Six Simple Strategies to Help You Save Money at the Grocery Store

The price of consumer goods continues to climb and no where is that more visible than at the grocery store. An article by CNN Business found that overall food prices have jumped almost 8 percent over the past year — the biggest increase since 1981 — and supermarket prices are increasing even faster. Some of the biggest jumps have been for staple items such as meat, eggs and soup.

To help stretch your dollar at the supermarket, CNN’s shopping experts offer the following pro tips:

1. Make a Shopping List — Avoid impulse buying by making a list of what you need before you go to the grocery store — and then stick to it.
2. Shop Around — This is not the time to be loyal. Compare prices on products and shop at the store that offers the best deal. Don’t shop only at supermarkets or big box stores, you can often get great prices at farmers’ markets and food co-ops.
3. Shop Smart — Look for sales and special promotions in store and in flyers and advertisements. Stock up when the items you use a lot are on sale, providing they are not perishable. Take advantage of free store loyalty cards too. Some of these save money on gas as well as groceries.
4. Buy Generic — You can save money by buying stores’ private-label brands. Often times these products are manufactured by the same companies that make name-brand products, but store brands are much cheaper.
5. Beware of Shrinkflation –—“Shrinkflation” is the sneaky tactic used by manufacturers to save money by cutting back on product size — think less cereal in the box or less juice in the container. To beat shrinkflation, CNN’s shopping experts say compare unit pricing. For instance, look at the price per ounce to see which package is the best deal.
6. Chill Out — You can save money by buying frozen meat and produce. Not only is this cheaper, but it doesn’t go bad before you can use it. Just think about how much food wastage we experience.

The Seniors Trust is committed to improving the financial well-being of America’s retirees through passage of The Social Security Expansion Act. It will give retirees an immediate benefits increase of about $65 a month, a fair annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), increased minimum benefits, and this bill will ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.