Savings Strategies: Generics and CouponsThere are many ways for consumers to cut high grocery bills, and among these are buying generic products and using coupons. But these strategies can be ineffective, and even counterproductive, if you don't use them properly or don't have a full understanding of how they can help you save money. Luckily, a few hints from an expert can help make sure you save dollars, rather than waste them.
Michelle Jones is a graduate of the University of Georgia and holds a master's degree in clinical psychology. In 1997 she began working for Consumer Counseling Credit Service (CCCS ) in Atlanta, a charity that provides free counseling and money management assistance to financially distressed families and individuals. Today she is the organization's Vice President of Counseling. Here she offers more strategies for saving grocery money with generic brands and coupons:
- Generics can be high quality.
Generic products and store brands are often comparable in quality to national brands, but can be priced lower because there are no advertising campaigns or expensive packaging to pay for.
- Don't buy it if you don't like it.
When it comes to generic products, start by experimenting. If you try something and like it, buying it on a regular basis will be a great way to save money. But if you don't like it and won't use it, don't buy it again. Buying products that never get eaten or used is a significant waste of money.
- Compare prices by unit.
Remember that the generic brand is not always less expensive than the national brined. Always compare unit prices to make sure that you're really saving money by choosing a generic product.
- Choose coupon for items you already buy.
To make the most of coupons, says Jones, you need to really stick with a game plan. Check your grocery list and then see if you have coupons for the items that you would normally buy. The opposite strategy, which is making your list based on the coupons you've found, can lead you to buy items you don't really need or want.
- Avoid buying just to get a deal.
Jones advises against using a coupon just because it looks like a great deal. If a coupon tempts you to buy something you ordinarily wouldn't, then the item represents an added expense rather than a savings. If you buy something you don't want just to save money off the price, you've really just wasted your money.
For more information on saving money on groceries, check out the following organizations or websites:
CCCS
www.cccsinc.org
Family Education.com: Cutting the Grocery Bill
www.familyeducation.com/article
All Things Frugal: Saving Money Buying Groceries
www.allthingsfrugal.com/grocery
The Dollar Stretcher: Coupon Strategies
www.stretcher.com/stories/01/010312b | 
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