Groceries for half price. Don't be afraid. Get a deal from the clearance bin

Okay, so I've talked about buying things when they go on sale at City Market or Safeway.  You can save money that way but both stores have clearance bins too.  At Safeway Vail it is back by the restrooms, at City Market Vail they have some bins up front past the check-out counter.  City Market Avon has bins in back of the bread department near dairy.  All of the supermarkets also have clearance areas for meat, bakery and dairy too.  Yesterday I bought a tube of Colgate Total toothpaste from the clearance bin marked $1.39(50% off regular retail) plus I had a coupon for a dollar off.  So I  bought a tube of toothpaste for 39 cents.  You can find all sorts of bargains like that.  I buy milk and eggs in the clearance bin all the time.  Last week I had a coupon for NestFresh eggs that I used on the clearance item and got them for $1.30 a carton for cage free eggs.  They usually sell for $3.89 a carton.  Worried they won't stay fresh until you can use them?  Either crack them open and freeze them or boil 'em up and they keep a week in the fridge. 

Getting the most from your Grocery Store

According to ABC News Americans spend the most money on;
1. Houses
2. Cars
3. Credit
4. Groceries
5. Health Care

So it stands to reason you can save the most money when you save on those five things. Most grocery stores offer a "rewards" card. So sign up for it. It doesn't cost anything and it gives you discounts on products (check the weekly circular) and some services. As you spend at the grocery store you accrue points which are good for gas discounts (oh we hit another of the big five) and photo prints (cheaper than printing your own) for example. So if you haven't signed up do it now. There are also some that allow you to add electronic coupons to your card so when you buy the specific product you automatically get a discount. Saves clipping and printing of coupons. But remember, a coupon doesn't save you anything if you wouldn't normally buy that product. It's like the cute skirt that is super cheap but doesn't really fit. You may as well have burned the money. Of course, you can get a tax deduction for a charitable gift when after months in your closet you finally realize it will never fit and it is time to donate it.