50 Tips for Grocery Shopping

Every Tuesday is Finance & Family Day at Zen Habits.

As you might already know, I’ve got a big family — the wife and I plus six rugrats. Plus a cat and a dog. We can go through an awful lot of food. Groceries (along with the rent and car and gas) are one of our biggest expenses. I allocate as much in our budget as I can to groceries, simply because I want to make sure we’re never short on food. Also, cooking our own food is just so much less expensive than eating out.

And as I figure that most of my readers, whether they have big families or not, go grocery shopping now and then, I thought I’d pass along some of my favorite tips. These are not all my original tips — I’ve picked up dozens over the years from magazines, books and websites. But these are the best of them, plus some I’ve figured out on my own.

So pick and choose from among these tips, which I hope will be of use to you and your family:

Always go with a list. If you go without a list, you may as well just throw your money away. Better yet, donate it to me — I probably need it more than you. :) Seriously, though, you need to prepare a list of everything you need, pulling from your weekly menu (next tip) and checking to make sure you don’t have it in your pantry, fridge or freezer. Make sure you’re not forgetting anything. Now stick to that list.
Plan out a weekly menu. This is the best way to ensure that your list is complete, and that you have enough to serve your family dinner for the week. I often plan a weekly menu and then duplicate it for the next week — this way I can shop for two weeks at once. Be sure to plan a leftovers night.
Don’t go when you’re hungry. This is a common tip, but it’s true: when you’re hungry, you want to buy all kinds of junk. You’ll end up spending a lot more. Eat a good meal first, and you’ll be more likely to stick to your list.
Have a budget. When I go to the store, I know exactly how much I can spend. Then I try my best to stick within that limit. If you don’t know how much you can spend, you’ll certainly spend too much.
Do a rough running tally. Related to the above tip, if you want to stay within your budget, it’s best to know where you’re at. Then, when you can see you’re going to go above it, you can decide whether you really need that 10-lb. box of bon bons. I keep a running tally on my grocery list, just rounding off so I can do some quick math. An item costs $1.85? I say $2. Then I don’t need a calculator or all those complicated math skills.
Keep a list on your fridge, and write things down immediately. When you run out of something, don’t leave it to your memory. Jot it down immediately, and you’ll never have to run back to the store because you don’t have eggs.
Make a pantry checklist. Make a checklist of everything you normally stock in your pantry. Keep it posted on the pantry. Put a slash next to each item for the number of items you have (if you have two cans of stewed tomatoes, put two slashes). Then, when you use something, turn the slash into an x. This makes it much easier when it comes time to make your list.
Keep things stocked for quick-n-easy meals. Easy meals for us might be spaghetti or mac-n-cheese or a quick stir-fry. We’ve always got the ingredients on hand, so we can whip something up fast when we’re feeling lazy.
Buy in bulk when it makes sense. If you can save money, over the course of a month or two, by buying in bulk, plan to do so. But be sure that you’re going to use all of it before it gets bad — it isn’t cheaper to buy in bulk if you don’t use it.
Keep your receipts, then enter into a spreadsheet. This will be your price list. Use it so you know when bulk or sale items are a good deal. It’s also a great way to comparison shop between stores — buy your baking goods in Store A but your fresh fruits in Store B. The spreadsheet can also serve as a checklist to use when you’re compiling your shopping list.
Buy frozen veggies. While fresh veggies are a little better, frozen veggies are almost as good, and much better than nothing. And since you can keep them in the freezer, they rarely go bad.
When you’re running low, write it down. Don’t wait until you run out. when you see there’s only three toilet paper rolls left, put it on your list. Because when you run out, it will be too late. :)
Cut back on meat. Meat is expensive. We have vegetarian meals several times a week (think pasta or chili) and for other meals, you could just use a little meat as a kind of seasoning instead of the main ingredient — think Asian, Indian and other such cultural food. Actually, I eat vegetarian all the time, but the wife and kids do a little of each.
Pack your own lunch snacks. Buying pre-made snacks is convenient, but a big waste of money. Buy little baggies and buy the snacks in bulk, then it will take just a few minutes to pack some snacks for lunch each day.
Make leftovers for lunch. Plan to cook a bit extra for each dinner, so that you’ll have leftovers for your lunch and for the kids’ lunches. Pack it right away, after dinner, so you don’t have to worry about it in the morning.
Cook a lot, then freeze. Alternatively, you can cook a whole mess of spaghetti (for example) and freeze it for multiple dinners. A great idea is to use one Sunday and cook a week’s (or even a month’s) worth of dinners. Plan 5-6 freezable dinners and cook them all at once.
Always have batteries, toilet tissue and light bulbs. And other necessities that you always seem to run out of — buy a whole bunch when they’re on sale, or buy in bulk. Be sure to check to see if you have these items before you go to the store.
Try crock pot dinners. We discovered these in the last year, and they are easy and cheap and tasty. Cut up a bunch of ingredients, throw them in the pot in the morning, and have dinner ready for you when you get home. Can anything be more perfect than that? I submit that it cannot.
Clip coupons. I know, sometimes they seem like too much trouble. But it’s not really that hard to clip a few coupons and toss them in a coupon envelop to take on your grocery shopping trip. And you can save 10-20% of your bottom line with coupons. Check store entrances, newspaper and flyers for coupons.
Only use coupons for items you were already planning to buy. Don’t let them trick you into buying something that’s not on your list, just to “save” money.
Look for specials. Every store has specials. Be sure to look for them in the newspaper, or when you get to the store (they often have unadvertised specials — look on the higher and lower shelves for deals). Don’t buy them unless they’re things you always use.
