Any tips on ways to reduce grocery bill?

[Salrx95]

Besides shopping sales and using coupons, the biggest thing I do is leave dh home!! He is worse than the kids and I feel bad about always telling him "no", unlike the kids, because it's his money, too.

this made me literally lol. I do all the shopping in our house. Wife hates grocery stores and is so not a good shopper.

Shop Rite is doing their can can sale this week so I went and loaded up on lots of things, especially things I had coupons for. Several of those items I bought were specifically for our drive to Disney next month so I would not have likely bought them otherwise even though I had coupons so I could have eliminated some food and cut the bill a little bit. The total bill was $174.28 and my cost was $102.53 as I saved $71.75 in coupons and on sale savings.

Part of the problem we sometimes run into is the eating healthy part. We try our best to be both economical and price conscious while staying away from chemicals as much as possible. For example, it would be much cheaper to buy the store brand grape jelly but we use the polaneer all-fruit to stay away the high fructose corn syrup. Fruit can also be expensive but sometimes, I just have to buy it. Our boys would almost rather fruit than a cookie which is great but the price a blackberry compared to an oreo is big.

 

[edk35]

Besides shopping sales and using coupons, the biggest thing I do is leave dh home!! He is worse than the kids and I feel bad about always telling him "no", unlike the kids, because it's his money, too.

ALWAYS spend more when DH goes....but he enjoys going with me every week. I guess that is good...but OH MY...the bill is always way more.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

this made me literally lol. I do all the shopping in our house. Wife hates grocery stores and is so not a good shopper.

Shop Rite is doing their can can sale this week so I went and loaded up on lots of things, especially things I had coupons for. Several of those items I bought were specifically for our drive to Disney next month so I would not have likely bought them otherwise even though I had coupons so I could have eliminated some food and cut the bill a little bit. The total bill was $174.28 and my cost was $102.53 as I saved $71.75 in coupons and on sale savings.

Part of the problem we sometimes run into is the eating healthy part. We try our best to be both economical and price conscious while staying away from chemicals as much as possible. For example, it would be much cheaper to buy the store brand grape jelly but we use the polaneer all-fruit to stay away the high fructose corn syrup. Fruit can also be expensive but sometimes, I just have to buy it. Our boys would almost rather fruit than a cookie which is great but the price a blackberry compared to an oreo is big.

We buy all fruit too but we buy it in bulk at Costco because my kids LOVE peanut butter and. "Jelly". Plus I use the all fruit when I make cream cheese and fruit crepes. Yummy!

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[4HppyCamprs]

We buy all fruit too but we buy it in bulk at Costco because my kids LOVE peanut butter and. "Jelly". Plus I use the all fruit when I make cream cheese and fruit crepes. Yummy!

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E.D Smith brand

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[reginaastralis]

I have to say I'm there right now. For awhile (about six months ago) I was religious about shopping the ads and using coupons. Now, both my bf and I are in school full time, and he's working two different part time jobs. I fell off the wagon on being frugal because I simply didn't have the time.

The other day, I was rushing to get something for dinner after some activity, so we ran by Publix to get a couple of things for dinner. Most Disney fans have shopped at Publix, but it's not an overly expensive store, and usually I feel like I get good deals there. Because of how ridiculous our schedule was, I really went in without a plan and grabbed some chicken breast. They were $5.69 a pound! We aren't a high cost of living area either, because the shock of what I was about to pay for chicken reminded me of my frugal(ish) ways, and I watched the ads this weekend, and chicken breast is on sale for $1.99/lb.

Things like that really REALLY add up. It's insane how quickly most people shop, and I'm sure I've paid that much for chicken over the last six months. What I'm trying to remind myself is, if I spend an hour a day really planning out our menus and looking at the ads, clipping coupons, and hitting up the sales ... I'm saving a lot more than I'd expect.

 

[Salrx95]

We buy all fruit too but we buy it in bulk at Costco because my kids LOVE peanut butter and. "Jelly". Plus I use the all fruit when I make cream cheese and fruit crepes. Yummy!

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I go to costco around once a month or maybe 3 times in 2 months and definitely load up on fruit while there. Not an easy trip and it always costs at least a hundred bucks. Cream cheese is a food group for my 2 boys so I usually go when the Philadelphia tub(s) (yes, I buy 2 at a time) get low cause it so much more to buy a container at the grocery store, even if it is store brand.

