Tips for saving at the supermarket

The other day my grocery store had little bags of precut apples on sale. They were Buy One Get One Free which made then roughly $2 each. 

On the surface that sounds like a good deal. But is it? Not when I can get a pound of apples for $1.29 

So today I wanted to talk about areas in the supermarket where you might be wasting money.

1. Don't buy prepackaged produce. I know I just talked about the apples, but the same applies, generally, to most precut, prepackaged produce. Yes, you will have to spend time washing and cutting fruit, but it's a negligible amount when you consider the amount of money to will save in the long run. 

There is an average 66% price difference between precut produce and regular produce. 

2. Or little cups of yogurt. My family LOVES yogurt. But the small 6-ounce cups cost around $.50 to $1 each! This is just ridiculous when I can buy a 32-ounce tub for around $2. 

Of course you can always make your own. (Although I can't seem to get the flavor just right.)

3. Or premade lunches. Lunchables are so convenient. But you can make a healthier option that also include turkey, cheese, fruit and a snack for less than the cost and far less waste of a lunchable. 

4. Check the price per unit. Often times the grocery store will put the price per unit on the label on the shelf. It is usually in the upper lefthand corner. 

In fact, I used this just this week when buying a box of baking soda. The big box comes out to be just $.03 an ounce while the regular sized box was $1.06 an ounce. The bigger box is definitely a better deal but... 

5. Only upsize if you need to upside. Of course the larger box at the cheaper rate is a better deal, but only if it is in your budget, if you need it and if you have the room to store it.

A 40 pound bag of rice might mean more for your money, but it's not worth it if it means you will overspend at the super market. 

6. Keep track of how much you're spending before you spend it. I like to carry a notebook with me and write down how much each item costs. As I put the item in my cart and cross it off my list, I write down the cost of that item. 

This helps me to see how much I am spending, but it also helps me in future budget planning. 

7. Keep track of what is in your pantry. You can use these free printables to keep track of what is in your pantry and freezer. That way you don't buy duplicates of what you already have and spend money you don't need to.

8. Don't ignore your sales flyer. Before you go shopping check your store's sales flyer. And plan your meals based on what is on sale. 

I firmly believe you can save cash on your groceries without clipping coupons. Not that I have anything against coupons. Believe me. I love them. 

What about you? How do you save money at the supermarket. Join the conversation below. 

Linking up at Thrifty Thursday, The Thrifty Couple, Frugal Friday, Small Victories Sunday.