Navigating the Grocery Store
Eating healthy is only as expensive as you make it. There are several tricks I use to get the most out of my shopping experience. This health segment series focuses on “Navigating the Grocery Store.” These are things I was either taught or learned on my own. I hope you find them helpful.
1) Always shop the perimeter of the grocery store. That’s where the fresh foods are located (fruits, veggies, meats, whole grains, dairy). The inner isles contain the processed foods, condiments, and junk! Things you should consume sparingly.
2) Look for ”scratch & dent” stores in your area. If an object falls from a warehouse shelf and is dented before it makes it to the grocery store, chain grocery stores cannot sell the merchandise and it is sent to discount stores and sold for almost 50-75% less. Most cities have these stores, but you have to look for them. Do a search under ”discount grocery stores”. I’ve bought an entire case of 12, 16oz Egg Beaters for $6 and extra lean turkey bacon for $1. Can’t beat those prices.
3) Shop strategically and always carry a list. If you know you have weakness for certain foods while shopping, avoid those isles. Bring only enough cash to pay for the items on your list, and stick to the list.
4) Don’t be afraid to ask for better deals. If you prefer to shop at chain stores and are a regular customer, ask the manager if you can get a discount for buying in bulk. (Bulk meaning 20-40lbs of chicken, or several cases of a product). If they know who you are they are more likely to help you out. I’ve actually requested that a grocery store carry the Jennie-O extra lean ground turkey and promised to but a certain quantity when it was ordered. The store sold me the turkey for $2.29 per package rather then the usual $4.
5) Use coupons. This is savvy shopping 101. Using coupons and searching for discounts is not a sign of frugality. It means you know how to shop. I feel so sorry for people who will pay $7 for extra lean ground turkey, rather than purchasing it when it’s on sale, or using the coupon that comes right on the package. And don’t forget to ask stores if they price match. People are quick to go to Best Buy and ask for a price match for electronics….the same applies for grocery shopping. All they can say is, “No.”
Remember, an uneducated shopper has already set themselves up for failure before they even get to the grocery store. Be savvy, shop smarter!
Follow Me!