Buying steaks by the package on sale is fairly inexpensive also.)

Try store brand canned products. (These are normally cheaper and just as nutritious.)

Avoid products in a seasonal price hike. Substitute or eliminate.

Shop for advertised specials. (These are usually posted in the store window.)

Use manufacturer’s coupons (cents-off on an item or items) only if you were going to buy the item anyway and it is cheaper than another brand would be without the coupon.

When possible, purchase food in bulk quantities from large discount stores; the per-item cost is cheaper. Do not buy from convenience stores except in case of emergency.

Avoid buying non-grocery items in a grocery supermarket except on sale. (These are normally “high mark-up” items.)

For baby foods, use normal foods processed in a blender.

Leave the children at home to avoid unnecessary pressure.

Check every item as it is being “rung up” at the store and again when you get home.

Consider canning fresh vegetables whenever possible. Make bulk purchases with other families at farmers’ markets and such. (NOTE: Secure canning supplies during off seasons.)