Best tip for saving on grocery $$

[smilie]

What is your number one best tip for saving money while grocery shopping??

 

[apnep]

Planning ahead for the week and shopping with a list!

Also, not going into the store hungry because it never fails I will buy everything I see when I am hungry.

Ang

 

[DeniseinNS]

-Stock up when things are on sale so you won't have to buy them again at regular price for awhile
-I buy fruits and veggies at the fruit stand where they are way cheaper then at the grocery store
-I buy my meat at the meat market which is alot cheaper then the grocery store
-I get my gas at Sobey's gas where I get a coupon back for 3.5 cents a litre to use towards groceries at Sobey's. This usually saves me about $10 a month.

 

[cydswipe]

My biggest advice... know you grocery store. Once you shop again and again in the same store, you begin to learn how their pricing swing works. When there is a good deal (usually signage at my store) pick up an extra.

Combine sale flyer items with their coupon and then you have a better deal.

Some people meal plan around the local ads. I'm not so good at that!

My store is closed on Mondays. Usually, shortly after opening, the fresh fruit (precut) is reduced, as it's been cut/packaged over the closed day.

Good luck!

 

[stormtracker]

If you are looking to save some serious money start reading this:
http://www.southernsavers.com/
This is a takes a lot of time and dedication. We have cut our grocery bill in half and have stockpiles of food in the house. This is just one of many sites out there devoted to serious couponing if your local stores aren't included.

 

[blessedby3]

Stick to the list

 

[VAfamily1998]

If I'm at the store early enough in the morning, I head to the meat department. Sometimes they have a good selection of meat marked down because that day is the "sell by" or "use by" date. I'm pretty picky, so I won't buy "just anything" from there, but I have sometimes found some good deals on meat that way.

If you're looking for coupons for a favorite food, go to that products website. Sometimes they'll send you coupons for signing up to be on their mailing list...

 

[beansmom]

go to the forums at www.afullcup.com and let THEM do the work for ya!

 

[bettymae1121]

The biggest thing is to never shop hungry!

My other big saver is to not bring DH along (it's amazing what lands in the cart when he's with me!).

A list is a good idea, not only does it lessen the chance that your forget the one thing you went in for, but it keeps you focused and less likely to notice all the lovely things to eat that aren't on your list.

A willingness to shop at several stores. I do most of my shoping at Trader Joe's, but I'll shop at Jewel and Meijers if they have a comparable item for less.

I don't use coupons much since I rarely buy processed foods, but I do keep an eye out for coupons that I can use. For instance sometimes I'll score a $X off your order of $XX or more at Meijers, since that's good on anything, I'll buy my organic fruits/veggies there that week instead of at TJ's.

And it's not "groceries" but I save a ton of money by using vinager and baking soda for most of my cleaning needs, and I use reusable wash clothes instead of paper towels. I buy the baking soda in bulk (something like a 10 pound bag for $5 at Costco) and vinager by the gallon. It's non toxic, great for the enviroment, and cheap...everyone wins!

 

[tinkmom2]

We have a spring pantry cleanout board here. That really has helped me. You use what you have on hand and take invetory of your stock. Here's the thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2351213&page=35.

I shop at a discount retailer. It's employee owned and the prices are really low. They don't have a store card but I can use coupons there.
I sit down with the Sunday ads in hand and plan my menu for the week. Generally our budget is $100/4 of us for the week. That includes soda and pet supplies. Last week I spent $64 and saved $50.00 in coupons. I often times combine store coupons with manufactuer coupons and get items for free. I am also not brand loyal. I will oftentimes by the store genaric for savings.

Also many communties offer either a Angel basket or SHARE is what we have here. You pay around $25.00 and get a selection of fresh fruits, meats, and veggies at a set price.

 

[gillenkl]

Stock up on items when they are on sale.

 

[cheap traveler]

Leave the kids at home!

 

[aboveH20]

I try store brands. If I like them I keep buying them, if I don't, I go back to name brands. For example, chicken broth I buy store brand, soups I buy name brand.

Our newspaper did a "blind" taste test on ice cream a couple years ago and one of the local store brands beat out several national brands. Try 'em out and see if you like them. If not, switch back. BIG money saver!

 

[MomToOne]

Check out all of the grocery stores in your area to find if one is generally cheaper than the other. I have one that is 20-30% cheaper for the same stuff than all the other stores. Their regular prices are better than the other stores sale prices! I have to drive 5 miles more, but for that kind of savings it's worth it!!

Once you identify your "cheap" store, do your primary shop at it but watch sales ads for all stores, esp. on meat. (I generally only read the front pages of all of the ads these days, since that's where the "big" sales are.)

 

[disneygirl 17]

If you are looking to save some serious money start reading this:
http://www.southernsavers.com/
This is a takes a lot of time and dedication. We have cut our grocery bill in half and have stockpiles of food in the house. This is just one of many sites out there devoted to serious couponing if your local stores aren't included.

I use southern savers - love it!

 

[Muushka]

Best tip, already mentioned, stock up. Don't wait till you need it to buy it. That and rotate your stock!

Another tip is when buying something, don't assume that the largest can/box/whatever is the bargain. Oftentimes it is not. Check the price per ounce or calculate yourself. And when doing your comparison shopping, look for the 10% or 50% or whatever 'Free'. They will be the same price as the smaller container, but you will get more in it.

 

[Virgderon]

Great thread! Thanks for posting http://www.southernsavers.com/.

I tried shopping at my favorite store with their suggestions and list of printable coupons.

I spent $33.24, and saved $21.67. I bought enough meats and sides for 7 meals, and also threw in some cereal. pop not on sale and 5 Michelina entrees for DH's lunch.

It was my first time really concentrating on keeping to a list and working the sales, and it was a pretty good start.

I liked the Southern Savers site because they offer a shopping list based on each major stores sale papers, and list all the coupons that will work with those sales.

I think this is something I could stick to using their site. Trying to figure it out on my own was too confusing.

 

[starwood]

I found a great facebook group called couponing for disney. I printed out a bunch of coupons before shopping yesterday and saved an additional $7.00 with them.

 

[LoriNSC]

I use southern savers - love it!

Another southern savers gal here too! I have cut my grocery budget by about 60-70% no joke.

 

[ShannonMB]

I try store brands. If I like them I keep buying them, if I don't, I go back to name brands. For example, chicken broth I buy store brand, soups I buy name brand.

Our newspaper did a "blind" taste test on ice cream a couple years ago and one of the local store brands beat out several national brands. Try 'em out and see if you like them. If not, switch back. BIG money saver!

This is what I've recently started doing, and I'm really suprised at 1) the savings! and 2) the quality of some of the stuff! I shop at Kroger, so a shout-out to them for having some pretty nice store brand items! The other day I needed a bottle of ranch dressing (DD dips lots of things in ranch!), went to grab the big bottle of Hidden Valley out of habit, but then saw that it was something like $4.59 and the same sized Kroger one was $2.29! Of course it's no bargain if it's not as good, but I tell ya, it's REALLY GOOD!! Now ketchup, not willing to go there. Heinz or nothing!