Grocery Savings

If you live in a place where the grocery stores really compete with each other it can be a good idea to make a price book. 

It can be an old spiral notebook. Write down the product(s) you normally buy and sizes, too. Write down the prices at each store. Don't forget warehouse stores, if you use them. I would put down price per ounce or pound, too. Just so you can make sure it is a real comparison. 

Check the prices every so often to make sure they didn't go up or down or that there was a sale on that item on the day you priced it. 

This process helps when the grocery stores in your area have sales. In my region the leading grocery store is hands down the lowest prices already so it really doesn't do me any good. Most of the other grocery stores around here only put junk food and soda on sale, usually. I don't even check their circulars anymore. 

Menu planning is also a good way to save on groceries. Plan for the week and don't go to the grocery store without a list for the week. Some plan all three meals for the day. In my house, my boyfriend and I are on our own for breakfast and lunch, as he doesn't usually eat breakfast, works from home and sometimes doesn't even eat lunch. (How can he do that?) I take my lunch to work so I am on my own there, it is usually leftovers from the night before. I only plan our evening meals. I plan for the week but it isn't set in stone what we eat on what night. Now that I make a bit more money we always have at least one night a week of takeout. Sometimes we have a "forage" night where we each eat what we can find to eat. 

Menu planning helps to make sure your grocery list is complete with all you will need to make those meals each day.