DISCUSSION: That "unmentionable shopping" that us couponers do.

Haha, I'm talking about not using coupons!

Usually this is with things like DAIRY and PRODUCE or MEATS (we don't buy meat b/c of hunter friends and family).

This is a typical "OTHER" shopping week for myself:

Sometimes coupons come out, but I have not incl that in this list.


PRODUCE:Banana's:

I always get clearance bananas at GT they mark them down way before they go bad. They usually are just starting to get freckles.

$1 x2 = $2 Per week

Cucumbers:
$1 each.
$1 PW

Oranges:
$3.99
$3.99 PW

Broccoli:
$0.97 x2
$1.98 PW

Salad
$1 x2
$2.00 PW

GRAND TOTAL: $11 PER WEEK
There are other regulars we buy. Just not on a weekly basis.
-Grapes - Max $4 x2 PM
-Tomatoes - Max $2 PM
- Kiwi's - Max $1.99 bag x2 PM
- Carrots - Max $2 x2 PM
- Honeydew - Max $2 x 2 PM
- Watermelon - Max $6.99 - seasonal
- Cantelope - Max $1 x3 PM
- Celery - Max $1 x2 PM
- Potatoes - Max $5.99 x2 PM
And other things I can't think of off the top of my head.
We spend about $80 in product per month.
　
DAIRY:
x2 tubs of ICE CREAM (for guests) $2.49 each = $5 PW
x 2 - 4L COWS milk - $4.49 each = $10 PW
x 1 Hazelnut cream ( otherwise known as liquified coffee whitener) $3.99 PW
x 1 block aged cheese - $5.99 PW
x 4 tubs yogurt - $1 each = $4 PW
x 2 boxes imperial margarine slabs - $3.49 each = $7 PW (I buy these in major stock up when they go on sale - so I don't just buy them @ FP)
x 2 1-3L Juices - $2 = $4 PW
GRAND TOTAL $40 PER WEEK
　
That is all my items I buy without coupons. The rest I usually use coupons on. So I have not included that.
Other than produce and dairy we usually spend about $50 PER WEEK on everything else.
　
　
GRAND GRAND TOTAL
ALL WE SPEND PER WEEK:
ABOUT $100.00 PER WEEK.
　
($400 per month)




How about yourself?
How do you do your "OTHER" shopping?
Do you ehh, wear a hat in the hopes that nobody will see you paying that "not so coupon" money?
How much do you usually spend per week or per month?

Most of my shopping is 'other' I guess, I buy it as I need it mostly. I stick with produce on sale unless I 'need' it. I shop almost entirely at one store (close to work, and I use buses). I also only buy for myself, when I was pseudo living at my bf's I'd buy his too, but not anymore.

I buy bagels as I need them, I figure even a pkg. full price is cheaper than grabbing one at Tim's every morning (I leave mine at work and make when I get in).

If cheese isn't on sale when I need it, I do without. I can't over buy since *someone* in my house will eat it all, if they eat one brick I'll be pissed but it'd only be a loss of 4$ (don't ask). As far as other dairy goes, I'm lactose intolerant, so I don't drink milk or eat ice cream. I buy sour cream often for fajita's or quesadilla's.

I really can't think of much I buy that really has a coupon, they don't really make them for tofu, I'm stocked until next year on pasta. And I'm still working on a stock of HABA products from almost two years ago...

I've earmarked 300$ but that also includes picking things up on the way to a friends/bf's to make dinner there (still cheaper than eating out!).

We don't have a Price Warehouse here, but we do take advantage of price wars on produce.:P

Giant Tiger is a good place for bananas - price comparable to Costco, and no membership fee.

