I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (2024)

    Shop smart and make your money go further.

    by Angela AndaloroBuzzFeed Contributor

    Grocery prices have me out here sweating this summer, and not because of the heat.

    NBC / Via rG64fY0gwM2wpKqQzM

    Luckily, my time as a supermarket cashier in high school did teach me a few things about saving money while shopping for food and household necessities.

    Here are some of those tips that can really make a difference.

    1. Check out all the grocery stores in your area and choose wisely.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (2)

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    Most shoppers are tempted to run to the closest spot, but many times, convenience can cost you. Sometimes, shopping for specialty items in different stores from your staples can also help you save.

    2. Buy more frozen and canned veggies (especially if you're throwing out unused fresh veggies at the end of the week).

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (3)

    Monica Rodriguez / Getty Images

    Some people are ambitious shoppers and can't get through as many fresh fruits and veggies as they buy, creating unnecessary food waste. If you've recognized the pattern in yourself and are looking to save, think about subbing in frozen or canned products for those veggies whenever possible.

    3. Get your spices elsewhere.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (4)

    Angelina Zinovieva / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Supermarkets are great for a lot of things, but spices aren't one of them. You can easily find cheaper spices at many dollar stores and international markets.

    4. Buy your staples in bulk if you're able.

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    Not everyone has the luxury of space, but if you can buy things like beans, rice, oatmeal, etc., in bulk, it's a great place to save a few bucks. If you're thinking about buying meat in bulk, a vacuum sealer can help protect your investment.

    5. Explore all your different options for protein.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (5)

    Fcafotodigital / Getty Images

    Many people look to meat for their protein, but meat is pricey. Beans, eggs, and canned fish are some of the many cheaper alternatives you can use in recipes you already love.

    6. Track the prices on your staples.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (6)

    Simpson33 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Pay attention to what you're paying for the items that frequently appear on your list. It makes it easy to tell if prices are going up for a normal, recurring reason or for other reasons, but knowing may allow you to find better prices elsewhere.

    7. Shop the sales, but pay attention.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (7)

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    It may feel great to get that item on sale, but if it's on sale because it's going to expire before you plan to use it, it's just money wasted.

    8. Join all of your store's coupon apps and reward programs.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (8)

    Rez-art / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Those little keychains can save you some big bucks, and now they don't even have to live in your pocket. Thanks to technology, you can get a lot of savings with minimal effort with store apps, coupon apps, and store reward programs.

    9. Learn how to cook your prepackaged favorites from scratch.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (9)

    Violetastoimenova / Getty Images

    There's convenience in prepackaged foods, but if you really like certain meals, learning how to make them from scratch will save you money in the long run.

    10. Check out the damaged and discounted items.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (10)

    Vtt Studio / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Many markets have a shelf in the back that features items that are discounted because of damage or being close to expiration. For nonperishable items, such as cans and cereal boxes, this can be a place that makes a pretty big difference to your pocket without making a difference in your culinary experience.

    11. Shop later at night.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (11)

    Chuchart Duangdaw / Getty Images

    Some supermarkets discount items in the last hour or two of their day so that there's less waste at the end of the night. You can score savings, ideally on items you plan to use relatively soon.

    12. The rotisserie chicken is a seriously great value.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (12)

    Fang Zheng / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Many people can get multiple meals out of one rotisserie chicken. You can also boil the carcass to make broth.

    13. Don't sleep on store brands.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (13)

    Monticelllo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    A lot of people have reservations about store brand items, but just try them. You may not choose them every time, but the times you do, you'll save.

    14. Avoid things that are in any way pre-prepared.

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    Adisak Mitrprayoon / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Buying your garlic minced, or buying a stir-fry mix instead of chopping up veggies yourself may seem convenient, but it's also more expensive. Sometimes, devoting a few more minutes can make all the difference.

    15. Stay away from the snacks by the register.

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    You'd be surprised how many people can't resist the temptation of that candy bar or little bag of chips. These items are rarely discounted and can end up adding up fast.

    16. Bring your own bags!

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    Steven Puetzer / Getty Images

    Many stores are charging extra for bags nowadays, whether they're offering paper or plastic or you're forced to buy their reusable bags. Getting in the habit of bringing your own can save you money and precious space in your house.

    17. Talk to your cashier!

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    Giselleflissak / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    We are people, too, and knowledgeable ones at that. If there's a new way to get savings, your cashier will have the scoop.

    Fellow employees and survivors of places where foods are sold, share your secrets! There's no gatekeeping allowed in this comment section.

    I'm Using My Past Life As A Cashier To Give You These 17 Never-Fail Tips On Saving Money At The Grocery Store (2024)

    FAQs

    Is being a grocery store cashier hard? ›

    Twenty-five percent of all cashiers work in grocery stores, and 13 percent work in gas stations. The repetitive nature of the work, required speediness and constant dealings with customers make cashiering a difficult job, but you can survive by following a few basic approaches.

    How to pay less for groceries? ›

    11 tips for saving money at the grocery store
    1. Pay with a grocery rewards card. ...
    2. Sign up for the loyalty program. ...
    3. Clip coupons. ...
    4. Join a wholesale club. ...
    5. Go in with a list and stick to it. ...
    6. Buy items on sale. ...
    7. Avoid pre-packaged items. ...
    8. Compare prices between stores.

