KATHY'S HOME & GARDEN TIPS - SAVE MONEY ON YOUR GROCERY BILL
Grocery prices all around
the country and the world are up as much as 40% over last year. This figure is from the Food and Agriculture
Organization of The United Nations.
Around Chicago they have not increased quite as
much, but they are definitely up from the year before. We certainly need to watch our pennies with
the economy such as it is.
Here are a few simple tricks to help as you shop at
your local supermarket.
- Make a shopping
list and stick to it. I shop at the same store every week and know it well. As
you get familiar you can write your list according to how the store is set up.
There will be items you buy every week, others not as often.
- Clip coupons. Resist the urge to buy items you don't need just to use a coupon.
- Sign up for the
store frequent shopper card. Though some people think this invades our privacy, you will find the savings far outweigh any privacy
issues.
-
Store websites
also offer savings. Check them out.
- Buy produce in
season. Check store sales papers when you make your shopping list and menu
plans for the week. Plan around the items on sale.
- Shop the entire
store. Cheese for example will be much more expensive in the fancy display by
the deli. Compare with the prices in the dairy aisle.
- Look for extra
large packages on sale. Make sure you check expiration dates. A bargain doesn't
save money if you end up throwing some of it out.
- Become familiar
with the shelf tags. These will tell you the cost per ounce of the item. This
is very helpful. Sometimes packaging can be deceiving. With the per ounce cost
you can tell which is the best buy.
Using these hints will help
you save at the supermarket. Happy shopping!
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
