Grocery Savings Ideas. Lots of meat and produce.

[TnTWalter]

I spend too much every month on groceries. I try to do meal planning but often run the the store for this and that and it all adds up. What are your tips and tricks? Thanks.

Trish

 

[a1tinkfans]

I am sometimes Shocked at what I spend when I look at that pile of receipts. I think it’s costlier as I often shop a specialty type store .. rather than a typical food store. And I’m not sure I’m willing to change that lol.
Right now...I’m seriously trying aka forcing myself to use All the meat/freezer stuff ( which isn’t much as I buy and use mostly fresh) before going back to shop. Just fruits/veggies/weekly necessities.

We shall see. Good luck to u.. I’ll be watching this thread.

 

[robinb]

I keep a white board on my fridge and add to it when I run out of things. I snap a picture of it as my grocery list. I’ll try to menu plan for a couple of days and add those items to the list before I shop. I usually stay on message if I only shop every couple of days. If I shop every day for this and that I end up adding things to the cart that are not on my list. It’s as if the in between shopping gives me permission to get whatever.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Tips for produce...
- Find a store that loss leads a lot of produce - HMart and Aldi's are two chains which loss lead at least 6 items/week. Even a chain like Safeway will loss lead 3-4 items in their ad, and then give you a few extra online.
- Stick to the loss leaders in your eating for that week. If a watermelon is $3.29, buy it and plan fresh slices for a BBQ dinner, a watermelon feta salad for another side, and watermelon smoothies to burn the rest. If a 3 lb bag of apples is $1.79, eat them fresh, make an fried apple side, and an apple muffin. Buy bananas (they are always cheap) and buy seasonal (some produce, even if not on a loss leader sale, will still be cheaper at certain times for a "normal" price and more expensive other times).
- Track and use your produce as it will go bad. Apples have a week or two...strawberries have a few days...so make sure you plan the berries 1st.

Since your bill tends to add up on the side trips, DON'T make them. You can almost always substitute something in your house for something you don't have. Last week, I was making roasted sweet potato pie and realized I didn't have evaporated milk. So I made a swap for condensed milk. Condensed milk eliminated the need for the evaporated milk and the sugar in the recipe (since it's pre-sweetened) and worked even better than my original recipe. Try to make those types of swaps and stay out of the stores. Use what you have. It saves you money and keeps you from wasting what you have.

 

[robinb]

Check out www.flipp.com to see many of your grocery ads in one place. If I want to cook steak, I’ll go to Flipp and search for ‘steak’ and all the ads show up.

ETA: Flipp also has phone apps that sync with your computer.

 

[KSR0330]

I also struggle with spending way too much on groceries. I just read somewhere that to save money, you should plan your meals around what's on sale. Chicken on sale this week? You're having chicken. Apples on sale? You're buying those. It even recommends going to a couple of different stores to get what's on sale at each. I've tried this to the point of getting a couple things that are on sale and building meals around them, but I need to invest the time in planning better to get all meals with sale items.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Stock up on meat during ad periods. Meijer just had boneless chicken for $1.49/lb. I bought 10 lbs. They had 80/20 ground beef for $1.59/lb. Bought 8 pounds of that. Still have a few pork loins that were $1.29 a pound several weeks ago. They had boneless strips $5.49 last week and sirloin $3.99 this week. We're set on steak for awhile. Kroger has roast starting tomorrow. We buy in bulk during sales periods and then freeze it.

Produce is a different challenge. We shop 2 stores regularly: Kroger(1/3 mile away) and Meijer (16 miles away). Walmart is worthless to us. Aldi is too inconsistent, then nearest one is 11 miles away and the store is nasty/gross with fruit flies all over the produce, most of which is inedible. If I stop, it's at one 16 miles away that has been remodeled. Bananas are weekly, summer fruits like peaches/apricots/cherries are summer staples, now we are heading into fall where apples and citrus become cheaper. We eat berries often and usually just pay the price as long as they look good. If raspberries are 2/$6, I'll get 2. If they are $1, I'll buy a case. Driscoll will last 5-7 days if refrigerated. Veggies are split between Kroger and Meijer, the prices aren't that different. Fruit seems to be better/cheaper at Meijer.

