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Shopping
Smart
Many people consider shopping a hobby, but few would put grocery
shopping in that category. It's necessary but it's also a pain in the neck - the
crowds, the screaming kids (yours or someone else's) and the cost, all add up
to an experience that rates just above scrubbing your entire house with a
toothbrush. Here are five ways to make it more bearable and save you some
cash.
1) Savers cards. Many grocery stores offer a free card that saves you money
without coupons on select items, which change weekly. The other day I saved
$15 on my grocery bill just by using a card. Some stores use the card to
track your spending just before the holidays and if you spend enough, you
earn freebies like a turkey. Check with the customer service desk at your
favorite store.
2) Online coupons. We all know magazines and the Sunday paper
are sources for coupons but have you checked online lately? Valuepage
(http://www.valuepage.com) lets you select only the coupons you use and
print them on a single page. Cool Savings (http://www.coolsavings.com)
also has grocery coupons. For even more coupons, go to Ask Jeeves
(http://www.ask.com) and type in "grocery coupons". You'll be pleasantly
surprised.
 3) Buy your groceries online. Many stores will do the
shopping for you for a nominal fee. That doesn't sound like a
way to save money, does it? Butif you go to the store, you have
to drag the kids and/or spouse with you. Kids whine for treats
and toys and spouses are notorious for throwing all sorts of junk food into
the cart. If you shop after work or when somebody's home to watch the
kids, you're bound to be hungry and easy prey for all sorts of impulse buys.
What you save by not buying junk could easily add up to more than it would
cost to have the store shop for you, and all you have to do is pick up your
purchases. Another advantage of shopping online is if you leave your grocery
list on the 'fridge, you can just get up and get it!
4) Shop wisely by using a site that will help you prepare a list. That way
you have all the ingredients you need, eliminating those last minute trips
to the store and the impulse purchases you make because you don't want to
write a check for only one thing. Betty Crocker's website
(http://www.bettycrocker.com) lets you pick recipes and print up a shopping
list. Even better, you can input what's already in the cupboard, and she'll
give you recipes! This is perfect for those nights when you have no idea
what to cook.
5) Start a garden. For example, buying shallots in the store is
very expensive and you only get a few. For the same price, you
can order several shallot bulbs from a catalog, plant them and
enjoy a bountiful harvest. The same goes for fresh herbs, fruits
and vegetables. Your gardening isn't limited to warm weather.
If you have a basement, you can set up a small "grow room" using inexpensive
fixtures and grow lights from the hardware store. Once it's set up, you can
grow herbs, vegetables and even miniature fruit trees year-round. You'll be
enjoying low cost fresh produce while your neighbors are buying expensive
produce that doesn't taste nearly as good.
If you give any or all of these suggestions a try, you'll save time and
money, you'll be less stressed and you may find you enjoy gardening. It's a
win/win situation all around! Now if only there was an easy way to get the
kids to go to bed...
Links:
Valuepage (http://www.valuepage.com)
Cool Savings (http://www.coolsavings.com)
Ask Jeeves (http://www.ask.com)
Betty Crocker's website (http://www.bettycrocker.com)
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