[socalgem]

I didn't see this posted already.

[Charlie]

How to?

[Florasun]

Ummm - quit eating?
sorry - don't see a link!

[socalgem]

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/arti...neyhappy/86082

[acshih]

Originally Posted by Florasun

Ummm - quit eating?
sorry - don't see a link!

LOL, that is actually great advice. This way, I can save some money and lose weight at the same time.

Thanks for posting, Socalgem. Clipping coupons was something that I used to do when dh and I were watching every penny, and did save us a lot of money and have gotten a lot of free shampoos, toothbrushes, etc. But you do need time to do the research, clip the coupons, run around from store to store to get the stuff. So rather than getting groceries all in one store, might have to hit 4 to get the best deals. I suppose it is worth it still if I have time and energy to do this now.

[esiders]

We are a family of two, so our grocery bill is waay less than $400/month. But there is some good stuff in the article.

[QueenOfDa702]

Originally Posted by esiders

We are a family of two, so our grocery bill is waay less than $400/month. But there is some good stuff in the article.

Ok, so let me ask you, how do you feed yourself(and another person) on "waay" less than $400.00 a month? Please let me know! We spend about $300.00 and thats on a good month! Its also just the 2 of us.
Maybe because we buy the fresh fruits and veggies??

As a matter of fact, I went to the store today, bought Oranges, Asparagus, Grapes, Packaged Lettuce, Packaged Spinach, Lemons, and a 12 pack of soda and my bill was $30.00! Just for that.

[twiggers]

I really need to start doing better with my bill! We buy lots of fruits and veggies...but also quite a lot of meat!

[Serayane]

If we saved $400 we'd get money back! Haha. Food's rather cheap here.

But some nice tips in the article At least for US people

[audball67]

The other point that the article may have missed is the rebates you get from standard stores (safeway, ralph's, fred meyer, etc.). Even if you only frequent those stores occasionally, getting something (usually 1% back every quarter) is better than nothing. And I tack those coupons that come with my register tape to the 'fridge and check them every week. Some of these coupons are very good deals!

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to run to three different places for groceries. My usual circuit is our local large grocery store, Trader Joe's, and a small local run market for organic, local produce. That trip is about 3 miles altogether (and if I was really good, I would bike, but hauling groceries for a family of 4 on a bike is a little difficult!)...

[5thelement]

There's also the fact that gas spent driving to 4 different stores might nullify the savings in groceries. I tend to do most of my shopping in one or two stores, and I always plan it so that I hit those stores in a circuit on the way home. Admittedly, I could do better at coupon clipping, but I don't know if there are coupons out there on a lot of what I buy (fresh fruits, veggies, meats). It seems many of the coupons I see are geared towards prepackaged/prepared foods and branded products, and I tend to go with fresh and store brand.

[deltacogirl]

You can find store coupons for fresh food, sign up at your store's website. Its not tons, but you can sometimes get really good deals. And I'm a generic person as well, but I've discovered with coupons and sales, I can get the name brands for MUCH cheaper than the generics, you just have to be flexible with what brands you are willing to get.

The tips I found most helpful...
Check out websites for online coupons. A lot of grocery stores will take them, and you can print out more than one. Use those in conjunction with a sale, and you can actually get paid to take food out of the store. I got paid more than 50 cents to buy 5 packages of Chex Mix buy using online coupons.

Many stores will double the face value of a coupon, usually up to $1. Check you store's policy.

You can use a store coupon and a manufactuer's coupon on the same item. Combine that with a sale, and you've got a good savings.

[esiders]

Originally Posted by QueenOfDa702

Ok, so let me ask you, how do you feed yourself(and another person) on "waay" less than $400.00 a month? Please let me know! We spend about $300.00 and thats on a good month! Its also just the 2 of us.
Maybe because we buy the fresh fruits and veggies??

As a matter of fact, I went to the store today, bought Oranges, Asparagus, Grapes, Packaged Lettuce, Packaged Spinach, Lemons, and a 12 pack of soda and my bill was $30.00! Just for that.

OK...I do a lot of planning for meals. I look to what we have in the house and base meals off that. I keep the kitchen stocked with fresh onions, fresh garlic and fresh celery...I can use that as a base to make just about anything.

We don't eat a lot of expensive meat...mainly chicken, ground turkey and fish. I don't buy prepared foods...I make a lot of one pot meals that last several days...homemade chicken soup, chilli w/ground turkey. We don't drink soda...just milk, koolaid, tap water, coffee and tea. I get a delivery of 15 pounds of organic fruit and veggies once a month for $44. The fruit we eat quickly, but the veggies can last us all month. But I have to be creative because some of the veggies are not what we would normally eat.

[gloss_gal]

^Esiders, who delivers organic fruit. I am looking for a service like that. Thanks.

[jen6292]

So is running around to the other stores to get the "best price" really worth it with all the gas prices?