Shopping today...

**Telephus44** · 08-13-2008, 02:43 PM

....I took a day off from work (I had a wicked headache this morning, and after the last two and a half weeks of work craziness I needed a mental health day), so I was actually able to go out shopping today. Normally we either squeeze it in on Saturday mornings or run an odd errand during the week. But what an eye opener to spend all that money in one day!!

Good deals:
Brita Filters - $39.99 for 10 - coupon for $16 off 2 packages = $3.20 a piece. Grocery store they are 3 for $20. This will be enough to last us for at least 2-3 years.

Diapers - Walgreen has their brand on sale 2 jumbo packs for $12, and there's a $5/2 coupon in the Easy Saver catalogue, so 2 jumbo packs for $7. I used a $3 GC from rebates, and got a killer deal. I'm going to go back tomorrow night, I think. If anyone needs diapers, RUN TO WALGREENS!

Diapers - CVS has the Huggies on sale for $9 for a jumbo pack, I had $4.00 in coupons and got $5 ECB for buying $25 worth of diapers, and have a $3 rebate from Caregivers Marketplace - not as good as the Walgreens deal, but pretty good.

(FWIW, BJ's store brand diapers are $.187 each (size 5). The Walgreen deal was $.117 each and the CVS deal was $.167 each after rebate and ECB's)

I also hit up Trader Joe's for some needed groceries. Total spent was $136.04 today. It just seems like so much more when you're spending it all at once instead of $20 here, $30 there. I also picked up a new dustpan and brush and a windchime, but I was able to use GC's for those, so I'm not counting it as money spent.

So - just wondering - how do you normally do your shopping? Do you have a shopping day, or just do it as it comes up?

**missyali** · 08-13-2008, 03:06 PM

During the school year, I try and shop at Rite Aid on Mondays (story time night), CVS or walgreen's on Tuesday or Wednesday on my way into work, Thursday is Giant Eagle (on the way or way home, depending on quantity, weather and items needed). I do much better when I am alone because I can take my time and think

**The Muse** · 08-13-2008, 03:16 PM

I make my lists and organize coupons on Sunday for the coming week. I usually hit one store a day on my way to or from work. Target on Monday, Walgreens on Tuesday, groceries on Friday, etc.

**yankeegal** · 08-13-2008, 03:20 PM

I usually do all my shopping on Friday (payday) I am fortunate that all of the stores I shop at are located in one general area so that makes it a lot easier. During the summer month, when we get a lot of tourist traffic, I will try to do it on a Thursday-I hate shopping when you can't move-makes it harder to find all of those lower prices.

**frugalbabe** · 08-13-2008, 04:21 PM

Weekly I generally go to Wal-Mart (paper products and cleaners) and Winco (grocery) I try my very hardest to ditch the kids home with dad so I usually go sometime saturday. Now that school has started and I only have my two little guys I may change one of those shopping trips to like a Friday morning so I cut less into family time on our weekends. I am not a morning person at all but when I do get my act together and go out in the morning I much prefer it - so much less noise and chaos!

**angelbumpkin** · 08-13-2008, 04:59 PM

I try and shop one day a week and without anyone else. Saves time and money.

**Maine Girl** · 08-13-2008, 05:29 PM

I try to do it all in one day, but lately one day doing grocery and one at lunch running for deals at CVS.

**WV_mom_of2** · 08-13-2008, 05:53 PM

I do most of my shopping on Thursdays. That is when dh gets paid. This year I will be watching a friend's 18 month old on Thursday so I will probably switch to shopping on Friday! He's a great kid and in the past I have taken daycare kids with me, but I really like to take my time, research the deals,etc. and that's hard with a little one along!

**nuisance26** · 08-13-2008, 07:09 PM

~I shop one day every 2-3 weeks. I usually go on Sunday mornings because the grocery stores are deserted and the 'fun' stores are still closed. My dh is on vacation this week so I took a mental health day myself today and went to places I don't usually make time for on my grocery trips. I spent an hour in Goodwill and got a NWT sweater for $4 and 3 Calvin & Hobbes books for $1.50. Then I went over to Kohl's and used a coupon they'd sent me in the mail to get a $60 pair of New Balance running sneakers on closeout for $26 and after coupon I paid just $16. If anything comes up, DH picks it up on the way home from work. He does all the Aldi, Target and Walmart shopping and he loves doing it. We used to have me just do all the shopping every week but then DH would find some excuse to go to the store once or twice a week anyway and spend money that wasn't in the budget. He doesn't know it but I tricked him into being frugal by sending him to buy essentials. He spends MUCH less money on stupid stuff now. Did I answer the question or am I just rambling?

~

**Cricketlegs** · 08-13-2008, 11:27 PM

I try and do it all on one day with my route mapped out to save on gas.

I may go 3 times a month but with school starting back up I will be out the way I shop so that may change this year as I will drive by the grocery store EVERY morning and it is open 24/7.

Great deal on your diapers btw. My youngest is 12 so no diapers needed for many a year lol!

**Cricketlegs** · 08-13-2008, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

~I shop one day every 2-3 weeks. I usually go on Sunday mornings because the grocery stores are deserted and the 'fun' stores are still closed. My dh is on vacation this week so I took a mental health day myself today and went to places I don't usually make time for on my grocery trips. I spent an hour in Goodwill and got a NWT sweater for $4 and 3 Calvin & Hobbes books for $1.50. Then I went over to Kohl's and used a coupon they'd sent me in the mail to get a $60 pair of New Balance running sneakers on closeout for $26 and after coupon I paid just $16. If anything comes up, DH picks it up on the way home from work. He does all the Aldi, Target and Walmart shopping and he loves doing it. We used to have me just do all the shopping every week but then DH would find some excuse to go to the store once or twice a week anyway and spend money that wasn't in the budget. He doesn't know it but I tricked him into being frugal by sending him to buy essentials. He spends MUCH less money on stupid stuff now. Did I answer the question or am I just rambling?

~

I used my $10 kohls gift card they sent me just today finishing up dds school shopping and then we ran next door and watched the new Mummy movie--matinee of course!