Some price wars that have seen are:
*English cucumbers 3/$2.00 (RCSS)
*bag salad $2.99 - $2.00 rip and stick coupon + 5 bonus Air Miles mailed coupon (Metro)
*grapes $0.77/lb
*tomatoes $2.75 per basket (love harvest time in ON)
* watermelon $1.99 in season
*celery $0.77
*rapini $0.99 (regular $2.50)
* baby bok choy $0.79/lb in season

For the non-produce items
* ice cream $1.77/tub or box (No Frills, "blow out" price)
* milk $1 - $1 coupon (Loblaws, Freshco)
* Eggs 3/$5 or $1.67 (Loblaws)
* Kraft/Black Diamond/PC Blue Menu (low fat) cheese $ 2.99/500g (No Frills/Loblaws) minus $0.75 coupon
* Yoptimal yogurt $1.99 - $1.00 coupon (Food Basics/Freshco/No Frills)
* frozen orange juice $0.99 (Loblaws/No Frills/Food Basics/Freshco)

Nice thread, OP.

In the autumn, selected Ontario produce can be very cheaply had in large quantity bags/baskets.

You can get 10 lb bags of carrots, beets, apples, and more for a fraction of the usual price.

Baskets of Ontario grown grapes, peaches, nectarines, plums and more can be purchased at good prices.

If you are willing to roll up your sleeves to work, special deals can be obtained at pick-your-own prices.
I have also made arrangements to barter work for organic produce at harvest time.
I got more than $1200 in fresh organic produce!

Like lekate, most of our food shopping is 'other'

We have a farmers market near us as well as several small market stores about 5-10 mins walk from the market, so they compete for prices so some stuff has great prices there and very fresh so it lasts longer. Mushrooms for example were $1.69/lb - a bit cheaper than the $1ish sales lately on 6oz containers but fresh and not wrapped in plastic sweating so last twice as long. Others are more expensive so I get them at grocery stores

As far as veg, we by whatever is on sale - if that is broccoli one week, we eat that most nights, if its something else, then that

Carrots and onions are always on sale somewhere

Potatoes are always cheap somewhere too (I don't think I have ever paid $5.99 for a bag, maybe a big sack but with 2 of us we wouldnt use them in time)

We spend about 60 a week on groceries, mostly chicken and veg, milk, cheese if on sale, etc - that includes stocking up on something on sale

Typical shopping for a week (averaged over what I buy for 2 weeks)
Broccoli 2 x 0.97
Celery 1 x $0.88
Lettuce 2 x $1
Onions $1
Carrots $1
Potatoes $1-2
Pasta $1
Tomatoes $2
Canned Tomatoes for sauces $2
Chicken $10
Other meat $5-10
Cheese $4
Frozen Veg $2-3
Bread $3
Then other stuff depending on our meal plan for the week

I noticed that most of the people in this thread are from the East... we have quite a bit higher prices here.
For cheese I buy the cracker barrell blocks 700g for $8 (this is a super good sale price for cheese). I will buy A LOT as it doesn't expire for months. As for produce, I will pay any price as to me eating healthy is more important than saving a few dollars, that being said I try to shop at RCSS where the prices are better. I buy strawberries, lettuce, peas, tomatoes and other veggies every week. However, certain veg like asparagus or green beans are on sale-$1.99/lb I buy them.
I think we all do the best we can and if we can avoid impulse buys we will be saving our families lots of money. The best advice for going grocery shopping I find is go with a list! You will save tons that way alone!
great thread OP!

.

I agree with most of the above, most of my weekly groceries goes towards non-couponables (or rarely-couponables). I love that since I've started using coupons and being more aware of sales and cycles that I can stockpile on both food and non-food for LESS money, even thought I often only use <10$ in coupons per trip (sometimes less!).

Produce I AIM for less than 1$ per pound for most things. Grapes 1.99 is my buying price, apples better be less than 1$, broccoli less than 1.40$ and cauliflower less than 2$. Milk is always cheapest at SDM (4.29) unless it's on sale somewhere, so that's where I grab it. Butter I'll grab at 2.88$, but I have like 7 bricks in my freezer. I do most of my shopping at FreshCo because they price match and their customer service is off the hook (for me, anyways! :)) Meat I don't usually price shop, but I've recently started, so we'll see how that works out. We normally just buy the butchery stuff whenever we need it, more if it's cheaper. Deli meats I buy the "naturals" types, at less that 3$ per package.

I try not to obsess over my non-couponing purchases.

