Five Grocery Shopping Tips to Help You Save

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects food prices to rise another 4 to 5 percent this year alone! Even with the rapidly rising cost of food, you can cut costs on your grocery bill. The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) offers some thrifty ideas:

1. Review store circulars to identify sale items that will help save you money. Also, clip the grocery store coupons.

2. Make a list before you shop to ensure buying only what you and your family will eat before any fresh foods go bad.

3. Buying locally grown produce generally costs less because the grower has a shorter distance to ship and their stock is usually in greater supply.

4. Plan your meals ahead of time and use a grocery list — doing both will save money on grocery bills.

5. Buy items in bulk at warehouse clubs and discount stores. This gives you the flexibility to buy the amount you need and reduces costs on money that would otherwise be spent for packaging and advertising.

Visit the VSCPA’s consumer Web site, www.FinancialFitness.org, for more money management tips and free resources.

The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) is the leading professional association dedicated to enhancing the success of CPAs. Founded in 1909, the VSCPA has approximately 8,300 members who work in public accounting, industry, government and education. For more information, please visit the Press Room on the VSCPA Web site at www.vscpa.com, e-mail vscpa@vscpa.com or call (800) 733-8272. To search for a CPA in your geographic region, visit www.FinancialFitness.org and click on “Find a CPA.”