 

[disney212]

WOW I am sooooo impressed!!! I am more impressed that you work full time and still cook from scratch. You are an inspiration!!! I just read this to my dd and husband.

Thanks but it really doesn't take any longer than convenience foods once you get used to it.

Example - Kroger had Turkey Breast for 50% off this week. I grabbed one and threw it in the freezer. I will put it in the crockpot one day before work and we will eat 1/2 of it for dinner, the other 1/2 will get sliced and we will have turkey sandwiches for lunch that week. Super easy and better and cheaper than deli meat!

FYI - we DVC too!

 

[njmom47]

I second Aldi for basic stuff (although sometimes Shoprite may have it cheaper, you just have to know your prices). I have been doing that the last couple of weeks. I feel fortunate that I shop at Shoprite because they have the Price Plus (which gives you discounts on items), they have the Shoprite Family (you accumulate points when buying certain brands, and you can redeem points off your next order), Catalina coupons spit out when you check out (ex if you buy 4 cereals, get free milk next time) and our store doubles manufacturer's coupons. They also do a free turkey at Thanksgiving (it always surprises me when I hear of people actually paying for their Thxgiving turkey). I also go to the Entenmann's outlet (bread, english muffins, etc 3 for $3). I too build my weekly menu from what's on sale. I do always stock up when I see a good price.

 

[mrssmith06]

Don't be afraid to try the store brands!! They are often the SAME thing as the brand name item, just in different packaging!! You'd be amazed at how much of it comes from the same factory and they just package it differently based on the brand names. Not kidding.
You have to watch sales and be willing to give up your brand loyalty.
Our dinner tonight cost $3.71 and fed all 5 of us! Chicken breasts were on sale for .98/lb...so got a decent pack of chicken for 2.71 plus a box of yellow rice on sale for 1.00 = Chicken & rice! Yum!
We went to our local Food World grocery store this week, they had a deal where you could get a bag and fill it up with their store brand and get 20% off of the entire bag. I love those deals!!! I took my DH with me, because they limited 1 bag per customer so I had him fill up a bag and check out separately.
I don't always clip coupons unless I know I'm getting a brand name item and then I will look for the coupon for it.
Do not buy things just because you have a coupon... it's a terrible habit.. you end up buying things you would not normally buy just because you get 30 cents off... not good, lol. I used to be bad about that!!!
And back to the store brand thing - often times the store brand will still be cheaper than your coupon deal on the name brand! Do the math.
Unless you have the time and the right stores in your area to "extreme coupon" you can't always get those awesome super cheap and free deals like you hear about. It's nearly impossible to do in my area! Coupon policies are strict.

 

[TLuvsD]

I read the ads, make a plan and use coupons. I had to set a coupon method that works for me, since I don't use a lot of them, but want to use them when I can. I just put all the coupons from the paper into one pile, binder clip it together with a 3x5 card on the front with the date. Then I use the couponmom dot com website for the coupon match ups for the week, This may not work for some people (certainly not for extreme coupon types), but it works for us. I just buy the stuff we need (especially hair care, toothpaste, etc).

 

[tnd]

My biggest tips are to buy store brands and to shop in bulk, but know your prices.

I buy store brand for almost everything. There are only about 5 things I won't buy store brands, and whenever possible, I buy them on sale or at Costco. They are Heinz ketchup, King Arthur flour, Diet Coke, Skippy Peanut Butter, and Bon Maman jams (though the kids get Costco brand organic strawberry spread, which is very good). Everything else is store brand unless the name brand is cheaper because of a sale/coupon. If there is a good sale, I will stock up pretty aggressively. I also try to match my meals to what is on sale for the week.

I buy a lot of things at Costco. Especially meats, eggs, butter, milk, some produce, coffee, paper good, and some snack foods for the kids' lunches. The prices are generally good, but not always as good as a sale at the grocery store. For me the convenience of having to go less often is well worth it though. I also like the quality of the items at Costco. I buy their store brand whenever possible and I am almost always happy (I don't like their dish soap or dishwasher tabs).

