2 Easy ways to save on groceries

[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.