First of all, my confession is that I used to think 1) store brand is the cheapest bet all around (either that or Walmart or Costco) 2) there aren't deals/coupons for things I actually use and 3) I don't have time for this. I was wrong on all 3 counts. Here is my process for grocery shopping that I have learned from my friends.
- Build a stockpile of coupons by buying multiple newspapers. In our area, there are 3 newspapers which each have a slightly different pack of coupons.
- Having multiple copies of coupons is beneficial. That way if something is 2/$3 and you have 2 dollar-off coupons, you get the items for 2/$1.
- Check out websites that have printable coupons such as
www.coupons.com,
www.smartsource.com. It also helps to follow blogs such as
www.moneysavingmom.com or
www.couponmom.com. These sites will also tell you what the best deals are so you don't have to figure it out for yourself.
- Organize coupons so that you know what you have. (I use a 3-ring binder with trading card inserts, divided into categories with each coupon displayed. )
- Get the store flyers from the grocery stores and drug stores. I only do Martins (Giant), Food Lion, and CVS. And occasionally Walmart when they actually send a flyer. Others do Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc.
- Learn your prices. You need to know what is a good bottom price for something in order to get a really good deal. This takes a while and you kind of have to have done a little research.
- Go through the store flyers noting anything you actually use. See if you have coupons that match up.
- Our Martins (Giant) has weeks where they give you $1 Coupon Doublers which give you $2 off an item. If you plan these correctly, you can get free items. Example: Wheat Thins and Triscuits were on sale 2/$4 and I had $1 coupons for each so they doubled to make the items free.
- You can also use coupons on items that are on the discount shelves.
- If something is Buy One, Get One, you can use 2 coupons, one for each item (even if the second one is free). Example: Ken's Marinades were B1G1 (total of 2.89); two $1 off coupons makes it .89 for both.
- When something is at its rock bottom price, stock up on it so that you never have to spend full price on it. Example: I got Barilla whole grain pasta on sale for .59 per box so I stocked up and won't need to buy pasta for months and months.
- It's a myth that Costco or Sam's Club is always the best price just because they sell in bulk. Example: Boneless chicken breasts are always $2.99 per lb at Costco. They frequently go on sale at the grocery store; I just stocked up at $1.88 per lb. It's hard to beat the formula and diaper prices at Costco, but I have gotten close.
- Even if you don't use an item, but can get it free or nearly free with coupons, buy it and start a stockpile of stuff to donate to the food bank.
I could go on and on...I guess that's why there are entire blog sites dedicated to this. Anyone have any other strategies to add?
