Know your food costs: Track food costs for about a month so you get a fair idea of where your money is going. Divide the costs into necessary foods (bread, milk, eggs) and unnecessary food costs (cookies, soda, dips). You should also keep track of how often you eat out and those costs too.

Set a target: Do you want to cut $50, $100, more? Set a target then start thinking about how you can manage to meet that goal.

Make some decisions: After looking at your food bill costs, decide what’s necessary to keep and what can be tossed. For example, hummus is not a totally necessary food, but lots of people like it, and it’s healthier than say chips if you use it as a dip for whole wheat crackers or veggies. Soda or energy drinks or candy would all be better to cut. Don’t cut in access though which can lead to splurging.

Have a solid plan: Get a decent cookbook with low cost healthy meals and browse through. See what’s manageable and what’s not. Make your grocery list accordingly. Don’t buy stuff you won’t cook – you’re overshooting. Once you know some meals you will cook, make your grocery list, and when you go shopping don’t get other items – unless you see a killer sale on a healthy item, say black beans or veggies stick to that list.

Make the plan stick: Easy ways to make sure you stick to the plan include cooking in bulk and freezing meals – you’ll be less likely to impulse buy if you know you have dinner ready to go in the freezer. Eat dinner as a family. You can also shop while NOT hungry, and shop without the rest of the family, if that’s possible.

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

My coupon binder is so unorganized right now.  I haven’t clipped coupons in about a month.  This morning I spent about 30 minutes looking through coupons and clipping coupons.  Not a bad investment of time for the money saved.

Here’s a look at what I got today.  I spent about $21 but saved around $53.  That’s a savings of about 70% which is right on target for my triple coupon deals.

Heinz ketchup 32 oz $2.69
10/4 SS $.75 = $.44
*Smaller sizes are available for free, but this was a better deal for my family.

Betty Crocker Warm Delights $1.85
$.50 10/25 or 10/4 GM = $.35
*The two pack is available for $2.19.

Dial complete hand soap $2.25 reg
$2 sale, $.50q 10/4 SS = $.50

Windex cleaner $2.99 reg
$1.99 sale, $.55 tear off = $.34

Mueller’s noodles $1.49-$2.19 reg
$1.00-$1.50 sale, $.55 q off 2 from 10/4 SS = $.35-$.85 for 2

Fleischmann’s yeast $.99
$.40 q 10/4 SS = FREE

Skippy Peanut Butter 40 oz $5.99 reg
bogo sale $3, $.50 q 10/4 RP = $1.50

General Foods International Coffee Coolers $2.39
$.75 q 10/4 SS = $.14

Carnation Evaporated milk $1.25
$1 sale, $.50q off 2 11/1 RP, $.50 for 2

Prego spaghetti sauce $2.35
$.75q off 2 from 10/4 SS, $2.45 for 2

Chef Boyardee microwave bowls $1.29 reg
$1 sale, $.50q off 2 from 10/4 SS = $.80 for 2
also $.40q off 1 = FREE

Mazola olive oil cooking spray $2.99 reg
bogo sale, $1.50, $.50q 10/4 SS = FREE

Eggo waffles $2.35 – $.55q 10/4 RP = $.70

Pepperidge Farm garlic cheese toast $3.69 reg
$3 sale, $.60q = $1.20

Jimmy Dean D-Light bowls $3.19
$1.99 sale, $.55q RP = $.34

Kozy Shack pudding $3.29
bogo sale $1.64, $.35q 10/4 SS = $.59

Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, 6 pk
$2.50 – $.60q 11/1 SS = $.70

Nesquick single chocolate milk $1.69 – $.50q 11/1 = $.19

Coffee Mate flavored creamer 16 oz $2.39
$.50q on bottle or $.50 from 11/1 RP = $.89
(32 oz is $3.39 – $.50q = $1.89)

Sale items:

Martha White muffins, reg $1.19 each
bogo sale $.59 (I bought 4.)

Pillsbury flour $2.65-$2.95
$.99 sale (I bought 2.)

Campbell’s cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup $1.39 reg
bogo sale, 2/$1.39

Crisco oil $4.39
bogo sale $2.20 each

Other deals:

Fleischmann’s pizza yeast $.99
$.50 q 10/4 = FREE

Preggo Broth $2 sale – $.50 10/4 GM = $.50

Hormel Pepperoni $1.99 – $.50q 11/1 SS = $.49

Do you have any coupon match-ups to share?

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Track regular buys: I used to track all my grocery store buys, but that was EXTREME. It took a lot of time, although it did save me money. Instead make a list of the 20 or 30 items you buy most often and just track those. I.e. track bread costs at various markets you frequent so you know when you’re getting the best deal.

