The Quest to Lower my $OOP for Groceries in 2011!

[2010ontest]

We're a family of 3!

As noted in many threads on SC, it's takes a bit of planning - and everyones "grocery number" is different...whatever works for you...hopefully the tips and stories in this thread will give you ideas to reach your goal.

thanks everyone for sharing here! great that we can inspire and help each other out in this way

OK we are 6 here... and yes everybody has his goal and food habit or love. I think that spending an average of 300$ per month here I'm happy and eat the food I like.

[$avvy$hopper]

OK we are 6 here... and yes everybody has his goal and food habit or love. I think that spending an average of 300$ per month here I'm happy and eat the food I like. But I just recently start to ask and use family adress for some promo like MIR, pepsi, stouffer's... So yes I have space to lower the cost more and stay happy with the kind of food I get

well, well, well, what a savvy shopper YOU are! Great job to keept it at $300 for 6 people. Looking forward to hearing more of your tips here too!

[$avvy$hopper]

Thanks to KellyC's tip that the 16 pk of waffles are $3.77 at wally's I headed there with my 4 x $2 Eggo coupies (expiring June 30)

Found more deals while checking the aisles and came away with:


4x Eggo waffles @ $3.77 - 4x $2 = $7.08
3x Minigo Yogourt@ $2 - 3x $1= $3 (thanks again for the raok carly and Mrsb07)
6x Gillette foam trial size @ $1.27- 2x $5wub3= +$2.38
1x Renee;s dresseing @ $2.97 - $2.50= $0.47
1x Hamburber Helper @ $1.67 (free with overage from gillette)
1x Lean Ground Beef $4 - $3= $1

Total before coupons: $37.34
Total $OOP: $9.83
(Just realized now, she must have put in a $2 coupon twice unless it's just my eyes...late night...oops!)

While putting my groceries through she asked where I got the coupons so I showed her the ones from cereal boxes, go coupons and Brandsaver. She was excited...when the receipt printed she took a quick look at it all and just laughed! I laughed too...and walked out proudly with breakfast, dinner and other goodies for 74% less than regular/sale price! Gotta love that!

[$avvy$hopper]

hey guys can't seem to change my post title anymore...will get a mod to help out with that.
i'm ecstatic because my stouffers promo coupons and $10 GC arrived last week, plus I have $20 in points on my PC MC to redeem for groceries! woohoo!
i'll soon post the July update and i think, i think i may have met goal to save $2500 this year...5 months early. will do those calculations later and see for sure.

so let's keep the discussion going...what have you done lately to keep that grocery bill in check?

[Shwa Girl]

i'll soon post the July update and i think, i think i may have met goal to save $2500 this year...5 months early. will do those calculations later and see for sure.

so let's keep the discussion going...what have you done lately to keep that grocery bill in check?

Holla!

That's great. You are an inspiration and a true savvy shopper!
Alls I did was get Purex at Zellers for $0.05 (coupon + SPC VIP) and free honey Shreddies.

If you have met your target, what's the next saving goal?

[KellyD]

Could you post tips on how you were able to save so much at once? I'd love to grow my stockpile but I'm just learning...

[Shwa Girl]

Could you post tips on how you were able to save so much at once? I'd love to grow my stockpile but I'm just learning...

Post #1
Used
free product coupons (see freebies tab above)
coupons
SPC VIP discount (10%) at various stores
Shoppers Drug Mart points on bonus redemption day (see SDM deals tab)
gift cards (Stouffers and Pepsi/Tostitos promos)
vouchers

[$avvy$hopper]

Holla!

That's great. You are an inspiration and a true savvy shopper!
Alls I did was get Purex at Zellers for $0.05 (coupon + SPC VIP) and free honey Shreddies.

If you have met your target, what's the next saving goal?

Aww, thanks Shwa Girl! Free Purex an Shreddies is awesome. I have yet to use my FPC for shreddies...have 8 boxes of cereal to go through before we need more! LOL

In other news........We did it! $2500 saved in under 7 months. Not just on groceries, just a mix of our everyday purchases; I posted a separate brag about it. Soooo excited. New target is $4000 by December!

I'm working on our budget today so will post my July groceries total soon!

[$avvy$hopper]

Could you post tips on how you were able to save so much at once? I'd love to grow my stockpile but I'm just learning...

Shwa Girl summed it up! Hope that helps...also others have shared tips in this thread on how they're cutting their grocery bills...let us know how you're doing or bounce ideas!

[ahatt]

I'm excited to see how you've done so far this month! We're at $162 so far, and we have a budget of $200/mth for 2 people. I'm trying and trying to get it lower
I got my last two GC's from the Pepsi/Quaker MIR, so I will be shopping with those tomorrow!

[$avvy$hopper]

Okay so not totally on $0.10 but at a discount all the same. I posted on here when i found chicken thighs on sale for $0.99/lb and a few SCers (ciel and Pouf) mentioned Chicken Cacciatore. To be honest, I'd heard of it but never eaten it. Welll, wouldn't you know, I checked my recipe cards and there it was. So off to my fridge and pantry stockpile I went

1) chicken thighs $1.94 (8 thighs in pack)
2) chicken stock- on hand
3) onion - on hand
4) diced tomatoes in can - $1.27
5) garlic and italian seasoning - on hand
6) pasta- on hand probably paid $0.88 when it was on sale
7) green bell pepper- RAOK'd from my mom! {hugs!}
8) margarine- free at Walmart using overages!
9) shredded mozza- consider a brick at $3.99 so pennies for the bit i used. didn't have romano or parmesan on hand...gotta add that to the list!

Recipe is super easy and my fam LOVED it! I also had enough to share with a friend and her hubby! Yep this recipe is a keeper!

Here's what it looked like (i was so proud i had to take a pic! seems kinda silly but hey, whatever makes me smile! )

[35angels]

Looks awesome! You will have to share the recipe.

[coley3]

Your supper looks delicious!
I actually made budget for July. I can't believe it. It doesn't happen often. This month August we have 3 mortgage payments and all the back to school stuff. So we will not be on budget but I hope we will not go into debt either. My husband is working extra this month in hopes to even things out a bit more money wise.
Sometimes budgeting sucks. LOL

[$avvy$hopper]

Looks awesome! You will have to share the recipe.

Your supper looks delicious!
I actually made budget for July. I can't believe it. It doesn't happen often. This month August we have 3 mortgage payments and all the back to school stuff. So we will not be on budget but I hope we will not go into debt either. My husband is working extra this month in hopes to even things out a bit more money wise.
Sometimes budgeting sucks. LOL

thanks for the compliments...i'll share recipe soon. Coley3, I'm so happy for you that you made budget!!!! WOOHOOO! definitely something to celebrate since we have our good and bad months despite all the organizing, budgeting, couponing et al. all the best for August and hoping u find some great back to school deals!

[$avvy$hopper]

July totals are added. How are you doing this month? Or, what's your plan for next month?

Happy budgeting and shopping friends!