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How Money Are You: Trip to the Grocery Store, Trader Joe's
Every time I visit Trader Joe's, I leave with a few things that I can't wait to try for the first time. Discovering new delicious items is good insurance against the temptation of eating out. I dine out much less than I used to but the food in my belly is certifiably tasty, so I'm a happy camper who's saving more on food.
How-To: Get the Most From Coupon Clipping
Coupon clipping was introduced more than a century ago, and the present recession has given the practice a popularity boost. For some it's a hobby, for some it's a necessity, but for most people, it's just a smart thing to do. Use my tips to get more out of your coupon clipping.
How-to: Save by Spending on Select Days
Making a calculated effort to snip your expenses isn't easy. While there are things you can do to ease the pain of cutting back, tracking spending requires daily budgeting and discipline. Clearly, some days are better than others.
Reader Tip: Stock Up Your Pantry For Winter
Over time we each develop a unique saving style, which is why I appreciate the Thrifty Tips — Getting The Most Out of Life group in the SavvySugar Community. It offers a place for you to preach your tips to other SavvySugar readers trying to turn a little into a lot and learn from fellow savers.
Beachwalker shares her seasonal saving suggestion:
I love buying fresh from the market in season.
15 Store Brand Items That Taste Just as Good
As a creature of habit, you might find it difficult to branch out of the brands you're used to buying. We all want to spend less at the grocery store without sacrificing flavor, and Consumer Reports saved us all a whole lot of time by taste-testing a slew of supermarket and name brand items. In a few cases the name brand was declared tastier, but the majority of tests either ended in a tie or with the store brand as the winner.
Stores See More Shoppers Ditching Goods at Checkout
The other day, I was waiting in the checkout line when I found myself reaching into the grocery cart to restock something I didn't really need. The item was something I'd purchased in the past and didn't particularly enjoy, but it was on sale and I thought it couldn't hurt to give it another shot. Once we reached the register, I realized the likelihood of using it and actually being satisfied was slim to none.
Washington DC Shoppers Wait the Longest in Grocery Lines
I've been known to shop at odd hours to avoid crowded supermarket aisles and lines — after 9 p.m. is ideal. Shopping at peak times makes the entire experience less efficient, from selecting produce to checking out.
How Money Are You: Trip to the Grocery Store, Ralph's
Thanks to Ralph's, I'm starting to be a self-checkout pro. It kind of channels the kid in you that once enjoyed playing "store." I picked up just a bag-full of items on my last trip to the grocery store, which is the perfect type of trip for using the self-checkout.
Do You Like the Idea of a Paper and Plastic Grocery Bag Fee?
Seattle's city leaders were prepared to enact an ordinance that would charge 20 cents per paper or plastic grocery bag, but the plastics industry stepped in with a referendum to give voters the final say. The majority of voters turned down the referendum that would have charged for every bag received from supermarkets, drug stores, and convenience stores.
Supporters say the fee would encourage reusable bags, cut down on pollution and waste, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while opponents are mostly against the added expense.
How Money Are You: Trip to the Grocery Store, Ralph's
It's hard not to like a supermarket that has its own stack of Jelly Belly bins. Ralph's (operated by Kroger) has some issues with organization that can be a little frustrating, but my local store is always clean and you can count on stocked shelves. Can you guess what I spent on some items during a recent shopping trip?
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