Something I have decided to implement this New Year is a more frugal way of living. And in my
journey to become frugal, I plan to share my tips that I’ve learned and try, on to you!
I think with the economy like it is right now, it would be in ALL of our best interest to find ways to save money. With that said……..
Coupons and Comparisons
- 1. Use Coupons! A big ol’ duh but you really should! I have even added a cool widget to my sidebar and each post so that you can print right from there! SO COOL and I’ve printed a whopping 12 today!
- 2. Watch for rebates or freebies with minimum store purchases. Two great places to find out more about this stuff are Deal Seeking Mom & Kingdom First Mom, two friends of mine who know how to SAVE YOU MONEY!
- 3. Check your newspapers and flyers for additional coupons.
- 4. Only use coupons for items you would buy anyway!! Just because there’s a coupon for it, doesn’t mean you should buy it.
- 6. Stock up on sale products when you can.
- 7. Be on the lookout for unadvertised specials and trust me, they are there!
- 8. Get a rain check if the sale item is out of stock. I’m sure you think of this when buying a product like a stereo or something but you should apply it towards grocery items as well!
- 9. Buy the smallest size/quantity that the coupon allows.
- 10. Check comparable brands to be sure you are getting a bargain.
- 11. Want to try a new product? Search for a coupon first. There are endless coupons and no sense in paying full price if you aren’t sure about it.
- 12. Match store sales/coupons with manufacturer’s coupons for the same item. Walmart is awesome at matching sale ads!!!
Shopping Tips
- * Don’t shop hungry obviously. There have been studies showing you’ll spend 17% more on your groceries.
- * Don’t shop on paydays or just before the holidays.
- *Shop for items before you run out of them. Waiting until you run out means you’ll end up having to pay whatever the store is charging at the moment.
- * Study the sales and how they run. Know when to expect certain items to go on sale like condiments in early summer and baking supplies just before Christmas.
- * Buy foods in season. They’ll be top quality and likely less expensive than imported foods.
- * Do one bulk trip a month for staples. I’m a monthly shopper, always have been and I truly believe in this.
- * Frequent trips will be necessary if you shop for “soon-to- expire” items. Don’t buy on impulse.
In the Store
- Shop alone!!! DON’T take the kids or even your spouse!..LOL They will be a huge distraction and will either A) throw things in the basket that you don’t need B) break your concentration C) throw tantrums and embarrass you.
- Become a regular to the bakery, meat and produce departments. Get to know the staff and you’ll get dibs on recently marked down groceries that are “day old”.
- Use a cash back credit card to gain cash back from your purchases. JUST REMEMBER TO DEDUCT the amount from your budget!
- Be sure to check out both top and bottom shelves. More expensive products will be at eye level. It’s a fact.
Extras
- **USE reuseable shopping bags. I recently seen the ones my mom uses that are from Sam’s and they are awesome! Not only that, she can actually carry those things FULL and without the strain on the arms.
- **Clean your fridge before you go shopping. It will make it so much easier to put things away!
- **Put away frozen then refrigerated…..freeze bulk items in smaller meal packages. We buy huge packs of ground beef and split it up into smaller portions. You can do this with so many items and a vacuum sealer becomes VERY handy so I recommend you get one.
- **Watch the scanner for errors! This does happen so keep your eyes wide open during checkout.
- **Keep a list! I’m in LOVE with my SmartShopper Grocery List Organizer but regular pen and paper works well too. If you are interested in the list organizer, I did a review of it.
- **Keep a price record. Say Walmart has Tide at $6.99 for so many ounces and Albertson’s has it at regular price for $7.99. You might have a coupon for $1.00 off…by having the record, you would know that even though it’s at Albertson’s for a dollar more than Walmart, you would also know that Albertson’s doubles coupons making it $5.99! Cool huh:)
Great tips, Lori!! Thanks!!
Great tips! My biggest thing is that I shop the weekly sale ad. Each week when it arrives I look thru it to find first, the meat/protein items that I can build a meal around. This is where I start with my menu plan for the week, then I fill in the rest and shop the weekly sale ad for staples I can stock up on, especially if I have a coupons too.
