What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

It seems like DH and I spend a ton of money per week on groceries lately. I buy meat in big packs and break them into small packages, I look for sales items and only buy it if I we need it not b/c it is on sale.

Any other tips/tricks on cutting your food bill?

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

in my new world of debt reduction, i came across the idea of a PRICE BOOK.

i have not put it to practice, yet, since i've just started all of this.

google it and see if it's something you can try.

hope it helps

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

I joined BJs to get meats and what not and it is so much cheaper. Also, only buy items when they are on sale and when you do, buy in bulk. Use the grocery store cards that give you discounts and use coupons.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

I do Peapod. Yes - there is a delivery charge BUT they have coupons that eat up most of that charge. Even if there were NO coupons, the cost of delivery and tip is nothing compared to the money I save by not impulse buying. On Peapod I make a list, I browse the specials and I match my coupons and I am done. Plus you save a few bucks in gas!

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

We pretty much ONLY buy things on sale.

Stock up on things like ketchup and canned goods when they are on sale.

Make a list beforehand and stick to it.

We do all of our shopping at Pathmark (we find it's cheapest).

Right next to the Pathmark is where we get all of our produce/veggies (Guinta's Meat Farms). We spend ~$10-15 a week and we get A LOT.

Buy no name brands for things we aren't particular about.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Message edited 7/1/2008 11:24:09 AM.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Posted by rojerono

I do Peapod. Yes - there is a delivery charge BUT they have coupons that eat up most of that charge. Even if there were NO coupons, the cost of delivery and tip is nothing compared to the money I save by not impulse buying. On Peapod I make a list, I browse the specials and I match my coupons and I am done. Plus you save a few bucks in gas!

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Supermarkets have cycles (12 weeks I think), so if you can figure out their cycles, you can really make out on it.

* Look for meats on sale --- you may have to observe the prices for weeks, but we found that at S&S, you can get whole chickens for $0.69 per pound, boneless skinless chicken breasts for $1.69 per pound, etc.... On those weeks, we buy in bulk and freese in smaller portions. We get enough for 2 or so months. Also, we shop at BJ's and look for great pricing.

* Coupons --- I don't have great luck with coupons, EXCEPT for diapers, formula, and baby food and I have been doing really well. Last week I had 4 similac checks and 3 similac coupons. I got a $30 case of similace for $9. Also the instore coupons you get at the END of your receipt are good a lot of times because they will give you coupons for things you just bought or that are similar.

* Buy store brand name items if you can --- frozen vegetables, canned beans, etc .... the quality is the same, but the price is so much better.

* Make a list and stick to it! Allow yourself ONE 'TREAT' item off the list.

* A Vegetable store is cheaper than the supermarkets usually, so if you have the time, check out a local shop for fresh vegetables.

Message edited 7/1/2008 11:31:02 AM.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

I get a lot of the non-meat products at Target. I found that cereal/frozen foods/milk/eggs/snacks are MUCH cheaper there as compared to the grocery stores.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

We buy most of what we use including meat at BJ's. We buy most of our bathroom items at Target and I use coupons every place I go.

Message edited 7/1/2008 11:51:05 AM.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Get rainchecks when possible for items they are sold out of! I drove DH crazy Memorial Day weekend b/c Pathmark was out of everything and I kept sending him up to get rainchecks. (yes, I could have waited until the end of my shopping but it was a good way to get rid of him so I could zip through my shopping without any of his extras!)

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

I usually plan my meals around whats on sale that week.

Cereal and other non dairy/meats are cheaper at CVS (BOGO) or Target.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

i dont make elaborate recipes anymore-
spices/ingredients are so expensive

if something is on sale i stock up- chicken breast, steak, boneless thick cut pork chops

i try to be more creative with my meals based on ingredients i have at the house

i try to think - do i need this or do i want it?

i have been cutting down on things that i used to buy- like expensive cheeses, snacks, etc.


i drink less alcohol during the week- i used to stock up on wine and imported beer - now its only on weekends-special occasions

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Besides what is mentioned here, I buy frozen fruit and veggies instead of fresh. They are much cheaper and don't spoil so there is no waste. Plus they are frozen at the peak of the season, so they are better nutirionally and taste wise.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Honestly--the 3 supermarkets that I shop at -- every week---Meat Farms, Pathmark or Stop & Shop -- i view their weekly circulars online --- at the same time....in 3 different tabs to see who has the best deals overall.

If you really notice---just about all the supermarkets tend to have very similiar sales each week--you just have to see who has the best deal.

For example I checked online today for corn on the cob for the 4th...

Pathmark has it for 20 cents
Meat Farms has it as 6 for $2
Stop & Shop has them 12 for $2!

so obviously I'll be buying my corn at stop & shop for friday!

but i stake out the sales and the sunday circulars for coupons....especialy places that give you double coupons!

its all about comparing

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Another thing I do is menu planning. I check out the specials and then figure out what our dinners/lunches/breakfasts are going to be for the week and buy accordingly. It's another help for impulse buying - which costs me a HUGE amount of money over time.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

asking my stepmother to call me when she sees good deals in the circular

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

I usually skim the flyers and see what is on sale...then I plan my weekly menu based (sort of) on what is on sale. I also use coupons...and if I can get something on sale and use a coupon I am a very happy person

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

One word.

Walmart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Its crazy how much cheaper things are there. Especially cold cereal, that DH eats every single morning.

I know, I know, Walmart is evil.

But that unregulated capitalism helps our broke a$$es go on buying Honey Nut Cheerios for $1.89 a box, thank you very much.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

I find that going food shopping more frequently helps as we aren't stocking up on stuff that we might not eat for a while (or ever...) and nothing spoils.

Also, I avoid anything pre-packaged and will either go without (since its healthier) or try making it myself.

We also don't eat a huge amount of meat, especially in the summer, so that helps immensely.

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

We shop at stop & Shop and use the coupon from the King Kullen flyer (i.e. $10 off your $75 purchase) S&S accepts it. We buy onsale and buy bulk. HTH

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Re: What are some of your grocery shopping saving tips

Meat and produce - go to stores like Compare Foods. Compare Foods sells 90% ground beef for $1.99/lb NORMAL PRICE. Even when the supermarkets seem to have it on sale, it's not that cheap.

I can understand people think the store is icky, but I think the meat is better quality than what you get at the major supermarkets.