It does not matter how much money you make, where you live or even what you drive, finding deals on everyday necessities never goes out of style. The next time you make your weekly trek to the grocery store use these three tips to help you maximize your day-to-day deal-hunting prowess; you might just find yourself with a fat wallet and a thin waistline all at the same time.
1. Shop the unit price
If you are like most shoppers, your eyes probably stray directly toward the total (bottom line) cost of any item before you commit to placing it in your cart. However, there is another number on the price tag that should carry a lot more weight: the price.
Look at the top right or top left hand corner of the price tag and you will find the unit price. It is a smaller number, indicating what you are paying for each unit of measurement, making up the total. For instance, if you are looking at a box of granola bars costing five cents per bar in the 12-pack, but each bar only costs three cents per bar in the 24-pack, you save more money buying the larger package.
2. Use coupons wisely
Coupons are as good as cash and can add up to big savings at the register. However, do not get tricked into buying something that is ultimately more expensive just because you have a coupon for it. For example, if you have a coupon for fifty cents off window cleaner, normally priced at $2.43, but the generic in-store brand is $0.99, you are not getting any real savings with the coupon and should just opt for the generic instead.
3. Study the flyers
Most grocers send weekly mailers out to nearby households that advertise their in store specials. Smart shoppers bring multiple circulars from competitors with them to the store and have the grocer match the price of lower competitor prices.
Shop the day you receive the flyer or the day after to make sure you get the best selection and so that you can stock up on marked down non-perishable items, before they are sold out. For instance, if you see your favorite brand of toilet paper marked down by $1 for a 12-pack, buy four or five packages to maximize savings over time.
By shopping, keeping an eye on the unit price, employing coupons and staying on top of the best grocery bargains, you can save upwards of $300 a year, remaining fabulously frugal for every one of your everyday buys.