The Queen's guide to Grocery Shopping
First off, let me just say, as the Queen of Penny Pinching, I KNOW how much everything is SUPPOSED to cost. Don't be fooled by sales and other gimmicks the stores try to pull by raising the price of other items to cover the cost. For instance, one store that I frequent several times a week, runs a promotion that I will call "Gas Money". For every 10 dollars worth of store brand items you buy, you will get a dollars worth of "Gas Money" at checkout. Well, since I know how much everything is "Supposed" to cost, then I know that they have added 10 cents to dozens of frequently bought items...so where is the savings? What I do is avoid the hiked up items and buy only the items that were not raised.
Another store in town periodically offers "Triple Coupons". The first time I saw this, I gathered up all of my coupons and trekked across town, only to find out that they hiked the prices up....I mean it was unbelievable! Like $5.00 for a box of cereal, then you get triple a 50 cent coupon, so 3.50 for a box of cereal? I think not! After all, $1.50 off "overpriced" does not equal a good deal. I never even waste my time trying to orchestrate "triple coupon" shopping, it's not worth it.
I just want to give you an example of how to plan your grocery trips and get the most for your food dollar. I mean, everyone has to eat, right? You are going to have to go to the grocery store anyway, so why not take an extra few minutes to plan? Log on to your local grocery stores' web sites and look over their current ads. I have to drive past one store to get to my preferred store, so I look at both sale papers online, compare the prices and print out my lists. I do this because it is much easier to plan when you are sitting at home than when you are at the store. (Especially when you have a little one with you)
You may have heard this advice: Always try to make a list and stick to it. This is not true. If you make a list and stick to it, you may miss out on something you frequently use being on sale, which will cost you money in the long run. This is why I suggest reading your local ads AND planning your menu around the items that are on sale that week.
If you don't mind the extra work, use the self-checkout. This way, when you scan your items you can see (or hear) the prices and make sure they are scanning properly, plus you can bag your groceries without anything getting smashed or broken. Before they had the self-checkouts, I ALWAYS got overcharged on at least one item per shopping trip. When I would ask for a refund, my oldest daughter used to roll her eyes and say "good grief Mom, it's only a quarter!" Well, let's do the math...I go to the store at least 3 times a week. They get me for at least a quarter every time...that's around 3.25 a month. Sheesh, I can buy a gallon of gas with that!
Let's go to the subject of "store brands". This is where you are really going save some money. When "generic" items first gained popularity back in the 80's (if I remember correctly), some of the stuff was really bad. Things have changed though. I actually prefer some store brand items to the brand names. Most stores offer a full satisfaction guarantee. Just look on the package. Here's my rule...I will try the store brand of anything once. If I don't like it, I simply don't ever buy it again.
Get yourself in the habit of trying the store brands, you will be pleasantly surprised. (You have to be careful though, sometimes the store brand is more expensive than its brand name counterpart.) ALWAYS read the shelf tags! Let me repeat myself....ALWAYS read the shelf tags. I say this for 2 reasons. First off, (most of the time) you can see how much you are paying per oz., lb., unit, etc. Secondly, most stores will honor the shelf tag, even if they simply forgot to change it. One store even gives you a refund and the item for free! (One time I got a 25 dollar table runner for 7 dollars because the shelf tag was wrong, so don't be afraid to ask!)
Here are some frequently bought items and what they are "supposed" to cost:
A can of vegetables should cost no more than 50 cents. I ALWAYS buy store brand for 39 cents.
I never pay more than 1.66 (3 for 5.00) for an 8 oz. block of cheese. If it goes over that, I boycott it till the price comes down, then I stock up again.
Even though the price of eggs has gone up recently,
I never pay more than 99 cents a dozen. I wait, and then I stock up.
The very most I will pay for a head of lettuce is 99 cents. The price of produce really kills me. Try looking on the "Manager's Special" rack. If you are going to eat it within 48 hours, then it's worth it. Don't be afraid to cut a soft spot off a tomato and eat the rest of it! Tomatoes are typically like 3 bucks a pound! Did you ever weigh a tomato? You would be surprised. A nice sized tomato can weigh more than a pound. Sometimes they will have like 2 or 3 lbs wrapped up for 99 cents. So, use the good ones and toss the rest. I'm not paying 3 dollars for a tomato!
I won't pay more than 5.99 for a (34.5 oz) can of coffee. I am a hard core coffee drinker, and I am very picky, but I gotta tell you, most times the store brand offers a 100% Columbian blend and that's what I always buy...never had a complaint. Most of the time the store brand is 4.99. One time I went to a store and their coffee was 9.99 a can! Can you tell me that people are actually paying this?
Let's talk about toilet paper, shall we? Are you kidding me? We all know its purpose, and where it ends up, so why do people pay upwards of 8 dollars for 12 double rolls? Well, 8 dollars is on the high side, but typically, the brand names cost anywhere from 6 to 7.50. Don't be afraid to try the store brand. I found a really good one for 4.99. Sometimes they have it for 3.99 and I stock up! (Remember to look at the package and see if they offer a satisfaction guarantee.)
Margarine should not cost more than 75 cents a pound. I use Blue bonnet and it is usually anywhere from 50 to 75 cents a pound. My mother used it, and I use it. Here's a funny one though. My favorite grocery store sells Blue Bonnet for 77 cents a pound, and right next to it, they have the 2 lb. package on "special" for 1.59...do the math. (People actually fall for this!)
I never pay more than 3.99 for a 100oz. bottle of laundry detergent. Most of the time I can get it for less than that, but 3.99 is my max. A friend of mine is a hard core Tide user. I feel for her...that's all I have to say about that.
2.50 for a 12 pack of soda. This is one item that I have tried the store brands and just can't take them. For some reason, they seem to have an aftertaste. The 2 big brands seem to take turns being on sale, so I buy one or the other. TIP: if the 12 pack of cans is not on sale, check the 24 oz. plastic bottles...one 6-pack equals a 12 pack of cans, plus they are resealable so less waste!
Ok, this is the last one. Cereal....2 bucks, that's all I paying for a box or bag of cereal.
If you are new to Penny Pinching, I hope this has shed some light on how to squeeze a little more out of your food dollars!
Key things to remember:
Plan, plan, plan!
Take time to familiarize yourself with the prices of items you frequently buy.
Try at least one store brand item per week.
Remember to check your receipt for accuracy.
Happy Saving!