Super Shopper: Simple tips to save a bundle on groceries
With one child and one on the way, Rachel and Eric Arnold need to rein in their budget to make room for those expensive diapers!
“Now with a second child, it's just starting to hit me,” Rachel said, and “the second day care bill, we need to start looking at that a little bit closer.”
Super shopper Julie Parrish, owner of HotCouponWorld.com, says the Arnolds can start saving on their $500-a-month grocery bill by foregoing foods like energy bars that cost $1.25 a pop.
“One of the tactics that I’d like to see [the Arnolds] try is this notion of convenience,” Parrish said, “except you're building it yourself.”
At the grocery store, Parrish advises the Arnolds, and all consumers, to remember to “follow the calendar cycle.”
For example, Quaker products are always on sale in January. At the store, Parrish found that some Quaker cereals are on sale for a $1 a box – if you buy four boxes. With a shelf life of a year, Parrish advises stocking up and saving.
Typically, the regular price for a box of cereal runs between $3 and $5, so the Quaker cereals are a really good deal.
The cereal can be used to make an energy mix rather than buying energy bars. Parrish suggests mixing cereal, nuts and raisins in a closeable bag for a less expensive energy snack.
By buying eight boxes of the discounted cereal, the Arnolds saved $20.
Organic foods, which have a reputation of being more expensive, also go on sale, Parrish says. She was able to find organic macaroni and cheese – a kid favorite – on sale.
Parrish advises to check the clearance section in your store's meat department. Meats that are close to their expiration dates can be bought at discounted prices and either consumed that day or frozen.
Parrish said her third tip is to take advantage of coupons that give a blanket savings on a total amount, not just one product. Those coupons are often found in entertainment books, market mailers, newspapers and other promotions.
Typically, the coupons can be for $5 or $10 off of a $50 purchase total – a considerable savings. Sometimes, another coupon can be added for even more savings, but check the fine print.
Finally, it’s time to check out and get a total. For the Arnolds, the tab comes to $51.46 – for almost $125 in groceries. It’s a savings of over $74.
And as the receipt prints, Parrish reminds the Arnolds to hold on to it - there are coupons printed on the back.
Part Two of this series is scheduled to air February 10.