When you’re shelling out $4.50 for a gallon of milk or three bucks for a dozen eggs, you don’t need to be told that grocery prices have been zooming towards the stratosphere. But that doesn’t mean you have to fall into the trap of assuming you’re just another helpless captive of the economy. On the contrary, you have the power to take charge and make some smart decisions that can save you significant dollars – not only at the checkout counter but elsewhere as well:

1. Plan your trips to the supermarket. It’s tempting to impulsively hop in the car when you run out of milk, bread, or some other staple. Considering the price of gas, however, it’s foolish to make such trips for one or two items. Instead, plan to hit the supermarket on a planned, regular schedule, not just whenever the spirit moves you. So what if it means going without some everyday foods for a couple of days now and then. No milk in the house? Substitute juice. No bread? Serve muffins. Your family may even welcome the brief change of diet and you’ll save plenty on petrol.
2. Shop by your list – and only by your list. How many times have you arrived at the checkout counter and realized that half the contents of your shopping cart were impulse purchases? Resist temptation: Make a list of what you’re going to buy, then stick to it. If possible, shop without the kids along, otherwise they’ll pester you to buy overpriced junk food you don’t want or need.
3. Clip and use those coupons. Elsewhere in this issue, we say that newspaper cents-off and dollar-off coupons can turn into “found” money. Well, that bears repeating here. A dollar off this salad dressing, fifty cents off that package of noodles – you might be surprised at the way those small amounts add up. Some frugal shoppers routinely cut $200 or more off their grocery bills over the course of a year just by making use of coupons. Could you use an extra $200?
4. Keep a sharp eye on the clearance section. Supermarkets regularly mark down all kinds of items, particularly those that bear an upcoming expiration date. So visit the clearance section before you go anywhere else in the store. Tip: Consider buying large quantities of products you commonly use and freezing the ones that can be frozen. Then they’ll be available whenever you want them – and so will more of your shopping dollars.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask. When will such-and-such an item be on sale or marked down? What time of day do sales usually begin? It never occurs to most shoppers to march right up to the customer service window and ask – but if you don’t ask, how are you going to know?

Plan, list, clip, watch, ask – and save!

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4. Using a Farm Share to Budget Your Grocery Bills
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