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Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half in 2009
By Stephanie Nelson

If one of your goals in 2009 is to find ways to save more money, your grocery spending is a good place to start. When I began tackling our family’s budget 14 years ago, I quickly discovered that grocery spending had the most leeway of any other expense. After closely tracking and listing the best grocery deals for 41 stores at couponmom.com over the past seven years, I know that if two households purchased the exact same items each month, that it would be possible for one household to spend 50% less than the other. 

That’s why my mantra is “saving money on groceries is not about changing the way you eat, it is about changing the way you buy the food that you like.” Follow these simple principles in 2008 and save BIG without changing your food choices. 

Plan: The key to saving money at the grocery store is to plan, plan, plan. You will actually end up saving time overall because your shopping trip will go more quickly and you will not have to go to the store as often if you plan one big trip very thoroughly. Each week, pull out the sales circulars for your favorite stores or check couponmom.com and plan many meals around the featured sale items, allowing at least one night for leftovers. If any of your favorite items are on sale for 50% off or more, buy extra for the freezer or pantry.

Make a list: Making a comprehensive weekly grocery list is the key to saving on groceries. Your goal is to go to the store as infrequently as possible. Quick shopping trips to pick up forgotten items always become more expensive than expected. Start with the ultra-low bargains listed for your grocery or drugstores and add on from there. 

Be brand-flexible:  If you always buy the same brand of pasta sauce and another brand is free with a coupon on the Coupon Mom list, try a new brand! 

Coupons:  Use all available sources of grocery coupons. Check www.coolsavings.com every week for new coupons you can print, buy your newspaper and look for grocery coupon shelf boxes and tear-off pads on displays in the store.

Store website: Visit your grocery store’s website to see if they have any additional savings programs such as electronic coupons that you download onto your store discount card, frequent shopper loyalty programs, printable grocery coupons, or monthly sales flyers. Subscribe to their email newsletter to receive special coupons or advance notice of new sales.

Advance savings programs: Become an expert at your store’s savings programs. Many stores have attractive savings programs but they may not advertise them. Ask the customer service personnel if they double or triple coupons, accept competitors’ coupons, have senior discounts, match the advertised prices in their competitors’ sales flyers, or accept coupons printed from a home computer. Also ask if they have any unique savings programs such as fuel discounts, pet clubs, baby clubs, photo clubs, etc.

Stephanie Nelson has shared her savings tips on ABC News’ Good Morning America, Good Housekeeping, ABCNews.com and many local news broadcasts. You can find more of her savings tips in her book  “The Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom” and on her website at www.couponmom.com.