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