Expert's Guide to Grocery Savings
One of the best ways to save money each week is through grocery shopping. Did you know it's possible to save an average of 50-100% on your grocery bill? If you really want to start saving large amounts of money on your grocery bill then the tips in this section will be very useful to you.

It will take a little extra work on your part, but the payoff will be worth it!

Take a look at the bottom portion of one of my actual receipts from the grocery store Publix. The savings were close to 80%! This can be your average savings per week using these grocery savings methods.


The secret is using coupons - but using them differently than you normally do.
Only use a coupon if the item you would like to buy is already on sale. This is how you maximize your savings. When the item is on sale and you use a coupon you will typically save over 50% on the item.

Here's an example of how this works
A box of crackers is $1.99
It goes on sale for .99 cents
You have a coupon for 50 cents off that box of crackers
You purchase the crackers when it's on sale and use the 50 cent off coupon to make the final price 50 cents.
**HOT TIP**Most supermarkets will double (or even triple) manufacturer coupons up to 50 cents. If the coupon is doubled you get an addition 50 cents off the crackers making the item FREE


The next tip that really makes this method most worthwhile is stocking up when you get the opportunity to use a coupon when the item is on sale.
That way you aren't at the mercy of the grocery store - and the price hike they will probably have on the same item the following week when it's not on sale anymore. If you have 4-6 coupons for the crackers then use them all at once when you can get them for 50%-100% off. Then you have a stash of crackers that will last you until they go on sale again (and you have new coupons you can use in conjunction with the sales to once again maximize your savings). If the grocery store is out of the item you would like see if they offer rain checks. That way you can purchase that particular item when it is in stock and still get it at the sale price.


Make sure you have multiple coupons for this method to be most beneficial for you
If you are shopping for a family of 4 you typically would want 4-6 identical coupons for the items you purchase regularly. The most popular way to collect your coupons would be through the Sunday newspaper. It may seem silly, but this may mean purchasing 4-6 copies of the Sunday paper. We recommend finding a grocery store that sells a bundled copy of the Sunday paper - the version of the Sunday paper that comes out Saturday and the final Sunday version that is out on Sunday morning. Many stores will sell these 2 papers bundled together for a discounted price. These newspapers are primarily sold for coupons clippers! Also be on the lookout for those "blinkie" coupon machines that are usually placed throughout the grocery store. Take 4-6 coupons from the machines and save them in your coupon stash for when the item goes on sale. Finally, many grocery stores that offer a "membership" card will also offer coupons you can download onto your card from their website.


What about Internet coupons?
Coupons you can print at home are great too. You can print multiple copies and you don't have to spend money on the Sunday newspaper - just the cost of paper and printer ink. Make sure your grocery stores take Internet coupons. Some don't because they have had problems with fraud. To access the most popular printable coupons sites on the web check out our Printable Coupons page.

You can also save on meat by purchasing extra when it's on sale and freezing it
While you typically won't have a coupon for purchasing your fresh meat you can still save buy stocking up when it's on sale. Most grocery stores will put their chicken, beef and fish on sale in cycles - typically every 4-6 weeks. When those sales strike buy extra packs of meat and save it in your freezer. Buy enough so you will have plenty until the store puts their meat on sale again. That way you are never paying full price. Also be on the look out for meat that is reduced because it will be out of date in a few days. As long as you freeze it right away it will be safe to use anytime after you thaw it.

Shop around to maximize your savings even more
This method is typically called "cherry picking." Most cities have 2-3 competing grocery stores. Check each stores weekly sales flier and see what you can mix and match with your coupons for the week. That may mean buying cereal that's on sale at one store and then buying soup that's on sale at the competing grocery store. This option works best if the stores are relatively close to your house. You don't want to be spending so much on gas that you will begin to eat up your savings.

By using this method you shouldn't need to shop at wholesale clubs to stock up
on grocery items anymore In fact, shopping at wholesale clubs will cost you more if you are using this coupon cutting method of shopping.

Be open to trying new brands using this method
One of the great things about using this coupon-cutting method is that you get to purchase brand-name products (instead of generics). Be open to trying new brands since the items you will get the most savings on are the ones that are on sale and that you have a coupon for.

Finding a coupon community will make the process a lot easier for you
The exciting thing is that many people are already starting to use this method of matching coupons with sales to maximize their savings. There are many community-based websites that can help you find the items that will save you the most money each week. If you can find a local group you can also get together for "coupon trading" and to discuss the deals of the week in your area.

There are also many websites online that can help you find deals We have listed some of our favorite free sites below.
Of course SuperSavingTips.com!
AFullCup.com
CouponMom.com - Check out the 'Grocery Deals by State' Link to the left of the website
BeCentsable.net.com -Links to blogs with grocery deals organized by state


One last note... remember to pay it forward!
After using this method for some time you will start to gather a lot of groceries in your stockpile. Why not donate some grocery items to the local food bank or other community-based outreach groups?