    How to save money on groceries in India? ›

    Decide where to buy

    Many people prefer to buy groceries from a nearby shop and fresh vegetables from a wholesale market (mandi). Sometimes you may get better deals in these stores compared to supermarkets, retail chains or online retailers. However, take care not to compromise on quality for the sake of money.

    What is the highest paid cashier? ›

    Highest paying cities for Cashiers near United States
    • New York, NY. $18.11 per hour.
    • Austin, TX. $15.60 per hour.
    • Philadelphia, PA. $14.13 per hour.
    • Dallas, TX. $13.94 per hour.
    • Atlanta, GA. $13.85 per hour.
    • Show more nearby cities.

    How can I be the best cashier ever? ›

    Smile and be nice.

    If you've had a bad day, leave it at home and be polite while on shift, even to the meanest customers. You don't need to be a pushover, but you're more likely to leave your customer happy and satisfied if you're slower but in a great mood than if you're the fastest cashier ever but snappy and rude.

    Why are cashiers being replaced? ›

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — For years, retailers across the nation have been replacing human clerks with technology. Self-checkout lanes have been deemed a convenient way for shoppers to pay for their goods, while simultaneously saving businesses labor costs.

    Is being a cashier hard on your body? ›

    Repeated and forceful motions.

    Examples include reaching, scanning, keying, grasping items by pinching them with your fingers, lifting heavy items with one hand, and lifting items over the scanner—over and over, all day long. Each motion can cause small injuries to muscles and joints.

    Can you live off being a cashier? ›

    Of course. It depends on your expectations. It is not the highest paying job but it also isn't the lowest and there are benefits depending on the store.

    What is the average grocery bill for 2 people? ›

    Average grocery cost per month for 2 people in a household

    The average grocery costs for a two-person household across the Thrifty to Liberal plans range from $476.92 to $868.66: Male and female living together: $514.09 to $819.26. Two adult females: $476.92 to $769.86.

    How to cut a grocery bill in half? ›

    Rachel Cruze: 12 Ways To Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half
    1. Check Out Grocery Store Apps. ...
    2. Plan Your Meals. ...
    3. Buy Generics. ...
    4. Shop for Inexpensive Protein Sources. ...
    5. Avoid Buying Unnecessary Grocery Items. ...
    6. Get In-Season Produce Items. ...
    7. Take Advantage of Breakfast Foods. ...
    8. Save With Bulk Items.
    Dec 29, 2023

    Is Aldo cheaper than Walmart? ›

    Regardless, the prices don't lie. Aldi is considerably cheaper than Walmart in almost every instance (or they were about the same).

    What grocery store saves you the most money? ›

    • Aldi. If you consider yourself a frugal spender, you've likely heard of the grocery store chain, Aldi. ...
    • Grocery Outlet. My personal favorite! ...
    • Winco Foods. ...
    • Walmart Neighborhood Market. ...
    • Food4Less. ...
    • Target. ...
    • Lidl. ...
    • Costco.
    Apr 9, 2024

    Is going out cheaper than eating at home? ›

    It costs nearly 3 times more to eat a meal in a restaurant than to make it at home, and some states will see even higher costs with eating out. Over time, the costs can eventually equate to months' worth of rent, car payments, or retirement savings.

    How to save 200 a month on groceries? ›

    Here are the most important habits that we regularly used to spend no more than $200 a month on food.
    1. Create a weekly perishable food inventory. ...
    2. Plan a menu each week. ...
    3. Focus on buying loss leaders. ...
    4. Find the markdowns. ...
    5. Buy in Bulk. ...
    6. Avoid processed foods.
    Feb 21, 2024

    How can I improve my cashier skills? ›

    Some of the most in-demand cashier skills include math, interpersonal communication, attention to detail, efficiency, relationship building, and more. You can improve your unique skills by learning about the company's products or services, practicing patience and empathy, looking for feedback, etc.

    How to get more tips as a cashier? ›

    Use these methods to help you get better tips at your service job:
    1. Get a bigger bill. Increasing your total sales may increase your tips. ...
    2. Leverage busy hours. ...
    3. Personalize your appearance. ...
    4. Provide entertainment. ...
    5. Personalize the receipt. ...
    6. Call your customers by name. ...
    7. Offer incentives. ...
    8. Introduce yourself.
    Jun 28, 2024

    How can I be a more friendly cashier? ›

    These tips will help your staff handle angry customers:
    1. Stay calm. This is a tough one, especially if someone is yelling at you. ...
    2. Be an active listener. ...
    3. Echo and get clarification. ...
    4. Empathize. ...
    5. Apologize. ...
    6. Offer a solution. ...
    7. Know when to get help. ...
    8. Take a breather.

    What are the qualities of a good cashier? ›

    The most important skills for a cashier to have on their resume are customer service, sales, retail, attention to detail, flexibility, friendliness, communication, basic math, and commitment. Having experience with cash handling and point-of-sale systems is also important for cashiers to include on their resumes.

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