Wondering how others keep track of prices

[DeeBuck]

I have been out of couponing for a while, but because of recent life changes I need to go back to a $50 per week grocery budget. I was wondering what other people use to keep track of how much they like to spend. Example not more than $0.88 on ragu pasta sauce. Do you keep spead sheets a list. Any ideas or tips. thanks a ton


* coley3

there are three of us right now but we will have a new family member in August. Also we get free beef, eggs, and milk from the farm.

[coley3]

Is it just you or do you have others to shop for as well. Because $50 might be tight per week unless you have some of a stockpile already. However never fear as an SC'er we will have you fixed up in no time.

I don't have a spreadsheet. Because I don't know how to use one. LOL. But I know prices in my head. However you are on ON (?) and your prices are so much cheaper. So I won't be much help I don't think. I buy Ragu when its .99. Not sure I have seen it lower. I will see what others say first and chime in again later. Glad to have you back

[lecale]

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[ahatt]

I have an excel sheet where I keep track of the lowest prices I've seen for items we buy often. I also have a comparison to items we can get at Costco vs grocery store.

[Natalka]

Like coley, it's just in my head.
(even though I can use a spreadsheet, lol)

[joandstef]

This is what I do...

I grocery shop twice a week for fruit, veg, meat, etc. We don't eat frozen foods so it is really easy for me.
I shop at FreshCo and Metro 90% of the time as their prices are lower than other stores. I may go to Loblaws but only if there is something on sale.

For the fruit, veg, meats, I buy whatever is on sale. For example, last week Freshco had chicken thighs for 1.88/lb. We had chicken the whole week. I use the chicken for tacos, on top of salads, sandwiches, and as mains. If apples are $1.49 lbs but pears are $1.29 lbs, I'll buy pears.

For prices, I review the flyers and most of the time I just know certain things are good deals. For example, DH likes Simply Orange juice. If the big jug is on sale for $4.99 I'll pick up a jug. But I have seen the jugs go on sale for as low as $3.99 - in which case I'll buy 2. And before the sale ends, I'll go back and buy another! After a couple of weeks, you get to know the prices of the things you buy on a regular basis. I don't have a spreadsheet - it's just in my head.

I spend about $60 a week for 2 adults. Sometimes even less. Hope that helps

[lecale]

.

[coupon girl]

like natalka and joandstef its all in my head -which is fine by me -I have been stocking up for 20 some odd years so I know the cheapest prices out there usually

[sweetmomma]

I do mental math as well but a spreadsheet is great for tracking your habits/patterns and getting in the swing of things.

[d.ot]

wow you're super organized lecale! I love looking at spreadsheets !

I find that we typically buy the same staples week after week (or every 2 weeks). I suggest browsing through flyers to get an idea of what types of deals are out there. You can also browse salewhale online for specific products and see the price discrepancies. After awhile you will have an idea of how much an item should cost and what's a good deal for you.

For instance, I will hold out on pasta until it's 88 cents or less. Sometimes you can get it free with coupons. As for sauces, the ones in the cans are always cheaper than the ones in jars. But you'll need to add your own seasonings for taste (very minor cost). If you have a Walmart that price matches near you, even better! One stop shop with mucho savings on gas/time. Planning is key though!

[Anna Michele]

I also have it in my head but i keep meaning to make a chart of stock up prices and one day i will

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[4smartsavings]

orange juice-1.99
chicen whole(excedor) 1.49 (coupon 2$ printable)
chicken breasts 2.99/lb
Silk Soya-$3.00-3.49-(coupon 2$ printable)
Oranges 10/$2.00
lettuce 0.79
Armstrong cheese 4.44-(coupon$1.00)
milk lactantia 2% $3.57-coupon $1.00 or $0.75)
eggs 1.49
Crest toothpaste or brush 0.99(never pay for it It is free with coupon)
Barilla pasta-often at 0.99 (coupon 0.50-0.75
English cucumber ? usually 0.79 butlast week i got 3for 0.99

[4smartsavings]

All the prices are in the head. After a while you will remember.

[Chantel]

Most of it is mental for me, to know what the lower prices are. But the biggest trick for me when trying to budget and get the most out of my money is save every penny you don't spend. If you come in at $48 one week, put that $2 in a jar. Save it. Then when something comes along, like say a big clearance deal on something you like, you have the cushion in your budget to stock up.

[cinpow]

i m not an organize person, so I don't have any form of organization for my coupons or keeping track of prices for items, but for stuff that I get weekly, i m able to remember their prices in my head. like if you ask me what the cheapest garlic I can tell you is $1 for 8. banana $.29/lb, yam $.29lb, onion $1 for 10lbs...etc.....