Mrs. Mo Guest Poster: Heather Johnson

10 Ways to Save Money at the Grocery Store

One of my biggest bills each month is the grocery bill. For those of us who don't live on Ramen noodles, buying food and essentials can be very pricey. However, there are many little ways to cut costs on groceries without sacrificing quality. Below are 10 tips for saving money each time you go to the grocery store.

1. Always prepare a list. Not only that, but you should be disciplined about sticking to the items on the list. By preparing meal plans ahead of time, you can gain control over your calorie intake and your spending habits.
   
   
2. Shop on a full stomach. You will always spend more money on food if you are hungry, as everything in the store will look delicious and essential.
   
   
3. Clip coupons. Believe it or not, this is not a pointless exercise if you get organized. Buy a few Sunday papers each week and visit official Websites of the brands you love. Both resources will often yield some valuable coupons.
   
   
4. Take advantage of "coupon days." Some grocery stores will double or even triple the worth of your coupons during these events. Unfortunately, some stores will not advertise a coupon event ahead of time, so scout around for a local message board that other coupon enthusiasts frequent.
   
   
5. Look at the end caps. Items featured at the end of each aisle are often on sale, so keep your eyes peeled for great deals in this area.
   
   
6. Look at the "per unit" price on an item rather than the main price. This number is often in much smaller print… for a reason, too. You will save a considerable amount of money when you realize how much more you have been spending per unit.
   
   
7. Never buy off-season produce. Although you may love to prepare strawberry shortcake throughout the year, those strawberries can get mighty expensive when they are out of season.
   
   
8. Stock up on filling and inexpensive foods, such as rice, beans and oatmeal. They are all beneficial staples in your diet and you can buy them in bulk for very little money.
   
   
9. Don't be a brand snob. Are you sure you love name brand peanut butter more than the store brand? It is very possible that they are the same product in different packaging. (Yes, subsidiary companies are sneaky like that.)
   
   
10. Shop when it isn't crowded. The faster you can zip through those aisles, the less likely you are to impulse buy. While standing in line at the checkout for 20 minutes, those gossip rags or candy bars become very tempting for some of us.
    

Heather Johnson is an industry critic, as well as a regular contributor on the subject of airline mile cards. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.