Locate bargain rack days: Most stores stock new goods on a regular schedule which means older goods hit the discount shelves on specific days as well. Ask around to find out which days your fave store slash prices on meat, muffins, and other perishable goods. Then hit the stores on those days.

Wear high heels or flip-flops: Well, not really but making yourself taller or shorter than average is smart. Stores place the most expensive products at eye level with lower cost versions of the same item (just different brands) higher and lower. Try not to buy anything that’s too easy to see.

Don’t go so extreme that you lose money: Dried beans rock when you consider price and health benefits, but did you know you have to soak those suckers for a good few hours (or even overnight) before cooking? Yes, if you buy goods like dried beans, non-instant rice, and cans of tomato paste for homemade sauce and use them correctly you’ll save lots BUT if you buy the cheapest option and then end up getting take out because those cheaper options take too long, you’ll lose much more. A smarter move is to be realistic and buy a ready made jar of sauce or cooked beans.

What extreme grocery tips do you have?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Rite Aid Deals for October 4-10 at Money Saving Mom

Rite Aid Deals for this week at Deal Seeking Mom

Food Lion Deals for September 30-October 6 at Thrifty Mommy

Target Deals for October 4-10 at iMommies

Dollar General Deals for September 30-October 11 at Bargain Briana

The CVS Weekly for October 4-10 at iMommies

CVS Deals for October 4-10 at Money Saving Mom

The Walgreens Weekly for October 4-10 at iMommies

Walgreens Deals for this week at Deal Seeking Mom

Free Snuggle Dryer Sheets from Family Dollar at Deal Seeking Mom

Meijer Deals at Bargain Briana

Hasbro and Playskool coupons at Saving Everyday

Also, I’ll take a brief moment to mention that I have a great giveaway going on for a $50 basket of school supplies. 

Which stores do you like best for bargain shopping?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Three days sale items:

Edy’s ice cream (reg $5.39) $1.99, limit 4
Scott or Cottonelle 12 roll bath tissue (reg $9.79-$9.99) $4.99, limit 4
Gain laundry detergent, 100 oz liquid or powder (reg $13.29) $7.99, limit 2
Bounty paper towels, 8=12 giant rolls (reg $14.59) $7.99, limit 2
Kraft shredded or chunk cheese, 8 oz (reg $2.79) bogo, limit 2 free
–These were supposed to be 2/$2.79 but they were ringing up 2/$2 at my Food Lion because they are also on sale for $2 the rest of the week.

Other sales until Tuesday:

boneless chicken breast fillets or tender $1.79/lb
10 lb bag Russet potatoes $1.99
Smithfield smoked bacon bogo, limit 2 free
General Mills cereal, select ones bogo, limit 2 free
50% off Smithfield center cut ham slices
Alpo prime cuts bogo, limit 2 free
Porterhouse or t-bone steaks $4.98/lb
boneless shoulder steak or roast $2.99/lb
Pillsbury Halloween ckae mix $.99
Pillsbury Halloween frosting $1.29
Barilla pasta 5/$5
Clorox bleach $1.75
Progresso soups 3/$4
Betty Crocker cake mix 10/$10
Campbell’s chicken noodle or tomato soup $.59
Keebler Chips Deluxe cookes bogo, limit 2 free
3 lb bag yellow onions $1.99
Food Lion chicken breasts or tenders, individually quick frozen, bogo limit 2 free
whole pork tenderloin $2.99/lb
Perdue Perfect Portions boneless chicken breasts $5.99
Contessa meals, bogo, limit 2 free
Freschetta pizza, $3.99 (There should be a $1 coupon at coupons.com.)
Gorton’s value pack fish, bogo, limit 2 free
Ore-Ida fries and potatoes 4/$10
Jif peanut butter 18 oz, 2/$4
Food Lion jumbo biscuits 5/$5
Thomas English muffins bogo, limit 2 free

Other:  My local Food Lion also had Luck’s beans for $.59/can and Food Lion beans 2/$.89. Now would be a good time to stock up on canned beans for the winter months.  Red Baron pizza was $3.99 and I had a $1 coupon.  I did not see these sales advertised in their paper. Also, if an item is 2/$4 you do not have to buy 2 of the item to get the sale price.  As always, you can combine a coupon with the sale for more savings.  Check your local store or online ad for specials in your area.

