Shopping for Savings (Part 2)

Choosing the Right Store
For basic grocery needs many grocery stores now offer excellent product and price selection, frequent shoppers programs, and double coupon days. However, for bulk buying, you may want to tackle the warehouse clubs or superstores. Non-perishable items are often at unbeatable prices at these types of stores. For the best prices on health and beauty products, check the national drugstore chains and superstores.

Coupons, Rebates, and Frequent Shopper Programs
You can save hundreds of dollars a year by taking advantage of product incentives. Even the less enthusiastic coupon clipper can shave an average of ten percent off their bottom-line by cashing in a small handful of coupons per trip. In addition, if your store offers a frequent shopper program, why not sign-up! You will receive advanced notice of special loss leaders, double-coupon days and other money saving information.

Comparison Shopping
To determine the true value of a product, read the unit price, not just package price. The unit price information is usually on a sticker located on the shelf that holds the item. The package price only tells you the cost of the entire item. The unit price shows the cost per pound, ounce, etc. Taking a moment to compare this information in similar products will help you get the best value for your dollar. Also, be certain to check "expiration" and "use by" dates for the freshest products.

Beware of Marketing Strategies
Avoid marketing ploys designed to draw your attention to a particular product. Knowing some of the tricks of the trade will ultimately save you money. Beware of end-of-the-aisle dump bins, island displays, recipe related item placement, and "middle-shelf" items. This is typically, where higher priced and impulse products are placed.

Learn to Be a Label Reader
Reading the product label is the best way to find out more then what is advertised on the box. Ingredients are listed in order by the quantity actually used when making the product. The ingredients used the most are listed first . So for example, if you are looking for avocado dip you will want to see avocadoes listed in the first part of the ingredient list, not the last part. If you are looking to cut fat from your diet, watch being sold with words such as lite or fat-free which have a broad usage allowance. By reading the label, you can get a better idea of what the fat to calorie ratio is as well as other valuable nutritional information.

Watch the Scanner
It may mean you need to put down the magazine but this is not the place to get lax. Keeping your eyes peeled to the scanner has dual advantages. First, it will keep the cashier more alert. Secondly, it will allow you to stop the checkout process if an item is showing the incorrect price. Keeping the store circular nearby is also helpful in disputing and incorrect price. You can also ask the cashier to stop ringing while you accompany the employee to the aisle to check the price of an item.