tips to cut down on grocery spending

[DVC~OKW~96]

How much time do you have to devote to shopping for food, preparing food, storing food, ect? Do you have a freezer large enough to hold bulk purchases?

Do you have a scale? A set of good knives? Know how to sharpen them?

We buy organic and non-processed. We buy in bulk, where sensible and break it down into serving sizes, package and refrigerate and freeze.

It takes time, good equipment and a good scale.

We cook. That makes a difference in overall cost. Making your food from your own ingredients is less expensive and healthier than buying a box or packet mix...

Spending less takes thought and long term goals. Saving a dime on something today that is going to raise your cholesterol is a false economy.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Great tips! I overspent last time too ($100 for a month!!) Yikes!

 

[java]

Ah you are speaking my new language.

Set a budget- for my family of 6 it was $100. (I'm lower now) but take a calculator and add up as you go - when you get to about $5 under your budget STOP SHOPPING.

If you have to put it into the calculator you really think about what you are buying.

I started couponing thanks to the budget board and I am now saving on average 50%+ (I even got wine coupons!)

I organize them- then do a quick check over of the flyer for the week. I match up sale with coupon. Then move that coupon into a checkout envelope.
I also bring ALL my coupons with me- because often I get to the store and stuff is on sale - but wasn't in the flyer.

Make Meatless Mondays.

Just a few tips.
The first week I did the $100 we had a couple meatless meals. But I found that I can use a "little" meat to add flavor. (like bacon)

Example of our meals tonite was Pork chops, Cornbread stuffing with sausage(all on sale) and some frozen green beans. - so we are not starving anymore-

 

[N.Bailey]

Our Giant has the little scanner that you carry around w/ you, scan ur own groceries, and bag as you go. I find that I am much more frugal if I see exactly what I am spending.

I also stockpile whatever is on sale, and almost never buy something that isn't.

When I was growing up, I remember my mom carrying around one of these (her's was red - dunno why I recall it so well). I bet it would work quite well even today.

 

[disneyhand]

My #1 rule is leave DH home = save a ton.

I also try not to ever send him for just one or two emergency items = save a ton.

Same when the kids were small, don't take them. I try not to shop hungry. I always have a list. I like to stockpile the pantry and freezer with sale items. At the same time I rotate frequently so nothing gets too old.

I also freeze ground beef and turkey flat in ziplocks bags that weight about a pound each. I don't use a scale (although I have one somewhere) and just wing it when dividing. If you buy around 5 lbs and you make 5 similar size packages I think that's close enough.

I love sales, coupons and always use my store's card for added savings and coupons.

 

[lovemygoofy]

One of the tips I haven't seen is to make your own single serving portions instead of buying the prebagged servings. I buy bags of granola, goldfish, pretzels and store in snack size baggies. It helps on portion control and then I keep all the little baggies in a big ziploc bag or container. We can grab a yogurt and a bag of granola and out the door.

I don't know if you buy soda, but skip the cans and go to the 2 liters. You'll really notice how much you drink when you have to fill up the glass more often.

The big thing in our house is that when something is gone that isn't necessary it's not bought again until the next trip. If all the chips or cookies or whatever is ate, it's gone and no trip for more.

Make dessert instead of buying premade things. You can make a cake and last longer than just a box of oat meal cream pies.

Keeping track of your fridge and freezer and pantry is a big deal. No point in buying more until you know what you have now. Figure out how to make meals of what you have or get rid of it. No point in it just taking up space.

Make things ahead of time. You can brown ground meat and then freeze. Pancakes and waffles freeze well. Make a double batch of spaghetti sauce, meatloaf, soup or whatever ya'll like.

I use a dry eraser board and then if I don't make that dinner I take it to the end of the menu week and on the bottom of my dry erase board I keep a running list of what is needed at the store.

 

[joviroxx]

Ive become a HUGE coupon shopper. Although I might not use them for produce and food, I do use them for the non-food items or things like pasta, pasta sauce, dog food, oils, spices, etc.. Coupons and meal planning!

Ive learned to stockpile I usually take about 1-1.5 hours on Sundays and go through the coupons, check local store ads. Publix has weekly 2-1 deals. Did you know you can use 2 coupons for that? I didnt, until I started coupon shopping LOL..

I only go to Publix for sale items. I pay attention to walgreens for the cash back offers. I can usuallly buy my Colgate toothpaste for $.99 and then I stockpile it. Same with shampoos and soaps, paper towels,e tc.. I stockpile non perishables. Thank the Lord for a big pantry.

I can tell you my weekly shopping bills have decreased by about $75. My husband laughs at me everytime I come home. He loves to hear what I got free and what I saved each week. When I have a particularly good shopping trip , I get as giddy as a school kid.

 

[Luvchefmic]

When I was growing up, I remember my mom carrying around one of these (her's was red - dunno why I recall it so well). I bet it would work quite well even today.