I buy all my fruit and vegetables at a local stand. They are open all year-round which is really great. I probably spend about $20 a week (on a week I need to get all items) or less on weeks I just need a couple of things.
I like the idea of supporting a local business, and I buy local produce there when it is available.

I can't find coupons for things like Ketchup, or butter, or bacon. I just buy things when I need them, because if I don't (trying to wait for the next sale/coupon combo) the DH goes out and gets it.... and he does NOT care about prices, which totally bothers me, lol.

This time of year is great for getting local fruits and veggies. The farmer's markets in Durham Region are opening this month. There is even a farmer's market at the Oshawa Center shopping mall.
You can even try Emu or ostrich eggs if you like:omg:
http://www.informdurham.com/record/OSH0181

I like to go to our local farmers market fot our porkchops and free range eggs. But in the store I can still get vegetables using coupons, ie.. if I purchase 2 boxes nutri-grain cereal bars, I get 1 bag of apples free. If I purchase 2 bottles V-8, then I get $.100 off my fresh produce. I purchase size bottle Pam, I get $2.00 off any package of fresh meat which I use on reduced meat, AND I have a $1.00 off the bottle of Pam. So that unmentionable shopping can be done with out too much pain

This is a really interesting post. I appreciate you bringing this topic up, because you are absolutely right, I am somewhat embarrassed as an avid couponer to even mention the amount of money I spend on other items. I think you are on to something with this, after reading this post, I'm definently going to be closely monitoring all of my "unmentionable purchases" from now on! :lol:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pamjcoupon

I noticed that most of the people in this thread are from the East... we have quite a bit higher prices here.
For cheese I buy the cracker barrell blocks 700g for $8 (this is a super good sale price for cheese). I will buy A LOT as it doesn't expire for months. As for produce, I will pay any price as to me eating healthy is more important than saving a few dollars, that being said I try to shop at RCSS where the prices are better. I buy strawberries, lettuce, peas, tomatoes and other veggies every week. However, certain veg like asparagus or green beans are on sale-$1.99/lb I buy them.
I think we all do the best we can and if we can avoid impulse buys we will be saving our families lots of money. The best advice for going grocery shopping I find is go with a list! You will save tons that way alone!
great thread OP!

---

Wow! Ugly price on cheese. The Black Diamond usually goes on sale here(Ontario) for $4.44(-75/1.00 coupon). When it goes on sale I buy a lot of cheese. Did you know you can freeze it? When its thawed, its not good for slicing for cheese and crackers or a cheese tray....BUT if you cook with it, shred it for tacos or salads, melt it on anything it is absolutely perfect.

Another item in my freezer... Cream. Just shake it REALLY REALLY good before using it and its perfect too.

I try to buy what is on sale or in season. It helps keep the price down. And one more tip and then I am done.(I really hope I'm not coming across as "all knowing"--I'm trying to be helpful).

When peppers are on for a cheap price. BUY LOTS. Take them home. Seed them. Cut into slices/pieces/whatever and freeze them. You can't make a veggie platter with them.. but you sure can cook with them. They last for about 4 months. You can do the same with onions too.

I think I'm a freezer junkie ;)

thanks for the tips. I did know about cheese as I do that for cheese for pizza, but not the veggies!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pumpkin9211

Wow! Ugly price on cheese. The Black Diamond usually goes on sale here(Ontario) for $4.44(-75/1.00 coupon). When it goes on sale I buy a lot of cheese. Did you know you can freeze it? When its thawed, its not good for slicing for cheese and crackers or a cheese tray....BUT if you cook with it, shred it for tacos or salads, melt it on anything it is absolutely perfect.

Another item in my freezer... Cream. Just shake it REALLY REALLY good before using it and its perfect too.

I try to buy what is on sale or in season. It helps keep the price down. And one more tip and then I am done.(I really hope I'm not coming across as "all knowing"--I'm trying to be helpful).

When peppers are on for a cheap price. BUY LOTS. Take them home. Seed them. Cut into slices/pieces/whatever and freeze them. You can't make a veggie platter with them.. but you sure can cook with them. They last for about 4 months. You can do the same with onions too.

I think I'm a freezer junkie ;)

---