Try the store brands. Brand names are often no better than generic, and you’re paying for all the advertising they do to have a brand name. Give the store brand a try, and often you won’t notice a difference. Especially if it’s an ingredient in a dish where you can’t taste the quality of that individual ingredient.
Cut back on your “one-item” trips. They waste gas, and almost inevitably, you buy more than that one item. If you plan ahead, make a weekly menu, and shop with a list, this should drastically reduce the number of trips you make for a small number of items. But if you still find yourself running out for a few items, analyze the reason — are you not making a good list, are you forgetting some items from your list? Stock up on the things you frequently go out for.
Sugar cereals are a bad buy. Lots of money for no nutrition. Look for whole grain cereals with low sugar. Add fruit for better flavor.
Be watchful at the register. Keep an eye on the scanner — you’ll keep the cashier on his toes, and catch any mis-priced items.
When there’s a sale, stock up. Sale items can be a great deal. If it’s an item you normally use, buy a bunch of them.
Comparison shop. Look at the different brands for a certain type of product, including store brands. Sometimes there will be a significant difference. Be sure you’re comparing apples to apples — you need to divide the price by the amount (ounces, pounds, etc.) in order to get the comparable unit price.
Go during slow times. One of my favorite times to shop is late at night. But during working hours or other non-peak times is good too. Avoid right after 5 p.m., on paydays and near major holidays.
Know when the store stocks its fresh fruits and veggies. In my area, that makes a big difference. Fruits and veggies can go bad quickly, because they have to be shipped. So I know that the store re-stocks on Thursdays, and so I usually go on Thursdays or Fridays, otherwise I’ll be getting old items.
Plan one big trip a month for bulk staples. You can get fresh items at another store on other weeks, but doing a big bulk trip will cut back on the expense and amount you have to carry for the other three weeks. Avoid buying on impulse at the bulk store too — just because they sell a lot of it doesn’t mean you’re saving, if you weren’t planning on buying it in the first place.
Avoid trips to the corner store. Or the gas station! These are some of the most expensive stores. (Ranking right up there with airport stores.)
Try co-ops. You can often save a lot of money at these types of places for staples.
Consider shopping at two stores. There’s no store with a monopoly on savings. Each has savings on different items on different weeks. You might switch between two stores on alternate weeks.
Think deep freeze. If you really want to save, you’ll need a big freezer. Ask around — someone you know might have a relatively new model they don’t need anymore. You can use freezers to stock up on meat, frozen veggies, and similar staples, and to freeze big batches of pasta, casseroles, and other dinners you prepare ahead of time.
Use everything possible. Got a bunch of leftover ingredients (half an onion, a bit of tomato, some pasta, a few other veggies?) … combine them for a quick meal, so that these don’t go to waste before your next grocery trip. The more you can stretch the food, and the less you waste, the less you’ll spend in the long run.
Don’t waste leftovers. Have a list on your fridge of what leftovers are in there, so you don’t forget about them. Plan a leftover night or two, so you’re sure to eat them all. Pack them immediately for lunch, so they’re ready to take the next morning.
Don’t buy junk food (or buy as little as possible). Junk food not only costs a lot of money for about zero nutrition, but it makes you and your family fat and kills you. Talk about a bad deal! Opt for fruits and veggies instead.
Rain check. If an item is on sale but the store has run out of stock, ask for a rain check.
Go when the kids are in school. When you bring kids, they will pester you and pester you until you buy some kind of junk food. Even if you’re able to stick to your guns, it’s not pleasant saying no 10 million times. In most cases, you’ll save money shopping without the kids.
Go for whole foods. The processed kind is lacking in nutrition and will make you fat. Look for things in their least processed form — whole grain instead of white or wheat bread, fresh fruit instead of canned or juice, whole grain cereal or oatmeal instead of all other kinds of cereal. You get the idea.
Read labels. Look for trans fat, hydrogenated oils, high amounts of sugar, saturated fat, lots of sodium, cholesterol. Then avoid them like the plague. Look instead for fiber, good fats, protein, vitamins, calcium.
Clean out your fridge. You’ve got stuff growing in there and turning from solids to liquids. The leftovers have begun to organize their own political party. Toss em out and make room for the new.
Stick to your list. Avoid impulse buys. They are almost always bad, and even if it’s just a couple dollars, they will add up to $50-100 for a trip. Over the course of a year, that can mean thousands. Tell yourself you will not buy anything that’s not on your list unless it’s an absolute necessity (why isn’t toilet paper on my darn list?).
Use store savings cards. These can add up to big savings over the long run.
Cut back on your restaurant eating. It’s never cheaper or more nutritious than eating at home. Plan your dinners (see above tip) and bring your lunches to work and save a ton of money.
Avoid frozen dinners or prepared entrees. Again, these cost way more and are usually much less nutritious.
Drink water. If you regularly drink iced tea, Tang, sodas or other types of drinks, cut those out completely and just drink water. It’s much better for you, and much cheaper.
Prepare your grocery list by aisle. If you regularly shop at the same stores, organize your list so that you can easily find and check off items as you walk down the aisle. We always shop from right to left, so we’re not constantly running back and forth in the store.
Get cloth grocery bags. You’ll save tons of plastic over time, and help the environment tremendously.
Pack healthy snacks for the kids. Whole wheat crackers, popcorn, cut-up fruit, raisins, and other kid-friendly snacks are much better than the junk you often see in kids’ lunches. And cheaper.

