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With inflation rampant across the U.S. economy, the prices of many groceries have skyrocketed. That means people on tight budgets struggle to pay for the food they need.
Luckily, there are things you can do to reduce your grocery tab, even when prices are generally rising.
Don’t overlook these easy (but often forgotten) ways to cut your grocery shopping costs.
1. Request a rain check
Occasionally, we may run out of stock of groceries that are offered at great sale prices. Instead of walking out of the store disappointed, you can ask for a rain check so you can get your hands on the deal later.
2. Shop at multiple grocery stores
Most grocery stores sell “loss leader” items. These are foods that are heavily discounted in the hope that shoppers will walk through the door. Grocers will happily lose money on a handful of foods in the hope that they will make up elsewhere.
However, you can turn this concept into your own advantage by shopping at two or three grocery stores and stocking up on loss leaders at each retailer.
Note that this trick works best when grocery stores are clustered together in the same area. Driving around town just to save a few bucks isn’t a bargain, especially when you consider the time and gas it consumes.
3. Buy Organic Store Brands
Almost everyone knows that buying generic versions of standard groceries can save you money. However, not everyone realizes that stores sometimes sell organic foods in generic form.
Examples of organic store brands include:
- Aldi — Simply Natural
- Kroger — Simple Truth Organic
- Safeway — O Organics
- Meijer — true goodness
- Whole Foods — 365 Everyday Value
4. Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm
Join a local community-supported farming network and get regular deliveries of locally grown produce. There is a fee to become a member, but you may be saving money compared to what your local grocery store charges.
Deliveries are typically weekly, although some farms offer other schedules. In some of her CSAs, members pick up food rather than have it delivered.The U.S. Department of Agriculture website can help Find your local CSA.
5. Shop on Wednesdays
thrifty people know it Experts often suggest Grocery shopping on Wednesday. This is because many retailers restock their inventory that day and mark down older items to take them out of the store.
Does that apply to your favorite supermarket? The only way to find out is to shop a few Wednesdays in a row and see if you can save. Once you’ve found plenty of bargains, you’ve found your new favorite day at the grocery store.
6. Skip eye level items
Grocery stores are no fools when it comes to marketing their products. They tend to place their more expensive items at eye level in their storefronts, hoping that they will quickly focus on these premium priced items so that they can eventually purchase them.
To save money, look top-down at store shelves where real bargains are likely hidden.
For more sneaky grocer methods, check out 7 Tricks Grocers Use to Spend More Money.
7. Use Discount Gift Cards
Buying and using discount gift cards at your favorite grocery store is a great way to cut costs.websites such as enhance You can buy gift cards for less than face value. You can also sell unwanted gift cards there.
Of course, a free gift card is even better. Read 12 ways to get free gift cards for tips on how to get these giveaways.
8. Shop at a salvage store
Salvage grocers sell food with damaged or dented packaging or products that are nearing their “sell by” date. You can usually save a lot of money by purchasing these items.
Websites such as Buy Salvage Food can help. find a salvage grocery store in your area.
For more information, see How to Control High Food Costs at the ‘Salvage’ Grocery.