Hugh: With Rising Food Prices, People Are Sharing Tips on How They Save at the Grocery Store

Inflation has taken a toll at the grocery store lately, with year-over-year prices up by as much as 11 percent by some measures. If you’ve been finding your budget doesn’t go as far as it used to, you’re certainly not alone. With food prices up across the board, people have taken to the internet to share tips on how they avoid spending too much at the grocery store. A tried-and-true method of keeping your costs in check is as simple as reading flyers. Whether it’s a physical copy or a digital one, not only will perusing the weekly sales let you know the best place to shop for what you need, but it will also inform you what different items usually cost. For example, if salad dressing usually costs $2.99 at Store A, a sale at Store B advertising salad dressing on sale for $3.49 isn’t much of a deal at all. Another tip that some people are sharing is to be aware of price matching policies. If a store says they’ll match a sale price advertised by another store, don’t be afraid to take advantage of it.

Another way to keep your costs in check is all about preparation. Make a meal plan, compose a list of what items you need for those meals, and stick to that list. It’s tempting to pick up a few impulse items at the grocery store, but too often the purchase is unnecessary or it changes your meal plan, making other items unnecessary. Speaking of sticking to your plan, don’t get fooled by sales that offer a discounted price if you buy multiple units. Sure, a deal is a deal, but if you’re buying more of an item you’ll end up using, it’s a waste of money.

Finally, I have to share with you a tip that I had never even thought of before. Some online commenters are telling thrifty shoppers to make sure you look at items above and below eye level. Apparently some grocers will place the more expensive items in prominent places right in your line of sight, while cheaper options will be higher or lower on the shelf. Got any other tips? Let us know.