 

[4HppyCamprs]

My biggest tips are to buy store brands and to shop in bulk, but know your prices.

I buy store brand for almost everything. There are only about 5 things I won't buy store brands, and whenever possible, I buy them on sale or at Costco. They are Heinz ketchup, King Arthur flour, Diet Coke, Skippy Peanut Butter, and Bon Maman jams (though the kids get Costco brand organic strawberry spread, which is very good). Everything else is store brand unless the name brand is cheaper because of a sale/coupon. If there is a good sale, I will stock up pretty aggressively. I also try to match my meals to what is on sale for the week.

I buy a lot of things at Costco. Especially meats, eggs, butter, milk, some produce, coffee, paper good, and some snack foods for the kids' lunches. The prices are generally good, but not always as good as a sale at the grocery store. For me the convenience of having to go less often is well worth it though. I also like the quality of the items at Costco. I buy their store brand whenever possible and I am almost always happy (I don't like their dish soap or dishwasher tabs).

I'm with you. I don't mind most store brands and even like a few better than name brand (cereal especially) but I just did not like any other ketchup. Heinz it is! I did check ingredients and they do mix it up differently in different brands.

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[North of Mouse]

I'm trying to cut down on my grocery expenses. We went to the store the other day and I bought food for three nights----nothing extravagant- stuff for taco soup, a cornbread/sausage casserole, and pork chops with some sides. We bought a few extra things like milk and oreos and it was $171......crud- could have eaten out good three times for what I spent to cook and then clean the kitchen.....

But, I would like to find ways to spend less. Anybody got any tips or cheap meal ideas?

Thanks!
Erin

Wow, for only three meals?

I always keep a well stocked pantry, stocking up non-perishables when there are sales + coupons. We have several stores that double coupons regularly (two that double to .99) plus one store that regularly triples, or souper doubles up to $2 (they are doing it this week). That really makes a huge difference in my grocery bill.

Our Sun. paper is chock full of coupons, plus some from online.

Also, if you cook from scratch (very few convenience foods) it is more nutritious, and tastes better too.

Crockpots are your friend , especially if you work outside the home. Casseroles can be very tasty and economical also.

I buy lots of our produce at Aldi's when I can - lots cheaper, but usually don't buy their staples as I do better with coupons/ sales with name brands.

We also have a freezer, so stock up on meat when it's the best price.

I do not buy in bulk at membership stores as I can do better with coupons at other stores. You have to price the *unit* price on the large packages to see if it's a better deal. Most of them really aren't. The stores like to sell things that way because most people just assume they are getting a good deal, they don't bother to price it out per item, etc. or think about the price at other stores on sale with coupons doubled/tripled, etc.

 

[danygirl]

I have my grocery budget down to approximately $75 per week, 2 adults 2 teenagers, dog and cat family

1. Buy what is on sale and buy more than you need right now. Buy enough to last until the next sales.
2. Match coupons to sale items to get the absolute lowest prices.
3. Build a stockpile so you don't run out of something and have to buy it at the highest price rather than lowest
4. Stop being brand loyal, try new brands

Kristen at couponingtodisney does an awesome job of breaking down how to shop to save the most money.

This week I spent more than my budget but there was an awesome sale on pizza at Target (12 Digiorno pizzas and 6 boxes of Edys fruit pops for less than $40, a savings of over $50! We will use these on the nights we are super busy and would have eaten out). Also, it was Super Double Coupons at harris teeter, and I got so many things for free! My savings at the grocery store were over $200.

The drug stores have awesome deals on health and beauty items, it is easy to get shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, mouth wash, dental rinse, dental floss, lotion and many other items for free. Once you aren't spending money on these things you have more money for your grocery budget or for your Disney vacation!

 

[mrodgers]

It is downright depressing anymore looking at these threads. I don't know why I look.

Early in the thread, someone listed 2 lb. ground chuck for $4.58. I can't buy 1 lb. of ground chuck for $4.58. Just bought some, $4.79/lb. The "good" stuff in the case was $5.29/lb.

My wife does the bulk of the grocery shopping. I just stop for meat on Friday. Porkchops, a roast, about 1.25 pound of hamburger, 2 jars of spaghetti sauce, and hot sausage, each the meat for a single meal plus lunch the next day, $56. That's 4 meals and only includes the meat portion. Still have to add all the rest for those meals, plus lunch items for the kids for 5 days, 3 more days of dinner, toiletries....

