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So, i’m a single guy, with no clue how to cook, who has been growing fond of frozen dinner foods …
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I know that I should buy bulk when the supermarket offers the “Buy 2 and save $” deal.
I use my supermarket card as well for store discounts.
I know about coupons, but those ones are for items that I don’t need or normally purchase.
My question:
Are there any other ways to maximize savings while shopping?
Any inside industry tips/secrets that the general public does not know about?
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5 Comments
Be more self reliant and dont let big business make sauces and frozen food for you. Let the fresh ingredients speak for themselves and you wont have to buy as much stuff, and you will eat and feel better.
I spend less $30 a week on food, and I eat very well.
If you learn how to cook it is too easy. There are many basic cooking methods that will save you a lot, ie making your own pasta sauce, and is way better than anything you buy in the store.
Ex: I like to buy my meats uncut, and I cut them at home. A whole chicken is usually $1.10 per pound while parts are around $4. I take it home, and cut it into parts myself, and use the neck back to make broth. I make soup with the broth (beans, carrots, onions, tomatoes) and have lunch for a week squared away. I do the same thing with ham for sandwiches. I eat more eggs, and more beans. Meat free days are also way cheaper. This is how they eat in most of the world, and they are all in better shape, and better cooks than we are in the US.
Where I live I follow this method:
Check out prices in all supermarkets in the local area to find out if they have any outstanding offers, not the ones that save a few pennies but substantial savings like 1 + 1 free or at least 2 + 1 free or 25 – 50% discount.
Most of them have a website where they display their specials so it’s nice and easy to find and evaluate them.
Also ask small privately run shops about green groceries that are near their end or even groceries that have gone beyond their date but are still good such as chocolates or hard (but not soft) cheese. They usually sell them cheap so as not to throw them away without getting anything for them.
Otherwise the best way to save is to cook your own meals in several portions and freeze them for future use. This requires freezer, plus microwave oven would be handy.
Buy store brands instead of national brands. They are often considerably cheaper and taste just as good. Buy in bulk, use coupons, check ads. I would not recommend going from store to store to save on certain items considering the gas prices these days unless the stores are convenient and not too far out of the way.
Its difficult to shop and cook for one person. In my single days,I shared meal planning with my single friends. This really helped with the over all scheme of things
Post an add in the paper
start a club of local shoppers..