Becoming A Radiologist Technician

Going to the grocery store can be annoying, tempting or a money saving experience. By learning new tips and stocking up on items with price reductions, you can trim your budget and your waistline at the same time while keeping your family well fed and happy. Here are 100 tips to save money, time and your sanity while grocery shopping.

Saving Money
1. Check out weekly grocery store deals for specials and price cuts.
2.Clip the Sunday paper coupons. The Coupon Clippers - This site provides coupons from all across the web for you to print out and start saving money immediately.
3. Stock up on reduced prices of canned goods or non-perishable items that your family uses frequently – only when they are on sale though.
4. Become a member. Almost all major grocery stores have a free membership card that can save you lots of money on purchases.
5. Eat before you shop; this saves you money overall, and may also save your waistline.
6. Check the Internet for printable coupons and other discounts that save you money on your favorite products.
7. Avoid the snacks and magazines at the register. In clerk parlance, that entire section is known as the “impulse buy” section, the assumption being that offering you something sweet or gossip-licious is an easy way into your pocket.
8. Make a list, and stick to it. This is the single greatest tool for saving money at the grocery store, and there’s a variety of online programs to help you assemble your list. My Grocery Checklist - This site lets you digitally customize your own shopping list and then print it out.
9. Go all out when comparing prices. As nerdy as it sounds, you should keep track of prices on your most-purchased items, and see which stores will save you money in the long-term.
10. Basket or cart? Deliberately limiting your shopping spree by using a small hand-basket instead of a shopping cart is a good way to limit yourself.
11. The store brands won’t kill you. Perhaps the most basic tip for saving money at the grocery store is trying out their own brands; if you like them well enough, you’re going to save a lot of money down the road.
12. Sometimes the deal is too good to be true. Beware those “fresh” cookies that are two for the price of one; there’s probably a reason for that.
13. Keep an eye on your food prices as they are rung up at the register—this allows you to catch incorrect prices, accidental double-scans, and so on.
14. Make a budget and stick to it religiously. This is great for those watching their wallets first and foremost, as it lets you purchase whatever you want, but only up to a certain limit.
15. Ditch the car. If you want a real fitness and savings one-two punch, walk or bike to the store and see just how willing you are to buy dozens of bags of stuff.
16. Bulk shop, but do so carefully. You can find great deals at places like Sam’s Club or Costco by purchasing in bulk, but be sure that you and your family will actually work your way through all that food.
17. BYOC (Bring Your Own Calculator). Bringing a calculator to the grocery store has a number of great possibilities, from simply tallying how much you’ve currently “spent” before hitting the checkout to sussing out whether that bulk deal is really as good as it sounds.
18. Keep your coupon use focused. Use them only on items you would have purchased anyway, rather than letting coupons con you into buying more than you intended.
19. Be a deal watcher. In addition to checking newspaper ads and flyers, check the walls and displays in the store to catch great deals.
20. Try to stock up on your favorite items when they’re on sale. This is especially true of products whose prices creep up seasonally, such as the downright criminal prices of soda in the summer.
21. Speaking of seasons and cycles, try to deduce the “sales cycle” at your local stores. This means knowing when certain things go on sale, and pouncing before everyone else has even figured it out.
22. Be frugal when you can. Depending on your needs, thrift stores, salvage stores, and dollar stores may have what you need at a fraction of the price.
23. Network when you can. While shopping by yourself remains the best plan, you and your friends should be willing to grab each others’ favorite items when they’re on sale, thus saving both of you tons of money.
24. Look for the deals hiding on the upper and lower shelves rather than just nabbing the (usually higher-priced) items in front of you.
25. Keep track of prices from past shopping trips. Whether you just keep receipts or go full on spreadsheet, you’ll know when the store is trying to creep prices up on you.
26. Go beyond the groceries. To combat the almighty Wal-Mart, more and more grocery stores offer products beyond groceries; keep your eyes peeled for the best deals.
27. Time your meat schedule around the store. While the grocery deli almost always beats pre-packaged foods, learn when fresh stocks of certain meat arrive, insuring you get the most flavor bang for your buck.
