Grocery Price Book

**3tomboys** · 07-26-2008, 09:22 PM

I have just started a price book (I have owned the second Tightwad Gazzette for years and I also purchased the complete TG when it came out, and I am finally making a price book) and I have a question. It seems that the grocery store circulars sometimes have some of the same products a few weeks apart as thier loss leaders. Say chicken breasts. They show up 1 week and then they are back a couple of weeks later. I was thinking that this should also be included in the price book, but I'm unsure if it should go on the same product page in my price book or if I should have a seperate section. Does anyone keep track of these sale prices and where do you keep them in your book? Also, do you find that there is a rotation of sorts on particular items?

**peanut** · 07-26-2008, 11:23 PM

I keep all the prices for one thing on the same page. I have an abbreviation system I use to note what store gives what prices. And I date each entry, so I can see if there's a repeating sale. If there is, I try to shop for that item on the sale weeks.

Hope that helps.

Jean

**Isaiahsmom91302** · 07-26-2008, 11:29 PM

Im sorry this might seem like a dumb question (newbie here) Do you put the cost for the item that it usually is at the store or the best sale price?

**3tomboys** · 07-27-2008, 11:10 AM

Isaiahsmom91302, I would have put your question in a quote, but I am also new at this and could not figure out how to do it. Something to work on. I have been putting the regular price for each store and I like Peanuts idea of dating everything and putting all the prices on one page including the sale prices. I will start doing this in my price book. I just started my price book last week and I am amazed at the differences in the prices at every store. A few cents here and there adds up!

**DonnainME** · 07-27-2008, 12:40 PM

I started making one but got SOOO busy and stopped. You have encouraged me to pick it back up and work on it again.

thanks.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 07-27-2008, 01:00 PM

I stopped doing one when I found the one place in town that had the best prices, that was Real Canadian Superstore. When I go, I use my grocery price book now to keep track of when it's the lowest price and when I can still get some even with it being a bit higher.

**cheapskate 49** · 07-27-2008, 01:17 PM

I used to do one years ago and then my dh took over the grocery shopping and I kinda didn't bother but thanks to this forum I am keeping track again....I shopped for cereal yesterday for a food bank I can't believe the price now,thank goodness I just eat oatmeal,I don't know how you folks with young kids can afford it,anyway I wrote it in the book and will have to watch for sales

**freebs** · 07-27-2008, 01:45 PM

i have had price books but with the ever increasing daily prices i have given mine up for awhile.

**3tomboys** · 07-27-2008, 04:37 PM

Peanut, Thank you for the suggestion of adding the date. I sat down and did this today, since my book isn't that large yet it didn't take to much time. I think that it will really help me start to see trends or call my attention to the items that are not always on sale.

**peanut** · 07-27-2008, 07:15 PM

You're welcome. I guess you all figured out what I meant. My page looks like this:

Store/date/brand/price

That way I can also track whether bulk is cheaper than a packaged product, or frozen cheaper than canned or fresh. It was what tipped me off to really check every season for changes in Canada. Salmon, in particular, can be cheaper canned, fresh or frozen, depending on the time of year it's being sold.

Jean