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Grocery Bills & Extreme Couponers
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<blockquote data-quote="AppleCori" data-source="post: 654087" data-attributes="member: 16024"><p>Hey, Confused.... been there done that!</p><p></p><p>Many of us have been where you are now--seeing the amount spent on groceries and knowing that you need to make a change but not knowing where to start.</p><p></p><p>As with any successful endeavor, all it takes is a little preparation.</p><p></p><p>I have lived in may states and various communities and I know prices vary and everyplace has different stores available, but one thing they all have in common is their SALE FLYERS.</p><p></p><p>1)Each week when the flyers come out in the paper, I go through them to find the best prices on the things I buy. I write out a grocery list and stick to it. I rarely buy anything not on sale. I can do this because I stock up on items when they are on sale, so I don't have to buy them when they aren't on sale. I know what a great price is and what an OK price is and buy accordingly.</p><p></p><p>2)Price matching--most stores will do this. You don't have to go to every store to get the best price. Go to one and ask if the price match the local competitors.</p><p></p><p>3)Do you have a discount grocer like Aldis? There are certain things I buy only at Aldis. I go once per month. Other stores will price match their sales, too, which I use to price match their produce prices (so I don't have to go to Aldis more than once a month, but get their produce prices all month). I often spend less than half of the regular store's price when I do this.</p><p></p><p>4) Do NOT go to the grocery more than once per week, as Lil said. BIG budget killer. Make due with what you have. You will be surprised at what you can make from your pantry.</p><p></p><p>5) Leftover management is crucial. Don't waste food.</p><p></p><p>I do have a freezer in the garage. It is very full. Got pork steaks on sale at 99 cents per pound and chicken legs/thigh quarters at 69 Cents pound last month. Got a great deal on a quarter of beef for $335. Last month we spent more, but it all evens out as I spend less these next two months.</p><p></p><p> I don't use a lot of coupons, though in some areas I have lived in, I used them more often.</p><p></p><p>I spend $325 per month for a family of three (also, 20yo eats here 3-6 times per week. We rarely eat out or order in.</p><p></p><p>We eat lots of meat. Steak once or twice per week in grilling season. From April-ish through October-ish most dinners are meat grilled out on the grill along with salad of some kind.</p><p></p><p>Lunch is usually leftovers.</p><p></p><p>Breakfast runs the gammot: cereal, oatmeal, muffins that I make, fruit, yogurt, pancakes, biscuits, eggs, bacon.</p><p></p><p>Lots of fruit for snacks.</p><p></p><p>10yo helps with grocery shopping and can pick out some things if they are on sale and at a good price so she learns thee value of a dollar. For example, she knows we don't buy whatever cereal she wants, but she can pick from the certain ones that are on sale and I may have a coupon for. I say stuff like 'these are the ones on sale, the other one is too expensive. We may get that one another time, if it goes on sale at a good price'. Delayed gratification. Incentive to look for a coupon or sale. Smart shopping.</p><p></p><p>I do have a small garden. Not sure how much money it saves, but we do love to go out each morning and pick our veggies for dinner that evening. Worth it. Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans are our favorites, and we make pickles from the cucumbers which is simple and fun.</p><p></p><p>I consider shopping for groceries one of my jobs/tasks of housekeeping and spending money wisely on it is the most important part.</p><p></p><p>I occasionally get lazy and cut corners. My food bills go up and I have less to show for it. So then I go back to my system and get back on track. Everyone slips up sometimes. Just start again.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="AppleCori, post: 654087, member: 16024"] Hey, Confused.... been there done that! Many of us have been where you are now--seeing the amount spent on groceries and knowing that you need to make a change but not knowing where to start. As with any successful endeavor, all it takes is a little preparation. I have lived in may states and various communities and I know prices vary and everyplace has different stores available, but one thing they all have in common is their SALE FLYERS. 1)Each week when the flyers come out in the paper, I go through them to find the best prices on the things I buy. I write out a grocery list and stick to it. I rarely buy anything not on sale. I can do this because I stock up on items when they are on sale, so I don't have to buy them when they aren't on sale. I know what a great price is and what an OK price is and buy accordingly. 2)Price matching--most stores will do this. You don't have to go to every store to get the best price. Go to one and ask if the price match the local competitors. 3)Do you have a discount grocer like Aldis? There are certain things I buy only at Aldis. I go once per month. Other stores will price match their sales, too, which I use to price match their produce prices (so I don't have to go to Aldis more than once a month, but get their produce prices all month). I often spend less than half of the regular store's price when I do this. 4) Do NOT go to the grocery more than once per week, as Lil said. BIG budget killer. Make due with what you have. You will be surprised at what you can make from your pantry. 5) Leftover management is crucial. Don't waste food. I do have a freezer in the garage. It is very full. Got pork steaks on sale at 99 cents per pound and chicken legs/thigh quarters at 69 Cents pound last month. Got a great deal on a quarter of beef for $335. Last month we spent more, but it all evens out as I spend less these next two months. I don't use a lot of coupons, though in some areas I have lived in, I used them more often. I spend $325 per month for a family of three (also, 20yo eats here 3-6 times per week. We rarely eat out or order in. We eat lots of meat. Steak once or twice per week in grilling season. From April-ish through October-ish most dinners are meat grilled out on the grill along with salad of some kind. Lunch is usually leftovers. Breakfast runs the gammot: cereal, oatmeal, muffins that I make, fruit, yogurt, pancakes, biscuits, eggs, bacon. Lots of fruit for snacks. 10yo helps with grocery shopping and can pick out some things if they are on sale and at a good price so she learns thee value of a dollar. For example, she knows we don't buy whatever cereal she wants, but she can pick from the certain ones that are on sale and I may have a coupon for. I say stuff like 'these are the ones on sale, the other one is too expensive. We may get that one another time, if it goes on sale at a good price'. Delayed gratification. Incentive to look for a coupon or sale. Smart shopping. I do have a small garden. Not sure how much money it saves, but we do love to go out each morning and pick our veggies for dinner that evening. Worth it. Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans are our favorites, and we make pickles from the cucumbers which is simple and fun. I consider shopping for groceries one of my jobs/tasks of housekeeping and spending money wisely on it is the most important part. I occasionally get lazy and cut corners. My food bills go up and I have less to show for it. So then I go back to my system and get back on track. Everyone slips up sometimes. Just start again. [/QUOTE]
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