From store layout, to sale items, to all the colorful displays, grocery stores are designed to help you spend as much money as possible.
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Planning
As a consumer, trying to save as much money as possible, you should always plan your trips to the grocery store.
For maximum profits, grocery stores count on impulse buys; those items you buy that you did not intend to purchase. Ever go into a grocery store for milk and eggs, and come out with a cart full of groceries? Well, you’re not alone. We’ve all done it, but with a few helpful ideas outlined below, you can go into the store and come out saving money.
Before you go grocery shopping, plan your list for the week or even the month. Divide your shopping list into three categories: Meats, Produce and misc items such as cleaning supplies and toiletries. When creating your shopping list, think in terms of each meal. For example, once a week you may want to have chicken and a vegetable. Now you have planned and listed four meals with chicken and various vegetables with each. By creating a shopping list according to each meal, you will have an organized list of essentials. If you stay focused on only purchasing items that are on your list, you will be much less likely to indulge on impulse buys.
Once you’re list is created and categorized, come up with a shopping strategy and plan to go where the bargains are located. Also take a look at each store’s weekly specials and gather your coupons .
Often times one store will have great discounts on meats, while another store will have better discounts on fruit and produce. Pick only stores located
within reasonable distance or along your daily travel routes to prevent wasting savings on gas.
Timing
When shopping for meats, timing can be extremely helpful. Most grocery stores stock up for the weekend on Fridays. If possible, shopping Friday nights wil give you a great fresh selection among the bargains. Another strategy is shopping Monday nights. On Mondays, the price of many perishable items, such as meats and fresh produce are reduced for quick sale because it is better to sell at a discount then to not sell it at all!
Depending on the season, you can really save money on produce by buying local. Not only are you helping out your local community, but the produce is fresh, has not been treated with sprays to prolong life longevity, and is cheaper then what you find in the grocery store.
Another secret I have recently discovered myself are various ethnic markets. Many of these markets offer produce and meat at great discounts over the local grocery store chains. You will also find more unique items there then at the grocery.
For non-perishable goods, such as laundry detergents, soaps, paper goods, etc check out your local department department stores. Most often, the cost of these items are much cheaper here then they are at the local grocery store.
Other Suggestions
Ever go grocery shopping hungry? Everything looks great! One suggestion to help remain focused on your shopping list is to never go to the grocery store hungry. I used not give this any thought and afterward walk out of the store with chips and other goodies I originally had no intention of buying! By having a quick bite to eat before I go grocery shopping, I have found I am less likely to stray from my list.
Another idea is to go grocery shopping when you have little free time. If you go to the grocery store when you have the entire day to spend, you will take your time going through each aisle, increasing the chance of buying items you did not plan to buy. However, if you go to the grocery store knowing you only have an hour to spare, you will remain focused on your shopping list and move quicker throughout the store. Quick in and out!
Finally, go grocery shopping alone as often as possible. Ever go to the grocery store with someone? They often will try to tempt you to buy items you that are not on your list. The famous example here are our wonderful children who often require bribes to remain well behaved. Shopping with others, whether it is a friend, spouse or children, will also tend to slow you down. The faster you can get in and out of that grocery store, the more likely you are to remain focused on only those items on your shopping list!
I hope you find these suggestions helpful. Have more advise? Feedback or comments? Let us know! Post below 
Happy Shopping!
