Best Practices for Grocery Shopping

Going shopping for groceries can be expensive with the price of food rising, no matter what the government statistics about prices are supposedly telling us. The shopper should follow certain proven ways and others of common sense to lower the bill as much as possible.

Try to visit the supermarket as infrequently as possible. While you are there, no more than twice a week, purchase everything that is needed. If something important is forgotten you can go to a smaller more expensive market. Don't make this a habit because you will consistently pay more at smaller stores. These stores do not have the purchasing power of larger stores that keep prices down.

Buy store brands when possible. They are of the same quality but for less money. The old tale of not going to the market when hungry has some validity. When you do so, unconsciously more food is purchased and some of that food you will not eat and it is wasted money.

Try to visit the food warehouses that require an annual fee. Here you can purchase large quantities of staples like soda and toilet paper. In the long run, you can save more money here, even more than at the supermarket. When grocery shopping, try to pay with cash. In this way the food will not remain on your charge card adding to the debt. Also, more control can be kept over purchases when paying in cash.

It is not necessary to eat higher priced cuts of beef on a regular basis. Substitute eggs and chicken for beef and savings will result. Rice and beans are delicious, nutritious and full of protein. Eat a wide variety of beans and be healthier and wealthier.