EcoMoMics 101

10 things to do to reduce overspending at the grocery store

By Amy Bergin, founder of The Couponzier

1. Set your spending limits - only you know what a reasonable amount to spend monthly is. Set a limit and try to stay within it and if it doesn't work, consider revising until you settle in on the right amount. Big ticket items usually are meat, diapers, formula, some fruit if out of season, so plan according to your needs and priorities.

2. Perform CPR before you get to the store:
   • CALENDAR - look over the week ahead, make note of the flow of activities for everyone including yourself! Identify how many meals you will eat home together as a family, the meals you eat at home but not together and the nights you will be out as a couple and as a family.

   • PANTRY - this visual scan will bring to mind food and other household items you already have. This will eliminate double buying or allowing the food you already have to go to waste.

   • RECIPES - now take a moment to go over recipes both family favorites from memory and new dishes to try out. Here you are able to make the most of the ingredients you have and make note of what you need to buy.

3. Make a shopping list and stick to it - you will shop faster and achieve more saving when you invest time in this planning step. This list is your roadmap at the grocery store.

4. Use coupons and shop stores that double coupons - in Atlanta, Kroger, Publix and Ingles doubles everyday and Super doubles (up to $1.00 doubled), once a quarter, you have to watch the paper for dates. The Couponizer® has a place to put the coupons to be used on a shopping trip and a CHECKOUT pocket for the coupons you intend to redeem.

5. Use Internet tools for additional coupon savings and meal planning - use the grocery store sale publication as a guide to deals and try to match coupons to these products for the most savings - Meals.com - coupon friendly recipes - couponmom.com & grocerygame.com post the weekly grocery store deals

6. Find a local meat market to buy meat directly from a butcher. The meat is fresher, never been frozen, tastes better and is better for you nutritionally. Prices are usually better than the grocery store since there is no mark up involved. Check the yellow pages for meat packing plants or butchers.

7. Track your spending - The CoupTracker gives you a place to keep score by jotting down your purchases and savings and adding them up at the end of each month. This helps give you the information you need to stay on budget.

8. Tune into your hunger before you shop - shopping on a full stomach will provide you with the energy to focus and resist distractions.

9. Store brands verses name brands - check labels to make sure the store brand which is usually cheaper contains the quality ingredients you are used to buying.

10. Watch out for traps set in the grocery store - clustering items, end of aisle dump bins, buy one get one free (sometimes old food), loss leaders (items for sale in paper that are sold below cost to get you in the store) Do look for bins containing food marked down for quick sale.

Amy Bergin, mother of three children, developed THE COUPONIZER®. An award winning, must have organizing tool for any family who strives to make the most of their hard earned money. To find out more visit her website www.thecouponizer.com.