Shopping without Coupons

Following are some tips on saving money at the grocery store when you don’t have coupons.

Look at the Store’s Weekly Ad

The first thing to do when you get to the store is to take a look at the grocery store’s weekly ad which is generally located on a stand as you enter the store.

There may even be coupons that you can tear out and use.

Bring the ad with you when shopping and make note of the items that are on sale, that you need, or that you will use in the future.

A word of caution, don’t buy something just because it’s on sale, especially if it’s something that you’re not sure you will use.

If an item is on sale that you use regularly, or it’s a pantry basic, this is the time to stock up.

But, beware of the pull date.

Check the End Displays and Side Stacks

As you’re shopping, check out the end displays and side stacks for featured items on sale.

There may also be unadvertised specials in these areas.

Read the Shelf Tag

Take a look at the shelf tag to see:

• If discounts are offered when buying multiple items
• If additional savings are available when using a rewards card
• What the unit price is (compare the price vs. the other brands and even if a product is on sale, another brand may ultimately cost less)

Also compare the price vs. the size of the product.

Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy multiple small sizes rather than the one large size, or vice versa.

Be on the Look-Out for Coupons

Keep an eye out for coupons that may be by, or on the item you want to purchase.

Sometimes vendors attach a coupon dispenser or pad of coupons to the shelf by their product.

Also, often times a “use now” coupon is attached to the product itself.

If the product is being sampled by a person performing demos, check the table where the sample items are in case coupons are being handed out.

If a coupon is just lying on the shelf by the product that you want to buy, check it out because you never know, it may be current.

Sometimes people just randomly leave coupons lying by products.

For tips on things to consider when shopping sales at the grocery store check out “Shopping the Sales“.

More on Couponing:
Types of Coupons
Finding Coupons
Organizing Coupons
Using Coupons