If you belong to a warehouse club...

[mrsbornkuntry]

How do you work it with your grocery budget? I signed up for the livingsocial deal for Sam's Club, but I'm afraid I'm going to end up spending more than I do now. Right now I shop every two weeks. I sit down and write a list of meals for the two weeks, then make a detailed list of the food I will need for those meals, etc. Also since I have 5 kids (3 teens) what some people consider bulk will really won't last nearly as long in my house.

So how do you plan to get the most out of your membership?

 

[wiigirl]

I go to Costco and I admit its easy to go crazy in there and blow your budget.

But basic nesessities in our house especially cleaning supplies and paper products are so much cheaper.

 

[packofjedis]

I shop every 2 weeks as well. So stuff from Costco can be spaced out over 2 months for certain things (coffee, bottles water, Gatorade, etc) or there are things that are cheaper that I buy monthly (shredded cheddar, eggs, block mozarella, fully cooked turkey breast, etc).

Last month I bought salmon burgers and planned them into the one month's worth of dinners, so I knew when buying them that we would eat them within a month.

I also have 2 teen (boys) who can eat everything, so the bulk items there are so much cheaper that it's worth it. A lost of money up front but then when I hit the regular grocery store I only spend $60 or so for 2 weeks.

 

[packofjedis]

I should also add that not everything is a good deal there, so be prepared to do some math. But if it is a good deal per can or ounce or whatever, it's like an investment to buy it now and spend a bit more but get more for your money.

 

[firecracker725]

I should also add that not everything is a good deal there, so be prepared to do some math. But if it is a good deal per can or ounce or whatever, it's like an investment to buy it now and spend a bit more but get more for your money.

This. Definitely this.

We're Sam's members, and there are only certain things I buy there. Mostly it's apple juice, dish and laundry detergent, Kraft Easy Mac for my picky DD5, some meats, produce, and milk. Occasionally we'll see other deals we can't resist, but those are my regular items.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Ooo...good question! I'm anxious to hear everyone else's answers. I make a goal to spend $50/week at Aldis and that's enough food for 7 breakfasts, 4-5 lunches and 5 dinners for me and DH....on top of some staples we buy at a monthly basis at Costco (most meat, oatmeal, etc.).

DH and I go crazy sometimes with impulse buys at Costco...our budget supports that now, but I will be a SAHM for at least a year once my little one arrives this summer, and I do not want to be spending at Costco willy-nilly once that time comes.

I'm thinking I will just budget about $100/mo for food at Costco.

 

[Diet Dr Chill]

I try to stick to items that I have coupons/discounts/rebates for and that I know for a fact are cheaper than the regular grocery store. I also put Costco and all of our gas on the Costco AMEX and membership pays for itself (and then some).

I basically only go to the regular grocery store for cream, margarine, random produce items, loss leader beef (almost always cheaper than Costco), odd spices/baking supplies, frozen spinach, and pies.

I stay away from the frozen food section except to buy chicken breasts, salmon burgers, and frozen veggies. Chicken breasts can be more expensive there than at the regular store, but the quality is excellent and I'll pay more.

I freeze items from the produce section like red bell peppers. I really like their portobello mushrooms and have learned to meal plan around them since I am not a big fan of freezing them. Fortunately, there are tons of things you can do with mushrooms (if you like them ).

I generally avoid the general merch section of the store. The only things I have bought are:

Mobil 1 oil (coupon)
Wiper blades (coupon)
Oral B electric toothbrushes (rebate/store discount)
Oral B toothbrush heads (coupon)
Rice cooker (impulse item...bad me)
Snapware (store discount)

I also bought a Ara memory foam mattress on sale from the online store two years ago.

 

[pocomom]

I have priced out what is cheaper there for us and I ONLY buy those things. If I'm not sure I just jot down the price and check it later and tell myself I can buy it next time. What wasn't cheaper for us - produce, most canned/dry goods and any of the extra stuff they carry that isn't food related. Spices, herbs and extracts are much cheaper but you only want to buy the main ones you use since they are bigger...Milk, eggs, cheese and frozen are much cheaper for us there too. I've heard meat is too but we don't eat it. That's about it. We don't have a Sam's but they used to not allow coupons, and they don't have sales on their foods so you have to weigh that too. If you are already a savvy shopper you may not do much better there on most things. I would make one "no-buy" trip there and get a feel for the prices and then once a month or two make a list of bulk staples you are ready to stock up on. AND STICK TO THE LIST. If you go on the weekends they have a lot of samples to try to so dh thinks it is a date , lol. We typically spend between $100-$200 on a trip there, and it takes a while to see it make a difference in our weekly expenses. So another thing to factor in if the budget is tight- might not pay to save $5 eventually to be out $50 now, kwim?
Oh and once went before I understood anything about budgets and spending. My mom gave me her credit card to pick up what I needed for school, you know pens and ramen and such. I spent $650! Had no idea what the total would be until I checked out. My mom wasn't one to say anything, but it was almost worse, 20 years later I still feel guilty about it! Soooo easy to overspend at those stores!

