If you are like me, you love to get a great deal. Here are some great tips to maximize your savings!
1. Make a plan. Plan meals before you shop so you stick to only what you need.
2. Don't get sucked in by sale prices. Those prices are not always as great as they seem. Carry a calculator for quick math to see how the sale price compares with the regular price. to get a steal, wait until the price is at least 50 % below the regular price or it's a buy-one-get-one-free...that's a true deal!
3. Start freezing. Buy items you can use to stock your freezer with healthy home cooked meals. Double your favorite freezer friendly recipes as you prepare your regular meals, and prepare one up to the final step. Pop it in the freezer and you've got dinner for a busy evening.
4. Have a storage system. That way you can easily see what you have on hand to determine whether you need to buy more or wait for the next sale to roll around. Put items with the earliest expiration date in front in the pantry so they can be used first, and use bags or baskets to keep like items together. If you buy a lot of frozen foods, have a freezer inventory list so you don't forget about those bags in back.
5. Strategize. You may not want to chase all over town to find sales on what you need, but you can pick up a circular as you enter the store and pay attention to what's listed. TheGroceryGame.com is a site that also follows sales at grocery retailers around the country.
6. Think 12 Weeks. Take advantage of your penchant for planning by learning the system. There are about 15 major sections in supermarkets (frozen foods, dairy products, deli, etc). These categories rotate going on sale every 12 wks. Although there are exceptions, most grocers put 2 to 3 categories on sale in a given week. If you see something on sale, ask yourself if you will need it again in the next 12 wks. If you will, buy it now so you won't pay full price later.
