Grocery Shopping

 Howdy everyone!  Yesterday and today are grocery ad days.  I usually get a copy on Wednesday (as sales start then), and another copy on Thursday.  I look at them every week - but many weeks I don't go shopping.

There is no need to for me - as I have plenty here.  If I see a great deal, I will go and try to participate.  Of course there are the clearance aisles - I love to look there.

There are a lot of little tips that can save you some money if you just take the time to plan.

REMEMBER:

The front page of the ad is probably the best deals of the ad.  It has all the items that are marked really low trying to draw you in, and it is often fresh items. (Loss leaders).  The stores don't make much money on those items - but they are used to bring you in and thus you buy those and MANY MORE items!

The remainder of most ads is junk and non-healthy items.  Highly processed foods, junk food, and non food items make up remainder of ad.

Think about sales and stock-up accordingly.  There are a couple ways to save.

Seasonal sales - the things we all buy at certain times of the year.  Hotdogs, condiments, turkey, ham, cream soups, baked beans, fresh citrus, apples, etc.

Cyclical sales  - sales that hit every so many weeks.  Kind of watch and keep track.  Usually these happen every 6, 9 or 12 weeks.  You can usually figure out the schedule.  Keep at least enough of those items to last until the next time.

Clearance - ALWAYS check the clearance sections.  Items are not necessarily about to become dated (best by) - they are most often over stock.  Crazy as that sounds - it is what happens at a lot of stores.  You would think they would like having extra stock - but no.  I was told by my grocer that once they fill the regular aisle up - all extra gets marked down and put in clearance.  So the same item can cost 2 different prices at the same time.  They want nothing in their back rooms.  This is something we all need to remember - as it means that WHAT YOU SEE IS ALL THERE IS!!!!!!!  This is why a grocery can be wiped out of stock in an emergency in no time.  Kind of scary.

Check produce, bakery, dairy, meat sections as well for markdowns.  Those areas generally have markdowns when getting close to sell by or best by dates.  Get it and can or freeze it!!!!

Shop the perimeter of the store for the healthiest products.  Think about it - produce, deli, meat, and dairy are all on the perimeter.  These are the REAL foods!   Highly processed foods are in the middle of the store.

Look high and low - for better prices.  Generally the most expensive items are at eye level - that is where you look first and they know it.  Off brands and store brands are usually up or down.  Most times the quality is the same of better.  You would be amazed at how many different brands are processed at the same facility and just labeled differently!!!!

End caps are highly visual displays made to catch your attention.  They are not necessarily sales!  Chips, pop, processed food - it's all there.  Not usually real food or special prices.  Don't be fooled.

Coupons used to be a great way to save - not so much any more.  Most coupons are for high priced items or highly processed goods.  I remember the days of double and triple coupons and the days of .40 and .50+ coupons.  Those are unheard of today.  I used to go crazy with coupons - and get tons of items for almost nothing.  I could have a deep cart over flowing and maybe spend $10.  Not possible today.  I very seldom use a coupon - maybe for cat food or hair dye - not much else.

If you can find a good coupon for a good product - use it.  That is free money.

Now that gardens are starting to produce - I won't be going to the store much at all.  I would rather spend my dollars at a produce stand if need be.  Our produce stands are mainly local people selling their goods - and I like supporting local.

Take time and watch ads and really study them.  When you find a super sale - stock up!!!  Prices will positively keep going up - no doubt about it.  It is called inflation and supply and demand.  Whatever you can get cheaply now is a dollar saved in the future.  Try to keep yourself stoked up WELL.

REMEMBER last year!!!!!!!  Think about those things that disappeared on the shelves - it could happen again.  Be prepared.

No one knows what the future holds for us.  We have to be able to depend on ourselves.  You and you alone are responsible for making sure you and your families are supplied and prepared.

Be prepared NOT scared or frightened of the future.

So watch your ads and know how they work.  Watch for un-advertised markdowns, clearance and local deals. Check out farm stands and local farmers and growers (you are helping your community). Stock as much as you possibly can and never be stuck without.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN - and HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!!!!