2 Easy ways to save on groceries

[Aleta]

Check in the clearance baskets. I have found unbelievable items at a much lower price. Check their date and watch out for dented items that are tomato or fruit based.

Check on the lowest shelves. Most items there are the lowest in price.

Hi there!

I'm just new here - saying hello!

[TheDude80]

Originally Posted by workingmamma

I always look at the generics to see the difference and you will find many are the same thing. I have been told that some are even made at the same places but I can not verify that. I use Claritan for allergies and I never buy regular claritan but the generic because it saves me a few dollars a week.

You are right when it comes to saving money with generic brands. I do this with all types of over the counter drugs.
The savings by buying generic instead of brand name are huge with prescription drugs. My prescription for generic is only $5 a month with my health plan, but if i went with the brand name it would be anywhere from $30-$75 a month!

[workingmamma]

I look at it as if I am saving on my prescriptions and things then if there is a brand of food that my family likes the 'non"generic better I can afford to splurge a little because there are a "few" things that I refuse to buy in generic due to the taste.

[reptile411]

Realy? is food high priced where you live? For the 4 of us "Myself, wife and 2 kids" plus the doge we average $300 per month.

Originally Posted by EEinNJ

I was frustrated for a long time over the grocery bill- just 2 of us, though we like to cook, and entertain family & friends fairly often. Why were we averaging $5-600 a month?

Last spring, I set a target budget of $100/week, shopping once a week.

1) Use a list, it avoids impulse purchases, buying too much, or running out of something. Just like a diet, portion control

2) Use a calculator. I enter the prices of things as I go through the store. It helps keep track of where the money goes, and keeps me from going over budget. If I'm under budget, I can stock up on something on sale, if I'm over, maybe the ice cream goes back in the freezer.

When I'm done, it's never a surprise at the checkout counter!

[supercheap]

Try the store brands. Some are very good and much less than the majors. Publix is a good one.

[workingmamma]

I shop at a store called Aldis and everything is generic but I am figuring out what is good and what is bad. Also lately I kept track of everything I spent so that now I am able to go thru and see where I spent foolishly and that has seemed to help.

[workingmamma]

Originally Posted by reptile411

Realy? is food high priced where you live? For the 4 of us "Myself, wife and 2 kids" plus the doge we average $300 per month.

Wow I would love to see how you keep it so cheap! I think you need to share because I would love to keep my bill that low!

[snafu]

Easy peasy meal planning...ask each person for their 3 favorite meals. Write each on a card. Add recipe book/pg. if needed. Add a makeover meal that uses the leftovers from those favorites. Add a breakfast for dinner [pancakes & fruit salad for example]. Add a cheese entree like Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese, chef salad. Create a card for your favorite pasta meals. These are cheap, easy to make, crockpot friendly, and cook fast. We rotate between lasagna, spaghetti, penne & poultry, pasta fagioli etc.. I choose a different shape pasta every time I buy pasta. [I think there are more than 50 shapes]. We have pasta for dinner at least once every two weeks.

use the same formula for different ways of using potatoes. If your family will eat rice you can offer the the ethnic diversity of your country. Rice or noodles are also the base of hundreds of casseroles.

Put the cards in a box and chose one for the following day. Even if you decide you don't want that as you walk in the door, chose another from the box if you have the makings.

[emilywebster07]

Go for shopping when you are full which means you are not hungry,because I tend to buy so many things when I go for shopping when I am hungry.

[ClearClouds]

LOL. Many times I shop when I'm hungry and I definitely buy more. That's a good tip to shop after you ate. Also I'm trying to make lists now, but sometimes temptation gets me. haha

[Granite]

use coupons

use store card for discounts

get the marked down meat, cheese & bread

stock up on loss leader sales

check out manager's specials (close outs)

buy cheap cuts of meat (use crockpot)

[JoJoGal]

I never thought of the calculator idea, but that does make a lot of sense, thanks so much for the tip! I will try it for sure.

[snafu]

Note the grocery outlets on your regular routes to avoid driving needlessly and track their ad loss leaders. If you have an ethnic food store nearby, they usually sell fresh produce at a lower price than the big chains. Don't buy non food items at the lg. grocery chains, that is their biggest mark-up. Go to a discount/Dollar Store/Liquidator Outlet for items used once and thrown out like paper goods, soap, plastic products like Saran,Foil,Zipbags etc.

If you have patience to create your own Price Book, you will quickly know which sales are genuine and which are promotion. Using coupons can be effective but often generic or house brand are cheaper per unit than name brand less coupon. If it's used for cooking it's not noticeable. We prefer homemade pasta sauce but will use the cheapest and add the combo of spices that enhance the flavor. A teeny, tiny bit of arrowroot thickens any sauce that's too runny [and never causes lumping].

[greenskeeper]

Our family of 3 spends $200/month on groceries. We rarely eat out as well.

[mrsmoneysaver]

Coupons are definitely useful, but the key is USE COUPONS WITH SALE ITEMS. Watch for sales, you can usually use your coupon within a month after you clip it. Many times you can pay next to nothing or get food for free!

[cicy33]

I use coupons, shop loss leaders (kroger has a good one this week) and all that. some months the bill is a lot and others not to bad. but we buy a lot of fruit and veggies and that is so expensive and hard to get coupons for. I did once get a coupon for buying cereal got $1 off produce. The cashier didn't know what to do with it and told me "we don't take those here". don't get those much anyways.