Nearly 32 cents out of every dollar spent by American families is for groceries and household items. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, this percentage is consistently declining – and for persons that are more affluent, the percent allocated for food and drug store items is much lower. The average is three trips a week to the grocery store and one or more stops at a drug or discount store. People are spending money they could otherwise be saving for the future because they fail to compare, shop wisely, and get the best value.
Stores today are cleverly set up and well-merchandised. Manufacturers and food producers fight for eye level space on the retailers’ shelves. They set up elaborate, eye-catching displays. All of this is designed to one specific end. Get the shoppers to spend. In addition, there are also companies that place merchandise in the stores specifically to induce impulse spending.
Consumers may take several steps to spend smarter, reduce the number of trips to stores, and overall spend less money on household and grocery items. Many shopping techniques are habitual. For instance, we frequently go to the same stores, on the same days, buy the same products, and do not use a list or comparison shop.
Economizing on grocery and household items takes imagination, and requires some financial self-discipline, a bit of practice and a little time to develop new habits. It requires full family participation. Having one spouse a saver and the other a spender provides no progress unless the spender ceases to be a shopper. It is also important for children to learn and understand the importance of spending smarter, comparing quality, price and value, in addition to saving to buy the bigger items without borrowing. The NCFE offers the following spending tips before your next trip to the store:
• Use a list when shopping
Put anything you want on the list, but do not add to the list once you get to the store. Using a list will help plan for your needs in advance, so take advantage of sale prices and avoid impulse purchases.
• Go grocery shopping alone after a meal
If you go shopping hungry or with another person, you are shopping for more than one appetite and the result is always increased spending.
• Watch for store ads
Ads are in newspapers, your mailbox and flyers distributed in the stores. Check for sale prices on the items you regularly purchase. Compare prices with other stores, especially those you do not normally visit.
• Pay special attention to sale days
For example, some stores have no sale prices in effect on Monday, traditionally a busy shopping day. Carefully plan purchases, noting on the list which items are sale priced and items where a coupon can be used.
• Always spend cash
Take time to get cash before going to the store. Nothing impacts our mind like taking cash from our wallet or purse. Many people who use credit cards rarely know how much was actually spent, until the statement comes. Many people who write checks simply do not take the time to calculate the balance and have no idea what is left over. Paying cash causes us to think ahead and plan for tomorrow’s needs.
• Take advantage of coupons and rebates; they do add up
Regularly shop at stores that double coupons; take time to watch the papers for grocery coupons. Look for items on the shelf that also have coupons included. It only takes about twenty minutes a week to review grocery ads, clip the coupons and plan a weekly or bi-weekly grocery-spending trip.
• Always shop by the unit price at the stores
In most states, retailers must by law post the unit cost on the shelves. It used to be the larger the pack – the better the price, but that is not always so these days. For example, a 50-cent coupon, doubled on any size of soap detergent could make the smallest size the most economical in terms of least cash spent. Many times, you may get a box of a less expensive detergent, such as the store’s brand name or a generic equivalent for close to nothing, because of the doubled coupon savings.
• Avoid buying plastic bags
Most stores give these away free. Plastic bags are available in the produce and meat sections. Separately bag each item and save them for re-use. When asked if you want either a paper or plastic bag, ask for paper inside of a plastic bag and you will have an ample supply of ready-made garbage bags.
• Avoid buying cleaning aids, cleansers, etc.
They are very costly and prices vary greatly with the brands. Some companies market a cleanser (and now specialty wipes – what a waste) for virtually every type of household project. The best cleanser in the kitchen is simple soap powder in ammonia. No need to buy a brand name; ammonia is ammonia. If you want it soapy, then add some detergent. Another valueless item is dish soap promoted to be gentler to hands or cuts grease better. If your hands are that sensitive, use the longer lasting rubber gloves and save money on detergent by using generic brands. Hot water and any detergent will cut grease.
• Plan meals in advance
Keep in mind wise use of leftovers or freezing for later use when purchasing meats, etc. and making pasta dishes, for example. Consider buying meat items that you use regularly in bigger quantity, freezing for later use those portions not needed that week. This can save up to 20%!
• Avoid prepared items
Cereals, breads, desserts, juices, beverages, etc., mixed and prepared at home are always a better value than pre-packaged items. The same is true for pet foods, and many experts agree dry pet food mixed with water is better than canned food.
• Be cautious about adding non-food items to the list
These include health and beauty items, paper and plastics, utensils, brooms, brushes, film, etc. These items have the highest profit margin for most grocers, which is exactly why they are prominently displayed in the stores. Usually, a better value can be obtained at discount drug stores.
• Stick to the list and plan in advance
Purchase to take full advantage of sale items and two-for-one deals (if the price is not inflated to compensate). When possible, shop the outside walls and stay out of the aisles. Most food stores situate the four basics (produce, meats, dairy and breads) on the walls. They most often place all the cookies, cereals, beverages, canned goods and the nice-to-haves in the aisles.
• Check the checker
Note the prices as you select items and then make sure the same price is posted at the checkout. Check the register tape again after leaving the store, unintentional mistakes are often uncovered, especially with large purchases. Many times a sale price is listed in the store, but not reflected at the checkout.
Finally, if you are trying to spend money more wisely, reading this once will not suffice. Place it in the drawer with coupons and reread it before each shopping trip. You will save from $600 to $2,000 per year, depending on family size and budget allocation.
Source: Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE)