How to waste money at the grocery store

**frugalandsimple** · 07-24-2008, 04:28 PM

Buy...

Over-packaged Items

Disposable Diapers (Sometimes, there's a good reason to use them like when traveling somewhere. Most daycare centers only allow disposable diapers)

Energy Drinks

Plastic cups

Disposable cleaning supplies

Buying lottery tickets

Convience store drinks and food

Never use coupons

**MoonMommy** · 07-24-2008, 04:58 PM

I read somewhere that you can clean your whole house with real cheap things like vinegar, ammonia, and baking soda. No need to buy name brand cleaning supplies.

**itsahumanzoo** · 07-24-2008, 04:59 PM

Can I add one?

Be really hungry when you go!

**magnolia** · 07-24-2008, 05:06 PM

What?!? Lottery tickets are not a waste of money. That's my retirement plan!

j/k

Another thing to add to the list... bottled water.

**suebeehoney** · 07-24-2008, 05:18 PM

Here's a big one:

Take the kids and the spouse with you.

(obviously this does NOT apply to on-board frugal spouses and kids! It's mostly for the youngsters who are constantly saying "gimmee gimmee gimmee!")

**suebeehoney** · 07-24-2008, 05:19 PM

I've got another one -

Give in to the "but it's on sale!" voice in your head.

In my mind, if I don't have the money in my grocery budget that week, and I have to put off paying something else to stock up on that "bargain", then it's no bargain at all.

This doesn't apply if you have the money and can afford to stock up!

**staciah** · 07-24-2008, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by MoonMommy

I read somewhere that you can clean your whole house with real cheap things like vinegar, ammonia, and baking soda. No need to buy name brand cleaning supplies.

That is all I use. I buy these items in bulk too. 2 Gals of Vinegar for less than $4.00

**staciah** · 07-24-2008, 05:41 PM

Here are some more:

Buy cake and cookie mixes or buy the already made ones.

Buy canned soups.

Buy Lunchables and other single sized snacks.

**Mamaof2rugrats** · 07-24-2008, 06:21 PM

I agree with all of yall. I don't buy any of those things except the boxed cake mix. I just prefer it. I do only buy that generic and on sale though.
I clean with ammonia,vinegar,baking soda etc. I don't buy cleaners at all.
I personally think napkins and paper towels are a waste of money at the store. You can reuse rags but these things just get thrown right away.

**hippytreehugger4ever** · 07-24-2008, 06:54 PM

Bought a bunch of coupons off of E-Bay for Powerade. Like 80 of them. Store happened to have them on sale for $1, so I was like "cool, 80 free powerades". Oh wait, when you buy 10 you get a free case of water. That's right, I got 80 Powerades and 8 cases of water---FREE!!!!!!!!

Had a bunch of other freebie coupons, took up 3 carts overall. Went to check out and the total came to $206

Then about 15 minutes later after the coupons were all scanned I paid-------get ready for it------- $13.73. And catalinas adding up to $17.00 off my next order, and some catalinas for free products. And people think I'm the crazy coupon clipper lady......nah....

**Mamaof2rugrats** · 07-24-2008, 06:57 PM

Ya know I've never heard of or saw "catalinas"- Maybe not everywhere has them?

**hippytreehugger4ever** · 07-24-2008, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mamaof2rugrats

Ya know I've never heard of or saw "catalinas"- Maybe not everywhere has them?

Their coupons that spit out of this machine at certain stores when you check out. It's triggered by the products that you buy, most of the time trying to get you to switch from the brand that you just bought.

**Mamaof2rugrats** · 07-24-2008, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by hippytreehugger4ever

Their coupons that spit out of this machine at certain stores when you check out. It's triggered by the products that you buy, most of the time trying to get you to switch from the brand that you just bought.

Thanks. Don't think I've ever saw that actually.

**magnolia** · 07-24-2008, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by hippytreehugger4ever

Bought a bunch of coupons off of E-Bay for Powerade. Like 80 of them. Store happened to have them on sale for $1, so I was like "cool, 80 free powerades". Oh wait, when you buy 10 you get a free case of water. That's right, I got 80 Powerades and 8 cases of water---FREE!!!!!!!!

Had a bunch of other freebie coupons, took up 3 carts overall. Went to check out and the total came to $206

Then about 15 minutes later after the coupons were all scanned I paid-------get ready for it------- $13.73. And catalinas adding up to $17.00 off my next order, and some catalinas for free products. And people think I'm the crazy coupon clipper lady......nah....

Wowsers!!! Awesome job hippytreehugger4ever! You are my frugal hero of the day!

**cmdarlin** · 07-24-2008, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by hippytreehugger4ever

Bought a bunch of coupons off of E-Bay for Powerade. Like 80 of them. Store happened to have them on sale for $1, so I was like "cool, 80 free powerades". Oh wait, when you buy 10 you get a free case of water. That's right, I got 80 Powerades and 8 cases of water---FREE!!!!!!!!

Had a bunch of other freebie coupons, took up 3 carts overall. Went to check out and the total came to $206

Then about 15 minutes later after the coupons were all scanned I paid-------get ready for it------- $13.73. And catalinas adding up to $17.00 off my next order, and some catalinas for free products. And people think I'm the crazy coupon clipper lady......nah....

Ok.... I need to take lessons..... that's the kind of grocery bill I need! DH and I were impressed when we went shopping and I saved us about $25 on assorted items.

Debbie in Missouri