10 Ways To Save Money At The Grocery Store

1. Make a list
Making a list of what you need stops you from getting all those unnecessary items. Also, it keeps you from browsing, which, from my experience always leads to buying more.

2. Bring your coupons
Saving a few cents here and there can add up - especially when you get more than 1 of an item. Coupons are also sometimes available on the back of previous receipts, so be sure to check those out.

3. Sign up for the grocery store's savings program
Whether it's a Kroger Plus Card or a Harris Teeter VIP card, these types of programs allow for sometimes substantial savings. In my opinion, there really isn't a downside to these programs. You give them a little personal information to track your spending habits, but you'll receive savings on many different items.

4. Read the newspaper
Local newspapers will include inserts for most grocery stores that include weekly specials. This can help you spend a lot less. The Kroger insert I receive each week lets me know which items I can get 10 for $10 or Buy 1 Get 1 Free. These types of savings help me spend a lot less. They also include some tasty recipes!

5. Bulk shop
If you have a large family or have a lot of grocery shopping to do, buying in bulk is a good option. Places like Costco or Sam's Club sell items in bulk at a relatively cheaper price. So for items such as pasta or other non-perishable goods, buying in bulk will save you money. FYI - there is a annual cost to these shopping warehouses, but if you shop there a lot, it's well worth it.

6. Comparison shop
Many times I debate on whether to buy generic or name brand items. I catch myself thinking that I need to have name brand items, however, there really is no difference between the two. Whether food or medicine, generics are a smart way to save money because typically generics have all the same ingredients. Some generics to begin using are bread, dairy products, and cereal.

7. Non-grocery items
Buy non-grocery items such as office supplies or pet food at other chain stores because they will typically be less expensive.

8. Don't shop when you're hungry
Lots of studies show that if you go grocery shopping when hungry, you'll tend to buy more. Everything will look good. So a good time to stock up on groceries is after dinner.

9. Grab a basket
If you're only shopping for a few items, grab a basket instead of a cart. Or don't grab either one. By limiting how many items you can hold, you'll definitely save by buying fewer items.

10. Finally... budget
If you only have a certain amount of money you can spend each month on groceries, it may be beneficial to pay in cash so that you cannot spend more. By taking cash with you and leaving the credit card at home, you'll be forced to spend less.

This is by no means a complete list - so if you have any recommendations to save money at the grocery store post a comment so we can all benefit! Good luck saving money!