Under the Median: FOUR Strategies for Eating Healthy, But Spending Pennies!

After returning from the store today, I realized that it's been a while since I've reviewed some of the ways that I save money on feeding my family. So, let's take a look at four rules for scoring the best deals on groceries.

RULE #1: Look for store markdowns

Today's Kroger run was nearly all store markdowns. But how do you get the best prices on markdowns?

Tips for markdown shopping:

1. Call your store. Ask to speak to someone in the specific department that you want to look for markdowns.

2. Better yet, find an employee in that department the next time you are in the store. Ask them directly when they do their daily markdowns.

3. Most stores do markdowns either first thing in the morning or later at night. But, be sure to ask. One of my Kroger stores does their markdowns at noon each day.

4. Don't assume that every department does markdowns at the same time. The meat, dairy, general merchandise, and produce departments all often have their own schedule for doing markdowns.

5. Regardless of your food restrictions, visit all the departments. Plant-based yogurts, milks, and grain or bean based meats are found in either the dairy or meat departments. I don't eat faux meat. But, I do keep some in the freezer for my kids. Whether you are paleo, vegan, or something in between, check every department for markdowns which match your dietary needs.

6. Don't assume that every department does markdowns. I had a conversation at my local Schnuck's grocery store with an employee. I visited after several Under the Median readers told me that they were scoring fantastic markdowns at the store. They were, but not in the produce department. The employee told me that for some unknown reason management had declared that no markdowns would be offered in produce.

7. Don't be afraid to voice your opinion. Just be sure to do it politely. I asked the employee to pass on to management that because other local stores routinely and regularly mark down prices in the produce department that I always pop into those stores specifically when I am passing by. Therefore, I am in those stores much more often than I am at those who do not offer markdowns in produce.

8. Market share matters to stores! I wrote commercials for a living for many years. My job was to help the advertiser increase their market share, the percentage of the total shoppers who visit (and spend money) at their establishment. Schnuck's happens to be known for the quality of their merchandise. If I knew that there was a chance of scoring some bargains, I'd be in their doors in a New York minute. Management wants to know how to get you in their store, gain your loyalty, and get their share of your grocery dollars. So, don't be afraid to tell them.

9. Ask if they will mark it down for you. If you see a stop date that is within 48 hours of when you are in the store, don't be afraid to ask an employee if they can mark it down for you. The worst they can say is, "No". If they won't do it, do be sure to ask if it is store policy to not offer a marked down price. That way you'll know not to ask in the future.

RULE #2: Buy Loss-Leader Items!

Loss leader items are those generally found on the front page of the flyer. They are sold for a short time under market value. It's a way that stores get you into their establishment, knowing that once you are there, you are more likely to do all of your shopping at one location, rather than visit 3 or 4 stores in one day.

Tips for loss-leader shopping:

peaches and nectarines - $.88 a pound

1. If you have a physical sales flyer, take it along with you to the store. I circle the items that I am getting, using a black or dark blue permanent marker, to make them easier to see.

2. Decide if you can freeze or dehydrate extra quantities for later use. If so, then it's okay to get more than you can currently use of that item. For instance, I bought 10 pounds of cherries a few weeks ago, knowing that I planned to eat 4 pounds and freeze 6 pounds. (Now I wish I'd gotten more. Frozen cherries are the bomb!)

3. Whatever you decide to do, don't waste food! Seriously! If you plan to freeze or dehydrate, then be sure to put it on your schedule and get it done.

Almond milk - $1.79 each. But, I had to buy a quantity of 5 to get the price.

4. Look to see if you must purchase a certain quantity of items to receive the discount. For instance, plant-based milk was just $1.79 a half gallon. But, I had to buy 5 of them and then received a $5 discount at the end of my transaction.

5. Whenever you have to purchase a certain quantity of an item, place those items in a specific portion of your shopping cart, in order to keep accurate count. Nothing is worse than getting to the checkout to find that you have four of an item, rather than five and then missing out on the additional discount.

6. Place one of the little shopping baskets in your larger cart. This was a tip from an Under the Median reader and it's a great one! It's a great way to compartmentalize items and count them easily when you must purchase a certain quantity to receive a discount.

SPECIAL BONUSES!

For step-by-step fruit and vegetable freezing instructions, click here.

For step-by-step herb freezing and dehydrating instructions, click here.

For step-by-step blanching instructions, click here.

RULE #3: Ask for rain checks.

Rain checks are basically an I-Owe-You from the store. They feel bad that they ran out of an advertised item at a terrific price. So, when you visit the store's courtesy desk, they will issue you a rain check, allowing you to stop back by the store and purchase that item at the sale price any time in the next 30 days. It's a win-win situation! You get the item at the fantastically low price and the store makes you happy and gets you back in their nearest location sometime in the next month.

Rain check tips.

1. If the store is out of an advertised item, go to the courtesy desk and ask for a rain check. This will allow you to purchase at the sales price for up to 30 days past the date of your visit.

2. The clerk may need you to declare how many of the item you want to purchase at the sale price for the rain check. Ask if there is a maximum. If there is, always have them write that amount on the rain check. You are not required to purchase this many, but it gives you the greatest flexibility in using the rain check when you return to the store.

3. Be sure to make note of the expiration date of that rain check. Generally they are good for 30 days.

4. Keep it some place that you will not lose it. If you get to the store and can't find it, no discounted price.

RULE #4: Visit local ethnic stores.

Mediterranean Mart - my very favorite local ethnic store

Local ethnic markets are often owned by people who live, work, and raise their families right in your hometown. They care deeply about creating a friendly, family, atmosphere that keeps you coming back. They are all about relationships!

Tips for shopping ethnic stores:

1. Ask if there is a special case price. It is not uncommon for them to offer customers a discount on purchase case lots of products.

Organic herbs from Mediterranean Mart at rock bottom prices.

2. Ask when the new shipments arrive. Become very aware of the time of day and day of the week that they receive their new shipments of merchandise. Often, items left on the shelf will be offered at a discount.

3. Speciality items are often substantially cheaper than the very same item from a traditional grocery store. For instance, I only buy Madjool dates from Mediterranean Mart. They are the best price in town - always!

4. Ask about unfamiliar items. Ethnic grocers love to share their knowledge with customers! They will go out of their way to insure that you are happy with your purchase and know how to use it once you get it home.