1. Stop throwing away bulk mail circulars.
While you may have tossed store circulars in the trash in the past, you should now pay closer attention to them once they arrive in the mail. They make it easy to see the top deals (such as buy-one-get-one-free) and coupons for the week, which can help shape your shopping list to maximize your savings.
2. Get more involved with your favorite stores.
By involved, we don’t mean volunteering your time. Instead, you should sign up to email newsletters and any store apps that will reward your loyalty with coupons and secret deals directly to your inbox or phone.
3. Plan where you shop.
Instead of doing all of your grocery shopping at one store, plan ahead and split it up to snag the most savings. According to the experts, here’s a breakdown of how you should shop to get the best deals:
- When you need to buy in bulk: Go to Costco, BJ’s, or Sam’s Club.
- When you want the best discounts on random items: Go to dollar stores.
- When you want to buy organic foods: Shop Trader Joe’s instead of Whole Foods.
- When you need to buy your weekly staples to stock your cupboard and fridge: Head to Walmart, Lidl, or Aldi.
- To buy specific items like dairy, eggs, cereal, diapers, hair color, makeup, hygiene or personal care items, or garbage bags: Shop at the drugstore.
4. Never shop without coupons.
There are several ways to find coupons to shave several dollars off your grocery bill. You can start by looking at weekly circulars from stores. If you have specific items to buy that usually have coupons, you can find those discounts online via a Google search or a site like Coupons.com. And, as mentioned, you can also find coupons via store apps that you can download to your smartphone.
5. Use grocery pickup services.
Due to the pandemic, many grocery stores now offer curbside pickup. You select the items you need online, someone gathers them for you, and, when ready, you can pick them up outside the store without having to go in.
While convenient, curbside pickup is an excellent option if you have trouble with impulse purchases. If you can’t go in to shop, you won’t buy things you don’t need that can bloat your bill.
6. Stack savings with cash back apps.
Combine coupons with cash back apps, and you’ll start shrinking your grocery bill in no time. Cash back apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, and Checkout 51 work wonders for stacking savings and are very easy to use.
7. Never overpay by checking the unit price.
Just because something is sold in bulk doesn’t mean it’s the best deal. To avoid complex calculations, just look for the unit price on the shelf. It can help you instantly spot the most affordable option, so you never overpay again.
Section 8 Assist