Grocery prices

[happygirl]

They are spiking it seems like. I go about twice a month. They are higher each time.

 

[semo233]

Yup! I've noticed that too!! So, I have stepped up my couponing, sale shopping, picking up what I can at WalMart or Target, using A Full Cup, following the CVS thread here, sending away for as many freebies as I can and making sure that I use as much of what we buy as possible. There is also a great thread about stretching things that has some wonderful ideas. I'm going to find it and post so that it will be one first page again.
I also started making my own bread last week after I saw Cinnamon Raisin bread for $4 a loaf!!! I'm now searching bread recipes for more.
Post if you have any other ideas to stretch that buck!!

 

[happygirl]

Yup! I've noticed that too!! So, I have stepped up my couponing, sale shopping, picking up what I can at WalMart or Target, using A Full Cup, following the CVS thread here, sending away for as many freebies as I can and making sure that I use as much of what we buy as possible. There is also a great thread about stretching things that has some wonderful ideas. I'm going to find it and post so that it will be one first page again.
I also started making my own bread last week after I saw Cinnamon Raisin bread for $4 a loaf!!! I'm now searching bread recipes for more.
Post if you have any other ideas to stretch that buck!!

4 dollar for a loaf of bread

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Using coupons at BJ's helps us combat the grocery prices.

I make chilli which can be used for chilli dogs, chilli on a baked potato. Cook extra hot dogs when making the chilli dogs and put the extra in with some baked beans and serve that with corn bread. Oh the hot dogs are Oscar Meyer 30 for $3.00 at BJ's.

 

[Ka' eo]

I just started a 4 week trial at the Grocerygame. I was doubtful I'd be successful. I spent $129 at the grocery store for this week. I saved $95! Most everything I bought were name brand products. I got meat, produce, detergent. About $70 was savings from the store sales, BOGO, 50% off, etc. But I would have had no way to really plan and know what coupons to bring without GG. I was able to see the sale list this morning, meal plan and shop. I stocked up on a ton of stuff. I also went to CVS and spent $60 and saved $45. I tried to buy very little that was not on sale of anything.

I too am going to make bread, pizza dough and rolls with our breadmaker, rather than keep buying bread at the stores. I am sure I'll find some on sale and grab some, but it really is expensive!

I am thinking over time, I will save more and more with the GG. I did not have nearly the coupons I needed, and I had to spend more than I would on things that I did not have coupons for. So I am definitely going to try it for 3 months and see how it goes. I am thinking it will be worth the 7 bucks a month for the 2 stores I'll use.

 

[semo233]

Ka' eo: I tried the grocery game, but found much of the same info on other websites and A full cup for free. They also did not include several stores in my area that I shop at, so it was not a real complete list for me.
If it is working for you, great!
I have also found that I don't always get all the coupons that other areas of the country get.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I really need to pay more attention to these kind of things. I almost never look at grocery prices unless it is the produce. Then I just buy whatever fruit is on sale.
I have heard that prices have spiked lately.......from co-workers, friends, etc. and now here on the DIS.
I have the mentality that, "Oh well, I NEED to have it anyway no matter what the cost."

I am probably the grocery store's best kind of customer!

 

[C.Ann]

Finding the very best prices - and buying only those items that are on sale (and stocking up while they are) - are the "keys" to saving money..

Use coupons; eliminate fast foods/junk foods (make your own snacks; skip the sugary cereals; etc.); buy the larger packages of toilet paper and such (IF they break down to a lower price per roll); try cheaper or non-brand items you have never tried before; use "less" of items than you normally would (dish liquid; laundry detergent; reuse dryer sheets more than once; water down your shampoo and conditioner a bit; etc).. New bars of soap will last much longer if stored unwrapped..

Lots of great ideas here on the BB - as well as all over the internet.. It takes research, work, and discipline though - there's really no "easy" was of doing it.. It's pretty much a "job" nowadays..

Good luck!

 

[Ka' eo]

Ka' eo: I tried the grocery game, but found much of the same info on other websites and A full cup for free. They also did not include several stores in my area that I shop at, so it was not a real complete list for me.
If it is working for you, great!
I have also found that I don't always get all the coupons that other areas of the country get.

Well it is my first time out shopping. What I liked are the lists. They have CVS and my grocery store. It just really helps to have it all spelled out, what the savings is, if coupons are out there, etc. Most of my savings was the sale items at my grocery store, but 25 was directly from the advice of GG. So it would have been worth the $7.50 it would have still been worth it. I am also spacey and work full time, so having someone do all the leg work is also worth it. I am going to try it for 3 months. If I don't save a substantial amount, I'll stop there.

I really need to pay more attention to these kind of things. I almost never look at grocery prices unless it is the produce. Then I just buy whatever fruit is on sale.
I have heard that prices have spiked lately.......from co-workers, friends, etc. and now here on the DIS.
I have the mentality that, "Oh well, I NEED to have it anyway no matter what the cost."

I am probably the grocery store's best kind of customer!

This has been me my whole adult life. I am done with the waste!

