Grocery Shop for Less

Where to save on food and pantry items.

by Debbie Pugh 

Here are some helpful hints to keep the costs down. 

Commissary

As military families, we are blessed with the privilege of commissary shopping.  If you have a commissary close by, use it!  The profit margin commissaries enjoy is significantly lower than commercial stores.  This is reflected in the bottom line price.  The biggest savings you will see are in those daily staple items.

Coupons

If you think that clipping coupons are a waste of time – think again.  Commissaries take all manufacturer coupons and often provide some right on the shelf.  Selected overseas commissaries often honor coupons well beyond their expiration.  Local grocery stores sometimes offer double and triple coupons.  By purchasing a local paper on the weekends for the coupons, I save an average of $20 (My record is close to $50) on shopping days.  This really adds up annually.  There are also coupon Web sites!

Try to shop with the weekly flyers, both in and out of the commissary.  Chain grocery stores offer big savings each week on popular items.  Buy many and freeze for later. 

Bulk

Buy in bulk those items that you use daily.  But, avoid buying more than you can actually use before it expires.  This is a common pitfall.  If it spoils before you use it, the savings is lost.  In addition to your commissaries, look into warehouse-type stores.  You’re almost always eligible!

Packaging

Sometimes paying for special packaging is a good idea.  But, consider the cost against its utility.  It is much more cost effective to buy 20 ounces of corn chips in a big bag than it is to pay for those smaller snack sizes.  Try packing your own in plastic lunch bags and making individual servings.

Limit Eating Out

Whenever possible, try to prepare meals at home.  Consider the steak dinner; one meal in a restaurant will cost as much as four steaks you can make at home.  For those nights you find most hectic, have some quick recipes or “out of the freezer” options ready to go. 

Plan Ahead

Plan your meals out as far as practical; it will simplify your shopping and preparation.  Think logically and progressively with meals.  When making lasagna or other freezable meals, make two.  Use one and freeze the other.  Other meals that are easy to freeze include casseroles, pot pies, and soups. 

Leftovers

Use ‘em.  It could be another meal.  If you have significantly more than a serving left, try turning it into stir-fry, or a casserole.  Buy a large chicken or a turkey to roast for the first meal, and then it could become chicken ala king, chicken and broccoli casserole, or chicken fried rice.  Try this:

Side Note:  Take the money you save each trip and pay yourself.  Literally, open a savings account and deposit the “amount saved” from each receipt.  You will be amazed how quickly those little amounts add up to something quite substantial.