As a dietetic intern with a small budget, I am always looking for a great deal on my grocery items. I tend to look for items at the grocery store that are healthy, budget-conscience, and pack easily without spoilage. For this reason, I have compiled a list of ways that I have survived on a dime, and on the run!
1. Marked-down groceries. These deals are found in most every store. My personal favorite is when I can find marked-down produce. In the Knoxville area, I have found a few places that sell good products for cheap. At Food City, there is always a discount produce rack. On any given day, there will be 8 yellow bananas for around $1.00. At Kroger, when it is close to the sell by date, I like to buy guacamole, because it will be half of the price, and the product is able to be frozen for longer keep. Finally, at Big Lots, there is a bread rack. Name brand breads of all kinds can be found for about $1.10. **Note: Many of the items described in this section are close to their sell-by date. These items should be consumed soon and/or stored safely for long time use (such as frozen). Always remember, “if in doubt, throw it out”.
2. Couponing. Couponing has become a revolution. I, personally, do not contribute much of my free time to coupon cutting, but know that these can save money at the register. Coupons can be found in the paper, online, in some magazines, and from writing in to the company.
3. While you are at home, create a written meal plan for the week and make a grocery list of things that you need to make these items. While you are at the store, stick to the list. This seems simple, but store marketing is tough. If you stick to the list, it cuts down on money spent on impulse buys.
4. Use one thing many times. One of my favorite examples of this is a can of tomato sauce can be used for pizza, pasta, and chili, all in the same week. One can of tomato sauce is priced around $1.00, and can feed you for a week. This concept can be used with beans (beans, chili, salad topper) and chick peas (chili, salad topper, and hummus).
1. Marked-down groceries. These deals are found in most every store. My personal favorite is when I can find marked-down produce. In the Knoxville area, I have found a few places that sell good products for cheap. At Food City, there is always a discount produce rack. On any given day, there will be 8 yellow bananas for around $1.00. At Kroger, when it is close to the sell by date, I like to buy guacamole, because it will be half of the price, and the product is able to be frozen for longer keep. Finally, at Big Lots, there is a bread rack. Name brand breads of all kinds can be found for about $1.10. **Note: Many of the items described in this section are close to their sell-by date. These items should be consumed soon and/or stored safely for long time use (such as frozen). Always remember, “if in doubt, throw it out”.
2. Couponing. Couponing has become a revolution. I, personally, do not contribute much of my free time to coupon cutting, but know that these can save money at the register. Coupons can be found in the paper, online, in some magazines, and from writing in to the company.
3. While you are at home, create a written meal plan for the week and make a grocery list of things that you need to make these items. While you are at the store, stick to the list. This seems simple, but store marketing is tough. If you stick to the list, it cuts down on money spent on impulse buys.
4. Use one thing many times. One of my favorite examples of this is a can of tomato sauce can be used for pizza, pasta, and chili, all in the same week. One can of tomato sauce is priced around $1.00, and can feed you for a week. This concept can be used with beans (beans, chili, salad topper) and chick peas (chili, salad topper, and hummus).
