Although it is essential to hit savings goals, mature procurement organizations often miss hard-dollar savings. These tips can help unlock these hidden savings.
Whether you use coupons, leverage store loyalty programs, or shop online, there are many ways to save money on your grocery bill. By making small changes, you can save hundreds of dollars a month.
Use a Coupon App
You’ve probably seen coupon-clipping shows on TV and heard about websites that aggregate coupons in one place, but there are also apps with money-saving offers. Some work with retailers to offer cash back on certain products. You redeem the deals by snapping a picture of your receipt, and they’ll deposit it into your account (or send you a check). The app is another excellent option for getting personalized grocery coupons and access to curbside pickup or grocery delivery. It features”Best-Customer Bonus” coupons and in-app discounts automatically loaded into your loyalty card.
Other apps offer digital versions of paper coupons you can clip, personalized shopping lists, and items you’re running low on. Some apps also feature store ads and weekly promotions. For example, a popular app lets you use manufacturer coupons, store coupons, and rewards deals at checkout. You can also find special coupons like Walmart promo code that are linked to your rewards program.
Check Your Grocery List
A well-stocked refrigerator and pantry are essential to healthy eating. It can also help save you money on unnecessary trips to the grocery store (or to a restaurant) and stress in the event of unexpected visitors. When you make your weekly shopping list, stick to it! Visiting the store without a list can lead to impulsive purchases, overspending, and stress. Zigzagging around the store to remember what you need can be a recipe for disaster, especially in those crowded 5:30 rush hours.
Use your grocery store’s specials flyer or website to organize your essential grocery list by food section or category. Categorizing your grocery list helps you stay focused, shop faster, and avoid impulse buying. It can also help compare prices between stores on staple items like cereal, pasta, canned soup, and vegetables. You can even use your categorized grocery list to check off your items at home. This will help you keep your fridge and freezer fully stocked while making space for new foods. Remember to include non-food items like toilet paper, dog food, and other household supplies.
Check Your Coupons
If you’ve ever seen a reality TV show about grocery couponing, you know people can get fantastic deals. But you might need to realize that there are plenty of ways to score coupons besides the ones you find in the Sunday paper or online.
Grocery stores often have in-store coupons, which you can clip from newspaper inserts or save on your phone with an app. There are also online coupon aggregators that search through all available manufacturer and grocery-store coupons to find the best deal.
Some stores also allow you to stack store and manufacturer coupons. However, each store has its policy on how many coupons can be used per transaction, so you’ll want to ensure you have enough in stock before shopping. Check out your store’s coupon policies, usually listed in the coupon FAQ section of the website or printed near the cash register. Also, check your coupons’ expiration dates because some will not accept expired versions.
Look for Deals
It’s worth checking out your local grocery store’s weekly flyer if you shop regularly. Grocery stores typically highlight sale products on these ads, and you can build your shopping list based on them. You can also find these ads online.
Aside from weekly sales, many grocery stores offer other special deals throughout the week. For example, if you buy meat during the meat discount period (usually late Wednesday to Thursday), you can save up to 50%. And if you’re looking to stock up on something you often use, like a box of cereal or a bottle of shampoo, it’s usually cheaper to buy the generic or store brand than the name brand.
Plus, it’s worth comparing their prices if you shop at multiple grocery stores. It may take a few minutes on an aggregator website, but some items are cheaper at one store than another, even after factoring in shipping costs.
Check Your Account
Many stores run sales regularly. Signing up for their newsletter, following their social media pages, and periodically checking reputable coupon websites can help you stay current on the latest promotions and coupons.
When you’re ready to purchase, look for a field labeled ‘Promo Code’ or ‘Discount Code’ on the checkout page. This is where you’ll apply the coupon that you’ve copied earlier. After entering the code, watch as your cart total decreases. It’s a satisfying feeling!
Remember, though, to always keep your spending in check. Adding extra items to your cart that you don’t need or aren’t in the budget can be easy. Sticking to your shopping list and a monthly grocery budget can help you avoid overspending, which can lead to future debt problems. If you’re unsure whether or not you can afford to make a purchase, consider using a credit card that offers cash-back rewards or flexible payment options. This can give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to pay off your debt quickly and avoid unnecessary interest charges.