how to get grocery price lists?

**loria** · 05-31-2011, 01:43 PM

I have made a shopping list for when we get our groceries from Costco. I made it in an account book so there is columns for the item and how many we buy each time, checking off what we need (for when we run out of stuff or are getting ready for the trip), what we have put into the cart (for during the shopping trip) and price of the item.
I am looking for a way that I could get the prices into the column without having to write them all in, while at the store. I have 4 kids
(1y-7yrs) and am expecting. My husband will be taking over the shopping soon, and I want to give him cash for it. Otherwise he goes $100-200 over bugdet. I would like to make sure I give him the right amount of money (give or take $20 for increase in price). Is there any where online that I could find price lists for costo? I have checked their online store, but I cant find the items that I need there.
Thanks
Lori

**2ndGenGranola** · 05-31-2011, 02:31 PM

I really don't know of a way of doing it without writing it at the store or from your receipt unless you have some pretty good friends or family that will help you out.

**Gabe** · 05-31-2011, 03:11 PM

Where are you located and where do you shop beside Costco?

**loria** · 05-31-2011, 04:45 PM

we live in alberta canada, we only shop at costco, and our local co-op when we are not organized. i found a list but it is american. i did not keep the recepts from the last few months. but i suppose i could just send him with all the money the next couple times and make the list using recepts from those times.
I think i am the only one that shops there that i know.

**shoiji** · 06-01-2011, 10:44 AM

Try making a list using the costco website and their prices. This way you will atleast have an idea of the prices. Give the list with the price next to it to your husband with any coupons you might have. Tell him to only buy the item or substitute that item but only spend the price next to the item. This way you can keep on budget and your husband will know what to buy or how to substitute with a price guideline.

When he brings a receipt home you can start making a price list using a spreadsheet. Probably sounds like more work for you but in the long run you can keep on budget which is the most important thing. Since you already shop at costco you most likely know what good prices are for what you regularly purchase.

**Saule** · 06-04-2011, 09:32 PM

If Costco in Canada is like the US, almost nothing in stores is listed on their website, so that it's hard to get prices that way - especially for groceries. I think saving the receipts is about the only way.

**craftypam** · 06-05-2011, 12:21 AM

Saule,
Absolutely true. I even called them to complain about this. I wanted to know BEFORE I went to the store even if they had 2 items. You have to go to the store to find out. Sams club on the other hand does list what they have and how much it is on their website.

**loria** · 06-09-2011, 09:08 AM

thanks everyone for the advice on this one. I think you are right we will just have to go to the store. Hopfuly I can get in there soon, the van broke down on us and I only just now got it back. Lots of running around catching up on stuff to do!!

**loria** · 06-09-2011, 09:12 AM

I am going to take the book in with me and make sure hubby is there too, I will send him with a copy of the list and he can go shopping for all the stuff, while I fill in the prices on everything. Maybe I will see if I can drop some of the smallest kids off with grandma and grandpa and get our 6 and 7 year olds to help me. Good math practice for them I would think!

**Gabe** · 06-09-2011, 09:15 AM

Costco.ca: Offering thousands of items you won't find in your local Costco.

Has prices on their website. I imagine that it might have overlaps too.
I would check the item price and then proceed to go shopping at their location. If they don't carry what you need then get it from the coop if you really need it.

**NikoSan999** · 06-09-2011, 09:24 AM

ACK... you had posted this exactly while I was writing it...going to post anyway.

Bad thing is the prices are consistently going up every week on something and NOT by the 3 to 5% like they say.

For now if you can make one more longer trip to the store..
before you go make a price book with the stuff you know you will be buying...no price listed unless you're sure and also make a shopping list for hubby. It will give him the experience of shopping with a list and sticking to it instead of going hundreds over...you're there to make him put it back.

when you get to the store let hubby do the shopping with the shopping list while you work on the price book writing the prices in.

I don't have a Costco but understand it's pretty big..so it might take 2 trips. Maybe give him the kids one day and go either by yourself or with a friend...finish the pricebook in peace. Keep the book updated by the grocery receipts.

**loria** · 06-10-2011, 10:26 AM

Hubby got home to late for us to make it to costco last night, but we still got the shopping done at wal mart. Stayed under budget, so thats good, just hate that it costs so much more to go there. Hubby says that next time we go shopping at costco he will help me get the prices writen down, and that he would even write as many of them down as he could for me if he has to go on his own next time. It is getting realy hard for me to make that shopping trip.

**shoiji** · 06-10-2011, 06:53 PM

That is great your husband wants to write down the prices. This way he will be fully involved with the spending and will understand how to stay on budget.

**waterbaby77** · 06-11-2011, 05:19 AM

When I made a price book, I gathered a month's worth of receipts and then went through them and entered the prices in a notebook. Made a page for each item. For example, I would put ": green onions:" at the top of the page, and then three columns below for each of the stores. Then fill in from the receipt how much each item cost at that store.

Then figure out which store has the cheapest price on that item. When making the list for the husband for shopping, just tell him to get certain items from the store that sells them the cheapest.

**ChristinaWong** · 06-13-2011, 12:58 AM

I made my own, but for things I had no clue about I used Money Saving Mom's list which is free to download. It is not perfect, but it is at least a base line.

I hope that helps!
the site is moneysavingmom (dot) com (I have not posted 15 posts yet...sorry for the non-link!)