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Supermarket Tips
In this article, we will discuss some tips for saving money at your local market, as well as how to save time while you navigate your way through the grocery shopping experience. And, of course, the environment – lose the large plastic bags or the grocery paper bags and replace them with something a bit more stylish.
• First! The oh-so-obvious: you must write a grocery list. When making a grocery list, we’re not saying you have to organize it by department (although, we’re not going to lie, we do it, but that method’s for the super efficient or the one that has to literally fly through the grocery). If you don’t write a list and go to the store hungry, chances are, you will leave with sixty dollars of Cheetos. Keep a pen in either you hand (or your hair, ladies) to make sure you are buying what you need. Again, we know it is obvious but it does happen to the best of us…
• Second! Save money on groceries! When buying your groceries, look on the top and the bottom shelves. Deals are to be had! Companies pay big bucks to be at eye level because you see the best crackers ever (and let’s be honest, then you start thinking about them, and can taste them after just seeing them…and of course you then have to buy them). But, look two shelves above or below and you will see a cheaper, equally delicious cracker for one dollar less. Cha-ching! You just saved money. Note that it is our experiences that sales especially can be found in the international and the canned food aisles. Also, among our money saving ideas, remember your coupons for groceries!
• Third! Here’s a grocery shopping tip for those trying to make healthier food choices: try to only shop the perimeter of the store. Yes, it is a huge challenge, but a great one. The fresh produce, meats, dairy are the only things usually available and if you can stay away from the day glow orange dusted foods, it’ll make for a much healthier meal.
• Fourth! A great tip when trying to buy the freshest of any perishable: check the last batch (furthest in the back) of whatever they are offering. The first thought you may have is that the ugliest of the produce will be hidden in the back but actually the opposite. This produce distribution method is called FIFO (first in, first out). Typically grocers put the newest and freshest cuts/quality produce in the back, hoping to get rid of what is just about to go bad. This works for milk, packaged heads of lettuce and cuts of meat.
• Fifth! Don’t be shy! Ask the people behind the counter for help if help is needed. If there is a specialty cheese they are offering but we know we only need ½ of it we’ll see if they will cut it for us and then they will only charge us for what we need. Remember, they are there to help you – why buy what you don’t need – just another one of our money saving tips.
• Sixth! Butchers are your friend. Ask them for help too. For example, we make a great dish called Braciole. Often times, the flank steaks are amazingly thick and just will not work for the special dish. So, we’ll ask the butchers if they can please put our steak through the tenderizer. Most if not all will be happy to help. (P.S. If ever you need just a few feet of butchers twine for your Braciole recipe, ask the butchers if they can lend you some. Butchers twine is about 4 dollars for a large ball of twine and to spare a few feet is just pennies to them).
• Seventh and finally! Forget the plastic grocery bag and bring your own re-usable bags when you go grocery shopping. I have found it makes it so much easier to transfer groceries from the car to my house - and it’s great for the environment. Plus most grocery store chains will give you a discount per bag you bring in. We actually have Cooking with Caitlin shoppers that are made out of recyclable billboard (as in the signs on the side of the road) that are oh-so-stylish, but you will have no problem finding store-brand re-usable bags in any grocery store these days.
We hope these tips are helpful. Happy shopping!
