There’s a world of hidden treasures ready for you, lurking proper behind these shiny, completely organized grocery cabinets of pristine merchandise. You recognize those—the gadgets that scream, “I’m contemporary! I’m new! I’m the fashionable alternative!” However savvy consumers like us aren’t fooled. We all know the actual goldmine is within the markdown sections, the place gadgets tiptoe towards their best-by dates, simply ready for somebody courageous (and thrifty) sufficient to grab them up.
Consider it like an adventurous treasure hunt, however as an alternative of buried chests full of doubloons, we’re speaking about half-priced yogurt, steaks on clearance, and cheese that’s been “aged” only a bit greater than ordinary.
So seize your metaphorical treasure map and let’s dive into this uncharted world of marked-down goodies earlier than they expire—with out your price range expiring first.
The “Finest-Earlier than” Mirage: What Do These Dates Even Imply?
Earlier than we begin sniffing round for reductions, let’s handle the elephant within the room: Finest-by Dates.
Spoiler alert—they’re not as closing as they appear.
The reality is, “best-by” doesn’t imply “bad-after”.
It’s extra like, “Hey, we will’t assure it will style as superior after this date, however you most likely gained’t die”.
Most merchandise, particularly non-perishables like crackers, cereal, and canned items, are nonetheless completely fantastic to devour previous their best-by date.
They could lose a little bit of their peak freshness, however let’s be actual—what number of occasions have you ever eaten a barely stale cookie and thought, “Meh, nonetheless fairly good?”
The Shops You Ought to Be Stalking for Markdowns
Now that we’ve cracked the best-by code, let’s get to the enjoyable half—buying.
Some grocery shops like ALDI merely promote meats, breads, and produce to rapidly to have markdowns.
Different shops like Safeway made it a coverage to STOP doing markdowns as a result of consumers have been shifting clearance stickers to full-priced gadgets.
With that mentioned, under are the shops which might be the Meccas of markdowns in terms of nearly-expired meals.
1. Grocery Outlet: The Disneyland of Reductions
Grocery Outlet has made its identify on being the place the place bargains go to celebration.
This retailer is stuffed to the brim with gadgets which might be close to or simply previous their best-by date, however nonetheless completely edible (and scrumptious).
It’s just like the Robin Hood of grocery shops, taking from the dear mainstream chains and giving to us, the budget-conscious people.
Right here, you’ll discover all the pieces from gourmand cheeses to natural meats, all marked right down to costs so low you’ll really feel such as you’re getting away with one thing.
One shopper described it as “Black Friday, however with out the elbows to the face.”
PRO TIP
Don’t get too connected to something you purchase right here. Grocery Outlet’s inventory adjustments quicker than a toddler’s temper. What’s there one week could also be gone the subsequent, so should you see a deal, snag it.
See Additionally: Store on the Proper Day…12 Insider Tips about Retailer Markdown Days
2. Goal: Bullseye for Offers
Sure, that Goal. It’s not simply the place you go for cute throw pillows, a brand new lamp you didn’t want, and 5 greenback coffees from the Starbucks on the entrance.
Goal additionally has a powerful assortment of markdowns in its grocery part.
As the times tick nearer to these best-by dates, Goal staff begin slapping these candy, candy yellow and pink clearance stickers on all the pieces from refrigerated gadgets to dry items.
You’ll discover markdowns on dairy, bread, and meat.
And should you’re fortunate, you may even come across some fancy deli gadgets or snacks which might be nonetheless completely fantastic however “too shut” to their best-by date for full worth.
A phrase of warning: Put together your self mentally. These clearance stickers are going to be your new obsession.
You’ll begin scanning each aisle like an undercover detective, attempting to find the subsequent low cost.
PRO TIP: MEATS AT TARGET
I had a Goal worker inform me that they begin marking down meats by 25% 2-3 days earlier than the “Use/Freeze By”. Then on the day earlier than this date, they mark meats down by 50%. Use this data to time your purchases and replenish your freezer on a budget.
See Additionally: How To Discover a Goal Salvage Retailer and Save Large
3. Walmart: Low Costs—and Even Decrease Markdowns
Walmart is thought for its on a regular basis low costs, however in addition they have a not-so-secret markdown part for gadgets nearing their expiration.
That is very true within the meat, bakery, and dairy sections, the place they need to transfer stock quick earlier than it technically “expires” (although, once more, it’s nonetheless protected so that you can purchase!).
Whereas Walmart doesn’t have as many distinctive or gourmand gadgets as Grocery Outlet or Goal, they’re incredible for fundamental groceries like milk, eggs, and bread.
Plus, should you time your journeys proper, you may rating some hefty reductions on family-sized packs of meat, good for stocking up and freezing for later.
In case you’re actually trying to save, preserve a watch out for that sneaky little nook the place all of the baked items go earlier than they wave goodbye.
You can stroll out with sufficient discounted donuts and muffins to maintain your coworkers fats and completely happy for per week.
PRO TIP
I had a Walmart worker inform me that they’re finished with their day by day markdowns by 8 a.m., so buying between 8 – 9 a.m. gives you first dibs on meats and bakery merchandise offers.
4. Dealer Joe’s: Sure, They Low cost Too
Dealer Joe’s may appear too cool for markdowns, however guess what? Even they like to wash home when gadgets method their best-by dates.
Whereas they don’t sometimes have a selected clearance part, savvy consumers know to search for gadgets with lowered costs as they get near their expiration.