Thanks for all the great tips! The problem I’m finding is that none of the grocery stores or drugstores where I live accept internet coupons and it breaks my heart to see so many good ones online and not be able to use them. These stores even have signs in their windows saying “Internet coupons not accepted.”
Excellent post. I try to do those things, but sometimes forget to do some of them. It’s nice to be reminded.
Thanks for the great tips! I’ve been trying to get myself to use coupons more. My goal is to grow more of my own food and preserve more as well. It’s so rewarding to know the food you eat was grown with your own hands and it’s so much more nutritional that way.
Hey, Lori, great tips! Thanks!
I got a vacuum sealer about a month ago….I don’t know why I didn’t get one sooner!! It has saved us SO much money!! We buy huge packages of meat at Sam’s and put the meat in freezer bags, but they would always get such bad freezer burn. Using the vacuum bags makes all the difference in the world. Your frozen meats will stay good for a LONG time!! I got our sealer at Walmart and think it cost all of $4….you can’t beat that!!!
Thanks for all of the great tips!!
I just started really keeping track of all my grocery shopping. I have a book with labels that I put in what I bought and how much I paid for it. That way when I go to the store I can try to find it cheaper. And the night before I go shopping I try to find coupons for the things I need. I have become obsessive about not paying full price. There has to be a coupon or sale on everything.
I also will do my dinner plans for the week for what is on sale that week at the grocery stores. I do the Kroger sales a lot. When they have the dollar deals, and I have a coupon, then they double or triple my coupon. It’s great!!
Thanks for all the tips. I get so excited to find new coupons and more great ideas on shopping thrifty. It gets addicting!!
You have given a great range of tips here for any homeowner who wants to live more frugally. Your “in the store” tips are great – I think shopping alone is a way to be more focused on just getting what you need and not ending up buying things that you didn’t plan on buying.
Greetings from Europe! I love your tips, especially mentioning unadvertised specials, this is how I can afford fresh berries from time to time. I would also add buying things that will decrease your other costs, such as energy-saving lightbulbs – they are a bit pricier, but it’s worth it. And my favourite store has some quick-sale policy – and I never got any salmonella from it. Please check my website for recession-times ethical shopping tips and frugal breakfast ideas.
Great Site! Your tag-line caught my eye – I just had to come check it out! Love the grocery shopping tips, cutting those coupons is the #1 priority for me this New Year.
Thanks -Machelle at http://cheapfamilymeals.info
Oh, what an awesome list!
I know in my area stores, some items are always cheaper if you purchase 2 small items rather than the bulk item (kraft shells & cheese and also boxes of popcorn come quickly to mind). I know they try to get you some times, so it’s a good idea to always watch and compare size/quantity/price and use the coupon accordingly.
My tips:
(1) Carry a calculator. I’ve learned you can’t always trust the per-ounce breakdown on the shelf at certain stores, and the stores don’t always break down the prices in a way that helps you compare (this sign gives you price per ounce, this other one gives you price per pound). Always be prepared to do your own math, and don’t assume that the bulk packaging is going to be cheaper.
(2) Keep a running shopping list on the side of the fridge or somewhere else very convenient. That way you’re not running back to the store (and wasting gas) getting that item you forgot.
Has anyone else had trouble redeeming print-it-yourself coupons? I’ve stopped printing them because Wal-mart, where I do most of my shopping, refused them.
I love that you accounted for husbands throwing tantrums. No, they don’t generally throw themselves on the floor, but the dang guilt trips might be worse!
Thanks for writing articles like this. I knew much of the information already, but really needed the kick in the pants reminder. Frugality and financial responsibility are my only resolution this year – I’m that serious about them. Thanks for doing your part to help me.
I try not to shop with my husband, lol. Have you tried FoodSupport? They partner with local grocery chains and offer $250 cards for groceries. You can find them at http://www.FoodSupport.org