 

[AllieBoo]

Not sure where you are located - but if you have a Publix, they have some awesome BOGO sales that when combined with coupons make for some really cheap deals. I have been able to stockpile staple items shopping at Publix. Then I pick up whatever I can't get cheap there at Walmart.

Check out my blog http://www.couponclippingmom.com for all the latest hot deals at Target, CVS, Walgreen's and Walmart. I am able to save so much money buying things like toothpaste, shampoo, laundry detergent, deodorant, feminine products, etc. by playing the "drugstore game" at Cvs, Walgreens. They both have awesome reward programs - it's a little confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will save soo much money!

 

[kydisneyfans]

I have noticed a spike in milk and egg prices all of a sudden. Produce prices are falling. I wonder if the shortages and snowstorms in the east have anything to do with the prices.

Everything else seems about the same to me.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I have noticed a spike in milk and egg prices all of a sudden.

I refuse to buy milk at the grocery store or Super Walmart. Around here the convenience stores sell milk cheap to get you in the store. 1% brand name (Hood, Garelick are the big names around here) is $2.39 a gallon at the convenience store. I also buy all deli meat (boar's head) and cheese (land-o-lakes) at a local deli, the meat is almost $2 less a pound than Stop and Shop and the cheese runs $2.49 to 2.99 a pound vs $6 at the grocery store.

We do a trip to Super Walmart 1x a month and even my DH is blown away by the difference in price. Five years ago we despised Walmart, boy do things change! Just an example, Crisco Veg Oil 48 oz was on rollback to $2, I had a coupon for $1 off. My local grocery store wanted over $4.50! I also get a lot of things like crackers, snacks, cheese sticks, jello pudding snacks, cake/brownie/pancake mixes, beans to make chicken taco soup...

Someone else made a good point, buy bulk (i.e. toilet paper) but make sure it is the cheapest price per roll (or whatever unit- per oz, per diaper, etc). I will collect multiple coupons from family members ($2 off pampers underjams, $1 off Tide, $3 gillette razors) and wait until the smaller package to go on sale. Then I can use 3 or 4 coupons and the price is actually cheaper than getting a bulk size and only being able to use one coupon.

Oh, and products are still getting SMALLER! We make a homemade chicken/pesto/bacon pizza. I needed more pesto a week ago, the jar went from 10oz (5 servings) to 8.1oz (4 servings). I swear it now looks like a baby food jar! Both jars had a price tag of $1.89. I called the 1-800 number on the back of the jar to let them know what I think and they sent me coupons for some other products.

 

[happygirl]

I refuse to buy milk at the grocery store or Super Walmart. Around here the convenience stores sell milk cheap to get you in the store. 1% brand name (Hood, Garelick are the big names around here) is $2.39 a gallon at the convenience store. I also buy all deli meat (boar's head) and cheese (land-o-lakes) at a local deli, the meat is almost $2 less a pound than Stop and Shop and the cheese runs $2.49 to 2.99 a pound vs $6 at the grocery store.

We do a trip to Super Walmart 1x a month and even my DH is blown away by the difference in price. Five years ago we despised Walmart, boy do things change! Just an example, Crisco Veg Oil 48 oz was on rollback to $2, I had a coupon for $1 off. My local grocery store wanted over $4.50! I also get a lot of things like crackers, snacks, cheese sticks, jello pudding snacks, cake/brownie/pancake mixes, beans to make chicken taco soup...

Someone else made a good point, buy bulk (i.e. toilet paper) but make sure it is the cheapest price per roll (or whatever unit- per oz, per diaper, etc). I will collect multiple coupons from family members ($2 off pampers underjams, $1 off Tide, $3 gillette razors) and wait until the smaller package to go on sale. Then I can use 3 or 4 coupons and the price is actually cheaper than getting a bulk size and only being able to use one coupon.

Oh, and products are still getting SMALLER! We make a homemade chicken/pesto/bacon pizza. I needed more pesto a week ago, the jar went from 10oz (5 servings) to 8.1oz (4 servings). I swear it now looks like a baby food jar! Both jars had a price tag of $1.89. I called the 1-800 number on the back of the jar to let them know what I think and they sent me coupons for some other products.

I try to buy in bulk as much as I can

 

[Mathfailure]

It does seem like I am always paying more for less each week.

I have done a few things that have helped.

Other than a select few I am not brand loyal at all, my children are so used to it they don't even seem to notice.

I make most everything from scratch. No frozen dinners etc.

I buy the meat that is on special, and after doing it for a bit seem to always have a variety on hand. My husband gets a roast dinner once a week for sunday dinner I use a slow cooker to get the best taste out of cheaper meats.

Popcorn is always the first snack of choice here.

I go to Aldis for condiments, cereal, flour, oil, cheese, milk etc.

I participate in Angel Food, sometimes am more pleased than others but overall has been positive.

Have found if I have had some blander meals in a row, some spagetti or tacos perks my family up, and they are cheap too!

I also have learned to say no to an item and leave it at the store!