How To Start Saving On Groceries

I've had so many people come to me lately and ask how to start saving at the grocery store. After going through the steps with them I thought I should sit down and type it out.

Step 1: Before your next trip to the grocery store take inventory of your freezer, fridge and pantry. See how many meals or partial meals you can come up with from what you already have in the house.

Step 2: Plan at least a seven day menu including the meals you've just come up with. A great way to come up with menu ideas is to check the sale paper and plan from what's on sale. Then make sure you have every ingredient to prepare each meal, including sides and veggies. Make your grocery list based on what you need from the store to cook these meals. Don't forget to plan for breakfast, lunch, snacks and desserts.


Step 3: Now that you have your list made get out your coupons (if you don't clip them now is the time to start, my local library has a box where you can pick them up for free) match coupons with what is on your list. If the store has a great deal (especially if you have coupons to go along with it) on things you use regularly go ahead and buy two or three of them. If it's a great sale on meat you like then buy extra and freeze for another week. Doing this will slowly build you a stockpile so when there are weeks when you need to cut back on your grocery budget you can use what you have.

Following these steps will enable you to see a gradual savings and in a matter of months you should see a more significant one.