The Checkout Chicks

by Danelle Barbi Ice, founder/editor of Homemaker Barbi

Getting the best shopping deals is on all of our minds, and learning the best shopping strategies is at the heart of our endeavor. However, if we’re heading out to the stores without the proper tools, even the best intentions can be sabotaged! We’ve compiled a list of the 7 grocery shopping tools you can’t leave home without (even on a quick trip) to make sure you’re a shopping superstar!

1. Calculator. Unless you’re a whiz at doing math in your head, having a calculator handy during grocery shopping can be a lifesaver. There is no way to know if a coupon/sale deal on a big brand item is better than its generic version unless you’re looking at unit price (price per ounce, price per pound, etc.). While some stores go the extra mile and put the price per unit on the shelf, that’s not always the case. Be prepared to do the math yourself!

2. Coupons and coupon organizer(s). The key to making coupon shopping work is to make sure that your coupons are portable and organized well. Having a huge organizer filled with coupons is pointless if you can’t find what you need once you’re at the store. There are about as many different ways to organize coupons as there are people! Small portable solutions such as plastic accordion files, index card organizers, and more are everywhere. Whichever method works for you, make sure it is easy to locate different types of products in your system. Above all, never set foot in a store without your coupons. Paying more for an item than you have to is really a sad thing!

3. A drink and an emergency snack. Frugal shoppers know that comparing prices and finding the best deals can really take some time. As your shopping trip gets longer, you might find yourself thirsty or hungry and be tempted to hit the in-store Starbucks for a little caffeine and snack on the go. This kind of snacking splurge will only work towards spending the extra money you’ve saved from frugal shopping! Better to be prepared and bring your own drinks and snacks with you to the store. Pack a travel mug filled with coffee or water and a granola bar or bag of crackers as a snack.

4. Shopping list and highlighter. Having a shopping list as a guide can save you from spending time looking at items you don’t need.

5. Notepad and pen. You may want to make notes about products so that you can compare the prices to another store. Not sure if the prices will be lower in a bulk package from the warehouse store? Write down prices for comparison for the next shopping trip. Don’t forget to make notes if you want to see if certain items are cheaper online.

6. Comfortable shoes. Pushing a full heavy shopping cart around the store can be strenuous work. Bargain shopping means spending a little extra time in the store to compare prices and look for the best deals. Make sure to treat your feet right by wearing comfortable shoes with supportive soles to keep you running from deal to deal!

7. A plan. Going out grocery shopping with no plan is a sure recipe for disaster! Know which stores you plan to visit and review their weekly sales ads (in the newspaper or online) before you go. Write out a shopping list to use as a guide, and bring along your coupon organizer. Most of all, don’t forget to hit the best grocery blogs, like Checkout Chicks, to find all the sale/coupon matchups of the week.

Planning ahead for your shopping trip can help you reap the rich savings of being a thrifty grocery shopper. Make sure you have the right tools to help you get the job done- in true frugal style!

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This guest post is by problogger Danelle Barbi Ice. She is the founder/editor of Homemaker Barbi, an online Home & How-To magazine with free resources specializing in homemaking, frugal living, printable checklists, and more. If you like this article, please subscribe to Homemaker Barbi for free!

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