 

[kymom99]

Stock up on meat during ad periods. Meijer just had boneless chicken for $1.49/lb. I bought 10 lbs. They had 80/20 ground beef for $1.59/lb. Bought 8 pounds of that. Still have a few pork loins that were $1.29 a pound several weeks ago. They had boneless strips $5.49 last week and sirloin $3.99 this week. We're set on steak for awhile. Kroger has roast starting tomorrow. We buy in bulk during sales periods and then freeze it.

Produce is a different challenge. We shop 2 stores regularly: Kroger(1/3 mile away) and Meijer (16 miles away). Walmart is worthless to us. Aldi is too inconsistent, then nearest one is 11 miles away and the store is nasty/gross with fruit flies all over the produce, most of which is inedible. If I stop, it's at one 16 miles away that has been remodeled. Bananas are weekly, summer fruits like peaches/apricots/cherries are summer staples, now we are heading into fall where apples and citrus become cheaper. We eat berries often and usually just pay the price as long as they look good. If raspberries are 2/$6, I'll get 2. If they are $1, I'll buy a case. Driscoll will last 5-7 days if refrigerated. Veggies are split between Kroger and Meijer, the prices aren't that different. Fruit seems to be better/cheaper at Meijer.

We have the same choices but I'm close to all 3. I agree, Aldis priduce doesn't seem to last long. I'm not sure why. And things like grapes aren't very good tasting. Kroger and meijer have much fresher stuff. I like Aldi occasionally. I buy meat there sometimes and my husband can eat their potato salad. Sometimes their milk and eggs are cheaper. They have a coupe decent gluten free items.

My challenge is snack foods. Kroger runs that dang buy 5 or buy 6 deal and snack foods are always on it. It never fails, I need one or 2 things included in the sale and fill in with junk. It's a trap and I should be smarter.

 

[dosekies]

Stock up on meat during ad periods. Meijer just had boneless chicken for $1.49/lb. I bought 10 lbs. They had 80/20 ground beef for $1.59/lb. Bought 8 pounds of that. Still have a few pork loins that were $1.29 a pound several weeks ago. They had boneless strips $5.49 last week and sirloin $3.99 this week. We're set on steak for awhile. Kroger has roast starting tomorrow. We buy in bulk during sales periods and then freeze it.

Produce is a different challenge. We shop 2 stores regularly: Kroger(1/3 mile away) and Meijer (16 miles away). Walmart is worthless to us. Aldi is too inconsistent, then nearest one is 11 miles away and the store is nasty/gross with fruit flies all over the produce, most of which is inedible. If I stop, it's at one 16 miles away that has been remodeled. Bananas are weekly, summer fruits like peaches/apricots/cherries are summer staples, now we are heading into fall where apples and citrus become cheaper. We eat berries often and usually just pay the price as long as they look good. If raspberries are 2/$6, I'll get 2. If they are $1, I'll buy a case. Driscoll will last 5-7 days if refrigerated. Veggies are split between Kroger and Meijer, the prices aren't that different. Fruit seems to be better/cheaper at Meijer.

Agree with this for meat, stocking up is your friend! I also frequently shop the 'manager's special' section for meats. Jewel tends to have a decent selection each week of meats that are close to the expiration and therefore pretty deeply discounted - I stock up and toss them straight into the freezer!

 

[LovesTimone]

First off I suggest taking a good look at your pantry. Having a solid pantry will help with running to the store between real shopping trips. I have started shopping at Aldi for a lot of my pantry staples, things like sugar, flour, chicken, beef, and veggie stock or broth, cream of mushroom soup, cooking spray, baking needs, bread crumbs, nuts, dried fruit, lots of good stuff and a really good price. Make sure your pantry is set up with how you cook and live. Also make sure to have things like foil, baggies, containers for left overs.

Look at the your store AD for the week, special items or BOGO's, Use whats in season in the produce sections, as well as at the fish counter if your store has one... sometimes things are in season and are a great price.

