Grocery shopping is a like a game for me.  I spend time prepping for the game, drawing my lists and cutting out my coupons.  Menus and quick fixes are planned and arranged by aisle on my list.  There are even asterisks next to the items that correspond to the stash of coupons I have filed in my mine expandable folder.  There are many twists, tricks, and turns I take to prepare for my grocery shopping adventure.

It’s not really so much a game as it is a hunt.  Every time I head out to the grocery store, I am determined to save money.  I think that is one of the main reasons I don’t like to send my husband out to do the shopping.  He just doesn’t get the same rush over a couple of dollars as I do, so he doesn’t shop with the same care.

I’m always looking for the next great tip on how to save money at the grocery store.  So far, my big savings was 25% - a far cry from some of these “coupon queens” that are every where.  I blame my lack of savings on the rural area that I live.  It can’t be my lack of preparations or my shopping skills - I have honed both with patience and practice.  Still, it would be nice to stand at the check out aisle and watch the total due amount plummet with each card until it neared zero.  Even better would be to find a way to make the grocery store pay me for doing my grocery shopping at their store.

Until that day comes, I will continue to clip my coupons because I know that I save about $10 a week when I do.  I will continue to buy items just at the sale by date because the store gives me great discounts (this is especially great with meat and veggies that can be taken home and frozen).  Nothing is going to stop me from getting more bangs for my buck at the grocery store. 

The hunt is on.

Women are better - at least at food shopping.  It’s true that men tend to be more capable of most spatial activities, but they can’t hold a candle to women when it comes to groceries.

Any women that has ever asked her husband or significant other to do the grocery shopping knows how true this concept is.  Most women can go into the grocery store, find exactly what is on the list, and even save a few dollars, all in under an hour.  Most men go in, having completely forgotten the list back at home, and just start buying.  The costs aren’t important.  The entire month’s budget can be blown with just won man-spree.  The scariest part is seeing the groceries unloaded and realizing that you are just going to have to go back yourself and get what you REALLY needed.

I think the problems that men have in the grocery store are directly related to the fact that most of them won’t stop and ask for directions.  The list isn’t forgotten so much as it is subconsciously left because “I don’t need help.”

If you haven’t run into this problem yet, then you aren’t a woman or else you haven’t asked a man to do your grocery shopping.   Believe me; it’s not worth the “convenience.”  I had surgery a couple of weeks ago, instead of having my husband do the shopping I just made due as long as I could.  Grocery shopping was the first thing I did after coming home - AND I managed to save 15% of the total bill and bring home just what was on the list.

I’d like to see the average man beat that.

Budgeting is hard enough on a single income.  When the price of milk begins to skyrocket, it makes buying groceries on budget even more of a magic act.  It takes more than just cutting a few coupons to stretch the dollar at the grocery store.

1.      Never, ever go into the grocery store hungry.  You are much more likely to buy impulse foods.

2.      Buy store brands if at all possible.  These usually have the same or nearly same taste, as the name brands at a fraction of the cost.

 3.      Make a list.  This usually starts by making a menu.  Know what you have and what you will need to make these ingredients into a meal for your family.

 4.      Switch shopping lists with a friend.  This will guarantee that you only get what is on your list.

 5.      Don’t go to the store with the kids.  Shopping takes concentration – something that is not normally accomplished with the kids in tow.

 6.      Find a store that has double coupon days, and frequent them on those days.  You could end up getting some items for free – always good for the budget.

As the price for essentials continues to rise, it will take more creativity to stay in budget.  Follow these guidelines, and continue to look for more tips.  We’ll get by with a little help from our friends.