28. Cut down on processed foods. It’s healthier for you, and can ultimately be kinder on your pocketbook.
29. Beware in-house programming. Some stores now have TVs mounted throughout the store, blaring (naturally) advertisements for products. Again, stick to your list as much as you can.
30. Do you really need that magazine? TV Guide has been replaced by cable boxes and newspapers by the Internet; explore the web for infotainment alternatives before you shell out big bucks for empty glossies of your favorite celebs.
31. Claim that discount whenever possible. Whether you qualify for a student, military, or senior citizen discount, don’t be afraid to claim it.
32. Almost do-it-yourself is always more expensive than do-it-yourself. Grocery stores often aim to help your DIY endeavors by bundling items, such as pizza dough, cheese, marinara, and pepperoni. Inevitably, buying these items individually and having them on hand for future meals is a much more frugal option.
33. As a sort of corollary to the above tip, always try to cut, season, and tenderize your own meat before paying the grocery store extra to do it for you.
34. Do a last minute check. To save your wallet some heartache, review your cart before checking out to determine whether or not you really need certain things.
35. See if they’ll match others’ coupons. In this lean economy, many stores will match the coupons of their competitors, so you can get the best deal wherever you shop.
36. Sometimes one is as good a deal as four. Markets often try stunts like “4 packs of soda for $10.” Keep in mind that more often than not, you can still buy just one or two and get that sale price.
37. Do the meal math, and buy enough of an item to give everyone a certain portion, and no more. It helps combat unhealthy eating, and leads to a healthier wallet.
38. Try to do your “bulk shopping” (lots of toilet paper, towels, and any foods you can get in bulk) once per month, leaving your other shopping trips lean and mean. How to Layer Grocery Coupons with Sales and Store Loyalty Programs - Just like the name says, this site’s all about maximizing your savings at the grocery store.
39. It should go without saying, but make sure your shopping habits adapt to upcoming events. You don’t want to buy those two gallons of milk right before your family goes on vacation for a week.
40. Don’t mix groceries and goods shopping if you can avoid it. With the advent of the Wal-Mart Supercenter, it’s easier than ever to go over budget because you’re tempted to nab that new Blu-ray or a video game for your kid in addition to just getting the food.
41. Selectively splurge. While we’re all tightening our belts in this economy (hence many of these tips being meant as money-savers), taking the time to grab your spouse their favorite pie, junior that new toy, or yourself that beloved tiramisu can be worth more than its weight in dollars. Shareware Connection: Grocery - This great site has various shopping programs, from dieting programs to list organizers to shopper cart analyzers.
42. Avoid hustlers. From rookies to pros, con men know the best place to hit people up for money is at a shopping center, grocery or otherwise. Avoid their more advanced schemes (such as asking for a car ride that turns into a request for money) to hold onto what’s yours.
43. Give money to the Salvation Army and other fundraisers. In addition to winning you some karma, being conscious of those who need money can subtly stop you from overspending.

Saving Time
44. Embrace the bad parking places. Think of the calories you’re burning and time you’re saving instead of driving for 10 minutes to park yourself 20 feet closer.
45. Make a mental map. While many people do this automatically, you’ll want to become intimately familiar with the broad layout of the store, so your shopping journey is a continuous path rather than a zigzagging, backtracking one.
46. Shop alone whenever possible. Not only does it speed up your overall trip, it means that you don’t end up giving in to the food demands of your child or husband (sometimes both).
47. Plan your shopping around the foods you’ll need all week. This means having your own snacks, a good lunch to avoid eating out during the workday, as well as a filling, healthy dinner.
48. Keep a well-stocked pantry. This is the key to having quick and ready snacks, the basic ingredients for great meals, and even the complicated materials for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
49. Be your own bagger. The clerk and people in line behind you will love you forever if you bag your own stuff when the bagger is away; after all, you’re saving everyone time, including yourself.
50. While you shouldn’t agonize over the perfect parking place, situating yourself closer to the shopping cart return area can reduce your own personal zigzagging.
51. Learn the multiple places your favorite items are stocked. For instance, some stores keep pre-made guacamole near the fruits and veggies as well as near the other cold stuff in the back; having two places to shop means doubling your chances of getting what you need.
