Mami Mozart Music and Art for Kids: Grocery Savings for the New Year

Grocery Store Haul (Photo credit: brixton)

Cook Third World

There are reasons that impoverished nations raise their families on simple meals based on beans, rice, and pasta. Homemade sandwiches are cheaper than Lunchables, drumsticks are cheaper than T-bone steaks, beans are cheaper than meat, and bananas are cheaper than ready-made fruit salads. One thing, though, don't sacrifice good nutrition for cheap, high-sodium food. I sacrificed my health on the altar of the Ramen Noodle god. So save money and be healthy.

Modified Grocery List

Not only should you always buy with a list (and not stray from the list), you should pencil in the cost of each item before you go grocery shopping. Keep in mind how much you want to spend and be ready to put back unnecessary items that make you go over budget.

Combine Coupons and Member's Discounts

Coupons and member's discounts can easily save you between $10-30 per trip. Some places, like Kroger's, even have a special added "save at the gas pump" for members. Some super shoppers save thousands of dollars a year by combining CVS coupons and CVS card benefits.

Look at Your Feet

The more expensive goods are at eye level for you and your kids. The bargains are the generics often hidden on the very bottom shelves and sometimes the highest shelves.

Shop Price per Unit

Yes, the package of chicken breasts may only cost $10, but you could be paying $6.95 a pound. This works with cereals, vegetables, frozen food, canned goods, essentially anything. Find the least expensive price per unit for items you use a lot of, and see if it is better to buy in bulk than to buy in piecemeal.

Credit Card (Photo credit: 401(K) 2012)

Avoid Prepackaged Foods

Instant oatmeal, instant rice, instant mac n' cheese etc. does not save you time or money. Pre-packaged foods charge you for the packing and for making the meal look palatable. Microwavable meals might save you time, but I won't even mention the hormones, chemicals, preservatives, high-sodium, etc. in these items and cost to your health overall. Your kids like Mac n Cheese? Then buy elbow macaroni in bulk, use the milk already in the fridge, and buy some inexpensive cheese. They can even help make it for some cheap family fun!

Buy in Bulk

Find a cheap deal and buy in bulk. Surprisingly enough, I dropped my Sam's Club membership when I realized that the "bulk" prices were the same as regular retail. I thought I was saving but I wasn't. Instead I found a much less expensive deal buy shopping at multiple stores and then buying in bulk. For example, the CVS recycled toilet paper on sale is $5 and lasts our family at least two weeks. It is not as comfy as the fancier brands, but I would rather spend $10 a month than $45 a month on toilet paper. For whole foods, I suggest purchasing beans, rice, popcorn, etc. from places that allow you to bring your own container or have a dispenser. One small Amish store in Kentucky had a ridiculously cheap price for authentic local honey. You brought your own jar and filled up. Good for you and less expensive than storebrands!

Use Discount Cards Wisely

CVS has a decent rewards card. However, don't sign up for any sort of store credit card. Consumers who use credit cards have a tendency to spend 25% more at the store. Instead, decide what you need to buy first, and then add in the coupons and discount cards. Ten dollars off bulk lima beans is only useful if you like lima beans.

Leftovers

Short on time? Then cook in bulk on the weekends, and freeze/store the leftovers for lunches or dinner the following week. A big batch of chili last me and my husband (who is a powerlifter and eats like a whale!) two dinners and a lunch or two in between. Just be sure to store everything safely.

Buy Generic

Compare ingredients between generics and name-brand. Big surprise...they usually have no difference except in price. PS. Many times the generic version is even cheaper than the brand version with a coupon.