House or bargain brands are available in nearly every section of the supermarket. Check them out.  Often the house brands are exactly the same product in different packaging.  The reason for this is that often the national brand producer is also the house brand producer.  Pretty packaging with a lot of colors is expensive.  House brands usually use cheaper packaging and fewer colors.  Packaging is the only difference between the expensive brand and the house brand.

Avoid signs. Why?  Sign sells.  Supermarkets are aware of this.  Many customers simply buy whatever has a sign hanging in front of it.  This is not a good policy.  Take the time to compare price against other brands.

Don’t be cornered with eye level merchandising. People tend to be lazy so the convenient shelf levels are often used for higher profit items.  Check the less “convenient” (higher and lower eye levels) shelves.  You may find better and cheaper buys there.

End cap displays. These are displays at the ends of aisles.  These are strategically positioned to get your attention.  Check out the prices.  Sometimes you will find really good buys here

Impulse items. These are items you had no intention of buying and, when you get home, wonder why you did.  Usually they were son conveniently displayed that you could not resist.  Become aware of what makes you buy and resist them.

Don’t buy in large quantities if you don’t need them even if it seems a bargain.  It may be wise to buy in small quantities or if it’s really a bargain keep a small container in the kitchen and the rest in the storage area so you won’t be tempted to use more than what is necessary.

to be continued…