MARTIN SLOANE | Supermarket Shopper Smart shoppers enjoy out-of-town shopping

Visiting a supermarket may not be high on your list of attractions when you plan your summer vacation. However, smart shoppers, especially those traveling by car, plan visits to out-of-town stores to make their summer vacations less costly and even more enjoyable.
First, consider making a special shopping list of the grocery products you could use while on your vacation. Then, start saving manufacturer coupons, such as snack coupons for products you and your children would want to munch while on the road and at the hotel. But before you think I am suggesting turning vacations into snacking binges, out-of-town supermarkets are also your source for healthy vacation eating, from ready-to-eat salads to items like baby carrots, yogurt cups, granola bars and fruit juices.
If you have a baby, and you are going to be away for more than a few days, take along your baby product coupons. Think about how many packages of diapers you expect to use while you are away. In fact, take your coupon file or wallet with you! Walking into an unfamiliar supermarket is a lot more fun when you have your coupons.
Eye for specials
When you walk into that supermarket, remember to look for the store circular or advertisement. Keep an eye out for unadvertised specials. Look for specially marked packages with valuable offers that may not be available in your home area.
Think of an out-of-town supermarket as a good alternative to a more expensive restaurant meal. You may not purchase them when you are at home, but most supermarkets can provide you with prepared, ready-to-eat foods from soups to entrees with all the fixings. To make this an easy alternative, take along disposable plates, cups and other paper goods. A cooler will come in handy. Pack a few re-sealable plastic bags. Also, take along a sharp knife as well as a can and bottle opener (not for airplane carry on!).
It is a wonderful feeling to walk into a supermarket and use free product coupons you have received from grocery product manufacturers, the kind of free coupons you receive for sending in proofs-of-purchase. Some of my readers start months in advance to save selected free coupons for their summer vacations.
If you are spending several weeks at a vacation destination, buy a "food day" (usually Wednesday or Thursday) newspaper when you arrive and become familiar with the supermarket and restaurant advertisements.
What should you do if you discover the out-of-town supermarket has great sale prices, but they are only for card members? That's an easy question: Join up! You don't have to be a permanent resident to participate.
Other advantages
Supermarket visits on vacation are also interesting in other ways. For example, you can compare prices of the out-of-town grocery store with those at your favorite home town supermarket. Does the out-of-town supermarket you visit do something you might want to suggest to your favorite grocer? A coffee bar and cafe, for example, or pumping low cost gasoline in the parking lot?
Don't forget to clip Sunday newspaper coupons for the restaurant chains, cast food, pizza chains, casual dining -- clip all of them. They can save you a lot of money wherever you travel. Be sure to check the coupon advertisements for geographic restrictions. However, some restaurants will be gracious and accept out-of-area coupons from the same chain.
While on the road, stop at the visitors' centers to find tourist discount booklets offering savings on hotels, attractions and restaurants. This summer, most businesses that cater to vacationers will be promoting heavily.
It is a buyer's market, so take advantage of it. When you call for a hotel reservation, don't hesitate to ask for a better rate or mention the amount you wish to spend.
If you have used your smart shopping skills on vacation, write and share your experiences with my readers. Write to me, Martin Sloane, the Supermarket Shopper, in care of The Vindicator.
United Feature Syndicate