How To Survive The Grocery Shopping Blues

If you are the normal consumer, then you've probably experienced the Grocery Shopping Blues. Most supermarkets use this trick to their advantage to squeeze more money out of their customers and turn a tidy little profit for themselves.

Grocery shopping should be a pleasant experience, but too often, consumers let it get the best of them and they end up getting frustrated. It doesn't help that they don't put themselves in a position to make things easier.

To get the most out of your shopping experience and save money at the same time, consumers need to focus their attention on the most important aspect of shopping at the supermarket. That is, getting organized. If you can master this trait, you will be far ahead of the average consumer.

By getting yourself organized, you allow yourself to shop without stress. A luxury most consumers have yet to conquer in this got-to-have-it-now society. You also give yourself the chance to buy what you need instead of buying what you want.

Here are the 7 ways ways to organize your shopping that will help you save money, time, and stress.

1- Know what you are going to buy beforehand instead of wandering through store aisles looking for things to buy. This means knowing what you need by utilizing a price book, store circulars, and having knowledge of your home's food inventory.

2- Go online and and stock up on multiples of coupons from the free grocery coupon sites, coupon cutting services, and coupon trading forums and target only those coupons you normally use and those items that are on sale.

3- Set up your list and coupons according to the aisles in the stores. This way you don't have to return to aisles you've already shopped.

4- Spend as little time as possible in the store. Store surveys show that consumers spend $1.70/minute for the first 30 minutes in the store and $2.25/minute thereafter.

5- Stock up on loss leaders. Buy as much as the store will allow you. If there are limits, (usually four) then make sure you use the same number of coupons to get the maximum savings out of the loss leaders.

6- Store and brand loyalty are out. Stick to what gives you the best value not the most popular item.

7- Never shop on an empty stomach. Hunger tends to attract impulse buying.

As you can see, it's not hard to save both time, money, and patience at the grocery store if you are organized. While others are going crazy trying to find the best deals, you will have already done your homework, and decided where and what you will be buying.

This is how you will beat the Grocery Shopping Blues.

Barry Ferguson is known as "America's Saving Money Man". He is the author of two books called "How To Stop Wasting Money" and "The Saving Money Mindset", and has 15 years of practical, real world experience saving huge amounts of cash every time he shops! How much do you want to save? http://www.howtostopwastingmoney.com

The Good and the Bad of Money Management

Good money management needn't be difficult. In fact, there a... Read More

Why You Should Seek Professional Help With Asset Management

Everyone needs to maintain their lives. What I mean by... Read More

Strategies for Success

Holy Shenanigans! More STUFF?Loosing one's business due to lack of... Read More

Budgets And Eating - Can They Co-Exist?

Whatever your reason for having a tight budget, the truth... Read More

College Expenses: Seven Ways to Save on an Education

Many people graduate from college owing thousands of dollars in... Read More

If All Things Are Possible, Why Cant I Balance My Checkbook?

For me, the most terrible time of each month is... Read More

Vesting and Your 401(k)

Do you have a 401(k) retirement account? Are you vested... Read More

How to Save Money in a Grocery Store

Now there are ways to save money in the grocery... Read More

Save Money on Groceries: Part I

One universal of humanity, no matter who you are or... Read More

The Origins of Check Writing

People haven't always written checks to buy goods and services.... Read More

What is ChexSystems?

Commonly referred to as the first of the three major... Read More

Budgeting is Bothersome

It doesn't take much for you to get behind on... Read More

Car Donations and Used Car Donations

Car donations and used car donations are the way many... Read More

Financial Fitness - Are You Exercising the Right Muscles to become Financially Fit?

Are your financial muscles well toned and healthy or flabby... Read More

Estate Planning Basics

You have probably accomplished a great deal with your life.... Read More

What Happens if You Die Without Making a Will

If you die without making a Will in the UK,... Read More

Saving Money - Are You Doing Enough?

It is estimated that we, as consumers, waste an average... Read More

Why Live Frugally

What is it about being frugal, why do it at... Read More

One Income Source Is Not Enough!

My personal opinion is that in today's new economy, it... Read More

Accessing Funds You Never Knew You Had- Household Utilities and Mortgage Expense Reduction Plan

For most of us the process of getting out of... Read More

Why We Are Never Satisfied with What We Have

I have to admit, I do it too. I complain.... Read More

How Check 21 Affects You

The Check 21 Law is the new federal law for... Read More

Financing Collectibles for Fun and Profit

With the advent of the internet and especially auction services... Read More

How To Free-Up 10% to 15% of Your Income

Would you be interested in freeing up 10% to 15%... Read More

Top 10+ Ways to Jumpstart your New Year?s Finances!

Of course, these don't have to be done in any... Read More