36.
Watch the cash register
It is estimated that up to $2.5 billion per year is made in scanning
errors. That's a lot of money left on the check-out counter. Supermarkets
often put items on sale at prices that don't always get to the register. Also,
checkers can easily make mistakes when making entries. Check your
receipt carefully.
37. Leave the Kids at Home
Even if you take them with
you, you can easily find something your kids will enjoy more than
following you around the grocery store trying to think of what new
sugar-coated catastrophe to buy. It’s not so much that a box of Puffy
Sugar Bombs costs five bucks that irks, but that the little darlings develop the idea that Puffy Sugar
Bombs are food. This is not good for their health, not good for their
teeth and not good for your budget. Children are only human, so of course
they want to choose a few of the things you buy when you go shopping, and
they haven’t yet developed the native resistance to advertising that you
have. Drop them at a playground, or maybe the library. Frankly, you’re
probably better off leaving your spouse at home too. The more people that
go shopping with you, the more you’re likely to spend.
38. Patronize Farmer’s
Markets
Not only will you
save lots of money at farmer’s markets, you’ll get fresher food and
benefit your local economy. Buying
directly from the grower in-season is also a good way to get food items for
storage that you may not be able to grow for yourself.
39. Pack a Lunch
Going on at trip, or working
outside the home? Try taking food with you instead of stopping along the
way to go to a restaurant or convenience store. Again, you’ll eat better
for less.
40. Own a Freezer and/or Extra Fridge
This is a
large expense that you may not be able to afford right away, but well
worth the money if you can. Finding a used freezer may be difficult,
though, so you may have to buy new. Equally as handy, and probably less expensive
than a freezer, is
a second or third refrigerator. We’ve inherited two extra fridges from
family members who were moving. Since virtually everyone owns a fridge
at least once in there lives, there
are plenty of used ones available. They really expand your ability to
stock up.
41.
Stock up after Thanksgiving
November
and December are the best months of the year to save on groceries. There
are more coupons issued in these two months than at any other time during
the year. The day after Thanksgiving, stores practically give turkeys away
– if they have any left. This is when a freezer or extra fridge comes in
handy. You'll find some great bargains both after Thanksgiving and after
Christmas. A good time to stock up on bargains.
42.
Shop at Larger Stores
This may
not always be good advice, but
the bigger the store, the large the volume, so they can afford to offer
better deals than smaller businesses. Beware though, because larger
stores also have more sophisticated techniques for getting you to spend
more.
43.
Know Your Enemy
Modern
supermarkets, indeed all stores,
are designed from top to bottom to make you want to spend. Nothing is left
to chance. Popular items like milk tend to be at the back of the store,
cheaper items are placed low and high on the shelves and the more
profitable/expensive ones are at eye-level. Most stores advertise “loss
leaders”, extremely inexpensive staple goods to get you into the store
where it’s hoped you’ll fill your cart with normally-priced items. Also
expect tinted lights above meat and produce, automatic sprinklers and
mouth-watering displays. Remember that the basic foodstuffs are
usually located along the outside walls and more processed foods are on
the inner aisles.
44. Volunteer I do volunteer work
for a local food pantry. Many times at closing on Fridays we
have large quantities of produce like strawberries or bananas that won't
keep over the weekend. Rather than throw these items out I take them
home and we make preserves, breads and other items that extend the
shelf-life of the product.
45. Forage If you are a rural landowner
like most homesteaders, then you have an unending supply of food for the
taking. Even a few acres of woodlot will provide nuts, berries,
mushrooms and even a few fruits and vegetables, like paw-paws, persimmons,
ramps and wild garlic during the warm months.
46. Barter I purposely haven't mentioned
raising your own milk, eggs and meat, because whether or not that proves
to be money-saving option or not depends on your management skills
and is the subject of another article altogether, but if you do keep
livestock and poultry, the chances are good that at times you will have
more milk, eggs and possibly even more meat than your family can use.
When you do, these are the gold standard of barter.
47.
Eat First, Then Shop Never,
never, never go into a grocery store hungry or tired.
48.
Avoid Items Sold at the Checkout Counter
Stores feature single serving pies, cans of soda and other items at the
checkout that are usually much more expensive. Relax, you’ll be home soon
enough.
49. Buy Frozen Fresh produce is
appealing, but items such as broccoli, green peppers and strawberries are
considerably cheaper when purchased from the frozen aisle. Most frozen
items still carry the same health benefits. If you can’t get it at a
farmer’s market, you’re better off getting many items frozen.
More Money-saving Ideas from the Readers of Homestead.org
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