What are your tips? Add to this list in the comments.

Other family day articles:

50 Tips for Grocery Shopping

Every Tuesday is Finance & Family Day at Zen Habits.

So pick and choose from among these tips, which I hope will be of use to you and your family:

Always go with a list. If you go without a list, you may as well just throw your money away. Better yet, donate it to me — I probably need it more than you. :) Seriously, though, you need to prepare a list of everything you need, pulling from your weekly menu (next tip) and checking to make sure you don’t have it in your pantry, fridge or freezer. Make sure you’re not forgetting anything. Now stick to that list.
Plan out a weekly menu. This is the best way to ensure that your list is complete, and that you have enough to serve your family dinner for the week. I often plan a weekly menu and then duplicate it for the next week — this way I can shop for two weeks at once. Be sure to plan a leftovers night.
Don’t go when you’re hungry. This is a common tip, but it’s true: when you’re hungry, you want to buy all kinds of junk. You’ll end up spending a lot more. Eat a good meal first, and you’ll be more likely to stick to your list.
Have a budget. When I go to the store, I know exactly how much I can spend. Then I try my best to stick within that limit. If you don’t know how much you can spend, you’ll certainly spend too much.
Do a rough running tally. Related to the above tip, if you want to stay within your budget, it’s best to know where you’re at. Then, when you can see you’re going to go above it, you can decide whether you really need that 10-lb. box of bon bons. I keep a running tally on my grocery list, just rounding off so I can do some quick math. An item costs $1.85? I say $2. Then I don’t need a calculator or all those complicated math skills.
Keep a list on your fridge, and write things down immediately. When you run out of something, don’t leave it to your memory. Jot it down immediately, and you’ll never have to run back to the store because you don’t have eggs.
Make a pantry checklist. Make a checklist of everything you normally stock in your pantry. Keep it posted on the pantry. Put a slash next to each item for the number of items you have (if you have two cans of stewed tomatoes, put two slashes). Then, when you use something, turn the slash into an x. This makes it much easier when it comes time to make your list.
Keep things stocked for quick-n-easy meals. Easy meals for us might be spaghetti or mac-n-cheese or a quick stir-fry. We’ve always got the ingredients on hand, so we can whip something up fast when we’re feeling lazy.
Buy in bulk when it makes sense. If you can save money, over the course of a month or two, by buying in bulk, plan to do so. But be sure that you’re going to use all of it before it gets bad — it isn’t cheaper to buy in bulk if you don’t use it.
Keep your receipts, then enter into a spreadsheet. This will be your price list. Use it so you know when bulk or sale items are a good deal. It’s also a great way to comparison shop between stores — buy your baking goods in Store A but your fresh fruits in Store B. The spreadsheet can also serve as a checklist to use when you’re compiling your shopping list.
Buy frozen veggies. While fresh veggies are a little better, frozen veggies are almost as good, and much better than nothing. And since you can keep them in the freezer, they rarely go bad.
When you’re running low, write it down. Don’t wait until you run out. when you see there’s only three toilet paper rolls left, put it on your list. Because when you run out, it will be too late. :)
Cut back on meat. Meat is expensive. We have vegetarian meals several times a week (think pasta or chili) and for other meals, you could just use a little meat as a kind of seasoning instead of the main ingredient — think Asian, Indian and other such cultural food. Actually, I eat vegetarian all the time, but the wife and kids do a little of each.
Pack your own lunch snacks. Buying pre-made snacks is convenient, but a big waste of money. Buy little baggies and buy the snacks in bulk, then it will take just a few minutes to pack some snacks for lunch each day.
Make leftovers for lunch. Plan to cook a bit extra for each dinner, so that you’ll have leftovers for your lunch and for the kids’ lunches. Pack it right away, after dinner, so you don’t have to worry about it in the morning.
Cook a lot, then freeze. Alternatively, you can cook a whole mess of spaghetti (for example) and freeze it for multiple dinners. A great idea is to use one Sunday and cook a week’s (or even a month’s) worth of dinners. Plan 5-6 freezable dinners and cook them all at once.
Always have batteries, toilet tissue and light bulbs. And other necessities that you always seem to run out of — buy a whole bunch when they’re on sale, or buy in bulk. Be sure to check to see if you have these items before you go to the store.
Try crock pot dinners. We discovered these in the last year, and they are easy and cheap and tasty. Cut up a bunch of ingredients, throw them in the pot in the morning, and have dinner ready for you when you get home. Can anything be more perfect than that? I submit that it cannot.
Clip coupons. I know, sometimes they seem like too much trouble. But it’s not really that hard to clip a few coupons and toss them in a coupon envelop to take on your grocery shopping trip. And you can save 10-20% of your bottom line with coupons. Check store entrances, newspaper and flyers for coupons.
Only use coupons for items you were already planning to buy. Don’t let them trick you into buying something that’s not on your list, just to “save” money.
Look for specials. Every store has specials. Be sure to look for them in the newspaper, or when you get to the store (they often have unadvertised specials — look on the higher and lower shelves for deals). Don’t buy them unless they’re things you always use.
Try the store brands. Brand names are often no better than generic, and you’re paying for all the advertising they do to have a brand name. Give the store brand a try, and often you won’t notice a difference. Especially if it’s an ingredient in a dish where you can’t taste the quality of that individual ingredient.