We spend about $250/week.

 

[JessB320]

It is downright depressing anymore looking at these threads. I don't know why I look.

Early in the thread, someone listed 2 lb. ground chuck for $4.58. I can't buy 1 lb. of ground chuck for $4.58. Just bought some, $4.79/lb. The "good" stuff in the case was $5.29/lb.

My wife does the bulk of the grocery shopping. I just stop for meat on Friday. Porkchops, a roast, about 1.25 pound of hamburger, 2 jars of spaghetti sauce, and hot sausage, each the meat for a single meal plus lunch the next day, $56. That's 4 meals and only includes the meat portion. Still have to add all the rest for those meals, plus lunch items for the kids for 5 days, 3 more days of dinner, toiletries....

We spend about $250/week.

How much of that meat was on sale? That is really the key. A certain type of meat may only go on a "really good" sale once every 4-6 weeks. An example is chicken breasts. If I were to just pop into the store and buy chicken breast when I needed them they will cost between $4-$6lb at my local store. But once every 6 weeks or so they go on sale for $1.99lb. so I only buy chicken breasts once every 6 weeks at the sale price and I buy 15-20 lbs of it, or however much will get me through until the next sale. When I bought our meat from a store it was rare for me to buy more than one or two kinds or cuts of meat at a time, instead I would rotate buying whatever the super sale of the week was in large amounts and freeze it. Then as you meal plan you pull it put of the freezer, this way you are always buying at the low price point.

 

[LovinD]

Hoping I'm not posting what has already been said.

1)I not only set a budget for the week, but budget what each meal should cost, and I stick to that.

2)Be willing to use non-meat protein. Beans are super cheap and good for you and you can use them so many different ways. I love to put dry pintos in the crock pot with some salt pork or bacon, and eat it for dinner with cornbread. SOOO cheap, and good.

3)If your grocery store has meat marked down because it is about to expire, buy it and portion it out and freeze it. This can save a lot of money.

4)I am often able to coupon and buy pasta for dirt cheap. Stock up on pasta. There are so many simple and tasty meals you can make with it!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Eggs. Love eggs

Well, I'm not kidding about eggs but many have already responded with other good suggestions. Including some of what others do, here are my strategies:

-Cut coupons and clean out your file weekly.
-Use those coupons on sale items and where they double coupons. Very often, you can get items for free - especially toothpaste and floss.
-Use those coupons in conjunction with a target coupon and see what promos are offered at Target.
-Stack coupons on those promos AND Catalina's. You can profit from this!!!
-Buy in season produce.
-Eat veggie. I adore my bean salad which has veggies, grains, and beans. It is healthy, cheap, and can be made for the week in advance.
-Make steel cut & whole oats for the week. I make this on Sundays for the whole week along with my bean salad and have meals for the week at work.
-Get the whole family involved. My kids help cut coupons and match them to weekly sales, promos, Catalina's, and Target coupons. They also get bonuses for helping to stay in budget- certain amounts under budget go to their personal funds. Then they hate to spend it because they like to see their savings grow!!

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Two of my favorite money saving tips:

Lentils are your friend! There are so many recipes that call for beef ground beef and you can easily substitute lentils for a fraction of the price. Not only is it super cheap, it is better for you!

If you have a day old bread store, or factory bread store in your area, go there. I buy loaves of really good quality bread still sold before the expiration date for .69 a loaf instead of 2.69. Buns run .49 a pack instead of 2.00. English Muffins and Bagels are .69 a pack instead of 2.00.

 

[JessB320]

Two of my favorite money saving tips:

Lentils are your friend! There are so many recipes that call for beef ground beef and you can easily substitute lentils for a fraction of the price. Not only is it super cheap, it is better for you!

If you have a day old bread store, or factory bread store in your area, go there. I buy loaves of really good quality bread still sold before the expiration date for .69 a loaf instead of 2.69. Buns run .49 a pack instead of 2.00. English Muffins and Bagels are .69 a pack instead of 2.00.

I have been wanting to use lentils more, what are some things you substitute them in?