How do you save money on your grocery bill?

[97guns]

yes, prepared foods cost alot more in the longrun. for most americans that is all they eat, i go to my friends house and their idea of cooking is macaroni and cheese with hotdogs or top ramen soup. if theyre not cooking at home then theyre eating out, its the only way they know.

[Little House]

I love coupons, but when I don't have the time to clip or research them, I shop at different stores for different items. For example, an Hispanic market near me has great deals on produce and meat - much less than the larger chain grocery stores. For laundry detergent, soap, and basic cleaners, the 99-cent store is where I shop. I end up saving quite a bit by shopping this way - even minus the cost of gas.

[snafu]

Since February, the cost of food has been increasing weekly. The costs of fuel and corn syrup are making matters worse and there is no evidence prices will decrease while Nigeria suffers civil unrest. Changing thinking about meal planning and cooking will help hold down costs. If your family is used to a slab of meat/fish, plus greens, carb side dish and veggie, will they accept innovation or would they prefer to give up a new pair of jeans, cell phone, cable & in-house internet so that the money doesn't run out before the month's end?

There are lots of delicious entrees that offer 4 oz [per person] protein like paella, pilaf or jambalaya for example.

[Frugal]

I think food is still at the point where most people can afford the basics, and are just cutting back on luxury items. I still have to cook a lot of meat for my spouse, and I find it is hardest to save money on meat, even though I shop produce sales at local stores like Walmart, Fred Meyer, etc., and try to stock up on food and meat items while they are on special each week. I don't think, for instance, that food prices would force me to cut my cell phone bill, get rid of it, and replace it with a landline to save money. I do think it is possible it could get to that point someday, but we will have to see pretty dramatic inflation first, and it might not occur right away...just my thoughts...

[LeadRival]

Bulk bulk bulk. I am single and find it hard to buy most groceries in bulk because after time the food does not get eaten and it just gets thrown away. But I do purchase all household items in bulk. I also purchase foods such as cereals, canned foods, etc in bulk (as these do not go bad as fast) I noticed when buying in bulk it pretty much like I paid for 4 items and got the 5th item for free. The annual savings on these simple changes are outstanding. And when the time comes to spoil myself, I have the extra money for it and do not feel like I'm getting behind.

[Fabulous]

I use coupons and weekly sales in stores. Also I have credit card that gives me cash back on grocery. It's still better than nothing.

[marvholly]

You also might want to alter your meal plans somewhat. Try substituting a bean or lentil meal at least 1x/week - preferably 1 dinner and 1 lunch (leftovers?). Soak & cook your own beans instead of canned. A 0.89 can of black beans = 3.5 servings (0.25/serving). A lb of dry black beans for 1.19 = 12 servings (0.10/serving). I actually bought dry black beans for 0.89/lb 10 3/26/11 (0.075/serving).

Do a salad plate for a meal, add a few beans, lentils, nuts and/or seeds for a bit of protein.

Have a couple of canned tuna meals every week or everyother. Tuna has been VERY cheap. Meijer had it for o.50/can and I had a $1.50 coupon on 3 = FREE.

Make breakfast for dinner 1x/week or 2. Pancakes, eggs, bisuits from scratch are cheap. Eggs are cheap and get even cheaper at this time of year. Make several egg meals/week.

Buy a larger chicken than you normally would. Serve it roasted and limit portions to 3 oz cooked. You will have a bunch of leftovers for chicken salad, stroganoff, fajits, qusedillas, stir fry, cassaroles........Cook the carcas to make soup.

[Frugal]

I also like to buy the inexpensive rotisserie chickens at Walmart and other supermarkets for around $4.99. At this price, this grocery store item is a bargain. I figure I cannot buy the meat and spices, much less spend all the time to cook it, to make it myself that cheaply. You get a whole smoked or roasted chicken complete with spices or seasoning, and from my experience, the leftovers last for DAYs. You can spice it up by making chicken sandwiches out of barbecue sauce, cheese, and the leftovers on an open-faced bun.

[khosta]

I am learning to buy the more generic name brands rather than the top name brands!!! Those commercials always get me!!!

[jerrycates]

I would still say coupons, discount days, sales, and those times when you were able to find mismatched prices on the shelf against the POS/cash register. That could save you much. I've seem some do that. I experienced it once. Find it cool.

[shanecurran]

Keep realistic expectations. Do not buy groceries that you will not eat. For example in college I had a roommate who would buy fruits and vegetables that would go bad just so that he would feel healthy. No matter what he bought his consumption patterns did not change. Buy things that you will eat and buy less expensive proteins.

[Bades]

I've always wondered about buying certain items in bulk...

It seems to me if you can afford the upfront price and have the room to store 300 rolls of toilet paper, shouldn't you do it then?

Places like Sam' Club or Costco are they always the cheaper option? (Discussing food and paper goods)

[zaccolbert]

Do monthly shops online, that way you don't have to a couple of little shops every week and it saves a lot of money in the long run

[snafu]

It isn't always obvious as to whether buying in quantities is least expensive. It pays to check the per unit price generally identified on the plastic tab. If your grocery chains doesn't offer this, complain to the store manager.

Bulk buying can also mean buying non packaged foods from bins in the amount you require. It's usually a cheaper alternative for items like sugar, flour, pasta, rice, baking powder and spices.

[jeffery12]

we cannot ignore expenses but I can think of managing them properly. maybe you walk down to the local vegetable market..

[marvholly]

Bades
i do NOT find Sams/Costco to be cheaper for me. I was just at a Sams open house on Sat. The prices were MUCH higher than I pay combining store sales w/mfg coupons. My purchases Yesterday are an example:
Box of stove top, sale for $0.88 less coupon of 0.50
2 cans Green Giant green beans price $0.99 each, Walgreens in ad coupon less 0.50 each, less insert coupon of 0.50 0n 2 cans = 0/24/can/

Did I NEED either? No but these are items I regularly use and will use.
I am NOT doing the Splenda deal at Walgreens this week even though it is a money maker. Why? I do not use Splenda (prefer either of 2 other brands)nor do I know anyone who does.

ETA
I now have a complete set of sides on hand for the next set of chicken/turkey meals I make for <$1. I will NOT be running to the store and paying shelf price just because I am making poultry for my 1 major cook on the week.

[AtoZ]

Watch for store promotions. A local grocery chain has vowed to its customers that prices on hundreds of everyday items will not be increased. It does make a difference.

[clintdavis]

When we made the decision to take control of our money and get out of debt, we were pretty shocked at how much we spent on groceries. We wasted a lot of food, bought way too many "convenience" items, and still went out to eat 2-3 times per week.

To help us stop overspending on food, we decided to go to a "Cash Only" food budget. At the beginning of the month we withdraw the cash we need for our groceries and keep it in an envelope. We don't buy groceries with anything other than that cash. If we run out of cash, we end up eating Ramen until the new month. This method forces us to plan ahead for our meals and grocery list so that we are sure not to overspend on this category.

We're debt free and have a full emergency fund, but we still use this cash envelope system. We do the same for our restaurant budget.

[tan fish]

Decrease serving size of meat, and compensate by making more carbs like pasta, rice, or potatoes to offer. An ideal meal for me is a beef pot roast (using a relatively cheap but good tasting cut like chuck) with potatoes and carrots, and then have a second carb like rice. So serving portions of meat are small, but I can fill up on the potatoes, rice, and carrots (obviously there are variations of meal ideas but this is just an example). The carbs may not be good for your waistline but it might be for your wallet.

[marvholly]

clintdavis
I have been doing the envelope thing for >40 years for BOTH groceries and fun money. Groceries are weekly. Fun money is monthly.