The big game will be here next week. For most of us, we enjoy the snacks as much as the football. And there will be plenty of great deals in the grocery store all week long as people gear up for a super Sunday. Here are some super grocery store shopping tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your next trip to the store, plus 5 great buys for under $5 to feed hungry fans.
Start With What You Have
Before you go to the store, take a quick inventory of what you already have. Boxed cake mixes can yield some yummy and fun desserts without too much effort. Do you have the ingredients for a favorite dip. Are there some yummy possibilities buried in your freezer? Build your grocery list based upon what you already have.
Consider a Grocery Pick Up
Sometimes it’s better to not know what’s on the shelves. For both the sake of your wallet and your waistline, you may want to consider doing a grocery pick up instead of shopping in stores this week. There will be plenty of temptations certain to hop in your cart if you choose to hit the aisles in person that you may be able to avoid by doing your controlled shopping online. If you do decide to go to the store, be sure to take a written list and follow it.
Know Your Store Policies
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to grocery store sales. Many stores will feature Buy 1, Get 1 deals this week – especially on snacks like chips and appetizers. However, not every store requires you to actually buy two products to harness the savings. For instance, Kroger stores give you the item at half price rather than ringing one item up at full price and the second for free. Meijer does the opposite and one item rings at full price and the second at $0.00. This is important when it comes to stretching your savings. Because the items at Kroger ring up at half price, you can actually use two coupons, one for each product. Meijer doesn’t allow you to do this. Knowing store policies always helps stretch your dollar further. Head to your favorite grocery store website and search for their coupon policies. This will help you become a better shopper!
Avoid Overbuying
Probably one of the greatest temptations for the average shopper this week will be purchasing more food than necessary. After all, yummy snacks are enticing and the deals seem so good. However, if you end up tossing half of what you buy, it’s not really a deal at all. Build a Sunday meal plan before you go to the store. Know exactly how many people you are feeding. Check expiration labels and consider purchasing items that can be frozen if you don’t open them. Set up a guideline for yourself before leaving home, too. Maybe you’ll purchase 3 salty and 3 sweet snacks.
Skip the Prepackaged Trays
I think we’ve all fallen victim to buying things no one will eat. I’m looking at you pre-packaged veggie trays. Not only are these items often overpriced, they also contain at least one option that will go untouched only to be tossed in the trash. You’re better off spending a quick 15 minutes preparing the veggies you’ll actually eat. For us that typically looks like a few carrots, a cucumber, and some peppers. The same goes for meat trays and other prefab convenience snacks. And if you know you won’t eat any veggies, don’t buy them.
5 Snacks for Under $5
Here are 5 of my favorite grocery pick ups for the big game that ring up right around $5 depending on where you shop:
- Rotisserie Chicken ($4.99 Costco): A quick and easy way to whip up a variety of snacks including sandwiches, nachos, dips, and more!
- Popcorn ($2.79 Kroger): Create a popcorn bar with a variety of seasonings and flavors. Stove popped popcorn is one of the most frugal crowd pleasers!
- Deli Pizza ($4.99 ALDI, $5 Kroger): Take and bake pizzas have been a family favorite for years at our house. Currently we crush on the ALDI flatbread one. Many grocery stores put these on sale this week. You’ll usually find them near the deli. Cut the pizza into squares (party cut) rather than triangles to stretch it further.
- Frozen Bread Dough ($4.39 Walmart): Garlic knots, pepperoni rolls, cheesy breadsticks, even monkey bread – premade frozen bread dough can be transformed into a number of snacks. Don’t forget to let it thaw according to the package so it’s ready on time.
- Cake Mix ($1.24 Walmart): Cupcakes, cake mix cookies, cake batter popsicles – there’s so much you can do with a simple cake mix, too! Crack out the food coloring for team colors or use frosting/sprinkles to celebrate your fandom.
I’d love to hear how you’re shopping this week and what yummy recipes are on your game night plan! Let’s save money and live well this week.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