52. Make an aisle by aisle map. This is admittedly on the nerdier end of the scale, but making your own map of the store and where things are located helps you cut down on shopping time, which becomes even more important when you have a kid or two (or three, or four) with you and have trouble simply memorizing locations.
53. Get to know the area around the grocery store. A well-timed trip can let you also pick up food from your favorite Chinese place, or grab some tasty yogurt before you head home. Weight Loss Program - This site helps make your next shopping trip one geared for weight loss.
54. Have your form of payment ready at the register. Try to have your check at least partially filled out, or your debit card at the ready, or your cash in hand; don’t make others in line wait while you rummage.
55. Be a helper. As long as you can do so without intruding on anyone’s personal space, don’t be afraid to help folks unload their cart; you’re earning major karma and keeping the line moving.
56. Shop around the holidays. On the day before and day of events like Memorial Day and the 4th of July, you know it will be crowded; make sure you’ve got everything you need at least a week beforehand, to avoid the insane rush.
57. Consider banking where you shop. By switching to a bank with grocery store branches, you’ll always have access to your money while at the market.
58. Don’t be afraid to just ask somebody where a product is located. You’ve only got so much time, and it’s part of why they’re there.
59. Follow the line rules. Certain stores have lanes if you’re buying 20 items or less so save yourself some time by paying attention to what line you’re in and how many items you have in your cart.
Saving Your Sanity
60. Know when to use the self check-out, and when not to. The arrival of the self-checkout has made it easier than ever to get out of a store, so don’t wait in a huge line for your small purchases; however, try not to be “That Guy” with his 50 items clogging up the tiny self check-out stations.
61. The good shopping cart is worth it. While many (most of them guys) may shrug off getting a cart with the sticky or wobbly wheel, think of the cumulative effort it will take to push a bum cart around for an hour.
62. Nobody likes to shop when everyone else is shopping. Find the days and times your grocery store is least crowded, or go the night-owl route and hit the 24-hour stores up during the bottom 12 hours.
63. Know your alcohol laws. Some places have restrictions on the days and times you can purchase alcohol, so be wary of bringing several bottles of wine to a cashier that won’t let you buy them.
64. Words haves secret meanings. If you really want “fat free” then make sure your food’s definition of “fat free” is the same as yours; also, beware the false fit god that is “light” food.
65. Keep hydrated as you shop. That ice-cold water will help your stomach feel full (preventing snack attacks from eating into your budget), and may help you make the transition away from sugary sodas or cappuccino overdoses.
66. Tame or rebuke the credit demon. While some stores offer credit cards with regular discounts on purchases, others tempt you into dinting your credit with a mere 10% on your first purchase and no other benefits. Is it really worth it?
67. Use cloth shopping bags. Not only does it help you go green, it can help limit your shopping as well as keep you from throwing away hundreds of bags a year.
68. Know your vice aisles. In certain stores, tobacco and/or certain forms of alcohol can only be purchased at a special register. Don’t get stuck in the wrong line and have to double-back.
69. Dress for shopping success. While rolling out of bed to grab morning groceries or nabbing a few things in your new heels, keep in mind who might see you, and just how long you might have to stand in line.
70. Be sure to return your shopping cart. While it seems like a small thing, anyone stuck without a cart and waiting for the poor attendant to collect them from all around the parking lot knows the importance of this simple tip.
71. Be courteous to the cashier. While a trip to the grocery store can often be the cherry on top of a misery sundae, don’t take it out on your clerk. If simple human kindness doesn’t motivate you, then try to keep a healthy fear of angering anyone who handles your food.
72. Those are child safety rules, not suggestions. Be sure to maximize your child’s safety when they’re “helping” you shop; in addition to being a good parent, you’re sparing those around you a heart attack.
73. The specialty carts are not a license to kill. Some parents place their children in the kids’ carts (often made to look like an oversized vehicle). While these are often safer, don’t let that be your permission to stop paying attention to where you’re going.
74. Watch the kids even when they’re out of the cart. Once junior is walking, you need to make sure he doesn’t destroy the cereal aisle, try to get run over by other buggies, or the myriad dangers that children find so easily.
75. Use shopping time to vent. Speaking of spouses, sometimes you just need some time to yourself; using shopping time to do that helps you re-define your own space while being productive.
