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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thrifty Thursday: Saving on Grocery (Share Your Ideas)
Folks, at the rate food is going up soon Ramen Noodles will be too expensive to buy.
Grocery shopping isn't for the faint at heart anymore. The prices can seriously make one sick. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm paying the same price for an item and I'm getting 2x less?? Or how I'm paying 2x more and getting 2x less?? Whichever it is, I'm not liking the end result - I'm getting less for my money.
Here are a few tips I've been using to save on groceries:
1) I call my local grocer to see if they have a "sale" day set aside for the week. I started noticing some months ago that the local grocers I frequent seemed to have days when a lot of products were on sale. The days were random so some weeks I'd miss them and other weeks I was lucky. Now I call them weekly to find out about their sales and when they will be.
2) I always do an inventory of my pantry and refrigerator/freeze to find out what I need. Make a list and STICK TO IT. It's always a good practice to have a list on your frig that you add too as items finish so you aren't spending so much time trying to create a list on shopping day. Items tend to get left off when you try to figure it all out at the last minute. You'll find yourself running to the store for the item you forgot but really need. A waste of money and time.
3) Try not to shop with kids and HUSBANDS. Kids will always see things that entice their eye, as do husbands.
4) Avoid shopping when you are hungry, tired or cranky. You will find you buy more junk foods (chips, dip, sweets, candy, ice cream etc) that you do not need and can be quite costly.
5) Buy veggies/fruits of the seasons because they are much cheaper. There are vegetables and fruits that I LOVE, but I've had to train myself not to purchase them in the off season no matter how enticing they look. Usually the exuberant prices deter me anyway.
6) Buy the grocery store brands. For my local grocers I shop Publix and WholePaycheck Food Market. There store brand are actually very good and so worth the savings.
7) When looking for an item check the bottom shelves and very top shelves instead of pulling from the shelf in front of you. Grocers often will put the most expensive brand or brand they want to sell first at the easiest reach or best eye contact. Another, less expensive brand or sale item may be hidden at the bottom or very top shelves.
8) Purchase from the sale bins. At my local grocers there are big bins full of items for sale. Some of these items will expire soon or have short shelf life. There is nothing wrong with buying these items. I ALWAYS double check to make sure the expiration date hasn't passed before purchasing.
9) I limit the amount of meat we eat. Meat is so expensive these days. We have really increased the amount of veggies/fruits and grains we eat. We eat meat only once or at best twice a week. Our main source of meat is chicken. Fish we eat every other month or so. Sometimes more often if I find it on sale or there is a special. I buy whole chicken and fish and never pre-cut as it's more expensive. Of course, if you don't know how to cut/clean your meat/fish then I can understand not wanting to to do this.
10) We stretch our meat dishes. Ex: If I make baked chicken one night I will take the leftovers and make chicken pot pies or pasta bake or some sort of stewed chicken or whatever I can think of.
What are you doing to save on groceries? Please share as we all can benefit from each other's ideas.
Looking for gifts, apparels and novelties with a green theme? Check us out at
Sha~Dou!
Grocery shopping isn't for the faint at heart anymore. The prices can seriously make one sick. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm paying the same price for an item and I'm getting 2x less?? Or how I'm paying 2x more and getting 2x less?? Whichever it is, I'm not liking the end result - I'm getting less for my money.
Here are a few tips I've been using to save on groceries:
1) I call my local grocer to see if they have a "sale" day set aside for the week. I started noticing some months ago that the local grocers I frequent seemed to have days when a lot of products were on sale. The days were random so some weeks I'd miss them and other weeks I was lucky. Now I call them weekly to find out about their sales and when they will be.
2) I always do an inventory of my pantry and refrigerator/freeze to find out what I need. Make a list and STICK TO IT. It's always a good practice to have a list on your frig that you add too as items finish so you aren't spending so much time trying to create a list on shopping day. Items tend to get left off when you try to figure it all out at the last minute. You'll find yourself running to the store for the item you forgot but really need. A waste of money and time.
3) Try not to shop with kids and HUSBANDS. Kids will always see things that entice their eye, as do husbands.
4) Avoid shopping when you are hungry, tired or cranky. You will find you buy more junk foods (chips, dip, sweets, candy, ice cream etc) that you do not need and can be quite costly.
