Want Cheap Groceries? Shop at the 99Cent Only Grocery Stores

American consumers feeling the need to pinch their pennies when it comes to food.Many people have stopped eating out and have settled for staying in and preparing the majority of their meals from home.

For example everyone felt sticker shock last year when gas went up to $4.00 a gallon. This increase also changed the price of food as well. Just to show you how quickly it changed, you can look at the price of something as simple as breakfast. These statistics taken from the Department of Agriculture stated in 2008 eggs went up 25%, milk and other dairy products went up 17%,and even the price of poultry increased 7% from the previous year.

Even though our current national average of gas is under $3.00, last summer should remind us that may be a short time before the increase of food and gas will start creeping upon us again this next season. With that in mind, we need to develop budgeting habits that will help to save money when we go to our grocery stores.

From the first store opening in 1982, founder David Gold has expanded his business to 277 stores that are currently located in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.

He came up with the idea because during the time he owned a liquor store and wanted to liquidate wines that were not selling quick enough at his liquor store. In order for to advertise and create publicity, he started selling high ticket items (such as T.V.'s) for 99 cents on the first day of his sales. He also put members of his family to call the radio stations and report commotions that occurred whenever he would have his promotions.

Today, he still keeps the trend of selling high ticket items (9 Ipod Nanos) for only 99 cents to the first customers to come to his grand store openings.

In 2007, they changed the way they sold their items by also including merchandise that are priced under 99 cents (.49, .39, etc)

in 2008, the large change had to change increased some of their items to 99.99 cents because of the economy and inflation.

Even though the company has been able to keep their costs low, they have also had some downturns. They too have had to close some of their stores in Texas to restructure themselves and only leave stores that are creating profit.

No matter the way you slice it, the 99 cent stores have helped many families that have been effected by the economy by selling adequate selections of food and other items such as cleaning products, school products, and other materials that American people use on a daily basis. They have been committed to selling uniquely low priced quality items that have helped many American families meet the needs of their businesses and households at wholesale and retail prices.

The 99 Cent Only Stores Cookbook:
Gourmet Recipes at Discount Prices

Taken from Amazon Description
This handy guide is filled with sample menus, a glossary of cooking terms, and space for creating recipes of your very own. Each recipe includes an estimated cost and helpful kitchen hints, such as uses for recycled milk cartons and how to freeze egg whites. Never again will finances be an excuse for not entertaining with pizzazz. With The 99¢ Only Stores Cookbook, feeding a family, playing host to five or six, or even simply cooking for one at home needn't cost a small fortune ever again!

About the Author
Christiane Jory graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and, after thirteen years in New York, returned to her native Los Angeles. Out of necessity and desire, she was determined to find a creative way to survive as a starving artist. Two years of compiling and testing has lead to this astounding buffet of treats created with ingredients purchased solely from 99¢ Only Stores. This is her first book.

1. 
   Make a family budget. -This should be the most important thing to do because it shows you where your money is going and how much you have to spend.
   
   


2. 
   Plan meals ahead of time.- I would recommend that you prepare all your meals around a nutritional balanced menu. Make sure that you vegetables and fruits to lunches and dinners. Also ask your family what their favorite meals they like to eat to insure that what you buy will not go to waste.
   
   


3. 
   Create a shopping list.- Creating a shopping list eliminates splurging and/or buying on a whim. Also when you take your family, it may be tempting to purchase candy (or other items) for your child. I would suggest to the main purchaser to go to the grocery store by yourself to eliminate on the spot purchases.
   
   


4. 
   Plan the days that you will eat out per month and stick to them.- There are many ways to eat out with yourself or your family on a discount. You can go to your favorite resturant websites and request to be placed on their email list for coupons and other special offers.
   
   


5. 
   Look on the internet or the local news paper for coupons for your favorite brands.- This is a good way to go because many of us are loyal to the brands that we use because we hold a value to them. Nothing wrong with getting an extra 50cents off and item that you regularly buy so make sure to keep an eye out for those discounts!
   
   


6. 
   Last but not least....don't go to the grocery store HUNGRY!!!- Make sure to eat. When you are hungry you tend to spend more because the fact you smell the hot food cooking in the deli section!