What are some of your money saving grocery store tips?

[BerryBaby]

I've stopped shopping at most specialty markets, except Trader Joe's. To save a ton on $'s, I shop at the store where you bag your own groceries. Just incredible savings for all the same major brands.

Meat, I buy the big Costco packages and re-package them into two person servings so they can be frozen.

Also, I bring my own bags to the store. They give you five cents for each bag...that can mount up over the year.

[bakerman]

It does work great to portion out for recipes especially if you weigh it out in exact portions .... I know ... I am weird.

I can totally relate, I use my scale more than any normal person would. Before I got the scale I wouldn't buy pasta in a 2 lb. box because I couldn't accurately divide the pasta, so I would only buy 8 and 16oz. pkg, now that I have the scale I can buy the larger ones, goofy I know!

[Bentley Green]

The thing with those wholesale clubs such as Sam's, BJ's and Costco's is that you have to know what's on sale and know what you are going after.

Because if you are not very careful, you can STILL get ripped off three ways to Sunday, thinking that you might be making out good on some things and then finding out that certain other things are not so much of a bargain after all.

[Pluff Mudder]

Also, I bring my own bags to the store. They give you five cents for each bag...that can mount up over the year.

I do the same thing. I've gotten the cloth bags that the mega-marts sells and use them. Not only, do I get the 5 cents off per bag, but they hold more, more comfortable to carry and then I don't have to mess with all those plastic bags. I just keep them (and one of those cool bags) in the truck of my car and I'm always ready went I go shopping.

[BerryBaby]

Costco doesn't run sales. Their prices are pretty much the same all the time. Meat is by far the best quality and I don't care if I do pay more for better cuts, it's worth it.

I pretty much know the price of everything I buy so I know if it is a deal or not. Or, if I really need or want something, I'll just get regardless. You only live once so I may as well enjoy myself, right?

[bakerman]

The thing with those wholesale clubs such as Sam's, BJ's and Costco's is that you have to know what's on sale and know what you are going after.

Because if you are not very careful, you can STILL get ripped off three ways to Sunday, thinking that you might be making out good on some things and then finding out that certain other things are not so much of a bargain after all.

On the majority of things, warehouse store do come in at better prices. One thing with them are that most don't run sales, but offer a consistently low price. For instance BJ's sells 90% lean ground beef for $2.49 per pound, far lower priced than grocery store regular prices. Most of their cuts of meat are lower than stores regular prices and it would help a busy parent know that they are getting a fair price without having analyze prices. I can do cheaper than the warehouse clubs, but it is nice to know that I can count on them for a fair price if I need something that isn't on sale at the grocery stores.

Cheese is a great deal there as well. I rarely see something that is a lot higher than the grocery store, sometimes it is not a bargain in large quantity but rarely is it a "rip off".

Just like anywhere, know your prices, be an informed consumer, everyone isn't really out to get ya you know.

[Bentley Green]

Yeah, but I think it would be a waste to buy some things in bulk that I don't use a whole lot of, since it's only me.

It would probably spoil before I get a chance to use it all.

[Pluff Mudder]

Yeah, but I think it would be a waste to buy some things in bulk that I don't use a whole lot of, since it's only me.

It would probably spoil before I get a chance to use it all.

Things like canned goods, dry items (flour, sugar, rice, etc.), paper products, cleaning products, etc won't spoil. They also carry lots of other things like toiletry items, stuff for the house and car and even books and clothes. I don't think any of them are going to spoil either. For items, like meat, that will spoil, there's always the freezer. And, these stores DO have very good meat prices.

If these stores were a "rip off" you wouldn't see their parking lots crowed all the time, for most people are pretty "price smart" when shopping.

[Bentley Green]

I've had some canned goods spoil on me because they were kept in the cupboard up above the sink.

It got really warm up there from the heat being on in the winter. Found some canned foods with their tops and bottoms grossly buldging and had to throw them all away!

Since I had to find some place to put the many empty casserole dishes that I only use now and then, I put the new canned goods on the bottom shelf of a rack in the kitchen. The coldest air is at the floor, and THAT should help keep the canned goods from getting too warm and spoiling.

[BerryBaby]

A great buy are the diced, canned tomatoes. They don't have a chance to spoil around here. Costco carries 'organic' tomatoes and they are very tasty.

We always buy all our paper goods there as well. Now that is a great savings!

Granted you have to have the space to store all those items, and fortunately, we do. Part of our garage is like a grocery store with the shelves stocked with different items.