5) Buy veggies/fruits of the seasons because they are much cheaper. There are vegetables and fruits that I LOVE, but I've had to train myself not to purchase them in the off season no matter how enticing they look. Usually the exuberant prices deter me anyway.
6) Buy the grocery store brands. For my local grocers I shop Publix and Whole
7) When looking for an item check the bottom shelves and very top shelves instead of pulling from the shelf in front of you. Grocers often will put the most expensive brand or brand they want to sell first at the easiest reach or best eye contact. Another, less expensive brand or sale item may be hidden at the bottom or very top shelves.
8) Purchase from the sale bins. At my local grocers there are big bins full of items for sale. Some of these items will expire soon or have short shelf life. There is nothing wrong with buying these items. I ALWAYS double check to make sure the expiration date hasn't passed before purchasing.
9) I limit the amount of meat we eat. Meat is so expensive these days. We have really increased the amount of veggies/fruits and grains we eat. We eat meat only once or at best twice a week. Our main source of meat is chicken. Fish we eat every other month or so. Sometimes more often if I find it on sale or there is a special. I buy whole chicken and fish and never pre-cut as it's more expensive. Of course, if you don't know how to cut/clean your meat/fish then I can understand not wanting to to do this.
10) We stretch our meat dishes. Ex: If I make baked chicken one night I will take the leftovers and make chicken pot pies or pasta bake or some sort of stewed chicken or whatever I can think of.
What are you doing to save on groceries? Please share as we all can benefit from each other's ideas.
Looking for gifts, apparels and novelties with a green theme? Check us out at
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We are struggling with frugalness when it comes to groceries right now. Some weeks are better than others. My husband doesn't want us to alter our shopping habits. He feels that he simply needs to work harder so we can continue to enjoy the various fresh foods (whether in or out of season) that we like. I 100% agree with you about leaving husbands at home when you grocery shop! This is sad but true. I also think that eating less animal products helps to keep grocery costs down as well. It's also healthier for people, but that's another entire posting of its own. :)
Well after years and years my husband has now started buying store brand cereal. These kids go through Cheerios like theres no tomorrow and GM Cheerios were hardly ever on sale. I'd have to call him on his cell when he was in the grocery store and remind him to check the price.
I used to go grocery shopping when all were asleep at the 24hr Ralph's but I can't right now so the husband is doing most of the grocery shopping. He cannot get bargains like I do. I used to eyeball those circulars and keep and eye on my coupons and as soon as my coupon items went on sale I would make my store trip because Ralph's have double coupons.
I don't need to tell you what happened the times my husband went grocery shopping on an empty stomach. He thought it was funny but all I could do was shake my head at the unnecessary mess he brought home.
We use these tips too but the more my boys grow, I need to find some new ones. They are eating everything in site and more! Ha!
Save on groceries? I wasn't aware of the poosability. ;) My sister saves by visiting on the day after I buy bulk items because I always give her a little of everything for her and her husband. :)
It sounds like you have all the tricks covered, Mama! I use alot of them myself.
Just found your blog. Love It! We are living lean and I never shop with the hubby or kiddo. Most people think you can't eat gluten free on a budget but you can.
Great tips, I just realized after this past grocery trip how much groceries have actually gone up, we spent over 200 bucks and it looks like I didn't go shopping at all almost.
I wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Arte Y Pico Blog Award. Check out the link below on how to participate:
CLICK HERE
First let me say, I love your blog and will be adding your link on my main page and adding you to my blog roll! And, thank you for stoppping by my blog and leaving a comment, much appreciated!
One way that we save money is by making a menu or meal plan for two weeks (to last until the next pay day), and then I make a grocery list accorind to the meal plan for the two weeks.
Great tips! Personally, I have a general meal plan in mind but always vary it according to what I find on sale!
Last year I started shopping at the Supercenter Wal-Mart. I buy everything except fresh fruit, vegetables, or meat.
However, it's not around the corner and now I have to worry about the gas prices. Dilemma.
Still, if I forgo a trip to the Supercenter I see that my food budget is used up quickly at the local grocery chain.
I get away without big dinners during the week because hubby eats out for lunch and wants something light.
Groceries are expensive, but necessary. I'm doing my best!