10 Smart Ways to Save Big Money at the Grocery Store

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Grocery shopping can be costly, but with a few smart strategies, you can trim your bill significantly. Here are 10 practical tips to help you save money at the grocery store without sacrificing quality or variety.

1. Buy Off-Brand

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"Buy off-brand stuff," begins the first thread poster. "Usually, the supermarket's own brand is the cheapest." A colleague who works in wholesale foods told me many top-shelf branded products are the same as their rivals. The brand only separates some expensive products' quality from their cheaper versions.

2. Use Coupons

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Some people are coupon gods, looking down on us mere mortals (and holding us up at the checkout) with their two-for-one offers. "There's some you can find online, but where I live, the local Sunday newspaper is the one where you find a ton of manufacturer coupons," suggests a deal-hunter.

3. Buy in Bulk

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Non-perishable items invariably come on offer, so waiting until the right one can give you much better value for money. "Do the math," states a contributor. "Buying in bulk can usually save you a few cents per unit, but only if you're using everything you get."

4. Alternative Proteins

Lentils
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"I've learned to get my protein and essential vitamins from sources that are cheaper than meat," claims someone who I suspect eats alone often. I don't know about this one; good meat is non-negotiable for me. I am happy to seek alternatives to supplement the essential amino acids, such as leucine, which are muscle-building blocks.

5. Cook in Bulk

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Although buying exotic cuts of steak isn't always more frugal, learning to buy produce and bulk-cooking in larger batches for the week ahead will be cheaper than buying processed food or individual cuts of meat. Of course, you can have the odd cheat TV dinner when you find good offers in the aisle.

6. Bulk Toilet Paper

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"I buy a 32-pack of Charmin toilet paper for 30 bucks and never regret it since it lasts so long and it treats the rear well," explains the next non-food tip. Buying this essential in bulk certainly makes sense!

7. Buy Essentials

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"I eat because my body needs fuel to function," another frugal grocery shopper declares. "It's a lot easier to save money on food when you're only getting what you need to survive." I can't help but think this guy owns a dojo in a strip mall.

8. Make a List

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Considering everything you spend against what you need is a surefire way to save on the monthly outgoings. "The first step is to list everything you buy in a month," says an observer. "Then really consider which of those are essentials — you may be surprised how few of them are."

9. Find Freebies

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Many regions have plenty of free food options, depending on what you are prepared to eat. "Some places near rivers (I'm in Northern California) actually give away fresh salmon because there's so much of it, and it will spoil otherwise," is another win-win suggestion in the thread. Fresh, free salmon? Where do we sign up?

10. Use Rewards

Costco membership
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Finally, if you shop at supermarkets, look into their member rewards scheme. One contributor has saved a fortune using their local chain's free delivery, which cuts down on impulse buying and gasoline. "The membership pays for itself quickly, and I stick to my menus for weeks," raves a fan of this system. "I've cut down on waste as well."

Source: Reddit.

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