News Taffy

Food is so expensive these days and who couldn’t stand to save money wherever they can? Here are a few tips to cut your costs so you can still eat healthy.

Join store clubs to save money. You will get coupons and better prices on certain items or other savings incentives such as cents off gas for every dollar you spend. I have saved as much as 90 cents a gallon on gas at Kroger by being a member.

Plan meals in advance so you know exactly what you need. When you run out of something, write it down right away on a grocery list so you don’t forget it. This keeps trips to the store to a minimum which saves time and money. Stick to your list. Only exceptions should be really good sales items.

Grocery store carts are large on purpose: to encourage you to buy more. Use a basket or smaller cart.

Set a time limit to shop and listen to fast paced, upbeat music on your headphones. Stores know that the longer you shop, the more you buy. They actually play slow music for this reason.

Know where the marked down items that are about to expire are located for baked goods, meat, dairy and produce in the stores you shop in and check them each time. Only buy it if you can use it or freeze it before it expires. This week I scored cottage cheese for 50 cents that was 6 days from its expiration date. I frequently find great deals on meat which I either use right away or freeze.

Make sure you are buying the right size of an item that is on sale. Also, compare the price per unit to make sure you are getting the best price, especially for non perishable items. A larger, more expensive package of toilet paper may actually be cheaper per roll than a smaller, less expensive package. Be careful buying produce in bulk as some may have spoiled but be hard to detect through the packaging. Potatoes are the exception.

Be careful with promotions like 10 for 10. First of all, many stores don’t require you to buy all 10 to get the special price. Always double check the original price to see if the mark down is truly worth buying.

Use coupons, either the paper kind you clip or the downloadable kind many stores offer. Takes time but can save significant cash over a year.

Check out store brands or generics. Many times they are just as good but are quite a bit cheaper. Also keep in mind that stores place their most expensive goods at eye level so check the top and bottom shelves for cheaper brands.

Consider how much money you spend on beverages. Skip sodas, bottled water and tea and see if that doesn’t cut some serious money from your monthly bill.

Do NOT go to the store hungry. You will be vulnerable to wanting everything you see and probably eating some of it on the way home.

Consider the cost of convenience. Buying peeled chopped fruit is more expensive than buying whole fruit and prepping it yourself. Same with cooked foods from the deli, grated cheese, spice mixes and bagged salads.

Last, leave the children home. You can shop faster without them plus they always want something they don’t need. Hint: they really don't need toys, candy, cookies, chips and sweetened drinks.