WOW did that bring back a LOT of memories..as the oldest of 5 I would get dropped off at the supermarket with a list and told to "Call me when you're done !" ..actually she (mom) did me a huge favor as pp said USE coupons, Buy in bulk if you can, BJs wholesale saves us ! Now of course I don't have that little adder thingy but I NEVER shop without a calculator, also WalMart here has the day old bread racks

 

[charming23]

I have to agree with a few things,

1. Do not go hungry
2. Always have a list
3. plan out your meals and snacks to go along with the sale flyers
4. Use coupons but do not just buy something because you have a coupon.
5. Stockpile on the items you use most often when you find a good sale.

I have been using these tips and have kept our grocery bill to under $250 for the past few months by using what I have stockpiled in the freezer/pantry and buying only what I need.

Good Luck and you should go check out the Budget board. They are very helpful.

 

[Buckalew11]

If you don't use coupons to buy foods because you feel they're all for processed items (which isn't entirely true), use them for non food purchases. Getting Dove shampoo for nothing, or better yet, being paid to buy Dove is quite an experience. Same with Tampax, make-up, Pantene, John Frieda, etc.....

I'm lucky, in our area, one of grocery stores runs sales that allow me to actually get my gas for basically nothing. So our gas/grocery bills are combined. It's easy to stock up on Zip Lock bags when you either stock the bags, or simply buy gas for the same price.

BTW: In last Sunday's paper, there was a coupon for $3.00 Snuggle fabric softener alone. You had to buy the large roll or bottle (forget actual sizes), but who here would never buy something like that?

Kroger had Snuggle liquid fabric softener for 3.99. So, I got it for .99!

I'm huge into this and it is like a game to me. I don't know whether that makes me or but it feels good to get deals like that! I bought gas there for .40 of a gallon.

When I was growing up, I remember my mom carrying around one of these (her's was red - dunno why I recall it so well). I bet it would work quite well even today.

My mom's was red also. I'd like to have one, lol.

 

[N.Bailey]

Another thing that I think can save a LOT of money (depending on the store of course) is, understand what a Catalina is. When you buy X, Y, and Z, you trigger that little machine at the checkout counter to print you a coupon for _____ off your next order. Sometimes it may be coupons, and other times it may be dollars and cents off your next shopping order.

Stores will say, if you buy $15 worth of ______ products, you'll save $5.00 off your next order. Most stores use the shelf price when getting the product to that $15 amount. So, if a regularly priced box of cereal is $5.00 (and I know that's high, but I'm doing easy math here, LOL), you'd only need to buy 3 boxes to hit the $15. If they are on sale at 2 for $5.00 ($2.50 each), 3 boxes would be $7.50. From here you'd subtract any coupons you might have to reduce it more. Then you'd get the $5.00 off your next shopping trip.

This is single-handedly the best way to save money at the grocery store, IMO. Unless of course, you have a store that you can get free gas from. Nothing beats that!!!

2 weeks ago, I was able to buy Cascade and Tampax Pearls (my daughter only uses these) and was able to walk out without paying anything for them (counting the $ off the next purchase.... I did have to pay something that night). I had $2.00/1 coupons for the tampons, and I don't recall what I had on the Cascade. They were small boxes, but 4 small boxes and 2 huge boxes of Cascade, free?

 

[N.Bailey]

Kroger had Snuggle liquid fabric softener for 3.99. So, I got it for .99!

I'm huge into this and it is like a game to me. I don't know whether that makes me or but it feels good to get deals like that! I bought gas there for .40 of a gallon.



My mom's was red also. I'd like to have one, lol.

It's definitely a high though when you get these types of deals. I'm not one to watch every penny I spend. In all honesty, I probably never will be, but when that deal comes along!!!

I figure, if I save it here, I can spend it on something more enjoyable later on.

 

[N.Bailey]

I bought gas there for .40 of a gallon.



.

Oh, and every single time we buy gas, we roll up and get 30 gallons for 0 dollars and 0 cents!!! I do have to work to get that, but we get it consistently.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

• Stock up on staple supplies for the pantry when they go on sale.
• Combine sales with coupons.
• Shop the Loss Leaders. Those things that the store puts on sale to draw people into the store.
• Never pay full price for anything. If it's an ingredient you need for a particular dish that week, put the plan for that dish aside and watch until the the ingredients go on sale.
• Start a price book. Take a little notebook to the stores and start writing down prices for items you always buy. When you find a really good deal/sale on the item, you'll know because of the price book.
• Look at the store's sale papers online and plan meals around what's on sale. Many people plan their meals and then shop for ingredients. It really does save money when you meal plan around sales.
• Take your coupons, organized, with you whenever you go to a store that accepts coupons. If you see something on sale that you need, and have you coupon with you, you'll be able to pick it up for a song.
• Never go to the grocery store hungry.
• Leave the kids at home with someone else if possible.
• Find out when the meat goes on Manager's Special. Near expiration/best buy/use by date meat will be cheaper.
• Find the day old bakery bin/cart in your store and shop their first before going to the bread aisle. In one of the stores, where I shop, the day old baked goods is at the opposite corner to the bakery.
• I have saved money on meat by ordering from Omaha Steaks. They are all single portions and that has cut down on using too much meat for a meal.