Cut back on your “one-item” trips. They waste gas, and almost inevitably, you buy more than that one item. If you plan ahead, make a weekly menu, and shop with a list, this should drastically reduce the number of trips you make for a small number of items. But if you still find yourself running out for a few items, analyze the reason — are you not making a good list, are you forgetting some items from your list? Stock up on the things you frequently go out for.
Sugar cereals are a bad buy. Lots of money for no nutrition. Look for whole grain cereals with low sugar. Add fruit for better flavor.
Be watchful at the register. Keep an eye on the scanner — you’ll keep the cashier on his toes, and catch any mis-priced items.
When there’s a sale, stock up. Sale items can be a great deal. If it’s an item you normally use, buy a bunch of them.
Comparison shop. Look at the different brands for a certain type of product, including store brands. Sometimes there will be a significant difference. Be sure you’re comparing apples to apples — you need to divide the price by the amount (ounces, pounds, etc.) in order to get the comparable unit price.
Go during slow times. One of my favorite times to shop is late at night. But during working hours or other non-peak times is good too. Avoid right after 5 p.m., on paydays and near major holidays.
Know when the store stocks its fresh fruits and veggies. In my area, that makes a big difference. Fruits and veggies can go bad quickly, because they have to be shipped. So I know that the store re-stocks on Thursdays, and so I usually go on Thursdays or Fridays, otherwise I’ll be getting old items.
Plan one big trip a month for bulk staples. You can get fresh items at another store on other weeks, but doing a big bulk trip will cut back on the expense and amount you have to carry for the other three weeks. Avoid buying on impulse at the bulk store too — just because they sell a lot of it doesn’t mean you’re saving, if you weren’t planning on buying it in the first place.
Avoid trips to the corner store. Or the gas station! These are some of the most expensive stores. (Ranking right up there with airport stores.)
Try co-ops. You can often save a lot of money at these types of places for staples.
Consider shopping at two stores. There’s no store with a monopoly on savings. Each has savings on different items on different weeks. You might switch between two stores on alternate weeks.
Think deep freeze. If you really want to save, you’ll need a big freezer. Ask around — someone you know might have a relatively new model they don’t need anymore. You can use freezers to stock up on meat, frozen veggies, and similar staples, and to freeze big batches of pasta, casseroles, and other dinners you prepare ahead of time.
Use everything possible. Got a bunch of leftover ingredients (half an onion, a bit of tomato, some pasta, a few other veggies?) … combine them for a quick meal, so that these don’t go to waste before your next grocery trip. The more you can stretch the food, and the less you waste, the less you’ll spend in the long run.
Don’t waste leftovers. Have a list on your fridge of what leftovers are in there, so you don’t forget about them. Plan a leftover night or two, so you’re sure to eat them all. Pack them immediately for lunch, so they’re ready to take the next morning.
Don’t buy junk food (or buy as little as possible). Junk food not only costs a lot of money for about zero nutrition, but it makes you and your family fat and kills you. Talk about a bad deal! Opt for fruits and veggies instead.
Rain check. If an item is on sale but the store has run out of stock, ask for a rain check.
Go when the kids are in school. When you bring kids, they will pester you and pester you until you buy some kind of junk food. Even if you’re able to stick to your guns, it’s not pleasant saying no 10 million times. In most cases, you’ll save money shopping without the kids.
Go for whole foods. The processed kind is lacking in nutrition and will make you fat. Look for things in their least processed form — whole grain instead of white or wheat bread, fresh fruit instead of canned or juice, whole grain cereal or oatmeal instead of all other kinds of cereal. You get the idea.
Read labels. Look for trans fat, hydrogenated oils, high amounts of sugar, saturated fat, lots of sodium, cholesterol. Then avoid them like the plague. Look instead for fiber, good fats, protein, vitamins, calcium.
Clean out your fridge. You’ve got stuff growing in there and turning from solids to liquids. The leftovers have begun to organize their own political party. Toss em out and make room for the new.
Stick to your list. Avoid impulse buys. They are almost always bad, and even if it’s just a couple dollars, they will add up to $50-100 for a trip. Over the course of a year, that can mean thousands. Tell yourself you will not buy anything that’s not on your list unless it’s an absolute necessity (why isn’t toilet paper on my darn list?).
Use store savings cards. These can add up to big savings over the long run.
Cut back on your restaurant eating. It’s never cheaper or more nutritious than eating at home. Plan your dinners (see above tip) and bring your lunches to work and save a ton of money.
Avoid frozen dinners or prepared entrees. Again, these cost way more and are usually much less nutritious.
Drink water. If you regularly drink iced tea, Tang, sodas or other types of drinks, cut those out completely and just drink water. It’s much better for you, and much cheaper.
Prepare your grocery list by aisle. If you regularly shop at the same stores, organize your list so that you can easily find and check off items as you walk down the aisle. We always shop from right to left, so we’re not constantly running back and forth in the store.
Get cloth grocery bags. You’ll save tons of plastic over time, and help the environment tremendously.
Pack healthy snacks for the kids. Whole wheat crackers, popcorn, cut-up fruit, raisins, and other kid-friendly snacks are much better than the junk you often see in kids’ lunches. And cheaper.

