How to Grocery Shop

1. First and most importantly make a list. You don't have to follow it to the letter, but it will decrease the possibility of your forgetting something important. Check your fridge, freezer and cabinets. If you plan your meals ahead check the recipes and be sure you have everything.
2. Check the sales paper. I do most of my daily grocery shopping at Kroger and I always check the Sunday circular to see if any staples are on sale. I also check to see what meats and poultry are on sale (this usually determines what we'll eat).
3. One the same token clip those Sunday coupons. If you don't run out for a Sunday paper it's no big deal, you can usually get Sunday papers all week for just 50 cents at your grocery store's customer service counter. Also sign up for things like savings cards...they'll save you a lot of money. Some stores also allow you to register for coupons put directly onto your savings card via the internet. All great ways to put money into your pocket.
4. Shop the outside of the store. The middle of the store is mostly junk foods and sodium laden sawdust tasting foods. Fresh produce, breads, meats, fish, cheeses, dairy and frozen veggies are the best things to buy and they're all on the outskirts of the store. The middle is only good for dry beans, spices and baking essentials (although I've been known to be tempted by a bag of Cheetos and a 12 pack of Coke).
5. Eat before you go...no really. I have made some truly questionable grocery shopping decisions when I've been super hungry.
6. Buy in bulk. I make a run to Sam's club every few weeks to buy things like butter, eggs, dog food, cat litter, sugar etc. Produce is actually cheaper there too typically, garlic, carrots and the like are a LOT cheaper.
7. This one is totally optional, but I like to bring my own bags to the store. It's more environmentally friendly and you can fit a lot more stuff into a reusable bag than you can into a plastic (resulting on fewer trips from car to house).

Now quit reading this blog and go do some smart grocery shopping!