Save Money On Groceries!
Save money on your grocery bill, so you can spend the money on other priorities! Each week I’m sharing one simple tip that you can implement to start saving on your grocery bill right away.
Many of the tips will be familiar, but if you take the Save Money on Groceries Challenge with us, you will actually take the steps each week instead of just filing them in the “I should do that” file. 🙂 [To join in, just leave a comment saying that you already use the tip of the week, or that you will start this week.]
[Click here to see all the tips in this series.]
Today’s Tip:
Save money on groceries by stocking up on loss leaders. Each week, chain grocery stores offer a few super low sale prices to entice you into their store, rather than the competition.
These low-priced items are called “loss leaders” because the store will lose money on them by pricing them so low. Grocery store executives are willing to take the risk of losing money on a few items because they know that you will most likely buy other higher-priced groceries at their store, which will make up their loss.
Now that you know your grocery prices (read more here), you know which items are at the absolute lowest price, and you can stock up on them. In the photo above, I purchased multiple packages of the super sale items, which we used for the next several weeks. I purchased the remainder of my groceries at the store in my area with the lowest overall prices.
Why It Works:
Most people buy items whenever they run out of them without considering the cost. By purchasing primarily loss leaders and buying enough to last until the next sale (usually 6-12 weeks later), you will pay the lowest price for most of the items you purchase which enables you to save money on your overall grocery bill.
You may initially have to spend a little more each week as you build your stockpile, but once you have some items built up in your pantry, you will have extra money to buy more loss leaders. Shopping this way creates a snowball effect–each week you will be able to save more money because there will be more items in your pantry and refrigerator that you don’t have to buy each week.
For more ideas to save money on groceries (and a more in-depth explanation of how to make a price book), check out my ebook Save More–Clip Less: Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half Without Extreme Couponing.
Click here to see what others are saying.
Sign up HERE for The Peaceful Mom Weekly eNotes for weekly money saving secrets & organizing tips PLUS awesome free gifts!
Do you stock up on loss leaders? Have you seen your grocery bill drop? Leave a comment.
photo credit: Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot
This is something I really need to do. Thank you for all of the wonderful advice you are giving out!
I just found this series but I am anxious to get started with your tips. I have been trying and trying to save money on groceries. Thank you!
Welcome Kristi! 🙂
I will start using the tip of the week!
Welcome!
Loss leaders when I can. Little competition here. Most only take printed coupons out of magazines. Not the computer printed ones. Most of these coupons are for food (Term used loosely) that we don’t use as I cook mostly from scratch. Not one of them will double coupon. I watch for sales.
We do this and it works great! We have a large family so having a lot of food on hand is wonderful. I can get many meals together without running to the store for something. I love your tips!!!
Thanks Molly!
but look at the food you’re buying, it’s all processed and packaged…if you buy healthy you’ll save as well.
Just this week I stocked up on some Powerade Zero for my son. He loves this drink and he only gets it for part of his school lunches. Each bottle is usually $1 around here but this week my local Tops had them for .67 each this hardly ever happens. And he was thrilled to know we were stocked up for quite awhile. One bottle lasts three days for us.
Yes, I stock up on loss leaders we use. I think it takes about 1-2 months to have this system work well for saving money. Now that I’ve been doing it for six months, I can “shop” my pantry and not go to the store and pay the only the lowest price. I can stock up for 6 weeks without needing much storage space either. Refreezing meat and sauces in flat ziplocks is key for my small freezer.
So to those getting started don’t give up getting started. 🙂 It will even out once your pantry is stocked.
That is a great point Becca–it does take a couple of months to see the real benefit of this method.