Do You Save Your Grocery Receipts?

**staceyy** · 11-23-2005, 10:53 AM

I used to throw my grocery receipts away ,but this past year I began saving them to use as tax deductions for a food business I've been thinking of starting. I'm no longer sure about starting the business but I'm now hooked on saving all receipts. There have been times in the past year when I came upon a refunding opportunity where I needed to send in my cash register receipt along with product UPC codes. In the past I would have missed out on the opportunity as I would have long ago thrown away the receipt. I also use the receipts to compile my price book, to check for errors, and recently I needed a receipt to prove I had purchased half & half cream at my local grocers that had gone bad. I also enjoy seeing what percentage I save using sales and coupons and I like to compare current receipts against past receipts to see how much food has gone up in price and how my savings now compare to past savings.

I'm curious as to whether others save their receipts and in what ways they are useful.

**Englishlady** · 11-23-2005, 11:20 AM

They are a good way of checking up on your own spending

You can go through them and see if there are things you can cut out or scale back on.

Keeping them for a period of time ( say a few months, will give you an idea of your own spendiing patterns) & THEN you can re-adjust accordingly.................

I actually find looking at other people's receipts quite enlightening in much the same way as peeking in other peoples shopping trolley's at the Supermarket

...............I know, I know, I really should get a life

**Mom23boys** · 11-23-2005, 11:24 AM

I save my receipts for rebates. I have a basket I keep them all in along with UPC's and rebate forms. I also like to see the percentage of my savings.

**bridge** · 11-23-2005, 06:08 PM

I save all reciepts for everything for 6 months

**Mojjo** · 11-23-2005, 08:15 PM

only for a year...i have all my receipts for the last year in a file cabinet. I have monthly hanging folders and they go in there. After the new year I'm going to attempt a price book.

**Michelle** · 11-23-2005, 08:35 PM

I'll be the oddball and say no, no I don't

**favesis37** · 11-24-2005, 01:10 AM

whew! i thought i was the only one who didn't save them!

**forestdale** · 11-24-2005, 01:33 AM

I save mine until I write in my price book, then I throw them away.

**hollyhill** · 11-24-2005, 02:02 AM

I save mine to donate to scouts and our youth group. The stores give them a gift certificate for every $10,000 in receipts.
Englishlady you are so funny!
I too have been guilty of eyeing other peoples grocery carts. I saw one the last time I was shopping that was full of such wonderful things like shrimp and deli spreads (they must have been having a party) etc. I just wanted to go and invite myself over to their place.

I think I am becoming overly preoccupied with food

.

**brainyblonde** · 11-24-2005, 12:28 PM

I save mine. I record prices in my price book, and will use the receipts for rebates.

I also like looking at my savings.

**Darlene** · 11-24-2005, 12:38 PM

I save mine to check off every month when my credit card bill comes in and for rebates.

Not grocery reciepts but I do save the reciepts from appliances and the like & attach them to owners manuals that I file. Nice to know where & when you bought something & never know when you'll need to show proof of ownership for repairs,etc.

**Telephus44** · 11-25-2005, 06:28 PM

I also save mine, mostly for rebates. The liquor store next to my grocery store puts out a lot of meat rebates that are CRT only.

Our grocery store gives you a running yearly total of "savings" at the bottom of each receipt - so far this year we've "saved" $1216.31.

**Telephus44** · 11-25-2005, 06:29 PM

I also save mine, mostly for rebates. The liquor store next to my grocery store puts out a lot of meat rebates that are CRT only.

Our grocery store gives you a running yearly total of "savings" at the bottom of each receipt - so far this year we've "saved" $1216.31 (and spent $1875)

**seadream** · 11-25-2005, 06:47 PM

I save mine since I do alot of rebates

**peanut** · 12-05-2005, 11:53 AM

I save mine. I do a synopsis of the year with my grocery receipts. I figure out how much I spent on meat, dairy, fruit, veggies, baking supplies, spices, junk food, beverages, etc. Certain categories I work hard at eliminating (junk food). Other totals can tell me whether it's worth my while to look at buying a side of beef or whatever.

My overall goal is to decrease my reliance on the grocery store as much as possible. So, for example, I grow herbs in the summer and found a cheaper place to buy them in winter.