Edited by Margot Gilman, Consumer Reports
Save money on holiday food shopping with these 10 tips from Consumer Reports.
- Think big. A bigger turkey doesn’t necessarily cost more per pound than a smaller one from the same producer; that was our finding in a recent random survey of turkey prices at major grocery chains around the U.S. However, a larger turkey can yield more leftovers, saving you the trouble of shopping again.
- Alternatively, think small. If you’d rather not be stuck with leftovers, buy a smaller turkey, a roasting chicken, or a turkey breast, which will cost less than a whole bird. It could look great sliced and garnished on a platter with traditional Thanksgiving items.
- Move fast. Stores generally make promotional offers while supplies last, so those lower prices may not be for long. However, don’t buy more groceries just to get the freebie. Only purchase what you were planning to in the first place.
- Keep it simple. Skip pricey buys like seafood appetizers, sausage for stuffing, and store-bought side dishes. Focus on the main dishes instead of lots of cheese and crackers, which can be expensive.
- Check the circulars. Planning well to minimize your trips to the store can save you time, and money, and reduce your impulse purchases. Spending 15 minutes looking at grocery ads can unlock savings for the next trip.
- Get a store loyalty card. Most grocery chains’ loyalty programs offer exclusive member deals. Some also let you build rewards toward gas purchases at affiliated gas stations.
- Compare unit prices. Unit price shelf stickers under each product can help you compare the prices of similar items. But if the store doesn’t have the stickers, download a unit price calculator on your smartphone to do the work for you. We found free ones for both iOS and Android.
- Use the produce scale. Many veggies are sold by the pound. But if the produce you are buying comes prepackaged and sold for a set price, weigh a few packages. You may find you can get more food for the same price.
- Go with store brands. The cost of store-brand foods and beverages is at least 20 to 25 percent less than name brands of the same product. (When CR members were surveyed about the grocery stores and supermarkets they liked best, three grocers earned top marks for their brands: Costco and Trader Joe’s, and Central Market, which is a subsidiary of H-E-B.) You can often find store brands right next to comparable name-brand items.
- Buy in bulk. When 10 cans of your favorite soup go on sale for $10, it’s always wise to load up. And larger packages often have lower per-unit pricing. When you go this route, consider donating a portion to a local food pantry to avoid potential food waste.
*Visit ConsumerReports.org for more ways to save on holiday food shopping