Need ideas to cut grocery costs

Oooh great question! How about these tips? - Buy one get one free is only good if you would use two of the item. There is no point if you let one go to waste. - Freeze anything that is on special so it doesn't go to waste. - Go shopping with a friend so you can buy in bulk or buy bigger amounts - then when you get home split the cost and split the item into two containers. - Don't go to the store when you are hungry - it just makes you pit more food in the basket!

I've been using grocery cards, coupons and sales to save money at the grocery store. I haven't had any good coupons lately though. When I was getting good ones, and buying only what was on sale, or on special, or with a coupon I was saving about 30 bucks per shopping visit! I was so proud of myself. I need to start clipping coupons again. I have been skipping cutting them from the last several newspapers because we had stocked our freezer from Sam's Club and I don't think they take coupons.

If you are going to eatit in the next day or so, don't be afarid of the "reduced" produce rack. I have gotten many vegatables that are still good from there for much cheaper. If things are really ripe, turn them into soup like gazpacho in the Summer, or stews in the winter. Same goes with meat, my supermarket often has "manager specials" on meat that had a sell by date in the next day or so. This meat can be taken home and frozen, or cooked that day and eaten. Sounds like you are already going down a good road or shopping the sales, and using coupons. I also try to research the markets in my area to see which have the lowest prices generally.

Try buying generic/store brands. There are so many items out there that the generic/store brand is just as good as the name brand items. And the generic/store brands are always cheaper. Awhile back I did a little research to see just how much I saved by buying generic/store brand items. While I was shopping I wrote down the prices for both generic/store brand and name brand. If my memory is correct. The difference was like $40. Had I bought all name brand I would have spent $40 more. Best of luck and hope this helps!

You know, one of the things I find most effective is knowing what you *need* before you go. Planning a menu for the week is just invaluable - then getting you shopping list from that. The problem with some specials (and even coupons) is that you can sometimes buy stuff you don't need - you might be saving money vs buying at full price, but you are still spending more than you need to! I have seen a guy buy 5 spatulas...just because they were 5c each... This is where recipe software really pays for itself. I've tried a few now (DVO etc), but settled on EzyEating...it was just the best price vs value! Jim