What are your tips? Add to this list in the comments.

Other family day articles:

Posted on 15 April 2007 in Finance & Family, Parenting |
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Comments (43)

galnoir Says:

April 15th, 2007, 8:12 am

Great tips—and it’s nice to see just how many of these I already follow (or, at least, try to follow).

My own tips? First, if you’re at a grocery store and not a superstore (e.g., Wal-Mart), don’t buy general merchandise items—cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. The mark-up on these items at grocery stores is astronomical.

Whenever possible, buy produce from the farmer’s market or from an orchard or farm. You’ll sometimes save money, and you’ll always get much better quality for your dollar. For example, in late summer and early fall we can go to the apple orchard and fill a half-peck bag for $5. I can also get red bell peppers at the farmer’s market for about $2/pound, usually 3 or 4 peppers … sometimes I can pay that apiece for red peppers at the grocery store!

You could also try growing your own herbs and veggies. If you rent or just don’t have a big yard, you can still grow some things in containers. I’m giving a container herb garden a try this year; so many recipes call for fresh herbs, yet they can be so expensive ($2-3 for a tiny plastic package) at the store.

Leo Says:

April 15th, 2007, 8:25 am

Excellent tips, galnoir! The last two were ones I planned to add but forgot about. It’s good to see another frugal shopper like myself.

AsmoB Says:

April 15th, 2007, 8:35 am

“45. Cut back on your restaurant eating. It’s never cheaper or more nutritious to eat at home.”

