A couple of ideas for cutting your grocery bill

[Frugal Doug]

I've read experts who say that the biggest mistake people make when shopping is their attitude. These people say you should never shop before breakfast, lunch or dinner when you are at your hungriest. The simple fact is that you always buy more when you're hungry.

You should also avoid shopping when you're tired or angry these experts say as you're more likely to reach for those expensive snack foods and other such goodies. These experts feel that when you're tired, you try to get more energy through food. You're more likely to grab the wrong choices -- more sweets, more high carbohydrates.

Another way to save money on your groceries is to buy only groceries at the grocery store. It's tempting to buy other nonfood items such as painkillers, school supplies or batteries at the grocery store because it's just so darn convenient. However, in many cases you will pay almost twice as much for these items as you would if you go to a discount store.

Frugal Doug

[frugalfarmwife]

Also MAKE A LIST!

And I always eat before I go.

And most important, lol, I NEVER EVER TAKE THE HUBBY!! It's AMAZING what ends up in the cart when I take him, sigh

kj

[CoCo]

Ask the meat manager when they mark down the meat. I have been getting meat( nice beef and chicken breasts that sell in the fresh case for over $3.59 per lb) for the6 months for under $1.80 lb. I pays to ask!!!!

[Holly]

Just ask Fugal Villagers _ They know more than the experts.
I never listen to Experts, Who told them they were Experts?
We're Experts because we have to be.
They just have expert put on a job
handle....
As mom always said. Who died and made them Experts.
Sorry couldn't help myself... ( Its the weather )

[freyadog]

great tips. gonna bump this to keep it going.

[frugalfarmwife]

Just ask Fugal Villagers _ They know more than the experts.
I never listen to Experts, Who told them they were Experts?
We're Experts because we have to be.
They just have expert put on a job
handle....
As mom always said. Who died and made them Experts.
Sorry couldn't help myself... ( Its the weather )

LOL, the weather is getting to a few of us isn't it?


We got our education from the school of hard knocks, dontcha know?

kj

[cab54]

That's one of the biggest mistakes I used to make--buying non food items at the grocery. WOW. You can spend 2X as much at the grocery for stuff like Ibuprofen, etc.

I can agree attitude is key. How many times have I gone into a store and thought -- "I deserve (fill in the blank). I do all of this work (fill in the blank), and should treat myself!" ?

I have to go when I'm thinking "I am this store's biggest nightmare. I am armed with ads and coupons and plan on spending as little as possible! I will not be swayed by temptations, displays, or fluff!" "I am on a mission from God!"

[forHISglory]

My tip goes along with making a list. Make a menu. Then make the list off the menu. That way I buy specifically for a purpose, and not randomly.

I don't mind dented cans, so I check those bins and racks regularly. The drastically reduced prices there allow me to try a food that I might not otherwise try. So while they aren't on the list, a low price might help me learn to like something new.

[Jskell911]

And most important, lol, I NEVER EVER TAKE THE HUBBY!! It's AMAZING what ends up in the cart when I take him, sigh

kj

So So True! I just CANNOT tell him no you can't get that.....

[frugalfriend]

And most important, lol, I NEVER EVER TAKE THE HUBBY!! It's AMAZING what ends up in the cart when I take him, sigh kj

AND . . . never send him (unless you're desperate!) to pick up JUST milk or a couple items! Mine almost always comes home with extra, expensive stuff!! Grrr!

[frugalfarmwife]

AND . . . never send him (unless you're desperate!) to pick up JUST milk or a couple items! Mine almost always comes home with extra, expensive stuff!! Grrr!

SO TRUE!!!

Mine is also known for doing things like playing with cans on the conveyor belt, sigh, or trying to look underneath to see the "inner workings" of the conveyer. Never a dull moment with him:surprise:

kj

[Mamaw]

Better yet...marry a Save a lot store manager. They really, really do know the lowest price for everything! LOL

[Neeley]

All great tips!!!

I am the opposite about the hubbie though. My biggie is I do take DH with me and the kids. He is the coupon king and will climb a mountain to save a buck (one of the advantages to being married to a tightwad CPA *ha-ha*). He and DS can sniff out a good deal like a bloodhound. I am lucky, I guess. He has never added extras to the cart. He makes a big deal about me adding something when I accidentally forget to put it on the list before hand.

Another thing I do with my grocery list is price it out. As I add items to it throughout the week I write how much each costs. If I put eggs on it, I put $3 next to it. Then I add it all up before I go to the store so I have a general idea of what I will be spending. If a price has changed since my last shopping trip, I change it on the list as I shop and adjust the total. The total I have written down is normally within a dollar or two. The closest my projected total has ever been to the real total was $0.38 and the farthest off was $6.14 (and that was not my fault - I contribute it to the produce scales not weighing accurately *lol*)

We have one of us watch the items as they scan to make sure they ring up correctly and stop the cashier when they don't.

We count how many coupons we are using before we give them to the cashier. One of us counts them as they are deducted and the other watches and makes sure the amount is deducted and not added back (we have had it happen before with a certain company's coupons).

Always take a calculator with us and have the kids figure out the unit prices when deciding which is a better deal. Normally he and I already know, but we take advantage of the situation to reinforce math skills.

[perSue]

Originally Posted by frugalfriend

AND . . . never send him (unless you're desperate!) to pick up JUST milk or a couple items! Mine almost always comes home with extra, expensive stuff!! Grrr!

Ya know... I think they must think of it as a playground or something.
ESPECIALLY if you send 'em alone.
"Look at me! I got outta the house alone this time! What can I do now?"

[frugalfriend]

SO TRUE!!!

Mine is also known for doing things like playing with cans on the conveyor belt, sigh, or trying to look underneath to see the "inner workings" of the conveyer. Never a dull moment with him:surprise:

kj

ROFL!!!!