Saving on Groceries- what do you spend?

[MaskedMarvel]

I spend something like close to 250$ a month. Here's a list on how to save at the groceries from my money sharp blog.

# Don't do the grocery when you're hungry: You'll end up buying things you don't need.
# Check the flier for sales before going.
# Look for coupons: On the yogurt we buy there's often a discount on the next purchase.
# More doesn't always mean cheaper: I've seen bigger items that was the same price and same quantity as 2 smaller items. If you don't need the bigger one there's no advantage to buy it.
# Always use a list: With a list you can concentrate more on what you really need and save money buy not buying things you don't need.
# Avoid pre-made meals: They contain a lot of salt and fat. Would be cheaper if you do it yourself and better for you.
# Buy in bulks: Sometimes you'll see items in bulk. When we buy spaghetti sauce, sometimes they come in a pack of 3
# 2 for $5 trick: You don't need to buy 2, you can buy 1 at the price of $2.50.
# Store brand: Try some store bands, they're cheaper but watch out for quality.
# Check receipt: Sometimes the system is not updated or the cashier made a mistake.

[Judi Dial]

Another thing...

Sorry, I do this, but didnt' think of it when I wrote the previous post! Try using mygrocerydeals dot com. Find your local markets that are reasonable for you to get to, select those as your markets, then don't browse the ads by market, browse by CATEGORY. If you do this, you can see that market A has ground round for $2.50 a lb, market B has it 10 lbs for $20, and market C has it for $2.89 a lb. The site will build you a shopping list that includes all the markets, sorted by market, so you go to market A and get their loss leaders/specials , market B and do the same thing. ONE shopping list, multiple markets. It also gives you a total for your whole list.

I find it really useful, but it does have its problems. The two biggest are:

I think their people must be real dumb about produce or something. Things happen like this: photo supplied to illustrate Jerusalem Artichokes are globe artichokes. As I do know produce and I'm almost always in a hurry, I have more than once selected a special based on the image and the price, only to get to the market and find that the special is not what I wanted.

Otherwise, the worst problem I have with the site is that items that are say 10/$10 are put on your list that way. It adds $10 to your total,and I usually only buy 1-3 of an item!

IHTH!

JD

[PetMom]

I think where you shop has a definite effect on price - down here we have Whole Foods and I loved it when we blissfully purchased our groceries there last year- even then it was $200.00 (counting some toiletries). I love the organic/pure stuff - but this did not last very long at all. That much for a couple is ridiculous. No kitchen paper products other than a yearly purchase of paper napkins (for company only - we use our sleeves).

Now we are at Wal Mart and I have been teeth gritting determined to get out weekly total below $100.00 and it has just become almost impossible.
We shop Sams every month also for about $30.00 per visit and an every other month 20.00 visit at a Health Food store for Dr. Bronner's soap that I use for cleaning and dishwashing. I make my homemade cleaning products.

You really have to go through almost every food (and nonfood) expense.

I need to get into shopping the loss leaders more, maybe couponing.

I have been using garden herbs such as basil for 'lettuce' in my sandwich, chives for onions (onions have really gone up in price). I am even perusing the dandeloin weeds in my front yard - I picked one but did not eat it - I gotta make sure it really is a dandelion.

We have started having more pasta from Sam's meals. I am getting my husband to cut back on meat - and his sometimes expensive grilling hobby.
I eat meat maybe once a week. I have cut way back on my frozen fake meats.

We used to host a lot of outdoor grilling get togethers last year - we cut that out and saved easily $400.00 this past spring and summer.

I do know food costs have gone up.

Thank you to the above poster who listed a free grocery deals website!

[Fern]

I live alone, most times bring my lunch to work, rarely buy meat and include toiletries and cat food in my food expenses. I probably average about $200 a month for 1 person.

[Goldy1]

I am kind of a "foodie" so I tend to keep the fidge stocked but most of my stuff is bought on sale. I also am a coupon freak. Shot me if I have to eat bad cheap food.