I think “to eat” should be “than eating”

Leo Says:

April 15th, 2007, 9:04 am

Good catch. I’ll change it now.

patti Says:

April 15th, 2007, 9:20 am

Pick your own fruits and veggies. We spent a day picking blueberries; we carpooled with another family, picked for a few hours, and stopped for a quick dip in the lake on the way home. It was a fun day, and the kids loved it! We’ve had frozen blueberries since August (great for smoothies, desserts, and plain old snacking by the handful) for less than $1.00 per quart. We do the same with strawberries, cherries, plums, apples, and pears. We grow a lot of our vegetable, but there is a pick your own asparagus field nearby that I want to try!

Christian Tietze Says:

April 15th, 2007, 9:32 am

Wow that’s really great a list you assembled here!

Since I’m only 19 years old right now, doing my final exams and thus still living at home, some tips just don’t apply to me. But I can’t wait to live alone/have my own family and try all these out to organize my household productively :)

Jess Robinson Says:

April 15th, 2007, 9:48 am

My tip would be to grocery-shop online if you can. While it does cost a little extra to have it delivered, you save on the petrol anyway.

The online site I use (which is that of a normal large supermarket) does a good job. It keeps track of the products I normally buy, keeps a running total or what’s in my basket, and shows me all the current special offers, so I can by extra if it’ll keep and is cheaper.

While it does offer me other items in the categories I’m looking at, I find I’m a lot less tempted to buy extra than I would be if I was actually there.

Recently they’ve started listing recipes and helping me get the appropriate ingredients.

The one thing that does annoy me about shopping for fresh things is, it seems difficult to get the small amounts I need for just one or two meals, so it’s often cheaper to get pre-made or frozen meals than throw out the extra :(

Jess

Matt Says:

April 15th, 2007, 15:02 pm

As a student living on my own these tips were really helpful!! I am not really savvy yet when it comes to all this sort of stuff, so thank you for posting!
One tip I could add (well…probably the only tip I can offer) is that to save coin on groceries, there are some deal finding sites out there that you can join for free. The one I use is mygrocerydeals.com. It is helpful since I have a bunch of supermarkets in the area…it scans for the cheapest prices on the things I am gunning for and tells me where to get them. Very cool…I think there are other sites out there as well that offer thus, but I prefer the one mentioned above.

Cheers

Leo Says:

April 15th, 2007, 16:22 pm

Great comments, everyone! Thanks for all the excellent tips.

paulkdad Says:

April 15th, 2007, 16:57 pm

Wow! This list reminds me of Amy Dacyczyn’s “Tightwad Gazette” (that’s a compliment… great job).

For us, saving on the unimportant things is related to splurging a little on the things that we really, really like. Great coffee is one of those things. But rather than pay $10+ a pound for our beans, we started roasting our own. It reduced the cost to around $4 a pound, and the coffee is simply the best. It took me about 6 weeks to get the process down, but now I’d never go back to commercially-roasted coffee.

I’ve got a brief tutorial on home roasting (http://www.kimmelhome.com/meditations/?p=136) for those who want to try it.

Dave MacLeod Says:

April 15th, 2007, 17:06 pm

Supermarkets put a lot of effort into designing stores to manipulate you and maximise the opportunity for you to pick up items with the highest mark up. There are a couple of things I do to avoid this. 1) Never just grab the item at eye level. Always look on the shelves above and below where the lower margin items are kept. 2) Never buy anything from around the checkouts (this is when you’re at you’re most vulnerable). 3) Rather than following the “natural” route through the market - go to the far corner and then work your way backwards. The added benefit of this (assuming you’re sociable) is that you also have a greater chance of meeting friends and neighbours.

Leo Says:

April 15th, 2007, 18:32 pm

@paulkdad: First, thanks for the flattering comparison to Tightwad Gazette — that’s definitely a big compliment! Second, what an interesting tip about roasting your own coffee. I appreciate the link.

@Dave: Great tips! Thanks for sharing them.

stayfly Says:

April 15th, 2007, 21:17 pm

fantastic tips!!

these will be very helpful to me over the upcoming months and years!

Ann M. Says:

April 15th, 2007, 23:38 pm

All good tips. My tip is for when you do have to run to the store for just a few things. Instead of using a cart, use the little hand-basket. That way you don’t get too many things because it will be too heavy.

Steven Aitchison Says:

April 16th, 2007, 0:37 am

Great tips in here Leo. Great post as always. I would add: do it all online and get your shopping delivered, you can save your list for future shoppings as well.

