You Can Save Money at the Grocery Store

Jeannie Mullins
Extension Agent

Are you like the rest of us? Stressed out over the increasing costs of just about everything--especially food and gasoline? Everywhere we turn--television, radio, newspapers and the Internet--all report how much the prices of bread, eggs and other food staples have increased in the last year.

As our budgets tighten, we need to lean how to save money. If you shop smart, you can cut back on costs and still eat a healthy diet. Here are 10 ways to save money at the grocery store.

• Don't go to the grocery store hungry! You are likely to buy more food when you are hungry. Instead have a small snack before you go grocery shopping.
   
• Make a grocery list before you go to the store. Buy only what is on the grocery list.
   
• Buy store brands instead of highly advertised brands to save money. Store brands are often just as good quality as the name brands.
   
• Compare the cost of medium and large eggs. If the price of large eggs is more than 7 cents above the medium, medium size is the best buy.
   
• Eat hot cereals instead of ready-to-eat cereals. Hot cereals cost less per serving than ready-to-eat cereals. Also, buy your cereal in a large container or box to save money instead of buying individual-serving-size boxes of cereal.
   
• Pasta (macaroni, spaghetti, noodles) is a good buy for price and good nutrition.
   
• Plain shapes of pasta are usually less expensive than fancy shapes. Whole grain is higher in fiber than white, although it may cost more.
   
• Ground beef (hamburger) is usually a good buy, if it is fairly lean. Extra-lean ground beef will yield more meat when cooked. It is lower in calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol than regular ground beef.
   
• The less tender cuts of beef such as round, chuck and shoulder are less expensive, but are as nutritious as the more tender cuts. Cook them right--braise or stew--and they are just as delicious.
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• Buy chicken and turkey instead of red meat because it is usually less expensive.
   
• Chicken and turkey can be a better buy because they contain more protein and less fat than many other meats.
   
• Save money by purchasing a whole chicken and cutting it into parts yourself.

For more information abut ways to save money at the grocery store, contact the Scott County Extension Office at 452-2772.

Business Directory

• • Fairway Ford
• • Rex McCarty Appraisal Services
• • Wallace Nissan of Kingsport
• • Mike Jenkins Evangelistic Association, Inc.
• • Northeast State Technical Community College
• • Farm Credit of the Virginias
• • Scott County Chamber
• • Town of Gate City
• • Scott County Horse Association

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