Wow great shopping! Wish I could get out grocery bill that low.
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Wow great shopping! Wish I could get out grocery bill that low.
Please share some tips on how to lower the grocery bill. I need to cut ours from $150 a week to $50 even lower if possible as we will be trying to live off of one income for a few months. Thanks in advance. You are a true inspiration :)
Amazing, I look forward to your update every month!
Thanks ChickyMamma! There's tips listed in the thread on a few pages..I'll find those for you for quick reference. But in a nut shell, I'm maxing out loyalty programs and alternate sources of money (Airmiles, HBC and SDM points, Swagbucks, consignment sales et al) to assist with costs. I also plan out my grocery lists each week BEFORE looking at the flyers, that way I'll first focus on sales/deals for what I really need and then add other deals I come by that weren't on the primary list. :cheesygrin:Quote:
Originally Posted by ChickyMamma
For several items I'll buy the brand I like best but have no problems switching to no-name or another store brand if the sale price is right. All depends on the item.
Most stores have in-store promotions/deals that aren't advertised in the flyer so when you're out shopping keep watch for those "talkers"/special sale shelf tags and Manager's Special price stickers. A welcome bonus if it's on stuff from your primary list! I was ecstatic to find that bacon deal at Food Basics!
If you have limited, I'd suggest:
1) Make your list! Stick to it while in store as best as possible.
2) Check your flyers bundle AND check SC for posts in the Deals,Flyers threads- SCers are great and pointing out deals you may first miss when reading flyers, or point out deals for stores that aren't in your area (thus no flyer in your bundle) but close enough that you could drive there and/or find price matching opportunities.
3) Organize your coupons to pair with deals and have fun shopping and saving!
It's work but it pays off faster than you'd think! All the best and feel free to ask more questions as you need...many SCers have posted here with great advice and tips. Even if it's a "is this a good deal?" question, ask away!
Thanks!!! Hoping to finish off the year strong!Quote:
Originally Posted by 2busyboys1tiredmom
One more tip ChickyMamma and others: FallenPixels had recently started a new thread which will be out weekly http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/244013-...0-28th-canada/
It will show all the produce/meat/grocery deals listed in flyers. It is a wiki thread so SCers can add to her master list in post #1.
This will no doubt cut down on the "price comparison" time since it's all in a nice list for you! Reps to FP!
A few more items on my weekly shopping list that I didn't get earlier this week; found more unexpected deals!
3x Blue Water Fish Filets @$3.50ea - 3x $1 coupons
1x 12 pk granola bars Nature Valley @ $3.97 - $1 coupon
3x Shrimp 3 for $5
1 bag small Red potatoes $1.99
1x Steaks (4pcs) $5.94
$18.46 total - $ made from consignment shop = $0 out of pocket!
Aside from milk and some more produce for the next week and a half, we're well stocked and I'm done! The sky can rain and pour as it wishes, I'm going to enjoy a nice Cafe Americano and catch some Netflix!
Oh and thanks to Swagbucks, I've just made my first remdemption for $5 Paypal cash!
have a great day everyone!
LOL! Just saw the No Frills flyer for this coming week... Their famous $1, $2, $3 sale! Well, I just said that I don't plan to do any more big shops for the rest of this month so I'll go in with blinders on and just get the few items I do need. Or maybe I'll send hubby! :lolsign:
Posted the October results! Soooo happy that we were able to use $150 in coupons, FPCs, MIRs, points et al to bring our $OOP down by more than 50%! Any month you can do that is a great month!
AND our savings ticker is moving along quite well...this little piggy will soon be overstuffed. Can't wait!
Great job! Loved your October OOP. I kept track of my Oct. as well. I don't have the details with me but I know I came in at $300!!!! My original budget before couponing $800. Then I cut it to $585 at the beginning of this year. Now this month $300!! Used quite a few GC's. Hoping to get better and better at this. Let's see how November works out. I used alot of my stash in Oct. So Nov. could be more expensive. But with the right deals and coupons you never know. I have quite a few gas cards coming in the mail so that will definately help.
coley3, what a super fabulous update! Great job on getting your budget and $OOP so low! Woohoo! Those gas cards are awesome and your rack up on SDM points was stellar. Even if November goes up, December could be a rockin' month of savings -just when we need it most! Keep it up my friend!Quote:
Originally Posted by coley3
Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Some of you have been awaiting my updates and I'm so sorry I wasn't updating in November... so much going on that month I logged in when I could but was hardly anything near organized! :lolsign:
I am, however, ecstatic to share our final tally for the year and it ended well!!!!! $77 and change for almost $375 worth of food items!
Thanks to Mega Redemption and other great coupons and offers in December we rocked the savings and filled our house with lots of goodies (and guilty pleasure snacks) for free, nearly free! And had more than enough to share with others as well. You all have been so fantastic to stick with me each month and also share your own stories. I'm doing a similar thread for 2012 and look forward to journeying together again!
Hubby used to chastise me for all my time on SC but he's now seen just how much my virtual bff's have impacted our budget lines for the better so he's :zip: now! :lolsign:
Thanks again to everyone for the great deals, coupons and brag threads - truly we couldn't have lowered our bills each month so well without your help. :flowers::flowers::flowers: Cheers to 2012!
I have also kept track of my monthly spending since I started couponing in June. I don't have as elaborate of a breakdown as you do since we didn't actually know what we used to spend monthly on miscelaneous except for groceries.
Family of 4:
AVG Weekly groceries before couponing: $170
AVG weekly groceries since started couponing: $95
Reason: switched to a more cost effective grocery store and stopped wasting and throwing out food, or buying too much perishable food. Also stocked up on all taxable household necessities like laundry soap, deodorant, t paste, t brushes, dish soap, dishwasher soap, feminine products, paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, etc... when they were on SUPER sale + use coupons. I have enough of most of these products for the next year or more.
I stopped impulse buying full priced items and try to never buy full priced item unless I ABSOLUTELY have to.
My DH is definitely on board now and supports my efforts.
I'm so thankful to this website and to people like you that share their insipiring stories.:flowers:
That is amazing...thanks for posting! You did amazing this year :)
Great job sma75! To lower your bill like that in six months is awesome, I'm sure your budget is thanking you! Yes, SC is amazing and I've learned A LOT...and still learning!Quote:
Originally Posted by sma75
All the best with your savings for 2012!
Thanks sarah_cio! It's been quite the adventure planning the shops and staying away from some when we had enough stuff on hand. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by sarah_cio
Tommorrow Ii'll grab my first freebie for 2012: Special K cereal! YAY!
Everyone has such awesome advice!! Awesome thread, and thank you for sharing. Last year, I re-discovered coupons, saved a decent amount. This year, I will better my savings, thanks to this thread and everyone on SC!! :flowers::flowers::flowers: