Savvy Grocery Shopping
by Kim Grant

I was in a local grocery store a while ago when I noticed a group of women following a man in an apron up and down the aisles. I was only mildly curious until I realized that as I went about my business we seemed to keep getting in each other’s way. Now I had to figure out what was going on.

As I eavesdropped, I found that these women were learning how to become better shoppers. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the techniques they were learning were ones I used myself. I’d never really thought of myself as a savvy grocery shopper, but when one woman and I reached for a box of cake mix at the same time, and only I whipped out my coupon, I knew I must be doing something right. So I analyzed my shopping habits and came up with these few tips. 

Make a List and Check it Twice

I’ve learned that impulse shopping can kill you at checkout time and if you dare shop hungry, look out. But if you follow a well planned list, you can go into automatic mode, ignoring those “Super Buys” and “Price Checks” that you’ll see plastered throughout the store, and get in and out fast.

Now, I won’t say that I never buy anything that’s not on my list; sometimes there’s such an incredible deal that I can’t pass it up, or if I’ve forgotten an item. But you really can’t go wrong just buying what you’ve planned.

I’ve found that the best way to make a list is to look through the store ads with a marker in hand. I can usually tell just by looking if something I’m used to buying is on sale and I circle items accordingly (this is also the best place to see those “too-good-to-pass-up” deals). Then I come up with a basic meal plan for the week. See what items you already have that need to be used and determine what you’ll need to buy, which can include your circled deals, and write them down. I like to keep a paper on the fridge throughout the week for this. It contains two columns: A) items that I must buy on my next trip, and B) items that are running low in food storage or that I’ll need eventually and might buy now if I see a great deal. Finally, I cross off anything in column B that’s made its way into column A, and prepare my master list.

Rather than heading immediately out the door with my hodge-podge food list, I’ve found that shopping goes more smoothly if I organize my list into relevant categories (e.g., produce, bread, canned goods, baking items, frozen, non-food). Then I’m on my way—well, almost. 

Clip and Save

There are those who prefer a trip to the dentist over clipping coupons, but they really can save you money. There are two ways to make the most of those booklets you get in the Sunday paper each week. You can go through them on the spot and file the ones you’re most likely to use in an organizer or folder. Or, you can save your booklets to use as a reference in the future.

I keep eight manila folders labeled one through eight. Each week, I scan through the coupons and record on a large sticky note any items I might want to buy. I write the names in order, column-style, so I can refer back to them more easily. I stick the list onto the front of each folder as it’s completed and file away the booklets (it only takes about five minutes).

Then, when I have my grocery list made, I see if any of the items I need to purchase have a coupon. I do this by looking at the sticky note on the front of each folder and when a corresponding item comes up, I quickly scan inside based on the item’s position in my hand-written columns (front, middle, or end) and clip it out when found.

This system may seem complex at first, but you’ll get the hang of it so that in ten minutes’ time you can garner up to $10 in savings. And always remember to keep your coupon files tidy and up-to-date. By the time I’ve filled file eight, file one is outdated and needs to be thrown away entirely. 

Click and Learn

The Internet is another great source of information for the savvy shopper. You’ll find websites from which you can print out your own manufacturer’s coupons for the products you need. A few of my favorites are [clevermoms.com] and [coolsavings.com]. You can sign up for no charge and be alerted to some great bargains. And, if you’re really ambitious, the larger grocery chains have online shopping that allows you to search the current price of any item before you even enter the store.

How much time and energy you put into shopping is up to you—naturally, everyone’s schedules and circumstances vary. When I bring my children in tow, however, I’ve found that every ounce of preparation is worth it. I can focus more on keeping my kids entertained than on what I need to buy, and it ends up being a pleasant experience for all of us. But whether you have a large family or a small one, you can go from being an average shopper to a super-savvy one. Just watch out—groups of women may want to start following you around. 

Grocery Shopping List 

Before your next trip to the grocery store, run down this question list, along with your regular shopping list: 

• Did you check your pantry or refrigerator? If you don’t need it, don’t buy it.
• Have you made a menu for the week? Knowing what you plan to cook is your first key to knowing what to buy.
• Can you grow it? It’s probably too late for this year, but plan ahead for the next growing season and determine which produce items you could grow at home.
• Did you check the store’s advertisements? The best deals are probably on the back and front of the flyer.
• Are you going to the best store for your needs? Particularly for non-perishable items like toilet paper or cleaning solutions, a warehouse store may be your best bet.
• Have you eaten? Shopping on an empty stomach is an invitation to impulse buying.

 And while your shopping… 

• Is the name brand really any better? Try the store brand—you’ll probably see there’s little or no difference in quality.
• Are you taking advantage of those coupons or rebates? You can potentially save hundreds of dollars a year by just accepting the discounts companies are offering.
• Is it on your shopping list? If not, consider why it’s in your cart, and if it doesn’t need to be there, take it out now.
• Is your gaze only eye level? Many times, the best deals are on upper and lower shelves. The most expensive brands are at eye level in order to grab your attention.
• Are you watching the scanner? Human error can sometimes result in a higher grocery bill. Keep your checker alert.

LDS Living Magazine