The most effective half? You’re not sacrificing high quality. TJ’s markdowns imply you may get your arms on these natural almond butters, fancy hummus varieties, and vegan cheeses for a fraction of the value.
PRO TIP
The flowers at Dealer Joe’s typically get marked down too. So not solely are you able to seize dinner for affordable, however you may also decide up a bouquet for your self since you, my buddy, deserve it. Or for somebody particular, that works too after all.
See Additionally: Dealer Joe’s Workers Inform Me Their Finest Buys
5. Entire Meals: For the Fancy Frugal Shopper
Okay, hear me out. Entire Meals isn’t precisely identified for its low costs.
In reality, most of us affiliate it with spending approach an excessive amount of on kombucha and artisanal cheeses.
However for the deal hunters, there’s a secret realm right here, too.
Entire Meals tends to low cost its contemporary gadgets—like meats, seafood, and bakery merchandise—after they get near their best-by dates.
Sure, it’s true, you may eat like a health-conscious billionaire with out spending like one.
And with Amazon Prime members getting an additional 10% off gross sales gadgets, it looks like they’re virtually giving these items away. (Okay, perhaps not giving it away, however at the least you gained’t must promote a kidney to afford groceries this week.)
PRO TIP: ALL ABOUT WEDNESDAYS
I had a pleasant Entire Meals worker inform me Wednesday is constantly the easiest day to buy. Not solely is the shop much less crowded than weekends, however it’s after they begin their new weekly gross sales cycle. So that you’ll be capable to benefit from new gadgets and new gross sales earlier than anybody else and BEFORE they promote out of the actually good offers.
6. Winco Meals: Financial savings in 10 U.S. States
Sadly, Winco Meals is barely situated in 10 western states, however I HAD so as to add them to my record as I store their often.
Make the Inexperienced Tags at Winco your greatest buddy as these are the merchandise which have begun their markdown schedule.
You’ll discover them primarily on breads, meats, and a few produce gadgets.
In the event that they don’t promote out, the tags will go to RED which implies “Excessive Financial savings” and is the most effective offers you’re going to search out within the retailer.
Nice time to replenish and put meats and bread within the freezer for later use.
PRO TIP: SHOP EARLY AT WINCO
Winco shops are open 24 hours, so SHOP EARLY within the morning. The sooner the higher as you’ll have a quiet retailer, and extra importantly, first dibs on new markdowns as these are inclined to get added very early within the morning and are sometimes all snatched up by mid-afternoon.
7. Native Grocery Chains: The Untapped Goldmine
Lastly, don’t overlook to test your native grocery chains.
Each regional retailer has its personal markdown habits, typically marking down meats, dairy, and bakery gadgets as they method the best-by date.
Some regional shops, like Kroger or Publix, even have particular “Supervisor’s Specials” the place you may get all the pieces from contemporary produce to bakery treats at deep reductions.
These native shops typically have extra sporadic markdown schedules, so ask an worker about their markdown schedule and bring it to mind.
See Additionally: Final Shopping for Information: Finest Day of the Week to Make Purchases
Timing Is Every part: Find out how to Maximize Your Saving
To essentially win huge within the markdown recreation, you have to perceive one factor: Timing is Every part.
Most shops mark down gadgets early within the morning, however others could low cost merchandise later within the day or simply earlier than closing.
The secret’s to search out out when your retailer sometimes does its markdowns.
Ask an worker or, higher but, turn into such an everyday that they begin calling you by identify and tipping you off about upcoming offers.
For perishable gadgets like meat and dairy, markdowns often occur because the merchandise are inside a number of days of their best-by date.
You should definitely test the markdown part first once you store.
It’s like going straight for dessert—completely acceptable on this context.
Additionally, don’t overlook about holidays. The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any main vacation, shops typically mark down leftover gadgets which might be nonetheless completely good however simply didn’t promote in time for the large day.
See Additionally: All The Standard Retailer Manufacturers Made By Title Manufacturers
Play It Protected: Find out how to Store Sensible with Markdowns
Alright, whereas buying markdowns is an effective way to avoid wasting, we’re not advocating for reckless abandon in terms of consuming near-expired meals.
There are a few easy pointers it is best to comply with to ensure you’re getting an excellent deal, not a abdomen ache.
Examine the packaging: If one thing is leaking, bulging, or simply seems plain unhappy, skip it.
Odor it: Whilst you can’t at all times do that in-store (folks may provide you with unusual seems should you begin sniffing uncooked hen within the meat aisle), undoubtedly give gadgets a whiff when you’re residence. If it smells funky, belief your nostril and toss it.
Freeze it: Among the finest methods to benefit from markdowns is to purchase in bulk and freeze what you gained’t use instantly.
Meat, bread, and even some dairy gadgets like shredded cheese will be frozen for later.
Use it rapidly: If you purchase one thing that’s close to its expiration date, plan to make use of it quickly.
This may imply adjusting your weekly meal plan, however hey, that’s the value you pay for a discount.
Joyful discount looking, fellow inflation busters.
Ask the Reader: What nationwide grocery shops am I lacking that additionally do markdowns previous to sell-by or use-by dates? Let me know within the feedback.
By Kyle James
I began Slightly-Be-Purchasing.com in 2000 and have turn into a shopper skilled and advocate writing about out-of-the-box methods to avoid wasting at shops like Amazon, Walmart, Goal and Costco to call a number of. I’ve been featured on FOX Information, Good Morning America, and the NY Occasions speaking about my financial savings ideas. (Be taught extra)