Supermarket savings

In this report: Overview; Use your phone; Shop from your couch

New ways to save

3 cutting-edge strategies that slash your bill

Last reviewed: September 2010

New phone apps and websites are making it easier than ever to do your grocery shopping. You can use them to scan special deals and clip and carry coupons. They can also cut the time you spend wandering supermarket aisles and help you snap up the best produce. They can even save you a trip to the supermarket. Ready to save money and make shopping easier and maybe even more fun? Here are the sites and apps to use before you head out and while you're at the store—or while you shop from the comfort of your couch.

Click around before leaving home

Keeping up with the latest grocery-shopping tools can feel like a full-time job. But we have you covered with these websites and apps. Some are new; others are great tools that have been around for a little while that you shouldn't miss.

MyGroceryDeals.com

Find and compare current circular specials, then create printable grocery lists with one click and print coupons for additional savings.

Coupons.com

This longtime site for printable coupons has some great new partnerships. Just look for links to coupons and deals at Target.com and the sites of major supermarkets, including ShopRite and A&P (www.apfreshonline.com, www.foodbasicsusa.com, www.pathmark.com, www.superfreshfood.com, www.thefoodemporium.com, and www.waldbaums.com).

Mambo Sprouts

Check here for healthful recipes and coupons for organic and natural products (www.mambosprouts.com).

Locavore

This app tells you what produce is in season locally, points you to area farmers markets, and includes recipes to cook your bounty. Don't have an iPhone? Check out Locavore's Facebook app at apps.facebook.com/enjoy_locavore.

Price iPhone, $2.99

Sam's Club/Click 'n' Pull

Members of the warehouse club can place orders online, then head to the store the next day to pay and pick up.

Whole Foods Market Recipes

Available for the iPhone, this app searches for healthful recipes by ingredients and dietary restrictions. Type in what you have on hand and discover what you can make without a grocery run, or add what you need to a shopping list and take it to the store.

Price iPhone, free

Twitter

Follow your favorite grocery stores on Twitter for special deals. BI-LO, Food Lion, Giant Food, Trader Joe's, and PriceChopper are all tweeting; enter your local supermarkets' names at www.search.twitter.com to find their pages.

Grocery iQ

Powered by Coupons.com, this app creates grocery lists that instantly integrate the week's deals and finds related coupons, too. Bookmark frequently purchased items to automatically add them to future lists.

Price iPhone and Android, free