Food Shopping Tips

These days, maybe more than ever, we are all looking for ways to stretch our hard-earned dollars. One of the largest expenditures for most families is the weekly food budget. With careful planning and common sense, you can come out ahead in the "Supermarket Sweepstakes."

Our focus is on the regular, weekly shopping trips in which you will buy the major portion of your family's groceries, cleaning and household supplies, etc. If you run short, or think of a special item you want, this is another story. The obvious place to start is, what do you want to eat? That begins with Menu Planning.

Most families I know start their day with the basics: Cereal (hot or cold), juice, and perhaps toast. Toss in some milk and additional fruit, and you are ready to face the day. On a slower-paced weekend morning, you may have the time and inspiration to cook a full, hot breakfast. If so, throw caution to the winds and heat up the waffle iron/hotcake griddle.

Let's focus on dinner (supper). I learned long ago that the easiest, first step to creating your shopping list is to plan your dinner menus for the week. Think of a main dish for each day. We all crave variety?you could survive on a hamburger and fries every day, but please! Add vegetables or a salad, perhaps a starch (rice , potato, legume). The options are endless?try an ethnic menu! Go vegetarian for the day! Is there a special occasion coming up?

When you have the week's menu and have checked your recipe box for those needed items, load up your recyclable grocery bags and begin shopping. As you roll along, watch for these "mileposts."

Advertised (shelf-tag) specials: Often you can find just the item you need, at a reduced price. One caveat: Watch out for multiple-unit pricing. An example would be 3/$2.00. Ask an associate?If I buy a single item, do I receive a comparable discount? Many stores will allow this, others will not.

Store brands: Store brands are often the equal or better of the "name" brands; and usually carry a money-back guarantee. Most markets also offer a money-back guarantee on their products.

Bulk or raw items: Many markets group their organic/raw/bulk items in a separate aisle. These may include dried beans, peas, nuts, rice, as well as trail mixes. Bulk items can be money savers, since you decide how much or how little to purchase. Since many of the items are dried, they will keep well in your cupboard/pantry, as well.

New items- samples-promos-closeouts: Keep an eye out for specials (especially in the meat section), promotional items, and clearance items. Many markets introduce new items at a reduced price, to entice shoppers to try them. Another attraction is the in-store coupon, usually a peel-off sticker on the label of an item.

Coupons: Check your weekly mailings and the Sunday paper inserts for good deals. But remember?only clip coupons for things you actually need! The best deal is no deal, if it goes to waste. Keep your clipped coupons with your shopping list, so as not to forget them. Check the coupons for expiration dates, since some chains will not honor expired coupons!

One final topic: Store membership cards/club cards. These are cards issued by supermarkets, in exchange for submission of some personal information. The cards entitle the holder to special prices on some items, or possibly some other type of rewards. In my experience, opinions are mixed regarding these cards. Although it is possible to save money using them, bear in mind that each time the clerk scans your card, the store is also tracking your purchases. This is a privacy issue for many people.