 

[3happydancers]

I go to Costco and I admit its easy to go crazy in there and blow your budget.

But basic nesessities in our house especially cleaning supplies and paper products are so much cheaper.

I'd like to add that many times, the quantity you get from Costco is more. For example, when buying a can of tune from the grocery store the cans are usually about 5 ozs. whereas the ones from Costco are about 7 ozs. Scotts toilet paper will run you about .50 a roll which is way cheaper than the grocery store. The bundle comes with I believe 36 rolls. But keep in mind that you should always price compare. Just because it is a warehouse does not guarantee you get the best price!

How do you work it with your grocery budget? I signed up for the livingsocial deal for Sam's Club, but I'm afraid I'm going to end up spending more than I do now. Right now I shop every two weeks. I sit down and write a list of meals for the two weeks, then make a detailed list of the food I will need for those meals, etc. Also since I have 5 kids (3 teens) what some people consider bulk will really won't last nearly as long in my house.

So how do you plan to get the most out of your membership?

I am a Costco member. One way I get the most out of my membership is to sign up for their Amex Card. On top of getting a dollar amount annually which is based on how much you spend per year at the warehouse, for being a Costco member, when you use your Amex Card, you ALSO get an annual check which you can simply cash in. I believe the terms are 3% for gas purchases (which I don't do), 2% for travel and dining, and 1% for all other purchases. I usually purchase enough annually that my membership pays for itself plus, I earn about $100.00 yearly using my Amex Card. By the way, Amex does not charge an annual fee for Costco members.

The other thing I do to keep on budget is to keep a seperate register book for Costco shopping only. Every pay week I enter my budget amount, do my shopping and pay via Amex, then immediately deduct that amount from my budget and send a payment to Amex. Buy only what you use or need (no impulse buying). Also, Costco does send out warehouse coupon booklets every month or so.

One last thing. Many times I will split bulk items with a neighbor. For example, we are a family of three. Buying eggs from Costco does not work for me because the eggs are sold as 2/18 count cartons which is too much for my family. So, it usually works out where we split it with my neighbor. We split many other items too. Your family is larger so you may not have this problem.

Hope this helps!

 

[disneymom3]

For us, the amount we save on getting gas at Costco easily pays for our membership. Sam's has similar gas prices, so fill up everytime you are there. It's not unusual for there to be a 20c difference from the gas stations. That adds up!

 

[cvjw]

I don't think our Costco membership really saves us any money. We end up buying so many "extra" things there - we can never get out of the store for less than $100. We do enjoy our membership though, and you can find some really great things there.

 

[Sadie22]

Rather than making menus and then going out to buy everything to make those specific items, I prefer to buy the makings for what we will eat in quantity at the lowest possible prices so I can then shop our freezers and pantry for meals at mealtimes. I stock up on different things as they go on sale. DS buys milk and bananas every week, but I don't shop that often. I will buy 30 to 40 pounds of lean ground beef and cook and freeze several types of entrees with that, or we will make chicken in the crock pot and freeze lots of meals in meal-size quantities. In the past I have belonged to a CSA for fruits and vegetables, but this year I'm just going to buy the items at their farm store when I'm ready to process a load of broccoli, for example.

I have compared the prices at the closest warehouse store and I think I do better shopping the sales at the grocery stores which are a little closer to home.

 

[Plumeria9]

I shop more often at Costco for food than the grocery store. I have a family of two adults and two kids (12 & 9, girls). Where I live we only have one major grocery chain (HEB) and I am not a huge fan of it. I go there for only a few things, things that I don't need much of or specialty items, and small produce. Shopping at Costco for me is easier than going to the grocery store because of where it's located. I can pop into my Costco 2 times a week and that is easier than trying to deal w/ HEB. I did the math and I don't have to worry about where to buy household items like paper goods, detergent, and fruit & veggies (that we actually finish up). I have a Costco executive membership $110/yr and n/c AmEx Costco Rewards CC (rebates: 3% gas, 2% travel, 1% everything else, I think that's the current setup). I got back close to $600 this year between the rebates for both of those, easily paying for my membership. I just got my AmEx reward and took $400 of that cash to the bank and deposited it! Because I am at Costco so often, I don't get sucked into impulse buys that easily.

I also bought the Sam's Club Living Social deal because they have more variety, which would be nice once in a while. I have gone to Sams Club a few times in the past years to check it out but it wasn't worth a full membership price to me. Now that I got it for practically no cost it's worth it. I think their bakery department offers so much variety, I'm going to have to be careful there! Good luck w/ your budgeting, you will figure it out in time.

 

[worm761]

We go in with a list and get what is on the list. DO NOT go into a warehouse store hungry. The bill is not pretty when you leave. LOL

I know my prices. And I keep a price list of what my stock up price is. I take allergy pills every day and the savings on those alone pay for my yearly membership.

 

[MrsDrewsky]

We mostly buy meat and frozen items at Sams. Some of their produce and bread is at a great price as well. The other items for my meals I will usually buy at Aldi.

