Tips for Tuesdays: Grocery Shopping Tips

Leslie over at Lambert's Lately is having a blog hop on grocery tips. If you're interested in seeing more, check out her blog.

Here are some great tips for your next grocery store trip:

1. Always plan ahead!!!

Plan your menu out for the week according to the sales paper. (For example: I always go grocery shopping on Saturday mornings, so I plan for Sunday through the following Saturday) This also gives me time to check my favorite websites for coupons and matchups for that week as well. If roast and pork chops are on sale that week, then at least two of my meals will include those meats.

2. Clip Coupons!

Always check Coupons.com, Smartsource and Red Plum for any coupons that you might need for your trip that week. Most of the time you will find a coupon for at least half of the items on your list.

3. Make grocery list and organize your coupons.

Once you have your coupons ready and your menu for the week, make your grocery list. Always stick to it, and you won't walk away with items that you don't need for that week. Make sure you keep your coupons in order, that way it makes it easier for the cashier to ring them up.

4. Stockpile!!

If an item is on sale one week and you have coupons for that sale, stockpile that item. In the long run you will save a ton of money that way! This is where you will notice a HUGE difference in your grocery bill total.

5. Set a budget and try to stick to it!!

For my family of three, we can usually buy a weeks worth of groceries for $25 or under. And yes, that does include items that we stockpile. It is possible to not spend a fortune at the grocery stores, you just have to be very organized and you have to be willing to stick to the budget. Don't make any impulse buys!

6. Shop at CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid for household items!

Most people think that these stores are very expensive, however if you take advantage of their store deals, you can get some great bargains.

For example: Walgreens has the Huggies Jumbo packs on sale this week for $8.99. There was a printable $2.00 off coupon on Coupons.com a few weeks ago. After the coupon is applied you only pay $6.99 for a Jumbo pack, plus you get back $3.00 Register Rewards to use toward your next purchase! That makes the ending total only $3.99 per pack.

For more tips and frugal advice, be sure to subscribe to my feed and to become a follower!!