So I’m totally into the couponing/grocery sales thing right now. Inspired by Nancy and Ashley, I started following Southern Savers and Faithful Provisions to learn how to save money on my grocery bills every month. I would say I spend an extra 2 hours on grocery planning each week with this new (to me) method, but I find it worth my time.
I loathe buying anything at full price any more. Publix and Harris Teeter run so many buy-one-get-one sales that I can get many items I need for half price. For instance, the items I bought at half price during today’s grocery run include lean ground turkey, lasagna noodles, organic baby food, and turkey bacon.
Aside from the crazy money I have to spend on baby formula, I generally save 30-40% on my grocery bill by shopping the sales and clipping coupons. I buy what I can at half price or deeply discounted and then spend the rest of my budget on things that don’t go on crazy sales, usually organic produce.
Central to this method of grocery shopping is the ability to stock up on items when they are at a good price. I currently have three boxes of cereal in my basement because it was on BOGO sale. My freezer is filled with chicken and vegetables that were half price. I also have a decent assortment of snack food, much of it purchased during Harris Teeter’s super doubles promotions (when they double coupons under $1.98).
I know Kelly from Faithful Provisions uses a lot of her savings to purchase extra food that she can donate to food banks. Often she can find items for donation that are free after coupons and sales. I’m not quite that skilled yet, but I hope I’ll get there.
Another area that’s a bit beyond me is drugstore rebates. CVS and Walgreens often give cashback on future purchases as incentives on certain products, and I’ve heard that is the cheapest way to by cosmetics, medicine, and many household items. I’m not sure I’m ready to jump into that arena, though.
What about you? Do you have any grocery savings secrets? Do you work the drugstore rebate system? Are you embarrassed at how excited you get when the new Publix ad comes out each week? (Raising my hand….)
I have a friend who’s been listing her couponing exploits on Facebook regularly. She’ll have this pile of stuff–usually well over $50–that she’s paid under $10 for. Amazing. Sadly, I don’t have the storage space.
I plan to take advantage of cheap vegetables this summer (farmers markets and buying off of friends who are members of CSAs) and store up a lot of homemade baby food. I just wish I had an extra freezer! Instead, I’ll have to get very creative with the small space I have.