jc72 Posted June 22, 2008 Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 Im curious how everyone budgets and shops for their groceries... We are a family of 5 (3 boys, 15, 10, and 5. nuff said on that:cool:) I always have a menu planned also...DH has always gotten paid every other friday (now I do too, on his days also:))So I have always done one big trip every 2 weeks on payday weekends. I always go to WalMart (no hi-jacking my grocery thread to I hate Wally-World thread! ) then bread store, Costco, and then to Albertsons to buy meat (hate WalMarts meat section)Not only does that take alot of time, but I would still end up going to the store numerous times during that 2 weeks to get fresh fruit/veggies ect. Which meant I was spending more because I had to "justify" going to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things.So I am going to start shopping once a week. But with us getting paid every other week, I think the best thing I should do is budget the amount I'm going to spend in that 2 weeks and either take the cash out of the account right away for it, or transfer it to savings. Otherwise Im fraid if I just have it sitting in the account, then that middle of pay period grocery trip will get spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whocares Posted June 22, 2008 Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 Take out the cash, and hide it for groceries next week and only spend cash...it's too easy to overspend if you have a checkbook or card to use, sometimes you do better stocking up in the local store and getting sale items from their loss leaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amerikaner83 Posted June 22, 2008 Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 Good idea for the once a week trip. When I lived at home, my parents would go to the Commissary (Military grocery store) 2x a month as well - me, sister, 2 dogs, mom and dad they'd drop about 500 bucks every two weeks...ouch.They still go every 2 weeks, dropping 500 bucks, taking care of my 2 cousins as well. If you have access, go to the commissary. That 500 my parents were dropping there equated to like 650 at Top foods/Albertsons.I am a huge fan of Safeway, actually. Their produce is great, their prices are low, and their meat is good too. But back on topic - with regard to budgeting, I think taking half the amount you'd usually spend is a good idea - put it in an envelope or savings account - yes! Also, something Squeaker and i have been doing for the last month or so, whcih has worked out well for us, is to know the stuff we usually get all the time, and stock the hell up when they're on sale (snapple white teas, 10 for 10 bucks, usually 2 bucks each, we bought like 50!), it works out best in the long run. So far, we've saved about 200 bucks over a month and a half..and we go shopping every week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virtualrn Posted June 23, 2008 Report Share Posted June 23, 2008 I wished I had paid more attention to an article I read about a womans' online business. Basically, for about 10 bucks a month, she researches weekly ads of newspapers for grocery stores and finds the specials-she also supplies printable coupons to the members...seemed like the savings were quite substantial-she was stocking her pantry with weekly specials for cents-anybody hear about this or have any luck going this route? Unfortunately, there are so many sites claiming to do this, I am not sure which one is legit....Since we're becoming credit savy we might as well be frugal in the food area-I know I spend too much on groceries! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustaTexan Posted June 23, 2008 Report Share Posted June 23, 2008 I think that it does help if you go once a week. Take cash, (like Whocares said it makes you spend less), and plan all your meals for the week. I used to spend twice as much grocery shopping until I started doing this. I go to Super 1, because I have found that Albertson's is just way too expensive. My local ads come every Wednesday and I pay attention to them! Like last week, we had leg quarters for sale for only $1.49 each! They are reg. $4 so I stocked up and stored them in the freezer. Just things like that will save you $$$. And I get things like jelly, crackers, boxed goods, brothes, cream soups, spices, etc. at the dollar store. They are even cheaper there than the off-brands at the grocery stores. Like at my grocer, the cheapest cream of mushroom was 79 cents. At the dollar store, they are 2 for a dollar. And sometimes they run on sale for 3 or 4 for a dollar! It may not sound like much, but 25 cents here and there can add up really quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whocares Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 I wished I had paid more attention to an article I read about a womans' online business. Basically, for about 10 bucks a month, she researches weekly ads of newspapers for grocery stores and finds the specials-she also supplies printable coupons to the members...seemed like the savings were quite substantial-she was stocking her pantry with weekly specials for cents-anybody hear about this or have any luck going this route? Unfortunately, there are so many sites claiming to do this, I am not sure which one is legit....Since we're becoming credit savy we might as well be frugal in the food area-I know I spend too much on groceries!It's called the grocery game, I also buy my coupons on ebay... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virtualrn Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 Wow whos, I just went to e-bay, I had no idea-607 active items to bid on and cheap!. How do you know which ones you are getting or is it just luck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virtualrn Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 OK-just checked out the grocery game whos-if I use you as a referral you along with 2 others you get 12 free weeks. I think I am going to get serious about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whocares Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 I only buy coupons for stuff I would normally buy....heres the deal, all coupons are not created equal....Lets say you live on the east coast and mayo is 3.00 a jar, well you would get coupons for .50 cents off in the weekly paper...well lets say the west coast mayo is 4.00 a jar, they may get 1.00 off coupons...same product so you would want to purchase the better coupons.BTW selling coupons is illegal. So the seller charges a fee for clipping and sending them. I think the best I have ever done was 597.00 worth of groceries and they owed me 27.00, then with rebates I made another 41.00. Not bad paid to eat...I have been on radio and tv all over the world for saving money.The internet just makes it a small world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Snow Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 In Chicago it's just me, so I have Peapod delivery.In Orlando H does the shopping, once a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debtmamma Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 You can buy a mix of coupons OR you can buy specific coupons from ebay. I buy a mix every month or so but then if there is something for free or nearly free, I buy(or pay for the handlng) those specific coupons and stock up!www.thecouponclippers.com is another place to buy from. There are a few more I have to come back later to link. Buy a sales ad every Wed and a paper on Sunday. Don't clip the coupons, just file the coupon sheet by date in a file folder or something. If you do grocery game or hotcoupldworld (www.hotcouponworld.com, it's free) and see a "match" later on you can retrieve the coupon easily. Buy an index card holder/file box with dividers from an office supply store so if you buy them loose from ebay you have a place to put them and they don't end up in your kitchen drawer.Try to stock up on some loss leaders each week. I love Wal-Mart because they will price match other stores. If you can set aside $10 each trip for loss/leaders or coupon deals and your stock will gradually go up! I do CVS deals. Sign up for an extra care bucks card. Each month they have items where if you buy one, you get a credit for the purchase price amount. This month it is Listerine Smart Rinse and OralB Cross Action Toothbrushes. Buy 1 item, get the credit, buy the second bottle, until you have bought 4, use the credit towards the next grop of items, you will end up with a credit at the store. Sometimes you can match a coupon, so you get a credit for more than what you acutally paid. Like 2 months ago shower gel was the free extra care bucks item. I had a $1.50 coupon, so I paid $3.50 but got back $4.99 in store credit. Some cahsiers are super fast doing multiple transactions and others give you drama ! Start out with the least expensive item. OK I hope that made sense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debtmamma Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I think the best I have ever done was 597.00 worth of groceries and they owed me 27.00, then with rebates I made another 41.00. :everybodyclap:Start sharing your weekly trips with us! Newbie couponers want to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amerikaner83 Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 check this out:http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/ClickYourWayToLowerFoodBills.aspxLOL good timing eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleygirl Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 I wished I had paid more attention to an article I read about a womans' online business. Basically, for about 10 bucks a month, she researches weekly ads of newspapers for grocery stores and finds the specials-she also supplies printable coupons to the members...seemed like the savings were quite substantial-she was stocking her pantry with weekly specials for cents-anybody hear about this or have any luck going this route? Unfortunately, there are so many sites claiming to do this, I am not sure which one is legit....Since we're becoming credit savy we might as well be frugal in the food area-I know I spend too much on groceries!I think this is what you want. http://www.thegrocerygame.com/I use this service, mostly because I am disorganized. There are always sales in addition to her info. You must still do some work.We are 5 as well...3 boys 15,12 and 10. Not to mention all the animals.If you keep up with her system you can end up with lots of free stuff. You do have to shop weekly.My best savings so far?BIll 295.00 -coupons and store discounts 191.00=104.00 not bad for us for a week!If you add menu planning and do it right, you can really save tons. I am not that good, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I just spent $22 on a bag of cherries - it was a big bag, but good lord. I am going to eat every one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Snow Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I just spent $22 on a bag of cherries - it was a big bag, but good lord. I am going to eat every one of them.Make a Pie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbaby Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I paid $8 for a medium cup of ice cream at lunch today. cold stone is the devil. but soooooooo good.so who all has used the grocery game??? sounds interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Try these two articles as well....http://www.creditinfocenter.com/budgeting/coupons-saving-money.shtmlhttp://www.creditinfocenter.com/wordpress/2008/06/04/get-free-food-valuable-economic-stimulus-check-promotions-offered-at-supermarkets/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleygirl Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 I paid $8 for a medium cup of ice cream at lunch today. cold stone is the devil. but soooooooo good.so who all has used the grocery game??? sounds interesting.LOL, they were closed for remodeling yesterday or I would of overspent ....I like the grocery game. It doessn't do my closest store, so I have to trythat on my own.I really get great deals at CVS and Walgreens. When the coupons sync up with their B1G1 sales I go hog wild lol.I got two big jugs of tide last time for like 4 bucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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