Does your sams have a gas station? Usually sams has the lowest gas prices in our town after the membership discount.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We mostly buy meat and frozen items at Sams. Some of their produce and bread is at a great price as well. The other items for my meals I will usually buy at Aldi.

Does your sams have a gas station? Usually sams has the lowest gas prices in our town after the membership discount.

I honestly don't know if ours has a gas station. I haven't been there, I've only been by where the sign is, I can't see the parking lot or even the store from the road.

 

[NYCDiane]

If possible, join BJs Wholesale over Costco. BJs takes manufacturers coupons and they also put out their own coupon book every month as well as a magazine w/coupons several times per year. In addition, they have coupon sheets as you walk in the door.

I was a member of both Costco and BJs and just found BJs to be so much better.

Another thing: KNOW YOUR PRICES!!!! While you'll get great bargains at warehouse clubs, there are some items that you'd be better off buying at your local grocery store.

I usually stock up at the wholesale club twice a year. I'll buy things like coffee, creamer, cocoa, Carnation Instant Breakfast, cat food/litter, cleansers, soaps, detergents, etc etc etc.

I'll go in-between for other things but I do a huge shopping twice a year.

 

[Eureka]

I belong to BJ's and sometimes I am there every week, other times it's once a month. Even when I don't buy a ton of stuff--it's only four of us-- I save a lot of money on milk, lunch meat and rolls, and gas. Oh, and the clinical deodorant DH uses too, it comes with two full size and one trial size for what I usually pay for two full size at Target. But some of the snacks and frozen food are really not any better of a deal than at my regular grocery store (Giant). Plus you can stack manf. coupons and BJ's coupons.

 

[cndij]

Rather than making menus and then going out to buy everything to make those specific items, I prefer to buy the makings for what we will eat in quantity at the lowest possible prices so I can then shop our freezers and pantry for meals at mealtimes. I stock up on different things as they go on sale. DS buys milk and bananas every week, but I don't shop that often. I will buy 30 to 40 pounds of lean ground beef and cook and freeze several types of entrees with that, or we will make chicken in the crock pot and freeze lots of meals in meal-size quantities. I have compared the prices at the closest warehouse store and I think I do better shopping the sales at the grocery stores which are a little closer to home.

This-

I am a major couponer, and some things are definitely cheaper matching sales with coupons, but some things never have coupons, so the stuff you know you are going to need for the way you cook, this is the way to stock your freezer for sure. I did just buy the living social Sams Club deal yesterday just to check it out, but I have mainly been a Costco shopper, The biggest money savers for us, have been the Kirkland generic over the counter meds. Like their Benadryl generic, I think its 400 for like $6, and Mucinex, Ibuprofen, allergy meds, are like 75% less than even the drugstore generics. I can get 365 Allerclear (their generic Claritin) for $12. But definitely have to know your prices, because not everything is a bargain. Like usually bananas and romaine lettuce are excellent deals, but the apples are not. 2# Blocks of cheddar cheese are great bargains, but the butter is cheaper at Aldi.

 

[Southernmiss]

This-

I am a major couponer, and some things are definitely cheaper matching sales with coupons, but some things never have coupons, so the stuff you know you are going to need for the way you cook, this is the way to stock your freezer for sure. I did just buy the living social Sams Club deal yesterday just to check it out, but I have mainly been a Costco shopper, The biggest money savers for us, have been the Kirkland generic over the counter meds. Like their Benadryl generic, I think its 400 for like $6, and Mucinex, Ibuprofen, allergy meds, are like 75% less than even the drugstore generics. I can get 365 Allerclear (their generic Claritin) for $12. But definitely have to know your prices, because not everything is a bargain. Like usually bananas and romaine lettuce are excellent deals, but the apples are not. 2# Blocks of cheddar cheese are great bargains, but the butter is cheaper at Aldi.

The bolded is how I shop now. At one time, when the kids were younger, I could stretch the grocery dollars further, but now they are teens and eat a lot and I want to buy healthier foods for us for many reasons. We are a family of 6 with 3 teen boys and 1 dd who is 11.

It came to a point in our family life as well as what are available at our local grocery stores with sales and coupons were really not that great. The time I save not couponing is valuable to me.

I find that the prices of Sams--no BJs or Costco in my area--especially meat and bread and fresh and frozen produce and organic milk and nuts (like cashews and pistachios) to be the same as our local grocery stores if not cheaper and I never find coupons in our area for those items that make it worth buying them at the grocery store. I usually make 1 big trip and then stop in another time or 2 during the month for a couple of items each trip. In fact, I buy most of my groceries at Sams.

The kids love the fact that I buy big freezer size pizza rolls and a few after school freezer snacks for them. Buying from Sams for my large family is a necessity as I would be at the grocery buying every week and I just do not have that kind of time.

Our family budget for groceries and items bought at the grocery is $800 for the 6 of us and I am pleased with it as I try to buy mostly healthier foods and like I said some quick fix after school snacks.