How do you save money on food shopping

i went for a few things and it cost 100.00. granted, dh steaks were 12.00 for each package. i can't always use a coupon. i can't believe how expensive things r getting

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

We go to costco once every few months and stock up. Then when I go food shopping once a week I just get the extras we'll need like milk, bread, etc.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Unless its DD organic milk, we never buy anything that isn't on sale. Whatever is on sale is what we eat that week.

We also do Costco runs and stock up on meat and chicken and freeze it.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Im so bad at saving money, i really need to learn about finding things on sale, and using coupons. So far the only way i save is by using the store instant save card.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Coupons
Recycle cans (it adds up)
I think someone on Parenting mentioned that Pathmark is doing Triple coupons this week.
I WISH King Kullen wasn't so expensive...they even double a dollar.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Are the meat prices really better at BJ's then the local food stores?

I go to the store every week and since gas prices have been on the rise my grocery budget has increased by about 20.-30. Granted I am also buying household stuff that i dont count with my food budget but I probably spend a good 100. a week on food. It is just the two of us and I buy very little junk and processed food. Where does it all go????

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Going right after a large meal so I am soooo not hungry. DH and I did this today after we went out for breakfast. We came back with only what was on our list and nothing more.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Personal finance articles I have read encourage going every other week, and then maybe just buying things on a list you specifically need for that week (ie. fresh fruits and veggies) if you stop in that week in between.

That way, you get to go through and use up what you already have.

I've also made the mistake of stocking up on a ton of fresh fruits and veggies, then I don't get around to eating them and they go bad!

I also read that it's good to go on a day/time when the store is traditionally dead so you can get in and get out faster. They say the longer you are in the grocery store, the more stuff you see/think of adding that is NOT on your list.

I've also used the dollar store for things I need around the house like cleaning supplies, paper towels, etc.

It's just DH and I though, so I am sure it gets harder once there are kids involved.

We also have the bad habit of feeling lazy and not wanting to cook so we eat out, and waste $$$ and food we already have in the house that way!!

Message edited 3/9/2008 5:34:40 PM.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Coupons

Also, DH gets advance notice of sales and reviews the circulars for the upcoming weeks for all of the local supermarkets.

We have a Stop and Shop, 2 Pathmarks, a Waldbaums and a King Kullen less than 2 miles from where we live. We try to find the one market that has as much of the stuff that we need on sale at one time. If the prices are really good somewhere else for any one particular item, we run into the market on the ay home from the other.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

When I feel bad about spending at the supermarket I remimd myself that just going there to get some things and pack my own lunches is a savings even if I don't get the greatest deals at the supermarket.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

i think we do pretty good, usually spending less than $50 a week at the store.
i find going after i eat when i'm not hungry helps because i buy less...
we plan ahead. every sunday, we sit down and plan what we're gonna eat for teh week. i go through what we need to make those things, and see which of those we already have, and which we need to buy. i find having a list, and STICKING TO IT really helps to cut down on impulse buys.
we also stock up on stuff when its on sale- cans of soup, meat ( and then we freeze it) other stuff that doesn't go bad.. that way we have it on hand, and got it on sale.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Im fortunate to live really close to Stop&Shop, Waldbaums, KingKullen, and ShopRite. I usually check all the circulars for their BIG SALE items and then plan my shopping for the week...If I have to go to Walmart in Centereach I'll see what Pathmark has too...Their BIG SALE Items are those that are on the front and back pages...I can usually plan enough that Im not going out of my way to go to each supermarket for their deals.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

We go to the grocery store every other week, and either BJs or Costco and Trader Joe's once a month. I buy most of our meats/chicken at the wholesale clubs. I also stock up and freeze as much as I can.

We don't really purchase many perishable items because they were going bad before we could eat them. BJs is really good for frozen veggies. The packages are large, but they're usually split up into smaller packages within the large one.

I get all cleaning supplies and personal care products on sale and with coupons at Target or CVS - I usually get a few when they're on sale and they last until the next sale.

Plastic sandwich bags, foil, napkins, etc. are all the cheapest at Target or Walmart.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

DH scrutinizes all the circular for sales and makes a list (and stick to it!!!).

I don't go shopping. I would buy junk all the time at full price.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

I don't take my DH to the store with me.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

We only buy what is on sale, and then I cut out the coupons each Sunday and use those when I buy products, and I also have the shopper club cards to get the extra sales, etc. If it means I have to go to two stores, then so be it.

I have found that when Waldbaum's has their 3-day sales, they tend to be cheaper than BJS, but I get meat at both locations and it tastes fine. Then I freeze it in the freezer until it's time for us to eat them.

We're a family of 2 and spend about $40-50/week.

Message edited 3/9/2008 7:56:24 PM.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

Sales, coupons, buying in bulk at Coscto or buying cheaper items at target or walmart.
We budget $100/week for everything and we are a family of 4.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

don't ask me! we spent a FORTUNE on food this weekend

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

steaks- try Johns Farms in Plainview... they usually have cheaper prices on meat. and their produce- alot of it half the price of supermarkets(note they dont take credit card there)

Places like King Kullen double coupons upto $1... so clip them from sundays newsday or go online...

Also making a grocery list and stock up on the items when they go on better sales

also- big lots has better prices on things like bandaids and such...

Message edited 3/9/2008 7:56:56 PM.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

We do one big trip a month at BJs and make one small trip to the grocery store a week for milk and produce. I even get meat and chicken at BJs and freeze it.

Message edited 3/9/2008 7:56:44 PM.

Re: How do you save money on food shopping

I have found that for frozen, milk (8th continent soy in particular) sauce, cereals, and cheese, Target has good prices, too.

Message edited 3/9/2008 7:58:52 PM.