Live by the list... make the list and stick to it... okay so with this said, if there is a good deal on meat, or family packaging is a better deal get it, and divide it up. Or some in store special then take a look and make sure you know what you are going to do with it... last week I bought a huge family package of ground chuck, I took it home and made meatloaf for dinner,and with the rest I made meatballs and froze them ( 120 meatball ready to go) , I made basic meatballs, I can use them for meatball subs, in red sauce, throw into some soup, or make my meatballs in a crock pot for a party or whatever.

Meal planning, try at first to start with a couple of days, then a week, then 2 weeks, then monthly... Look ahead, at the calendar, at what you and your family have going on, or a celebration or your turn to provide snacks or a covered dish for work.

Another thing that I find will break the budget, is holiday meal, or if your have guest coming to visit. This is were you need to plan ahead. If you know that you are going to be baking up a storm start weekly picking up stuff, like the "good vanilla" or if flour is BOGO this week, get a little bit all along then your not spending 100.00 buck on baking stuff.

Freezer meals, such as soup, stews, meatballs, taco meat, shredded pork, beef or chicken for quick meals, which helps with going to the store in between.

Make your own grab and go breakfast item, muffins are a favorite item to grab and go, your own granola mix...

Coupons are another way to save. You don't have to be a super couponer, just check out your list, and see what you might can find ( coupons.com is a good source that you can just print off), check the store ad to match up coupons this way, if your store offer in store coupons, can you stack them - most will let you.

You have to keep at it... but once you have gotten the hang of it. It does get easier and becomes second nature... I have been doing it so long that its just how I shop.

 

[tvguy]

I spend too much every month on groceries. I try to do meal planning but often run the the store for this and that and it all adds up. What are your tips and tricks? Thanks.

Trish

Meal planning is your problem. You need to PRICE plan. Make your meal plan AT the grocery store based on what is on sale. And stock up on what is on sale. Our trip last week, we bought a 4 pound package of skinless boneless chicken breasts because they were on sale for $1.99 a pound. We split that package into 4 packages and put them in the freezer. I take 2 apples in my lunch, Fuji apples were on sale for 99 cents a pound and they keep, so I stocked up. Strawberry prices are up, we skipped them. Because of labor day, Rib Eye steaks, pork chops, hot dogs and corn on the cob were on sale. We bought those. Asparagus was on sale too, that got put in the cart.

 

[jevs]

Meal planning is key for me. It also has the added benefit of saving me time as well as I tend to do some prep the night before. I also choose meals that have similar ingredients or will use leftovers up. We usually have at least one, mostly two, and sometimes more meat free meals, or where meat is not the star of the show.

For snacks I bake on the weekends and will generally batch cook dozens of cupcakes, slices, and muffins (sweet and savoury) then throw them in the freezer. This saves me a fortune from buying prepackaged stuff for school and home snacks.

I generally spend around $150-200 (approx $108 -144 in USD) a week for a family of 4, and pets. This includes everything (cleaning products, toiletries etc) but Australia is stupidily expensive and getting more so given we’re in the middle of another drought.

 

[TwoMisfits]

One other tip - use a grocery ad to see a whole meal. Like right now, it's obviously gonna be Italian and Mexican week if I shop at Safeway this weekend (they preview their ad Tuesday)...just looking at the add, there is $1.99/lb chicken breast, $2.99 80% ground beef (my, it's worth buying but not stocking up price), and $1.99/lb pork chops. But to add to that, there is Mexican ingredients all available for $1 or $2 (across the Old El Paso brands - so enchilada sauce and tortillas are $1 each, for example), organic squashes for $.99/lb (including spaghetti squash), barilla pasta for $1/box, shredded cheese $2.50/bag (not great price, but my top okay price) and deli guacamole and salsa $3 for $10 (normally, these are $5-$6). If I found a decent lettuce price (and I know they are selling salad bags for $2.50, but I could find lower in head form)...I'd probably plan...

