tips to cut down on grocery spending

[ez]

we spend way too much money at the grocery store...any tips that have worked for you to cut down on this would be appreciated...its really out of control!!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Obvious solutions are meal planning and sticking within the budget. You say we can spend "X" amount this week, you plan, shop and that is it.

One trick I used in the past when we were strapped was CASH. I only used cash at the grocery store. Believe me, you cannot impulse buy and you have to add up the $$ in your cart.

Next is to shop the ads and use coupons on the sale prices, if you are really try to save money.

Then you have the buying in bulk thing but that is for the advanced shoppers and I am not one of them.

 

[dakcp2001]

I am with you! We also spend way too much!

One way we cut back, we started buying meat in bulk at BJ's. I buy like 5 lbs of the 93% lean ground beef, then I weigh on a food scale and freeze into flat sheets of 1lb each wrapped in foil. I make them flat brick like shapes cuz they thaw quickly in cold water. At BJs it is several dollars less per pound. We also buy our chicken there and freeze.

BTW dont show anyone your meat bricks, or you may get laughed at.

 

[kwelch10377]

Here are a few things that I do.

- A list is a must
- Don't go when hungry
- Try and plan out your meals for the week
- Go to a farmers market and get fruits and veggies
- Look for sales and coupons, but for things that are on your list, don't buy it just bc it is on sale
- Try Target for some of your stuff, their prices are very good

I do most of my shopping at a local farmers market, not only do they have fruits and veggies, but they also have breads, lunch meat, meats and fish. It works out great for me since I am just shopping for myself and they way they portion everything is enough for one.

 

[Octoberbride03]

No tips from me, but you should head over to the budget board. You will get TONS of help from expert grocery budgeters over there.

 

[threecrazykids]

The first way to start is to menu plan. Decide if you are going to plan for 1 week, 2 weeks, a month...whatever works for you.

First shop your own freezer and pantry and use up what you have on hand using those ingredients. Then, grab your grocery flyer and see what's on sale that week. If your kids eat breakfast at home, or lunch etc. then don't forget to plan those meals too. Write down what you are going to make and put down ONLY the items you need. Do NOT go to the store without a list...that is the # 1 mistake people make...they just aimlessly wander the aisles picking up what looks good.

Another way to save $ is to buy the ingredients to make meals...not just buy the prepackaged or convenience meals. The ingredients to make the meals will almost always make well above the amount of prepackaged meals so you will then have leftovers to freeze or take in lunches.

I'm not a huge coupon user because 99% of the coupons I find are for prepackaged stuff my family doesn't eat, OR it's for items I don't use. I do need to keep looking for coupons because I know they are out there...I just gotta find them for items I use.

Utilize your crockpot to make cheaper cuts of meat more tender.

If you have an Aldi's or discount grocery try it out...you may find that the basics are suitable for you and the things you aren't willing to compromise you'll have extra $ for to stock up when you find things at a low price. I find that I utilize my Aldi's store for my "staple" items...or even buy their brand and spice it up by adding additional ingredients (ex. pasta sauce).

Hmmm...if I think of more things I'll add them.

 

[mla1977]

I recommend you visit the budget boards.

Aside from that, never buy anything that is not on sale.

Pay attention to the ads every week and you will notice patterns in the sales. You can then plan to purchase items when they are at their lowest average price, not just when they are on "sale."

 

[wvjules]

we spend way too much money at the grocery store...any tips that have worked for you to cut down on this would be appreciated...its really out of control!!!!

I'm with you! I am amazed at how much we spend on groceries! One week it is $100 then next $200 then $100 then $200. That's not counting Sams where we get ground turkey, granola bars and a few other items.

We've made lists and it doens't help. I can't stick to it! lol

We are also trying to eat healthier so we've been buying more fresh fruits, veggies and some organic foods.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I'm with you! I am amazed at how much we spend on groceries! One week it is $100 then next $200 then $100 then $200. That's not counting Sams where we get ground turkey, granola bars and a few other items.

We've made lists and it doens't help. I can't stick to it! lol

We are also trying to eat healthier so we've been buying more fresh fruits, veggies and some organic foods.

If we leave the store under $150.00 a week, we're shocked. We don't buy a lot of junk food (we actually avoid most), but we buy almost completely organic and virtually no processed food, which means dollar for dollar it is more expensive, and it's only two of us. We don't use coupons that much because most of the stuff we buy have no coupons (not that we actively look too much either), but I have always been amazed at those who do shop, for a larger family and spend less then we do, but of course there tends to be difference in buying habits (no organics, processed food, etc.).

 

[AKL_Megs]

I tend to stockpile. I rarely shop for a MEAL, but rather, usually mostly produce and sale items that I stockpile.

Like, when I find Certified Angus ground beef cheap, I buy pounds of it.

