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Cutting costs at the grocery store
Regan Hill photo
A shopper browses the aisles at Food Lion on East Broad Street.
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Published: May 1, 2009
Planning ahead is one of the best ways to save a few dollars on a trip to the grocery store.
"The first thing you need to do is plan your meals and get your family involved," said Ann Simmons of the Cooperative Extension Service in Iredell County.
The key to saving, she said, is to make a list and stick to it. "Many people go into the grocery store for one or two items and came out with a cart load," she said.
She said people should buy more fresh fruits and vegetables and steer clear of pre-packaged foods.
Many of the pre-packaged meals are high in sodium and fat, while fresh fruit and vegetables are more nutritious, and give many options for fixing meals, she said.
And those fresh fruits and vegetables can be found at places other than a grocery store.
"Farmer's markets are an excellent place to shop for food bargains," she said. "It's fresh and locally grown, and you get to know the people who grow it."
Simmons said she loves okra, but prefers to frequent the local farmer's markets to buy her favorite food. "I am able to buy quite a lot. I get two to three times as much for the same money at a farmer's market as at a grocery store," she said.
Shopping locally helps your pocketbook in that you're not driving as much, and you're aiding the local economy.
Simmons said checking unit prices of products is also a good way to save money. "That is generally on the shelf either below or above the product," she added.
For example, she said, a 20-ounce can of a product may cost $2.85, while a 10-ounce can is $1.25 per unit. "You're better off buying two 10-ounce cans for $2.50," she said.
Checking grocery store ads each week can help save a few dollars, especially if the stores are located within a reasonable driving distance and transportation is available, Simmons said.
She said sale items can save a few dollars each week, but only if the product is something needed. "Purchase only the sale items you are actually going to use," she said.
Scott Dixon, district manager for Food Lion stores in Statesville and Troutman, said checking ads from various stores is a good idea.
He said Food Lion tries to help its regular customers save money by sending out special coupons and advertisements in the mail.
Simmons said coupons are a good idea to cut costs at the grocery store, but, like sale items, they're not a bargain if it's a product you don't need or won't use.
"Pay close attention to the expiration date and the quantities you have to buy to get the discount," she said.
Simmons suggested forming a coupon-swapping group with friends and co-workers. Coupons you might not use could be for a product a friend or co-worker buys on a regular basis.
Most Sunday newspapers include coupons, but there are other sources of coupons, she said.
There are Internet sites for obtaining coupons, and many companies also offer coupons on their own web sites.
Buying in bulk is another way to save money, but you should only buy the items you need or have room to store.
Simmons said buying store brands is a good way to save money. "Many are no difference than the brand name," she said.
Dixon said the grocery store can offer ideas for meals that do not use many ingredients, such as the meal solutions promotion in which complete meal ideas are $10 or less.
Simmons said the best plan for saving money at the store is to do your homework and go into the store with a definite plan in mind.
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