I am going to be doing the grocery shopping and cooking etc for the 4 of us from now on. DH and I are moving in with my daughter and grandson at the end of the month and that will be my thing. Since we are not going to be working at a restaurant anymore, we will be eating meals that I actually have to cook, LOL. I know it is going to be a shock when I start shopping for the 4 of us and I would like to be at least a little prepared! For so many years it was a household of 2 and we didn't cook much. Any tips on saving $$$?
Thanks so much!
Cathie
1|1|Here are my thoughts/tips inside...|Skaytes|skaytez@gmail.com|19:34:52|06/15/2018|
I am on a limited income so watch every penny. I scan the ads and shop sales and use as much coupons with sales as I can. Make lists for each store and write what you are wanting there and if it has a coupon but "cpn" beside it..use a paper clip to clip your coupons to your list to take with you if you don't have a binder etc. Find out what time your local stores (usually in the early mornings) they put out marked down meat out. I NEVER buy marked down pork..can be 'iffy'..however beef hangs in lockers for months for a great steak at famous places etc. I always look to see what is marked down..get some great deals on that! I also try to stock pile things so I don't have to shop each week. Takes awhile to get ahead but I just did it a bit at a time till I got ahead and try to stay ahead. If I don't go in a store I am not tempted to buy stuff :)
Aldi's is great for a LOT of things...much cheaper than any regular grocery stores for vast majority of things. Again..check ads and you can check theirs a week ahead online as well. They don't take coupons but again most things are cheaper there anyway. I also want to say that Aldi's organic bananas last a LOT longer than regular ones whether you buy them there or elsewhere so I buy those when I go to Aldi as well.
I do go to Dollar General for my Angel Soft usually as I get get 12 pk for $5.00 and that is cheapest place around here to get it. They do take coupons as well. I have to buy that for septic tank...most anything else is too thick and doesn't break down well but we like it though so that's a plus.
Try to plan out your menu's for a couple weeks at a time once you get going. Use what you have on hand or what is one sale and you can really save a lot of money..just takes a bit of time and planning etc.
You can do a google and type in printable monthly meal planner templates as well as cook ahead for a month information. (things like lasagne and so forth make double batches and freeze ahead) I used to take a Sunday and just cook all day to get as much cooked and froze when my kids were growing up so that all I had to do was grab something from the freezer and cook it during the week since I worked such long hours. Sure helped alot! Fresh produce is coming in season soon...you can freeze that as well ahead..like corn and zucchini etc.
2|2|Thanks Kathy!! Awesome info that will really help me! Hoping Jodie will meet me to go blueberry picking!|Mackiesmudder|Mackiesmudder@aol.com|22:49:25|06/15/2018|
Not gonna be too far from her and though I don't know the "lay of the land" yet I think the blueberry farms in South Jersey are between us. I intend to freeze a ton of those for the winter. Thanks so much for your awesome input! 3|3|U R welcome and you can also...|Skaytes|skaytez@gmail.com|06:13:31|06/17/2018|
do a Google for printable grocery list and that might help you with organizing what you need each week. There are a number of them available so you can check to see which you like best. Anything else I can help with just lmk and happy to do so. Have a blessed day! 4|3|I will!|BusterBrown|srfreezerqueen@hotmail.com|15:52:14|06/17/2018|
Can not wait til you are closer 5|4|Me too Jodie!! I can't wait!!|Mackiesmudder|Mackiesmudder@aol.com|01:45:04|06/18/2018|
C 6|1|Walmart Savings Catcher|ligera|lyn789@yahoo.com|21:26:26|06/19/2018|
I don't know if you've heard of this program (or maybe you're already using it) but you enter your receipts online at savingscatcher.Walmart.com and they will automatically price match all of the stores' ads in your area and give you the difference if any of your items was on sale. 8|2|WM Savings Catcher|tommycat|lpetz6@outlook.com|14:49:22|06/30/2018|
I thought that ended.
9|3|still going|ligera|lyn789@yahoo.com|23:03:51|06/30/2018|
I entered receipts yesterday and got some money back today. 7|1|a few tips....|rkr845|rkr845@yahoo.com|01:14:19|06/30/2018|
If you have a Meijer local, watch for their 10 for $10, get the 11th free sales. Great stock up prices on some items! Items go on sale in cycles so having a large freezer will be best. When you get to noticing the "stockable" items you go through most, make a list (with the best/lowest prices) so you know when to buy when they go on sale. Download apps like ibotta, Dollar General, Meijer mperks, etc if you have a smartphone (you can do mperks on a computer too if you don't have a smartphone) & take advantage of any and all programs that offer digital coupons and special offers. (FYI - you can even get awesome freebies for everyone in the household by googling birthday freebies.) Shop for paper products, etc @ Dollar General on Saturday and make sure to use the app to click the $5 off $25 purchase on top of any other coupons on the app (you just have to make sure your total at the end is still $25 before the $5 for $25 is taken off). You can really rack off some savings.