Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Help me be a GROCERY BARGAIN shopper!!

I follow WAY too many blogs, I admit it!!! But I am seeing that some of these Mommas are kicking butt and taking names when it comes to grocery shopping!! I mean heck, my friend Bethany shopped at Publix today and spent less than $40 on a TON of stuff!!! Earlier in the week she had a bill for $140 at Walgreens and only paid $30 plus a $10 on the next visit coupon!!! How stinkin' cool is that?!?!?!
I just sit in awe and watch all the stuff these girls are scoring. I need to learn how to do this!!! I want to learn how to do this!! I want to go to the grocery store and do what they do!!! Dang it.......someone tell me what I need to do!!! I want to save money like that!!!


3 comments:

Valerie said...

I want to save money that way too! I'm not even going to say how much money I spend on a month of groceries for four people. It's way too much.

Bill and Melodie said...

Me too! I just spent way too much and got way too little... Help!

Bethany said...

Hey chica!

1. Gather ALL coupons you can get your hands on. My neighborhood gets free papers on Thursdays, so I literally drive around and pick them up. Over time, I noticed who leaves them out for a few days, so now I think they think I am a newspaper recyling truck! ;) I also always buy the Sunday paper (the early edition and the real one because of the double coupons). When I am downtown Atlanta, they sell the Sunday paper for only $1. I rarely get that deal because of the area. If your area recycles, try "dumpster diving" for papers. It will be clean since it's just paper.

~Print online coupons.

2. Organize them in some sort of file. I use a plastic rubbermaid box with labeled envelopes. I'll post a pic of mine today.

3. Start looking on some of the websites that share coupons, ad sales, and deal scenarios. Look on the sidebar of my blog to get started.

4. The trick is to start "stockpiling" items for your pantry. At first, it will seem like you are just buying random items, but it will eventually make sense. Publix always has BOG1 sales each week. I always look ahead and match up my coupons. Publix (except Florida) the bog1 sales are half off. You don't have to buy 2. Take advantage of this with coupons.

3. Stock up on chicken when Kroger puts it on sale for $1.99 a pound for chicken breasts. I only buy it then and keep it in my freezer until I need it. We eat a lot of chicken.

4. It takes a lot of work at first, but then it gets easier. Make a goal of what you want to spend versus what you spend. At first, I was still spending the same amount of money (actually less because of coupons) to help me stockpile. After about two weeks, I noticed I began saving a TON!

5. Publix and Kroger (my main grocery stores) double coupons up to 50 cents. This makes for GREAT savings. Wal-Mart price matches, but doesn't double coupons. I rarely shop at Wal-Mart because of that. However, watch the websites for deals at Wal-Mart. I recently got 15 FREE packs of frozen veggies.

6. Feel free to email if you want a list of sites as well or have questions. I am new to this but want to help in anyway possible. My husband is finally on board and loving the savings. It did take him almost a month to become a believer.
ccldtrose@yahoo.com