76. Be conscious of where your cart is. While you try to find the perfect product, it’s easy to overlook that your cart is next to someone else’s, and blocking the way for anyone to get through.
77. Do you really need that cart? If you’re honestly dropping in for just a few items, consider forgoing the cart and even the basket—they are simple invitations for expanding your shopping venture unnecessarily.
78. Rebuke the bulk candy aisle. While it may seem economical to pick up dozens of snickers instead of just one, the extra calories outweigh the savings in the end (namely, in your end).
79. Beware “As Seen on TV” products. While some may honestly be a time-saving great deal, many of them are flimsy excuses for avoiding the most minute work (witness the devices to create the ever-complicated hamburger patty).
80. When the stress is building to a crescendo, remember to tell yourself “it’s just the grocery store.” You can come back another time, go to another store, or just send hubby out, and save yourself the headache.
81. If you’ve got to shop with your children, use it as one long teachable moment; the grocery store can help lay a foundation for math and budgeting, identification and matching, and much more.
82. Know where the bathrooms are. If you really need to use the bathroom while shopping, be sure you’re not accidentally running into stock rooms, manager’s offices, etc.
83. Be aware of changing policies. Yes, you’ve been shopping there for 20 years; it won’t help you when you don’t know that the pharmacy’s closing earlier now and that the store no longer accepts checks.
84. Be patient at the customer service aisle. While this tip should be followed regarding all customer service folks everywhere, keep in mind the fact that you’ve been waiting in line 30 minutes and your product was defective is not something to needlessly take out on the CSR.
85. Be a kind neighbor and let the kid with a single pack of gum behind you check out before you unload all 20 of your items.
Foodie Tips
86. If you’re a fresh fruit/veggie aficionado, get to know the stock team. Hopefully, you’ll get the inside scoop on when everything is re-stocked, leaving you with the freshest food.
87. Consider local specialty stores. Aside from supporting your local economy, the more specialized foods and ingredients will give your food a zest that your friends and family will never see coming.
88. Try “themed” food weeks. To limit your spending and expand your palate, consider doing several days to a week of certain types of food, such as Mexican, Chinese, Thai, and so on. Food Certification Program - This site helps you compile your own list of heart-healthy groceries.
89. Plan for quick meals. While elaborate dishes are always nice, having the ingredients on hand for your kids’ favorite macaroni and cheese or your favorite sandwich makes for nice, quick meals.
90. Do the dreaded fridge cleaning before you shop. Not only does it make your fridge look and smell better, but it gives you an idea of the foods that you purchased too many of last time.
91. On a related note, don’t forget to love your leftovers. Keep track of what you’ve got in the fridge and eat it before you buy more of it.
92. Try out your local farmer’s markets and co-ops to get great deals on fresh food.
93. You should shop for your cold items last, as it helps them still be cool when you get home. For freshness and health purposes, you really shouldn’t leave your cold stuff out of the refrigerator for more than 30 minutes.
94. Try to group your foods in the shopping cart/basket by how you’ll unload them at the register. This grouping also helps keep your eggs from being broken, bread crushed, etc.
95. Though it’s a second nature to many shoppers, always try to get the latest expiration date possible on milk and bread, and keep in mind an upcoming expiration date may factor in to that great deal you just got.
96. Try your hand at gardening. Not only does it obviously cut down on store prices to grow some of your own food, it opens you up to tasty, homegrown alternatives to your favorite dishes.
97. Be an adventurous shopper. Aim for purchasing at least one different item per week to spice up your upcoming meals.
Shop N’Cook - This site helps you organize recipes and create shopping lists at the same time, making the most of your shopping trip.
98. Use frozen foods selectively. While making your own meal is usually tastier (and more frugal), having an on-hand selection of your family’s favorite dishes can help save breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
99. Embrace (if slowly) healthier bread. While the shift between all-white bread to all-wheat bread is a bit much for some, you can ease into the health waters with the “white wheat” bread and other mixtures. Your longer-living future self will thank you.
100. Give the bakery some love. If you absolutely must snack on something sugary, try out the cookies and cakes from the store’s bakery before just nabbing the same-old pick from the shelf.

Make a list of your pantry and refrigerator needs, clip some coupons and head to the grocery store with new-found confidence in your budgeting prowess.