| The Feds have a neat way of playing with the | | | | can even split the purchases and the cost. |
| statistics to try and convince us that the | | | | |
| cost of goods is going up a little bit | | | | Like many people, I used to have an aversion |
| instead of a lot when they release their | | | | to clipping coupons. However, my attitude |
| Consumer Price Index figures WITHOUT the cost | | | | about coupon clipping changed one day when I |
| of food and energy! Huh? For all of us living | | | | watched a woman in front of me purchase a |
| in the real world, we know just how much | | | | cart full of groceries for about $17. She was |
| prices are going up, and unlike the | | | | an expert at using coupons to save money. If |
| government, we can't just exclude food and | | | | you really want to get serious about saving |
| energy from our budgets. Since we can't | | | | money with coupons, you have to be organized |
| eliminate food costs simply by moving it to | | | | and only clip coupons that you're going to |
| another column, it is imperative to try and | | | | use. With the advent of the Internet, you can |
| save money on this necessary expense, and | | | | even print a lot of coupons online. A couple |
| this article looks at several easy ways to | | | | of sites that allow you to do this are and |
| help reduce our food costs. | | | | Many stores also match manufacturers coupons, |
| | | | saving you twice as much on an item. While |
| One of the easiest ways to save money on food | | | | using coupons can save you a great deal of |
| is by simply being organized. When making up | | | | money, be aware of the prices of the items |
| a list of items to be purchased, I always go | | | | you're purchasing and compare them with the |
| through the ads to see who has what on sale, | | | | other brands. Although large name brand |
| and when. You'll be amazed at how much you | | | | manufacturers offer coupon discounts more |
| can save just by spending a little time | | | | often than local brands, the name brand |
| looking at the Sunday ads, and seeing who has | | | | prices can be much higher, negating much of |
| the best prices on items that you need. After | | | | your savings. Be smart and compare. |
| making your list of stores to visit, set up a | | | | |
| route and hit all of the stores in an orderly | | | | There are some other things you can do to |
| fashion purchasing the items on sale at each | | | | save money while in the store. First, avoid |
| store. Don't just look at the food stores | | | | impulse buying. Stores place certain higher |
| either, but look at places like drug stores | | | | profit items at strategic places in the |
| who often discount many food items as 'loss | | | | store, increasing the likelihood of your |
| leaders' to draw people into their store. | | | | purchasing them. Be aware of this, and keep |
| After a while, you'll get a good feel for | | | | your hands in your pockets. Also, leaving the |
| which stores have great deals on certain | | | | kids at home while shopping for food will |
| items, and when the items tend to go on | | | | likely decrease your impulse purchases since |
| sale. Another benefit of hitting several | | | | few parents can long resist the screaming of |
| stores at a time is that you'll spend less | | | | children wanting everything they see. Also |
| time running to the stores, and use less gas | | | | you'll save a good bit of money by avoiding |
| in the process, saving you more money. | | | | the junk or processed foods. These foods |
| | | | offer the most profit for stores and |
| Another easy way to save lots of money is by | | | | therefore are pushed at advertised overloaded |
| belonging to one of the Wholesale clubs like | | | | consumers. Avoid the aisles that offer all of |
| Costco or B.J.'s. Don't let the idea of a | | | | these 'goodies' and you'll save lots of money |
| membership fee keep you from belonging to at | | | | and your waistline. |
| least one of these places because you'll more | | | | |
| than make up for it in savings. The problem | | | | While there are few absolutes in life, the |
| many people have with these type of stores is | | | | need for food and the likelihood of this |
| the fact that you have to buy everything in | | | | commodity continuing to increase are about as |
| such large quantities. While this may be an | | | | certain as death and taxes. Since none of us |
| issue for items like meat and other | | | | live in the make believe world of government |
| perishable foods, you can definitely save | | | | statistics, it's a good idea to try and save |
| lots of money by buying non-perishables like | | | | a bit of money on this necessity whenever |
| canned goods, paper items, and many other | | | | possible. Try implementing some of the tips |
| things that have a long shelf life. If you do | | | | mentioned here, and use your imagination to |
| a co-op with a family member or friend, you | | | | come up with some of your own. |