Leo Says:

April 16th, 2007, 0:44 am

Excellent tip, Steven! Where I live, that’s not an option, but I would definitely give that a shot if I could.

Steve Schapel Says:

April 16th, 2007, 3:57 am

To your tip #41, I would add soy as another ingredient to avoid.

Leo Says:

April 16th, 2007, 3:59 am

Hi Steve … maybe you could elaborate … why would you avoid soy? It’s cheaper than meat and healthier with a lot of nutrients.

Valerie Says:

April 16th, 2007, 6:16 am

Here, we can shop online and pick up groceries at the store 4 hours later. Like Jess said, the online system stores my previous orders. I shop healthier when not faced with marketing at the store (don’t tell the store that).

More importantly, I don’t have to take my kids! No more bribing them with cookies, balloons, etc. to stay in the cart, and we avoid the latest virus hanging out on the grocery cart handle. The fee is only $4.95, and I know I save that in time, money, and stress on all of us.

Kate Says:

April 16th, 2007, 9:26 am

Thanks for your list Leo. Something I have in mind which goes with your Thursday shopping (#29) and galnoir’s comment as well, is plan, buy and eat seasonally. In our days, almost everything is available almost all the time, but at a higher cost.
Go for it once in a while and see it as what it is, a luxury of our times.

Pat Says:

April 16th, 2007, 19:20 pm

What amazes me is that you seem to do the shopping for your family. My biggest way of saving money at the grocery store is to never, never send my husband! :)

Pat Says:

April 16th, 2007, 19:22 pm

I should also add that I really enjoy this site.

Leo Says:

April 16th, 2007, 21:55 pm

Thanks, Pat. Actually, I don’t do the shopping by myself … my wife and I usually go together. We try to share most responsibilities, kind of a teamwork thing. And as we’re both involved in trying to be frugal and get out of debt, shopping together is not a problem — we have the same goals! Thanks for your comments!

Fred Alger Says:

April 17th, 2007, 4:18 am

Right on on the cloth bag recommendation! Our local grocery credits us $0.05 per bag each time we bring ours, which really adds up over time… not to mention reduces our consumption of natural resources. We’ve developed the good habit of bringing our bags by hanging them by our front door or keeping them in our car.

Also, don’t forget walking or biking to the store, if that’s an option. I find that I can put a week’s groceries into a camping backpack, and that I get a terrific workout while transporting them home.

Also, I very much enjoy reading your posts, and am transforming my attitude towards building character — I’m starting to see that by building smaller, consistent habits, I make more of a difference than the difficult and drastic changes I used to attempt. Thanks, Leo!

Leo Says:

April 17th, 2007, 5:50 am

Thanks for the great comment, Fred! Good tips, and I appreciate your comment about your attitude towards habit changes. It can make a huge difference!

Val Ann C Says:

April 29th, 2007, 10:29 am

RE #47 — as an alternative to plain water, you can make iced tea so easily and cheaply. I buy store-brand tea bags. Put 2-3 tea bags in a quart jar of water and leave in the fridge overnight.

To avoid impulse purchases, I bring my own reading material to the store. If I have to wait at the check-out or service desk, I get some reading accomplished and avoid looking the “goodies”.

Kris Says:

June 10th, 2007, 19:19 pm

Looking at the per-ounce cost has helped me most, so I just want to emphasize that. Depending on store specials, brand name items can sometimes be cheaper than generic!

REBEKAH PRINCE Says:

June 24th, 2007, 8:57 am

EXCELLENT HELPFUL READING FOR A NOVICE.

THANK YOU

lori Says:

July 5th, 2007, 0:48 am

On the tip to shop from left to right when shopping I generally shop the side aisles and the frozen foods last in the center aisles.

ramalingams-kuttalam nagai dist tamil nadu Says:

July 28th, 2007, 6:50 am

good better best keep it up.

DebtSecrets (John Dean) Says:

August 28th, 2007, 10:23 am

And for readers in the UK don’t forget to avail of all those cheap bargains which are sold off before closing time!

Les Says:

September 1st, 2007, 22:48 pm

Cut out iced tea? Do you mean the “bought” kind or the made yourself kind? I must point out that tea has Many Good Things for your health, and you should drink it quite frequently: green or regular black tea.

To make your own (my family recipe, handed down): 4 bags of tea to to one-half gallon water (you could make it stronger), add some sweetener (don’t go overboard) and a dash of lemon juice. Or sweeten not at all, or use stevia.

