Grocery Store Tactics That Get Us to Spend
Patient Observant Shopping Will Save You Money
You would think grocery stores are exempt if not helped by downward swings in our economy. Think about it, when things are tight, we tend to eat out less and spend more money at the grocery store. We start to be realistic with our money and buy a $8 steak and a $10 bottle of wine and have a great homemade meal, rather than get the same steak (but smaller) and the same bottle of wine for over $50 at a restaurant. Apparently, grocery stores are struggling to, but they are good at hiding it…
Less for More. I tend to take forever to grocery shop because I examine prices and ounces. I love it when stores advertise the price per ounce, a dummies guide to the best deals. However, lately I have noticed the price per ounce jump, but the actual price is staying the same. Why? Some grocery stores are now keeping prices the same, but giving you smaller sizes in return. The concept is a pretty good one really, most consumers probably don’t even notice unless the product looks physically smaller. For the most part, the products that are being shrunk are not the staple products that we buy all the time, rather the items we rarely purchase, thus, there’s a better chance we don’t recognize the price jump. Have you noticed any of your items shrink?
Internet Coupons. If you have the time, prowling the internet for food coupons can be a great way to save money, but many consumers are having a difficult time actually using the coupons they print. Some stores say they aren’t a participating grocery, and some just play dumb. Most of the time, internet coupons are legit and should be honored, try bringing the stores coupon policy with you, which can usually be found on the internet.
Grocery Savings Cards. How can you go wrong? Sign up for a free savings card and watch your grocery bills slide. But have you ever wondered why these cards are even necessary? If everyone has the cards, or if you don’t and the clerk just punches a number in for you, what’s the point? In fact, many of these card programs actually cost the grocery money. Often, they tend to have these programs because 1) you feel like you get special bargains and will be a return customer; and 2) it’s a great way for them to track your spending habits, which has obvious benefits to them.
SALE SALE SALE. Sales are advertised on the outside of grocery stores, and usually they are the first thing you see when you enter a store, both give the idea that you can’t go wrong. Have you ever noticed where else you see sales throughout a store? Often times you will see bargains next to expensive items or items you wouldn’t typically purchase. Just by getting you to stop and look around the sales items, they are tempting you to spend.
What tends to work well for me when I shop is to be a patient and observant shopper. I check to see what the price for ounce is on your usual items and compare it with competitors. I try to take advantage of the discounts without indulging in overpriced or unnecessary items. I keep mental notes of prices and try a different grocery store every once in awhile; I live close to two stores and when convenient I’ll buy certain products from each store that offer the best prices. Lastly, I try not to get obsessed with the discount cards keeping track of the amount of money I saved. If you save more than you spend, you’re still spending. Don’t get me wrong, take advantage of the deals, but remember, it’s really just the normal price and the card doesn’t make you special, just makes you easier to advertise to. $
Related articles you might be interested in:
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader or email.
Comments
Wowzers – You buy once every 6 weeks?? I thought we were doing well by going only once every 3…I am curious to read your shopping list! Next time you go send it in with the amounts and we will post it up for others to see!
I hate going to the grocery store and wasting time, just like your were saying it is tempting to buy all the sale items. What I do not only saves me money but also saves time is to sign up for the sales emails. I’ll check my email right before I leave work so I know exactly what to buy when I stop by. I typically shop at food lion, partially because I am able to buy my usuals for a cheaper price, but also because getting the weekly email makes it a lot easier to get the deals. Hope this helps!
I shop with a list, which is made from the week’s menu. That really helps keep me on track and not buying things I don’t need. I have noticed food sizes going down (though I blame food manufacturers rather than the stores) but like Suzy, I try to do the bulk of my shopping at local farmers markets.
This is exactly why I quit going to the grocery store. I found a local farm to buy my milk/chicken/beef from and I buy my produce at the local farmer’s markets and grow some of my own. I occationally make a trip to my local health food store, but I buy enough in bulk so I don’t have to do buy once every 6 weeks or so.