grocery shopping

Melinda - posted on 04/05/2010

I shop the buy one get one free. Acme has a special sometimes 4 meats for 19.99. I do the double, and triple coup ons. Go to www.couponmom.com www.redplum.com They have a ton of coupons. I know superfresh has the no clip coupons that go directly to your card..you have to sign up online. I shop at the dollar store for all the toiletries, soaps, and kitchen cleaning products.

~Jennifer - posted on 04/03/2010

Check out the thread that Meghan posted in the community:

http://www.circleofmoms.com/money-saving...

The woman in the video is my new hero!

Mary - posted on 04/03/2010

I look at the store's circulars before I make my weekly menu then plan meals around the sales. I have to take my little boy with me so I make sure he has a snack to eat while we're in the store...stops SOME of the gimme-getme's.

Also, I look for deals on items which I have coupons for, even if it's not something I need for that weeks menu. By combining sales and coupons I often get things for pennies or even free. But make sure it's something that you will use or it's no deal. The things I can get for free, even if I don't use them, can be donated to the food pantry.

Also, if you are able, plant a small garden. The vegetables are amazing in flavor and really help the food budget in season (leaving extra $ for popsicles and ice cream! lol)....or if you're ambitious enough to can/freeze the excess.

Be sure you check dollar stores and even pharmacies (like Walgreens & CVS) for sales on grocery items. This is where I get most of my "free" and "for pennies" stuff. I haven't paid full price for razors or toothpaste (usually free!) in years!

HEIDI - posted on 03/30/2010

I make a weekly menu and make a shopping list based on that menu. If for some reason a meal gets missed (you get invited to someone else's house, a forgotten church dinner, etc.) then the missed meal automatically gets worked into the menu for the next week because I have already shopped for it. Also I shop by myself as much as possible because we have found that "mystery" items don't end up being purchased if I am alone and stick to the list. I also know what I can spend when I go and make sure to take a calculator with me. One thing I do watch out for is items that might be on sale that I know I can use for future menu planning. I might spend more now but I can adjust next weeks budget to reflect that purchase. During the summer we garden. Finally do not buy/cook what you and your family won't eat.

Stefie - posted on 03/20/2010

I try to do the same as you. It is very tough to plan, but we manage.
I love farmers markets in the spring/summer/early fall. We eat so much better because we can afford all the fruits and veggies we want. I go with about $20 -40 cash each week and get so much good stuff. I am not a big fan of frozen foods, but freezing fruits is a great way 1. make sure they don't go bad before you eat them 2. have a healthy treat in the fridge.
If you do qualify I really recommend looking into WIC. It covers expecting and nursing mothers and children under the age of 5. We get lots of good basics from WIC. We end up with so much milk I make it into yogurt for the whole family.

Beth - posted on 03/18/2010

yeah just cause its on sale doesnt make it a bargain , if you find wazoo on sale and your family never eats wazoo , even if its half off , wazoo is not a bargain , UNLESS you want to try it ....

same thing holds true for coupons too..



always check the per ounce or unit price , the bigger container is NOT always cheaper!

(peanut butter is perfect example)

dont shop with your husband .(this is my rule) he likes to buy chicps and packaged cookies, stuff i never buy , because we bake at least 2x a week.... his idea of budget and mine do not coincide



shop with kids only if you have children who know the power of NO...

otherwise present them with choices .... ok , sure we can buy that soda... well just put back your breakfast cereal , and you cant have breakfast this week....(yes i have seriously said this to my kids)

my kids are homeschooled, so yes shoppping is school work , math budgeting and health nutrition...

3 adults and 5 kids in the house ... or 4 adults if you say the 18 is an adult ...

either way , i spend about 100 weekly on food ... i think thats pretty good ...

Rachael - posted on 03/18/2010

I found pretty much the same as you, but doing it is alot harder than saying it. I also think checking coupons/flyers for deals on stuff that you would be getting anyways helps. Also, sometimes bulk stores like Costco don't actually give you that good of a deal. Always check to see if it's cheaper at Walmart or somethign like that,