SolveYourProblem
Article Series: Shopping
Give Me Some Smart Shopping Tips
How
to Save Money At The Supermarket
If
you thought that great bargains could only be found in retail
and department stores, think again! Did
you know that your local food markets are a virtual cornucopia
of steals and deals – all just waiting for you to uncover them?
It is true! Here are 8 smart shopping tips when trolling
the food markets.
Coupons are king! Probably the easiest way to save at a food
market is with manufacturer coupons for products you will be
buying anyways. Most consumers know to look in the Sunday newspaper
for the coupon inserts, and many religiously clip them.
Use the Internet for coupons. Do not allow the Sunday paper
to limit you with respect to coupons. As a matter of fact,
did you know that there are several websites that will permit
you to print out coupons as well which will be honored by your
local food market? Similarly, visit your food market’s website
for even more coupons!
Sign up for the store-specific
savings card. There are only
a few food markets left that do not offer these cards. If your
regular food market offers the card, be sure to sign up for
it and attach it to your key chain or keep it in your wallet.
You will see substantial savings add up quickly.
Sign up for store-specific credit cards. Some food markets
will now offer branded Visa or MasterCard’s. If you sign up
for these credit cards, you will save even more money by accumulating
points toward free groceries, coupons, and other savings.
Check the mark
down rack. Oftentimes these racks are located
throughout the store, so it might pay to ask a stocker or sales
clerk where the rack is located. Sometimes you can find great
deals on closeouts brands of foods, frying pans, and other
kitchen gadgets, while other times you might be able to purchase
slightly dinged cans that are still just fine for sale. Many
times you will be able to persuade a store manager to further
mark down an item if you ask.
Talk to the butcher about when he or she is going to mark
down meats. Many times these meat products are still good,
but the expiration or sell by date is approaching fast, and
the butcher will want to get them off the shelf rather than
throw them away in a few days. Oftentimes this markdown happens
in the mornings, so knowing when she or he is walking around
with the markdown pen is critical information that will help
you to find some great bargains.
Talk to the greengrocer to find out when the veggies
and fruits are going in the markdown pile. Usually this is also done in
the mornings, and some veggies may be a bit bruised, but if
you are planning to use them the same day, you will be able
to purchase produce for pennies on the dollar!
Look for sales. If you normally purchase some higher ticket
items – a good example is Nutella, which almost always sells
at about $4 and more - buy a larger quantity if it goes on
sale. This happens rarely, but when it does happen, it will
save you a bundle!
You do not have to be privy to the inner workings of the food
market to score some great deals. As a matter of fact, getting
good deals is so easy that anyone can do it – oftentimes all
it takes is asking a store manager or person in charge, and
they will usually be more than happy to accommodate a customer’s
requests.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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