Kelli Says:

November 29th, 2007, 0:04 am

I live in an area with a lot of stores and a lot of competition. Weekends I check the prices on the fliers that are always in my mailbox Thursday or Friday. I then stop at 3 or 4 stores a week with a clear idea of what to pick up - and I do this on my way home from work. As for shopping while I am hungry, especially since I usually am at the end of the day - I go into the store with tunnel vision. I run in, pick up what I want, and run out. What is really annoying, and a way they do get me sometimes, is when they re-arrange the aisles so I have to look all over. I think they do this on purpose so people spend more time and money there…so pretty much if things have been moved around, you have to be doubly careful!

Rachael Says:

December 31st, 2007, 0:36 am

Great Tips! We use a lot of these already and its really helped our budget. One other thing we do. We bought an electric bread-maker and make our own bread. Whole wheat flour and yeast are cheaper and go far. For the price of of a loaf of bread at the market I can bake 4-5 loaves of my own. Plus, it’s awesome to come home from work or shopping to warm, fresh bread.

Mary Says:

December 31st, 2007, 3:11 am

Great tips! I found I do most of this. I would like to add the dollar stores which are becoming more and more popular sometimes have name brand stuff for under a dollar. The one by my house even has a refrigerated isle! Since I can not spring for the Sam’s club card or anything, I have noticed dollar store dinners can significantly cut food costs.

I am the money “gatekeeper” in a household of two, both of us being fresh graduates so things can be really tight. Thank you again!

Sandra Says:

February 25th, 2008, 12:33 pm

Use plastic containers instead of baggies for lunch snacks, sandwiches, etc. Plastic baggies are expensive and add up when you pack your lunches every day.

I NEVER throw out any fresh veggies as they start to go bad. I cut them up, throw them, raw, in the freezer and use them later in soups, sauces, etc.

We have parties and meetings at work that are catered. I take home (This is allowed in my office) veggies, mayo, bagels, cream cheese, etc rather than let my coworkers throw them out (apparently they have enough money to afford throwing these things out?) These things would otherwise sit in the work fridge until someone finally throws them out.

ami Says:

February 25th, 2008, 13:18 pm

We started using nylon bags. They easily fit in your pocket or purse, store in the glove box, hold 30+ pounds, and seem to hold more than canvas bags because of their flexible shape. I bought them for my parents and the inlaws for environmentally friendly christmas gifts! My favorites are from http://www.bangalla.com but you can also get them for less from http://www.chicobag.com. They are very handy and therefore I remember to use them a lot more!

Another tip: take advantage of employer pre-tax health spending plans. Use pretax dollars to buy cold/allergy medicines, pain relievers, contact cleaning solution, antacids and other expensive covered items.

Tad Says:

March 22nd, 2008, 12:53 pm

Great stuff. I personally have been trying to go grocery shopping more often and making my own meals instead of stopping by the convenient fast food. My health and wallet have been more happy for it.

Tad
http://www.mansplace.wordpress.com

Kimberly Says:

April 4th, 2008, 10:35 am

I enjoy coffee very much and don’t like the cheap kind. I find if I grind it very very fine, than I don’t have to use as much for my pot. I set the store’s grinder on espresso or grind it at home with a high powered grinder for a longer amount of time. One of my few indulgences, but cheaper than going to Starbucks!

Renate Says:

April 6th, 2008, 9:51 am

These are great tips, thank you. My fiancee and I recently bought a house that turned out to be much more expensive than the realtor and bank had led us to believe, so we find ourselves in a situation where we have to save on everything that can be saved on, and groceries are definitely one of the things that we spend the most money on today.

Mommy of three Says:

April 17th, 2008, 16:25 pm

Check out the meat section on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (after the mad rush of the weekend). My local grocer marks down meat nearing its sell by date, by 40-60% off. I then plan my meals around the meat purchases I’ve made for that week. The meat is good it just needs to be frozen, something the grocery stores can’t do when selling to consumers.

Alex Says:

April 25th, 2008, 1:46 am

There’s one important tip you left out.
*Choosing the right store and brand.
Always, i mean “always” look around.
For example, Walmart could be on sale on Kool-Aid, and Kmart’s not. You could save somewhere from $1-2 from that.
If Kool-Aid is not on sale anywhere, instead of drinking Kool-Aid, drink some other brand instead. This could save you few extra bucks.

For example, you save $5 a week from using my and this page’s tips. You could have save over $260, and you could get yourself a nice Ipod Touch or Iphone.

If you want more tips or FREEBIES,
visit http://yestofree.com to get all the best deals, samples, coupons, and discounts.
Com’on “Say Yes To FREE”

Ryan McLean Says:

May 4th, 2008, 9:50 am

I went shopping when I was hungry once…bad decision.
I had no money left for the rest of the week
I learnt that lesson the hard way
Thanks for the tips

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