Reduce Your Grocery Bill

1. Carry cash when you go grocery shopping to prevent yourself from over indulgence, unless you live in a bad neighborhood.

2. Make a list that you can follow. By taking the time, t helps you to focus and forces you to prioritize your ingredients. I try to include ingredients that can be used in at least three recipes. For every one ingredient that can only be used in one way, I buy three ingredients to counteract it and motivate me to find more ways to use an ingredient and restrain yourself. Be sure to include sale items on the list.

3. Shop the perimeter. All of the necessary groceries you need are there: produce, dairy, meat, and bread. Everything in between are just fillers: health care items, personal care products, convenience foods, snacks, pet care, etc. You can save a bundle by avoiding them.

4. Look through the weekly sale items on the flyer. By stocking up on sale items, I don't need too many other ingredients because I already have a generous amount of sale items.

5. If you don't already subscribe to a newspaper and aren't interested in doing so, view the weekly flyers online. Do this while you're making your grocery list.

6. Take advantage of coupons. You'd be surprised by how much money you can save by simply using coupons. It may not seem worth it for a ten cents discount, and I can relate to that, but you shouldn't eliminate coupons entirely. Some stores such as Ralph's doubles the coupon discount.

7. For those of you who don't know, when sale items are out of stock, you can ask for rain checks. These rain checks extend the discounted price for a while longer and can be used later.

8. Experiment with generics. I can't understand why some people are against generic products. If you look at the ingredients, the generics usually have the same or similar ingredients. Some generics even taste better. A generous bulk of your money is going towards packaging and paying for the label. So why not cut that cost out?

9. Pay attention to the signs above the aisle. If that aisle doesn't carry anything on your list, walk right past it.

10. Look below eye level. A common marketing tactic is to place the cheaper products below eye level, encouraging consumers to purchase the pricier items.

11. Buy meat in bulk when it's on sale and store it in the freezer. Just label the expiration date and be sure to use it before then. My favorites are boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks, ground beef, and beef chuck steak.

12. Consider how you're going to use an ingredient. For example, if you're planning on using fruit to make cake, you can go for overripe produce that may be a better deal. Cheaper cuts of meat can be used for a recipe that cooks for a longer period of time, allowing the meat to tenderize.

13. Buy seasonal produce at Farmer's Market. Seasonal produce are much cheaper unless grocery stores are having a sale. And even if it's not, they're much healthier because they're grown naturally and not speed ripened. So, you'll be paying a little extra for your health, which is more cost-efficient in the long run. Freeze the leftovers.

14. Take advantage of your freezer. You'd be surprised by how many things can be frozen. Buy in bulk during a sale and freeze the rest for later. That not only reduces our grocery bill, but a full freezer runs more efficiently, reducing your overall electric bill.

15. Reduce your beverage expenses. Filter your water and stop buying bottled water regularly. (I personally recommend having some bottled water in your home for emergency purposes). Restrain yourself from overindulging in sodas. If you must, try a generic brand or wait until it goes on sale. I wouldn't recommend having more than one kind of soda in your refrigerator at a time. Consider buying sugar-free powdered versions that need water. Sugar-free versions are cheaper, and you can add the sugar yourself.

16. Keep an eye out for reduced meat costs. Most grocery stores reduce the cost on meat that'll expire the next day. Try looking for meats that are already marinated to make cooking easier. But if you don't think you'll use it, don't bother wasting your money.

17. Buy candy and chocolate after the Holiday season when the best bargains are available. This forces you to restrain yourself from overconsumption and prevents your overindulgence.

18. A significant amount of your money goes towards the packaging. So rather than spending money on prepackaged items, buy the ziplock baggies and package them yourself.

19. Consider the shelf life. It isn't always a bargain to buy in bulk just because it's on sale if it has a short shelf life or you won't use it right away. Sometimes, you can use the freezer, but, other times, it just isn't a wise investment. Don't bother buying stuff that'll go bad before you have a chance to use them.

20. Store perishable foods properly.

21. Buy less convenience foods, and you'll save a bundle of money. Prepared food is more costly.

22. Check the price per pound on items to evaluate which size offers the greatest bargain.

23. Always inspect your eggs before you buy them. There's nothing you can do once you bring home broken eggs, and the effort just isn't worth it.

24. Discourage bad habits by planning ahead. If you plan to have chicken the next day, thaw it a day or two beforehand. You can even take five minutes to make the marinade and let the chicken absorb its flavor. By having the food ready for you to prepare, it keeps you from stopping by a fast food joint or ordering takeout.

25. Resist the temptation to purchase items by the checkout line. They're intended to entice you, but it's generally not worth it.

26. Before you proceed to the checkout stand, review the contents in your cart. Now's the time to make the responsible choices you couldn't make when you first grabbed he bag of chips.

27. Check your final receipt. I can't tell you how many times I've been overcharged. It's much easier to correct a $3 dispute when it's just happened.

28. Avoid purchasing personal care items and health items at the grocery stores unless they're bargain. Generally, these items are marked up a couple dollars ore than places such as Target or Walmart. But every so often, you come across a steal such as buy 1, get 1 free, in which case, buy.

29. Never shop on an empty stomach. Spending money wisely means that you have to think and behave logically and objectively, something that you're unlikely to accomplish at a grocery store when your stomach is yelling at you to eat everything in sight.

30. Don't shop when you're tired. That's when your blood pressure is low, and your body craves food that'll quickly regulate you such as carbohydrates and sweets.

31. Go alone or have company that'll keep you from splurging all of your money away. It's all about creating an environment that encourages you to be more responsible and goal-oriented.

32. Develop self-control and self-restraint. It's easier said than done, but with every rejection you make towards your self-indulgence and impulses, you'll become stronger. Just remember that it's okay to say no.

33. Until you have the self-control and self-restraint to make responsible choices, don't test your weakness at the expense of your paycheck. Steer clear of aisles that carry foods that you don't need but are likely to purchase.

34. If you're truly intent on buying only a few items, stop by the grocery store during a lunch break and grab a basket, rather than a shopping cart.

35. Find out how much store brand milk is at your gas station. Many people have found the best priced milk there.

36. If you purchased something that isn't edible, call the food company to file a complaint. A replacement coupon is sent to you. Sometimes, positive feedback can also be rewarded with a coupon.

37. Really ask yourself if you need those sale items. It's important to distinguish between proceeding with a purchase because you really want it or if you're just splurging because it's on sale.

38. Shop at grocery stores like Food 4 Less where you bag your own items. By not having to employ baggers, grocery stores are significantly lower.

39. Asian grocery stores sell their produce and meat at a fraction of the cost. I'm not sure exactly why, but it's just the pattern I've noticed. Unfortunately, sometimes the produce isn't very fresh. But I avoid the bad batch by shopping when the produce first gets stocked. Soy products and dairy targeted for lactose-intolerant people will also find great savings here.

40. Make a mental note or jot down how much basic essentials cost at one grocery store and compare the price with another. But keep in mind that a cheaper grocery store further away may not be a bargain when you calculate the cost of gas.

41. Search for bargains in the reduced or discounted carts. You can find some pretty good deals from time to time, and it doesn't occupy much of your time, either.

42. Try finding recipes from cultures that don't use too many ingredients in their recipes as a way to save money. Italians make simple, delicious meals without excessive ingredients. The Japanese traditionally have rice, natto, and a side of pickles. Koreans eat rice and kim chi.

43. Cook twice the amount of food you need and save the rest for another time. Freeze the leftovers.

44. Consume water with your meal. It'll make you fuller quicker, and, that way, you won't eat as much food.

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