If I find pasta 2 for $1, I buy a bunch.

Canned goods, frozen veggies, assorted frozen foods, side dish mixes... I stockpile them all when they are on sale.

Last week, Meijer had Goldfish, Combos and Chex Mix on sale for $1. I believe we now have a whole cabinet FULL of those three things.

I've also really been using coupons lately. I had a $2 off Hidden Valley dressing and a $2 off Gillette soap... $7 worth of stuff for $3! I didn't need it RIGHT THEN, but we will eventually.

I buy what fresh produce I know I will need for the week, lunch meats and cheeses, snack items we have depleted, good sale items, and nothing more.

 

[dislaney]

I overspend the most when I go to the store hungry. So for me it's Don't go grocery shopping hungry!

 

[tinkgurl]

Don't go grocery shopping when hungry!!

 

[SaraJayne]

I don't have a grocery budget, but what works for me is making a meal plan and a list.

A list (for me) is very important. Don't foget to add items needed for breakfast/lunch/ snacks, either.

I will also buy multiples of things on sale (meat, cereal, etc). Things that I can either freeze for later use or things I know won't go bad before a certain date.

Does your grocery store have a website? Mine does and they offer "special" coupons each week on some sale items.

For example, last week, milk and eggs were on sale in the store. On the website, they had extra coupons you could print out for $1.25 milk and 68 cents for a dozen eggs.

 

[N.Bailey]

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?

 

[kteesmumma]

I agree with everything that has been posted...

I do coupons..I am a bit of a coupon addict. I dont buy things unless I have a coupon for it..

We have a family of 4 (1 still in diapers) and I am able to spend only 165.00 a month on Food, Household supplies, diapers and health & beauty products. How I do this...

I stockpile what I can....I have enough healthy and beauty products to last a year or two. I havent had to buy cereal for 6 months and I probably can go another 4 without having to buy anymore as well. Same with pasta. You would be amazed as what you can get for free with coupons and if you have a store that doubles coupons.

We also stopped splurging on things we dont need..or replacing those splurging items on cheaper items or maybe only doing it once a month rather than everytime we go to the store.

 

[worm761]

My suggestion is to see if you have a butcher in your area. We save so much money on our grocery bill since stopping in the butcher shop one day. They have packages of meat. There is a variety of meat in the packages and if you buy it in bulk (packages) you get it cheaper. They have the best prices in town and it is really good meat. Plus I LOVE having an actual butcher. He will cut to order. They are also the cheapest place for our lunch meat. So it would be worth the effort to see if there is one by you.

 

[lucas]

Use what is already in your pantry and freezer before you buy anything else.

 

[MiniGirl]

We have started making more items from scratch, and that has been good for us. I will admit though it was done primarily for health reasons, but we have seen a savings, too.

One thing we make is our pizza dough and sauce, and once a week we have pizza night. Our girls prefer plain cheese, but dh and I have enjoyed topping ours with whatever leftover meats and veggies we have in the frig.

We have also impleted a "breakfast for dinner" night. Breakfast foods are often much cheaper than dinner foods, and again it is a way for us to use up left over fresh veggies and meats (omelettes). Pancake and waffle batter is cheap to make and french toast is a great way to use up bread that needs to be eaten soon. This is also our kids' favorite meal of the week.

That's about all I can think of that hasn't already been mentioned.

 

[Ohiodislover]

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.

 

[golfgal]

I am with you! We also spend way too much!

One way we cut back, we started buying meat in bulk at BJ's. I buy like 5 lbs of the 93% lean ground beef, then I weigh on a food scale and freeze into flat sheets of 1lb each wrapped in foil. I make them flat brick like shapes cuz they thaw quickly in cold water. At BJs it is several dollars less per pound. We also buy our chicken there and freeze.

BTW dont show anyone your meat bricks, or you may get laughed at.

WHAT AN AWESOME IDEA!!! We buy hamburger in bulk too. I will show this to DH since he is the divide and bag guy at our house.

I overspend the most when I go to the store hungry. So for me it's Don't go grocery shopping hungry!

For me it is almost the opposite. If I go grocery shopping when I am not hungry then I tend to not buy much but then I get home and a couple days later end up going BACK to the store because there isn't anything good to eat.

DH has been doing a lot of our shopping and NEVER makes a list. He was complaining about how much I spent at the grocery store, we have 3 teenagers it's frightening, so I turned it over to him. He has been doing it for 6 months and our grocery budget has almost doubled because he goes to the frickin store 5 times/week. It would be ok if he would make a list and shop for a meal but then he buys donuts, chips, pop, etc. too.

The best thing we ever had to save money was to have our milk delivered. It kept me out of the store for trips for milk that ends up costing $25 because of all the other junk you buy .

I used to shop 2x's month, roughly planned out meal ideas and shopped accordingly.