Save Money Shopping for Food

• Shop with purpose. You are a supermarket's dream customer if you go in after work, when you are hungry, and walk up and down the aisles looking for something good to eat. Supermarkets place high profit items at eye level, and not everything "on sale" is actually a good price. They depend on impulse buyers to increase their profit margins.
• Recognize the difference between a want, and a need. I want ice cream, chips and soda. I need vegetables and toothpaste. Only after my needs are met may I indulge my wants. 
• Make lists - know what groceries you need this week, know what items you will need over the next few months, make a list of things that will make your life better or expand your skills but are outside your budget. Then when you go shopping or visit garage sales, you won't be tempted by things you don't need and will be able to snag the bargains when you find them.
• Know your prices. It is difficult to comparison shop if you work from memory. Bring a hand held calculator to the store with you and keep a price book comparing the UNIT PRICE (this is the price per ounce or per serving on the shelf card) in different stores of items you commonly purchase. Check different brands and different sizes for the best value, and then check weekly circulars for sales. Buy only when the price is lowest.
• Don't just shop at the supermarket. Visit ethnic stores, big box stores, farmer's markets, pick your own farms, roadside stands, restaurant supply stores, and shop online - you can get amazing deals on fresh spices, bulk foods and most grocery items from online stores and Amazon.
• Look for spices and rice in ethnic stores, yeast and pasta in big box stores, visit restaurant suppliers, buy case lots and daily bargains from Amazon, and watch supermarket sales for good deals on sugar, oil, and seasonal items.
• Try store brand or generic. They are often the same or close to name brand products at a much lower price.
• Shop "loss leaders". These are the items supermarkets sell below their cost in order to entice you to buy other products once you are inside the store. The stores will price spaghetti 20 cents below their cost, hoping you will buy the sauce to go with, and if you do they will more than make up the difference. If you want to save, restrain yourself - buy ONLY loss leaders. That sauce will be on sale next week. 
• Factor in the price of bringing the food to your front door. Consolodate shopping trips, stop on the way to other destinations, take advantage of free shipping to reduce total costs.
• Some items cost less when you buy in bulk, other items cost less on sale at the supermarket.
• Produce almost always costs less when purchased "in season". Buy in case lots and process immediately.
• Weigh prepackaged produce. The 5 lb bag of apples may be 5 lbs or almost 6 for the same price. Buy the bigger size!
• Check expiration dates and buy the freshest on the shelf. With canned goods the difference may not be much, but dairy, bread, and meat that lasts longer in your fridge gives you more time to use it up or process it for later.
• Beef and pork almost always cost less in the autumn, as farmers do not want to feed their livestock over the winter months.
• Purchase meat by the quarter, side, or whole, from a butcher. Prices are usually 2/3rds what the supermarket charges by the piece.
• Freeze, dehydrate, and can bulk food items.
• Plan your menu for the week, and avoid impulse buys. 
• Stock up during sales. Most items go on sale every 12 weeks, so buy four month's supply to keep you until the next sale cycle.
• Grocery stores with bakeries often clear out stock on Sunday afternoon. Load up on specialty and artisan breads at discount prices, and keep in your freezer.
• Fill freezer with baked goods just before summer, use them up and fill freezer with meat during fall sales.
• Avoid purchasing prepared foods as most of the cost subsidizes fancy packaging, advertising, etc.
• Try generic and store brands - you will find there's often little difference in quality.
• Check the back of the store for the markdown shelves where you'll find greatly reduced prices on discontinued items.
• CHECK YOUR RECEIPTS! Stores make mistakes all the time. If you can, watch the register and catch mistakes as they happen. When you get home, go over your purchases and compare with the receipt to be sure you were not overcharged, and all the items you purchased came home with you.