Beef and bean enchiladas (it lets me split 1lb beef and 1 lb canned refried beans to stretch the protein and still taste great) topped with lettuce and salsa or guac with a side of fresh fruit
Chicken tacos (I'd buy a $2 all-inclusive kit and use any excess tortillas from the 1st meal here) topped with cheese, lettuce, salsa and guac with a side of fresh fruit
Spaghetti squash bolognese with a salad
Meatloaf Mexican style (if I need to use up any more beef - a can of chilis, the last of the salsa for the ketchup), roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash
Pan fried pork chops, homemade fried apples, roasted acorn squash (and buy a box of corn bread if you want a carb or make a homemade muffin...
etc, etc

And looking at fresh produce, the best prices are on the plums (99 cents/lb), peaches/necatarines/pears ($1.49/lb), organic squashes ($.99/lb), and sweet potatoes ($.79/lb)...some of those are front page deals, but some are on the back. You need to be aware of what really are good prices and what aren't...the apples in the ad are all over, but the best price/lb is not the advertised apples, but the 2lb assorted organic bags for $3 found in the middle of the ad. So, read every page and see what truly is a deal, what's an okay price, and what's a pass...

 

[Marionnette]

A lot would depend on your eating habits and how many people you are feeding. My sister recently became an empty-nester. She swears by Blue Apron. No more quick (and costly) stops at the grocery store after work. No more wasted produce. She always knows what she will be serving during the week and actually looks forward to trying the new menus. Is it cheap? No. But the quality is good and she is only making ocaissional trips to the grocery store for cereal, bread, milk and eggs. Overall, she says that she is spending less money on food than in the past and her stress level over what to make for dinner has gone to zero.

 

[verleniahall]

meal planning does NOT work for everyone - we "pantry shop" and it seems to work much better -

We also grocery shop 3 times a week

 

[amcnj]

Do you have produce stores in your area? They seem to be big around here and their prices are often much less than anywhere else. The everyday prices are as low or lower than the sale prices at other grocery stores. It’s like having every produce item be on sale all the time. One shopper ahead of me in line had a cart full of fruit and vegetables and the total cost was $60 something dollars.

 

[AmyAnne]

A lot would depend on your eating habits and how many people you are feeding. My sister recently became an empty-nester. She swears by Blue Apron. No more quick (and costly) stops at the grocery store after work. No more wasted produce. She always knows what she will be serving during the week and actually looks forward to trying the new menus. Is it cheap? No. But the quality is good and she is only making ocaissional trips to the grocery store for cereal, bread, milk and eggs. Overall, she says that she is spending less money on food than in the past and her stress level over what to make for dinner has gone to zero.

DH and I are mostly empty nesters (one DS in college still shows up for meals and laundry service during breaks) and we also have found that buying more pre-cooked/prepared foods saves us money. It's more expensive per serving but less waste and less eating out.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I keep a detailed Excel spreadsheet of how much I spend on food. Every time I shop, it goes in the spreadsheet. That way I know if it's an actual sale price or just a marketing ploy.
At first it seemed tedious to track units per price, and divide the total price per servings in a package, but after a few months it gets easier to auto-generate! Also now I know for a fact when the manufacturer changes the unit in the package... they have been notoriously doing this on a sneaky basis a few times a year now.

If I could only keep DH from going to the grocery store every 2 days for just 1-2 things! ; he doesn't have a plan and he doesn't make lists. That would be progress...

A lot of this is also tied to earning AirMiles (a Canadian promotion program), because one of the rewards they have are Disney tickets...

 

[robinb]

meal planning does NOT work for everyone - we "pantry shop" and it seems to work much better -

We also grocery shop 3 times a week

I think that "pantry shopping" doesn't work as well for fresh meat & veggie heavy eaters. I actually do a combination of these and fill my pantry with canned goods when on sale (like tomato products & beans) or at Costco and then I know I always have them on hand. I freeze chicken and ground beef but not a whole lot else since I prefer my meat fresh. I also have a couple of bags of "emergency veggies" in my freezer, but I also prefer my veggies to be fresh.

Fresh does cost more than frozen or purchased fresh and then frozen.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

There are very few items that qualify for us to go to the store midweek- as you always buy more than you ‘need’ & went in for-

otherwise we make substitutions with what’s in the pantry/freezer- that forced creativity has led us to new ‘standard’ meals we really enjoy. Like how ground turkey with taco seasoning and black beans & yellow rice make a delicious ‘casserole’

You eventually learn to make better shopping lists & have less creative meals but until you refuse to go to the store you’ll never learn..