This may sound like a silly question, but I was reading last years grocery comparrison that was featured today and wondering how people go about executing some of their suggestions. I have a family of 5, two parents, two three year olds, and a baby(4 months). I spend about $650 per month on groceries and the occasional takeout or eating out which I know is way over what it needs to be. ( I am not including pullups or diapers which I get at BJ's) I usually shop at Kroger as it came out cheapest in my comparisson when we first moved here(except the commissary which I can't seem to get too - military). I was getting pretty good at using coupons until the littlest one arrived this winter, but adding a third child has definately set me back on having time to do it and I really just have to choose one store per week, I can't make it to more than one. I do meal plan and we don't use a ton of processed foods anymore though we could do better there too.
Several people mentioned that Walmart does price matching. Thier standard prices are definately not the best here. How do you go about getting the best price there?? Do they do it at the register?? Do you go to customer service??? I would totally feel comfortable doing that for large items, but doing it every week for groceries seems like it would be intimidating.
How do you organize your coupons? I've tried cutting them, I've tried not cutting them and keeping the flyer (coupon Mom). I just seem to end up with big piles of papers that expire before I can use them. When you add in the printed couponswhich may or may not be accepted, it just becomes a big mess.
I'm excited to see the answers. I'm in the same boat. I do shop at the commissary but I seem to spend 3 to 4 hundred dollars each pay period on groceries, but that does include the cleaning supplies and hygiene items.
Target also does price matching. The only thing u need is the ad from whichever store has the price u r matching and it must be a current sale. U can not use an ad from a few weeks ago, today. They do this at guest service counter. U can either go to a regular checkout then they can refund u at the service desk, or they can ring u up there to start with. I have used it a bunch as that is where I do all my grocery shopping and I do not want to go to different stores for the 1 or 2 items they have cheapest.. Hope this is helpful.
I agree - Walmart overall has cheaper prices on SOME items - and I usually buy their store brand, but when I am in a pinch I go to Bloom because it is in my neighborhood - and I have noticed that they can have some REALLY good deals...so now I don't mind going there so much (I don't have time or motivation for coupons either)....the KEY IS - price compare the items at the store - the other day I took my kids to Bloom and asked DD to pick out some paper towels...she immediately went for a familiar brand, which was $6.99. I told her to look at the paper towels next to it - they were 'prettier' (with pictures instead of plain)....they both had 8 rolls in them, but the prettier ones we on sale for $.90! Less than a dollar for 8 rolls - at Bloom! I don't think Walmart could beat that...THEN I asked DS to pick out some Mayo...he went for a name brand and it was also $6.99. i then told him to look at the store brand and it was only $1.50! I asked both kids if they would rather pay 7 dollars or 1 dollar. i mean just those two items alone would have been $14, but I got them for $2.40! My typical 'stop by the store for a few items' used to cost me around $80....but to my surprise it was only $33 this time....it only took a couple of minutes more to look at other options...and it saved a bunch! That alone can cut your bill in half. :)
There are some really good websites/blogs on couponing. TONS of them. I like www.hip2save.com the best. She does an excellent job of match ups on sale items and coupons. I personally clip and file mine in a binder b/c I am a visual person and that allows me to flip through them. The negative to that is the time but I usually work on it while watching TV after the kids are in bed. You can also get an accordion style folder (I just saw little plastic ones at Target for $1) and just put in categories. You will have to dig through the category but that's not usually too bad. ONLY cut what you will use. Don't cut others unless you know of a match up where you can get that item for free or darn close. That will help keep the pile down. I save a ton on coupons. Most of our hygiene products are free or close. This allows me to spend on fresh produce, organic items, etc. And FYI, there are organic coupons. Look up Mambo Sprouts, Stonyfield Farms, Earthbound Farms... there are coupons on their sites. Also, Mambo Sprouts has a coupon booklet you can sign up for and they will mail to you for free. Don't let people tell you coupons are only for junk or you won't save a lot. Do some research - it's worth the time (and this is coming from a FT working mother of a teenager and an infant). Feel free to send me a personal note if you have questions or want other sites. Good luck!
Price matching at Walmart is done at the register and is super quick and easy. Be sure to have your ad and for example" Dove is on sale at CVS for 2 and I want to price match"! Quick and easy. Sometimes they want to see the ad and sometimes they dont.
I organize my coupon in a binder. I use baseball card holders and organize them by baby, frozen, cleaners, pet, etc. I have slacked here recently on using coupons but it truly saves you money if you can find time to get them organized.
Hope this helps. I also use a website call afullcup.com. It shows the weekly matchups for many different stores. It it totally free. No charges. It may seem overwhelming at first but I skip the chit chat and just look through the matchups. They have everything organized by the name of the store.
Good luck
K.
