Saving Money In 2009 #3 -- Salvage Grocery Stores

Throughout the country there are salvage grocery stores which can save you whopping amounts on your grocery bills. The things they sell may be:

Near or past date

Dented cans

New products that didn't sell well

Manufacturers overruns

Goods from damaged boxes or pallets (the damaged goods are discarded but the box or pallet was broken or damaged)

Out-of-season items (Christmas candy in January)

Items that are popular in one part of the country but not in another

There are two sites that I have found that have lists of salvage groceries by state:

www.gnivas.com -- look in right hand column

www.andersonscountrymarket.net/directory

Some of the stores are better (and some much better) than others. Some are set up like regular supermarkets and have produce as well as lots of regular brand name goods of all kinds -- at great prices. Some are dingy and have mainly dented cans. It varies wildly from store to store. It's always smart to call ahead and check on the hours and make sure they are open.

You have to be a smart shopper and make sure that the goods you buy are in good condition and still within date. You also have to make sure that you are getting good buys. Can you do better at your grocery store with coupons and sales? If you know the prices of items you regularly buy -- and many you don't -- then you can be sure you're getting bargain. You can find things for as little as 25% or as much as 80% off the regular price.

What they have will depend on what they are able to buy so if you find something you like stock up because they may never get it again.