How to Save Money at The Grocery Store
According to Yahoo Finance, it costs between $131 and $299 to feed a family of four…for a week!!! Do the math. That is between $524 and $1,196 per month! So it pays to shop smart to get the most out of your money. Here are a few things that you may want to skip buying at the grocery store:
1. Gift credit cards – They can be a life-saver when you truly need a last minute gift, but some gift cards from the grocery store have big activation fees.
2. Salad dressing – Besides bottled dressing having a ton of ingredients, like high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients you can’t pronounce, it’s pricey! I bet you have olive oil and balsamic vinegar in your kitchen somewhere. Mix these two together and you have a healthy, fresh (and delicious!) dressing for your salad!
3. Lunchables – Just like other food that is in a box (hot pockets, frozen pizzas, and what have you), these things are so unhealthy! They have a lot of sugar & fat, plus they are extremely processed! So why would you want to feed these to your kid? Just give your kiddo left over pasta from last night’s dinner or a cheese sandwich. Heck make it fun – you can cut the sandwich into a funky shape, if you’re one of those moms.
4. Name-brand spices – According to a blind taste-test from “Consumer Reports,” people couldn’t taste the difference between expensive brand-name spices and cheaper generic versions (pro-tip: check out the spices in the Goya aisle). A good way to save on spices is to buy a little at a time from your local health-food store, where they sell in bulk.
5. Pre-arranged flower bouquets – Look for the buds that aren’t quite open yet and get single varieties of flowers to get the best value from fresh flowers from the supermarket.
6. Party supplies – For someone who likes to shop frugal, the Dollar Store has been my best friend when it comes to party supplies. Just last week I bought a Mickey Mouse balloon for my Godson’s First Birthday Party. Yes – a Mickey Mouse balloon! You can save a ton of money on the basics like candles, paper plates, and helium balloons at the dollar store.
7. Greeting cards – If you don’t want to pay four or five dollars for a card at the supermarket, you could buy a cool set of blank cards 
to use for any occasion. Or, better yet, go to the Dollar Store! Why spend $5 on a card that will be thrown away a week later (if you’re lucky). Some cards at the Dollar Store are even better than some Hallmark Cards. Take a look at this Mother’s Day card I got from there!
8. Diapers – Anyone who has to buy diapers knows that the grocery store isn’t the cheapest place to get them. But when you desperately need them, it’s great that they’re right there…
9. Batteries – You’ll pay way more for them at the supermarket than you will at a warehouse club.
10. Bottled water – Forget buying plastic bottles of water over and over. All you need is a couple of stainless steel water bottles to fill and keep in the fridge. You’ll save the planet and some money.
Take a look at your old grocery receipts. Are you guilty of buying these items from the grocery store? Next time you go grocery shopping, keep these tips in mind & let me know how it goes!
Are you thinking of buying or selling a home, or have a friend or family member who is? Contact The Pivec Group today by calling 443-692-8800 or visiting our website! We look forward to hearing from you and helping you find YOUR dream home!
