Spend less on groceries with these tricks thrifty shoppers use

One bag of chips is $1.49 and a seemingly same-size bag is $1.79.

The cheaper one is the better deal, right?

Not necessarily, if the higher-priced bag has a couple more grams of chips.

When comparing prices, always compare price per kilo (or gram or litre).

It’s the only objective way to compare costs.

Grocery store sales often occur in patterns.

For example, we know of a store that puts ice-cream on a “buy one, get one free” sale on the third week of every month.

On the first week, it’s only a dollar off.

Learn the patterns and hold off buying these items until you know that they’ll be at their rock-bottom prices then buy enough to last you until the great sale runs again.

People assume that ordering groceries online is more expensive than going to the store – but it might not be. Ordering our groceries saves us hundreds of dollars each month.

Bypass the supermarket altogether and shop online instead. For many, shopping online is more efficient, as you can search for each item on your list and not get distracted by grocery store tricks. You don’t grab new foods off the shelf because they catch your eye, so you make less impulse purchases. You can also check your grocery inventory at home to ensure you’re not buying something you already have.

Another reason ordering groceries online can save money is that it allows youto keep an eye on the total bill. As you add items to your cart, you can watch the total go up and make adjustments to keep yourself under budget.

You’ve probably seen those investigative shows that uncover just how many errors supermarket scanners make – the numbers are staggering.

Knowing this, keep a watchful eye on the cashier’s display as the cashier scans each product.

Make sure that discounts for sales are applied.

Make sure that the clerk keys in the proper codes for perishables without price tags (so you’re not paying for exotic mushrooms when you’re buying green peppers). Then, be sure to keep your receipt. This is a good practice for a few reasons.

If the item is on sale but doesn’t ring up with the sales price, you can bring the receipt back to the store for a refund.

If you get home and one of your items is damaged or has a broken seal, you can easily return it.

Finally, many register tapes are printed with valuable coupons on the reverse side.

Keep your money in your purse when you see signs like “Limit six per customer”.

Stores know that customers will buy more of an item if they think there’s a shortage – and there generally isn’t.

Try to stretch out the time between grocery-shopping trips.

Instead of going once a week, go once every two weeks.

You’ll be forced to make your current food last longer and use up the food sitting patiently in the pantry and freezer.

You know that tougher meats are less expensive than tender meats.

But did you know that many butchers will run these cheaper cuts through the tenderiser if you ask?

Your tough cut will turn into a tender bite at no cost.

Inexpensive kosher salt is not only tastier than regular table salt, it’s also more frugal.

Each flake or crystal is far bigger than its table-salt cousin, which means that a single pinch will go a very long way.

This saves you money in the long run.

Ever noticed how much food goes unused in your pantry and freezer? Start checking those supplies before meal planning for the week. If you have perfectly good food in the house, build a meal around it. Healthy staples like oats, brown rice, beans and whole wheat pasta make great bases for cheap, hearty meals.

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