How to Grocery Shop Cheap

So, you are suddenly in need of reducing your grocery expenses drastically...NOW...where to start?

How do you grocery shop for cheap?

The answer will vary from household to household depending on what you like to eat, and how much money you have to work with."

Yep, what do you like and dislike? What do you want versus need?

You need to feed your family. You need good, nourishing food. And, let's not forget that you certainly need to pay close attention to the bottom line when finances are tight.

Wants? Well, wants are obviously a different story, but still important to the overall psychology of reducing spending. Being able to fulfil as many wants with your needs as possible makes sticking to your budget much easier in the long run.

You should aim to try to do both as you shop.

For a good introduction to the mind set of wanting what you can afford without feeling deprived, let met recommend the following resources:

There are a few basic strategies that will help you slash your grocery bill when money is especially tight, although the most important thing to remember is this:

What you do not put it in your shopping cart; you do not spend money on.

Of course you do, and the first thing you should do to avoid spending money is to go shopping in your own pantry and freezer.

Even the most depleted household will have something on hand already. Consider anything you have leftover from previous weeks to be a bonus. It's like found money and something to be glad of, not a frustration.

Your main goal is two-fold. First, avoid wasting money by using anything perishable so you aren't wasting your grocery dollars on food that ends up in the trash. Second, anything you already have on hand is an item you will not need to buy and spend money on this week, so you can free up a few dollars for other items to add variety to your diet. Having a few extra dollars for goodies and extras can make a big difference when money is really tight.

Write your list and plan carfully your purchases.

Need, need, need... I can not stress the point enough. Most of us are so brand conscious that it is hard to remember that we have choices. Cornflakes on sale at a dollar a box fill the need to eat a healthy and inexpensive breakfast. Is it really that improtant to by your favorite brand of cereal to meet your need to eat at $4 a box more?

Once you have an idea of your needs, hit the sales circulars and see what is on sale. Ask yourself if you can justify each purchase if your budget is exceptionally tight.

Make sure as you write your shopping list that you pay attention to covering all your needs and total the list as you go so you will know how much you are spending for the week. Here are a few things to consider as you write your list:

1. Did I find a way to work in all of last week's perishables before they were wasted?
2. Do I have enough volume of food to feed my family for the week with reasonably sized portions?
3. Are the items I am purchasing varied? Do I have some perishables, some frozen and canned goods, enough meat, and enough variety to satisfy everyone in my family?
4. Did I allow for a few treats? Making sure you have a few goodies helps to avoid the boredom of a basic diet.
5. Did I allow for any special dietary needs in the family? Food for the pets, dietary restrictions and allergies?
6. Is my list reasonable in everyway?

Don't forget to squeeze every last bit of savings out of your shopping trip. Once you have planned your purchases check for coupons for additional savings.