Also, for those buying in bulk – keep track of the price per unit as sometimes those giant packages aren’t any cheaper (and are sometimes more expensive) than buying the normal size. Also, when you know the going rate, you know who is having the best bargains that week and you are less likely to get taken in by those flashy ‘big deals’ in store.

Use coupons! Combine coupons with weekly in-store specials to save more (bogo in store + $1 off coupon = good deal!).

Make a list ahead of time and check the circulars against that list – go to the store that has those items cheapest that week and only get items on the list.

Buy and freeze when you can.

Also, be aware of all store policies. Some stores will double coupons. Some stores will match the price of other stores (Wal-Mart is one). Some stores will accept store coupons in addition to manufacturer’s coupons. The more info you have, the better your receipt will look!

When I was a kid, one of our local grocery stores had one day where coupons were all doubled (nowadays doubling usually stops at $1.00) and mom and her best friend would plan for days – collecting coupons, looking at the sales circulars, etc. and would go very early in the morning (it was open 24 hours) and leave with several carts full of stuff and a receipt for some tiny amount like $10. Sure they had six giant bottles of detergent, but they had lots of friends and they were always willing to share. I loved watching them perform this miracle of frugality (of course it was, in fact, a necessity due to their lack of income but I didn’t know that at the time).

many times at walmart and others etc the large economy size is MORE expensive than smaller sizes

watch the ingredient list on store brands. they are usually not the same as the comparable brand names. they cut corners and a lot of times and use more ‘not as good for you’ ingredients and perhaps more filler. i do admit there is times that the store brand is better tasting. one minor example is publix ‘pop tarts’ when compared to kellogg’s. publix uses a much better tasting crust

Start keeping track of the prices you pay for items that you buy regularly. The stores use marketing ploys to make “Sale Items” sound like a great deal, when sometimes they’re barely offering a discount at all. Also, when YOU know you’re getting a good price, you’ll also know it’s time to stock up on items that you won’t let go to waste.

Try not to be a brand shopper. Very rarely do the best deals happen frequently on the same brands, be it store brands or national. If you are able to find a few different brands that you like for each product you buy regularly, you won’t get stuck paying the regular price when you “run out and have to get more”.

Next, there is more to end caps and aisle displays than meets the eye. Even if you are an educated shopper that knows an item is at a good price this week, take the time to find it in its’ usual location. Many times the stores use perishable items as loss leaders because they are nearing the end of their shelf life. You might just find a more distant expiration date if you check the dates at both locations.

Last and most certainly not least, read your receipts before you drive away! I can’t count how many times sale items have not rang up at their correct, advertised, prices at the register. If an item or items doesn’t ring up correctly and you spot it before leaving, you can get them to correct before you leave. Some stores (Kroger) will even give you the item for free because of the mistake. For stores that don’t have the same policy, they will at least pay you for the difference.

@Momma–in addition to the impulse buys, there’s also the carelessness of the “get me the heck outta here” buys that can be triggered by spouses and children