How to save at Safeway Hawaii Grocers

Grocery costs are typically three times more expensive in Hawaii than in the mainland US.  Nothing can prepare you for the outrageous prices you will see at the grocery stores here. But here are some tips which will help you save at Safeway.

First, always go on Fridays during the daytime.  Every Friday, there are a dozen or so $5 specials.  The Safeway flier comes out every Wednesday, so you have two days to study the flier for sales. 

Next, always look for price stickers on the shelves that are in red, not yellow nor white nor green.  Prices with the red tag are the true sale prices.

A simple, small bottle of salt can cost $4.99, but when there is a red tag on the shelf, it can be $1.49. Be careful when you see a notice you must purchase a minimum quantity to get the price, because you forfeit the sale price if you don't buy the specified quantity.

Next, create an account at Safeway.com and sign up for the digital coupons. A $70 package of New York Strip steaks becomes $28 when you use the digital coupon.  Every week, there are digital coupons to load into your account.  Be certain to check the register when you ring the groceries, because digital coupons don't always pull up like they are supposed to.  Don't let an employee ring you, because they have no clue which digital coupons you have clipped.

Choose a store you like, then stick with the same Safeway every week. That way you know where all the items are located. It will save you a ton of time. My favorite is 888 Kapahulu. It's new, it's clean, and it's right by Rainbow Drive In (for lunch), Leonard's Bakery (for dessert malasadas) and Queen's Island Urgent Care (after you overdose on the sugar in the malasadas).

The Kapahulu Safeway has a second parking lot above the store, where you will find much better parking spaces, and an elevator to ground level. Just drive up the ramp on the right side of the building as you are facing Safeway from Kapahulu street.