ONE
Strategic Grocery Shopping
Here is where Ill share how I went from "just getting groceries" and spending more than $500 a month to really saving money on my groceries and spending less than $300 a month. The strategies outlined in the following chapters all play an important role in making the most out of each trip to the grocery store and, of course, they are essential to making $5 Dinners.
Before I get into the temptations and obstacles that are thrown my way every time I go to the store, Id like to share with you what kind of shopper I used to be, and what kind of shopper I am now.
Shopper Profiles
I used to be the kind of shopper who just went to the store and did all that I could to keep the children entertained and happy. I paid little attention to what I added to the cart. I just wanted to make sure there would be enough food to last until the next week, when wed load into the car and do it all over again. I was happy to see thesale tags on some of the products that I purchased each week, but did not seek out sale items or use coupons.
Although I wouldnt call myself an "Impulse Shopper," I certainly wasnt being smart in my grocery spending. I knew that I could do better. I wanted to become a "Savvy Shopper."
I wrote up a little quiz that will help you determine what kind of shopper you are. Its a quick ten questions that will help you think about your grocery shopping and spending habits.
"WHAT KIND OF SHOPPER ARE YOU" QUIZ
Answer the following questions to determine what kind of shopper you are:
1. When it comes to the grocery store circular, I . . .
a. Dont know where to find it or when it comes out.
b. Toss it out with the rest of the newspaper ads.
c. Review it each week to see what is on sale at my grocery store.
2. In my family, the grocery bud get is . . .
a. A free- for- all. No care or attention is paid to how much is spent at the
store.
b. Loose. But I know Im spending too much money each week.
c. Tight. I know exactly how much I have to spend each week.
3. When I go through the grocery store, I . . .
a. Grab what I think I need or might use and get out of there as fast as I
can.
b. Have a list, but still find myself buying eight items not found on my list,
as I just cant help but grab a box of donuts and bag of chocolate.
c. Have a list, a stack of coupons, and only get what I need each week.
4. I use coupons . . .
a. Never. I dont have time or energy to devote to couponing.
b. Sometimes. I use them for a few products on my grocery list.
c. Always. I plan how I will use my coupons, and try to use them only
when the product is already on sale.
5. I am willing to sacrifice quality and taste to save money.
a. True. I simply cant afford the highest- quality items in the store.
b. False. I would rather pay a little more for higher- quality ingredients.
c. False. I still buy the same great quality products, but only when they are
on sale.
6. The thought of taking my children with me to the grocery store makes me
want to . . .
a. Shrug. Doesnt bother me at all to bring the kids along.
b. Pout. I wish I didnt have to take them with me, but I dont have a choice.
c. Cringe. I would never take my kids with me to the grocery store. They
always make me spend more money than I want to.
7. When I see a fantastic sale price for my favorite product, I . . .
a. Dont seem to notice that its on sale.
b. Grab several boxes and add them to my cart.
c. Will hunt down coupons so that I can replenish my stockpile.
8. Meal planning is something that . . .
a. Ive never heard of or thought of doing.
b. Happens on occasion, but doesnt seem to be a consistency in my house.
c. Occurs every week in my kitchen.
9. If I see a product on "super sale" at a grocery store where I dont typically
shop, I . . .
a. Never think to compare prices at other stores.
b. Am glad that I have an appointment near that store later in the week, so
I can stop in to buy it.
c. Would drive out of my way just to get the great deal because I need to
get more of that product.
10.The cashier hands me my receipt and says, "Thanks for shopping with us today, your total savings were . . ." What is the percentage of savings?
a. 0%
b. 25%
c. 60%
Total # As
Total # Bs
Total # Cs
QUIZ RESULTS
If you answered mostly As, then you are an "Impulse Shopper."
If you answered mostly Bs, then you are a "Decent Shopper."
If you answered mostly Cs, then you are one "Savvy Shopper."
My Quiz Results: Before the summer of 2008, I would have classified myself somewhere between an "Impulse Shopper" and a "Decent Shopper." Since discovering and implementing the following strategies and learning to be more disciplined while in the store, I declare myself a "Savvy Shopper."
Temptations and Obstacles in the Grocery Store
A savvy shopper understands the temptations and obstacles within the grocery store, and comes armed and ready to fight. I had to learn about the many stumbling blocks found through the aisles of the grocery store. I had to learn to spot a real deal and a fake deal. And I had to learn the common marketing tactics that manufacturers and grocery stores use to get consumers to buy more products. Let me share an overview.
First, I want to share a little about what I call, "Sensory OverloadGrocery-Store Style." At first I misclassified this as "reverse grocery store culture shock." After so many years shopping in Dominican Republic grocery stores, I was not used to the culture of the American grocery stores. Upon re- entry into the American culture, I found myself in "reverse culture shock," both in life and when in the grocery store. My first few trips to the grocery store in the United States were overwhelming. Not just the one- hundred choices of toothpaste, but the sights and smells that floated through the air. It was almost too much for my "third- world brain" to take in.
It took me many months to realize that this sensory overload was not going anywhere. I had grown accustomed to the number of choices in the store and the reverse culture shock had worn off . But the sensory overload remained. Have you ever noticed how intense and bold the sights and smells are when you walk into the grocery store?
In the summer months, I can hear the flowers in a stores entryway shouting, "Buy Me. No, pick me. Hey, look at my pretty petals." And then I walk through the doors, right past the ginormous table of pies and cookies. Geesh! I dont know how much more of this I can take. Next, I stroll right on past the floral department, admiring what could be that weeks centerpiece on my dining room table, and head through the produce department picking up bags and bags of fresh produce, only to find myself next to the bakery. I can smell it from the potatoes. It just has that powerful luring effect. The donuts and cookie cakes cry out for my attention as I speed on by. Its tempting, it really is!
I manage to make it to the other end of the store, only to find that the in- store homemade potato chip– making machine is in full gear, cranking out the most delicious and fresh- tasting chips known to man. Or at least known to me. Knowing that they were made right there from real potatoes somehow makes them healthier. But its the smell that gets me every time. The smell of fresh fried potato chips . . . mmmmm.
Ive had enough of these fabulous sights and smells. I have got to get out of here