Wise shopping: How to save good money on groceries

Did you know that after housing and transportation, food is the largest expenditure of the average American household?  Grocery shopping can create a huge dent on the family budget, particularly if it’s not planned well or includes unnecessary items.  Here are some tips to wise up on grocery shopping and save good money while at it.

Plan your meals
Before shopping, plan your meals for the week and then buy what’s on the menu.  Start with planning for three to four days if one week seems too much.  You can also plan meals based on what’s already in your pantry.

Let loyalty work for you
Sign up for the local grocery store’s loyalty program to get huge savings.  Coupons never run out of style, and they can be mixed and match for the best value for your dollars possible.

Shop with a budget in mind
Avoid buying snacks on the run, and shop with a calculator in order to add things up as you place them in your cart.  Price-check and shop around for discounts on items you purchase regularly, and don’t automatically disregard no-name or store brands.  Remember: even if it’s on sale, it’s only a good buy if you’re going to use it.

Take full advantage of cash back
There are credit cards that offer cash back incentives for grocery shopping.  Make sure, however, to completely understand your card’s terms and conditions as well as rotating categories.  Keep those receipts to avail yourself of cash back.

 Andrew Curran Wesleyan is a future financial advisor.  He is currently enrolled in the University of Connecticut, and he studies hard to attain his bachelor’s degree in finance.  Read more on this site.