 

[Buckalew11]

Another thing that I think can save a LOT of money (depending on the store of course) is, understand what a Catalina is. When you buy X, Y, and Z, you trigger that little machine at the checkout counter to print you a coupon for _____ off your next order. Sometimes it may be coupons, and other times it may be dollars and cents off your next shopping order.

Stores will say, if you buy $15 worth of ______ products, you'll save $5.00 off your next order. Most stores use the shelf price when getting the product to that $15 amount. So, if a regularly priced box of cereal is $5.00 (and I know that's high, but I'm doing easy math here, LOL), you'd only need to buy 3 boxes to hit the $15. If they are on sale at 2 for $5.00 ($2.50 each), 3 boxes would be $7.50. From here you'd subtract any coupons you might have to reduce it more. Then you'd get the $5.00 off your next shopping trip.

This is single-handedly the best way to save money at the grocery store, IMO. Unless of course, you have a store that you can get free gas from. Nothing beats that!!!

2 weeks ago, I was able to buy Cascade and Tampax Pearls (my daughter only uses these) and was able to walk out without paying anything for them (counting the $ off the next purchase.... I did have to pay something that night). I had $2.00/1 coupons for the tampons, and I don't recall what I had on the Cascade. They were small boxes, but 4 small boxes and 2 huge boxes of Cascade, free?

that also!!

I bought 36 Pearls at target (DD also only uses them) for 6.99. Had 2.00/1 couponfor each. So that was 10.00. Then target had a buy 2 boxes get a 5.00 Target GC. So that made them 2.50 cents each!!! I had 6 of those coupons!!! I have a closet full of something we use.

It's definitely a high though when you get these types of deals. I'm not one to watch every penny I spend. In all honesty, I probably never will be, but when that deal comes along!!!

I figure, if I save it here, I can spend it on something more enjoyable later on.

I take the money we save (because the store keeps a running total) and put that $ towards WDW trip.

 

[Buckalew11]

also, if anyone shops are Kroger you can load cellfire coupons onto your Kroger card. It will use the coupon automatically. PLUS, if you have a paper coupon, the store takes both. So if it is .40 cents loaded and a paper .40 cents you'll get 80 cents.

 

[N.Bailey]

that also!!

I bought 36 Pearls at target (DD also only uses them) for 6.99. Had 2.00/1 couponfor each. So that was 10.00. Then target had a buy 2 boxes get a 5.00 Target GC. So that made them 2.50 cents each!!! I had 6 of those coupons!!! I have a closet full of something we use.




I take the money we save (because the store keeps a running total) and put that $ towards WDW trip.

And for anyone interested, I think this sale is on at Target as we speak. We're heading that way tomorrow and I think I'm going to pick a few boxes up myself. While they are not free, they are the really BIG boxes and $2.50 is a great price.

 

[etoiles]

Something that I did that quickly helped to cut my grocery budget was to shop infrequently. Instead of going two or three times to the grocery store, only go once. Then even if you do end up making any impulse purchases you can only do it once in a great while.

Also I follow Money Saving Mom's blog and sign up for all the samples/coupons for freebies that I like. Everyday I get samples and coupons for free full size items coming to my home.

I also recommend using coupons and not necessarily for processed items but for soap, shampoo, things like that. Those things can quickly add to your budget much more than fruit or veggies.

 

[golfgal]

WOW did that bring back a LOT of memories..as the oldest of 5 I would get dropped off at the supermarket with a list and told to "Call me when you're done !" ..actually she (mom) did me a huge favor as pp said USE coupons, Buy in bulk if you can, BJs wholesale saves us ! Now of course I don't have that little adder thingy but I NEVER shop without a calculator, also WalMart here has the day old bread racks

Same here. She would give me a signed, blank check and off I went--I walked to the grocery store, it was about 5 blocks from our house. I would shop and before I started to check out I would call home, by the time I was done, mom was there with the car.

The 2010 version, send DS17 a text message while at school asking him to pick up whatever on his way home from school He has a debit card and we just put money on the card for him every once in a while for stops like this.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Something that I did that quickly helped to cut my grocery budget was to shop infrequently. Instead of going two or three times to the grocery store, only go once. Then even if you do end up making any impulse purchases you can only do it once in a great while.

Also I follow Money Saving Mom's blog and sign up for all the samples/coupons for freebies that I like. Everyday I get samples and coupons for free full size items coming to my home.

I also recommend using coupons and not necessarily for processed items but for soap, shampoo, things like that. Those things can quickly add to your budget much more than fruit or veggies.

That is so true. One thing that helped me to cut down on our grocery bill, is to keep a closer eye on things we weren't running low on. I try to finish what we have before I buy more. Unless there is a fabulous sale.