Clipping coupons is a tried-and-true method many shoppers employ for saving on products they purchase. Grocery coupons have been a staple in newspapers, magazines and through the mail for decades. With the advent of the Internet, we can even print grocery coupons right from our computers.
Coupon shoppers loyally clip, save and then redeem coupons for significant savings. Regular shoppers know, however, that not all products offer coupons. How do you save on those items for which coupons are rarely, if ever, offered? Here are five ways to save on groceries, even without coupons:
- Wait for sales. Watch the store ads and when items you use go on a significant sale, take advantage of the opportunity and stock up. Don’t go overboard, of course, but make sure to purchase enough of the product to meet your needs until it goes on sale again. Savvy shoppers know that most items have a “sales cycle” which means they go on sale at regular intervals throughout the year. Depending upon the product, that interval may range from once per year to every six to eight weeks. Over time you will get the feel for frequency of the sales and, with a little forethought, you’ll be able to enjoy savings on these items despite the fact that there are no coupons available.
- Consider alternative brands. While you may have a favorite brand of barbecue sauce, for instance, when that brand is selling at its regular price, take the opportunity to try a brand that’s on sale or that regularly sells for a lower price — maybe even try a store brand. Some store brand items are as good (or better) than brand name products and are generally priced lower. The first advantage is that you’ve saved some money. The second advantage may be that you’ve discovered an alternative brand that you like as well — or even better. Of course there’s also the chance that you won’t like it at all, in which case you may be able to return it to the store or contact the manufacturer for a refund. Smart shopping is about versatility, so it’s worth taking the chance on an alternative brand.
- Do some reconnaissance among stores. If you notice a particular item, say, eggs, are consistently cheaper at one store than another, make that the store where you always buy your eggs. Try not to make a special trip just for eggs — that in itself is not a cost-effective strategy. Just knowing which stores offer good deals on certain items will help ensure you won’t be stuck paying too much for them at another store.
- Look for the item at a warehouse club. Oftentimes an item may be available in a larger size or a multi-pack at a bulk shopping warehouse store. The per-unit price is often lower than regular price at a grocery store, although you need to make a larger upfront investment by purchasing in quantity. Keep in mind that there’s a yearly membership fee at many warehouse clubs, so make sure you take that cost into consideration when assessing the potential for overall savings.
- Search for an outlet store. Many brands have outlet stores that sell their items at considerable discounts. Dollar stores often make brand-name products available at much lower prices than grocery stores too. This is a particularly good way to save on items that you use quickly or that have a long shelf-life.
These suggestions will help you to find the products you want at the cheapest possible pricing — even without coupons.
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