Do you shop at Food Lion?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Additional savings were earned from a $1 catalina that I received after my last purchase on Friday.  General Mills and Harris Teeter have a rebate savings going on right now.  I think if you purchase 3 Pillsbury products you get a $1 coupon/Catalina at the end of your purchase good on your next order.  I got one Wednesday after buying 3 Pillsbury Grand biscuits and then again Friday after the same purchase was made.  Then today I got a $5 rebate off my purchase for buying 15 General Mills products.  I didn’t realize I had purchased that many GM products this week, but I was glad for the extra savings.

This week I spent approximately $94 but I saved about $220.  I did get lots of things that I normally wouldn’t purchase unless they were free or really cheap.  I was able to stock our pantry with rice, dessert mixes, and some easy items for the freezer.  I also stocked our pantry with lots of canned vegetables. They were buy 2 get 3 free.  The kids will be excited about the junk food in the cabinets.  I’ll have to ration it out over the next month. 

The point of me telling you all this today is to encourage you that you can save a lot of money on your grocery bill.  It does take time, but it is so worth the savings!  I’ll say it again . . . Time is money and money is time.

Do you use coupons when you shop?

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Little did I realize that I had become patterned in my buying again and was no longer conscientious of egg prices.  Finally, this week when the price of large eggs went up once again, I looked around the shelves.  To my surprise, I noticed that extra large eggs were only four cents more!

I am a person that is constantly comparing prices so I was surprised that I had unawarely become a shopper of habit.  If this can happen to me, it can happen to you too.  How many times do we buy something out of habit without even realizing the cost?

My challenge to you this week is to get out of your shopping rut. Look around on the shelves before you buy.  Make sure you’re getting the best deals.

Are you a shopper of habit?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

While many items are still good for a while past their best by date, it’s important to get fresh products so that they’ll last longer and taste better.  If you like to stockpile groceries while they’re at rock bottom prices (or buy ahead), it’s especially important that you pay attention to the dates.  It doesn’t really help to save money if the products you buy go out of date before you can use them.

One way to get the best date is to look around on the shelves.  If you find an item that’s soon to expire, move the items around and look towards the back of the shelf.  Stores put the newer items at the back so that they can sell the older items first.

Honestly, there are some products that I don’t check the dates on.  These items are usually things with a long shelf life such as cereal, cookies, and canned goods. 

Items you should definitely check the dates on are:

• mayonnaise/Miracle Whip
• salad dressing
• cheese
• coffee creamers
• coffee
• premade foods
• medicines
• meat
• dairy products

Do you check the dates on the food while in the stores?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

3 day sale (Friday, Saturday, Sunday):

• 12 inch Food Lion self rising or thin crust pizza 5/$10, limit 5
• 5 oz Food Lion chunk light tuna 3/$1, limit 6
• 64 oz Food Lion apple juice $.99, limit 4
• 6-16 ct Food Lion ice cream sandwiches, bars, and cones 2/$3, limit 4

Other sales:

• 26-32 load Wisk laundry deterent (includes H-E) $2.99, limit 2
• 48 oz Edy’s ice cream buy 1 get 1 free, limit 2
• seedless grapes $.99/lb
• half boneless pork loin 50% off
• London broil or top round roast $1.99/lb
• General Mills cereals buy 1 get 1 free, limit 2 free (use $.75 coupon off 3)
• Betty Crocker fruit snakcs buy 1 get 1 free
• Green Giant vegetables buy 1 get 1 free, limit 6 free
• Hamburger Helper buy 1 get 1 free, limit 2 free (use $.75 coupon off 3)
• select Kellogg’s cereals buy 1 get 1 free (use $1/2 blinkie coupon), final price $2.29 for 2 boxes

Prices vary by location. Be sure to check the online ad for sales in your area.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

For the past few weeks, I have been looking for a great sale on hamburger meat.  I wasn’t able to find one but while I was cleaning out my van, I found my old coupon pouch.  I am so glad that I found it because inside it I found some rainchecks and one of them was for ground beef.  Hooray!

Yesterday I went to the grocery store.  I got 18+ pounds of hamburger, 3 pounds of boneless chicken breast, 6 cans of chicken noodle soup, 1 gallon of milk, some grapes and bananas and I only spent $32.  Oh yeah!  Gotta love those rainchecks.  The ground beef, chicken breasts, and soup were buy ahead/stockpile items. 

And here are a few tips for using rainchecks: 

• See if there is a limit on the item.
• Check to see if there is an expiration date on the raincheck.
• Try to find a coupon to match with the sale price of the raincheck.
• Give your cashier the raincheck before she rings up the item.
• Check your receipt before you leave to see that you were charged the correct price on each item.

Do you remember to get rainchecks?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy