.shakeshakeshake.
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i found this in an article
The first thing you need to do after you've made your grocery list is to try to figure the total cost of your grocery bill. Make sure you've got everything on the list that you'll need because after you've made an educated guess you're going to go to your purse (or wallet), take out the cash and leave the rest behind. I know, I know your purse has your checkbook, your credit cards and maybe
even your driver's license! So take out your driver's license and head on over to the store with your list and cash. Believe me, this will definitely cut back on the unnecessary extras because you won't have the credit cards to fall back on. And if you're like me, you'd rather be hung upside down by your toe nails than be found short $2.57 at the check out.
Don't be afraid to look on the day-old bread rack or in the "about to expire" section of the meat department. You have to be careful, but you'll probably be able to tell whether the item is good. Just make sure to use it right away, don't let it sit in your refrigerator for a week. Who knows, it just might "meat" your expectations and save you money in the process!
Another thing to think about is the time of day, time of week and even time of month that you are shopping. I've found that early in the morning and in the middle of the week is when the grocery stores are less busy and you'll be able to get more efficient shopping done. Be careful not to go on the first day or two of the month. Some stores have been known to raise prices because that is the time that social security and welfare checks go out.
Look high and low for savings, literally. The grocery stores purposely place the higher-priced name brand items at eye level. The lower priced generic and store brands are usually higher and lower than the brand name items. Remember that the generic brand or store brand isn't always the less expensive. Some stores I've been to list the cost per ounce, or per item (trash bags) so be sure to compare these prices when shopping. |
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jmiller
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Can't think of anything besides... buy generic and don't buy what you don't need. And buy in bulk. And pay attention to sales. |
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lee
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divide your list into things you really want/need and things that you can do without. Plan your meals ahead of time and when you make them, make extra and freeze a portion. Also, I live in Canada too, and if you bring fliers in from other stores, your grocery store may match the lower prices! |
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~Just forget to ask Lvly09~
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I buy meats in bulk and loads of vegetables.
I will often make casseroles and dishes so that the meat will stretch longer. I don't buy TV dinners often either. |
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Daisyhill
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Well we dont buy things like chips or cookies or cakes....only as a treat about once a week...we buy a lot of rice and pasta in big sacks, lots of fresh fruit and veg. We also make lots of spaghetti bolognaise and cottage pies....basically we dont buy "treaty foods" and we buy no brand toilet paper and cleaning supllies.... |
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Black Widow Mollie
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Go online and have the manufactorers mail you coupons. I save about 50 dollars a month this way! |
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They call me ... Trixie.
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Make a shopping list and stick to it.
Don't shop when you're hungry.
Look on the highest and lowest shelf. The more expensive things are at eye level.
Only buy things on sale or things you have coupons for.
Make lots of food and freeze left overs.
Pay attention to double/triple-coupon days.
Join any savings clubs you can.
Check coupons.com for online coupons.
Check brand websites as many offer online coupons as well.
Do a search for money-saving tips - there are a ton out there!
Good luck! :) |
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AM-NM centaur
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Lots of websites to help and you can find them fairly easily through Google or Yahoo. Some families can cut their food bills to $25 per week with coupon clipping, buying in bulk when items are on sale, and smart shopping.
You've already made a great start by giving up national brand names. Try to avoid prepackaged or processed foods. For example, instead of buying 4 ounce cups of applesauce, buy a larger container and portion it into small Ziplock/Tupperware containers.
I find that by bringing my lunch to work instead of eating out saves at least $100 per month, even if I bring a frozen meal. |
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babidollishere
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Plan your meals according to what they have on sale that week. It is usually cheaper to buy things in bulk, but only if you can freeze the extra (such as meats). |
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Sirena
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You can buy store brands and take advantage of weekly sales. Supplement meat with beans 1-2 days a week and increase the vegetable intake as well. Instead of juices and sodas, drink water, I save by shopping at the asian vegetable market the fruits and vegetables are much more affordable, eat fish, plant a garden, |
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Princess
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Make a meal plan. We've saved hundreds on just that. We eat a roast on Sundays, Italian on Wednesdays, pizza on Fridays, and Mondays we usually have pork chops or something like that. The meals themselves may change from week to week, but we always stick with what we choose. Only go to the store once a week, I think that it's better to go in the evening, after dinner, when you're not hungry, you buy less. Make a list based on the meal plan that you chose earlier. They put the milk and dairy stuff in the back for a reason, they want you to impulse buy from the front to the back. Also, many of the big chain food stores offer buy 3 for a specific price. Often, you don't have to buy three to get the same price for the individual product. Buy more meat than anything else, because you can make anything with meat, a casserole, a main dish, or even just a little snack. Don't forget the powers of leftovers. Make a big enough meal, and you and your husband have enough for leftovers. If it is only you and your husband, don't worry about buying in bulk, you may end up wasting more than what you used. (I made that mistake!) If there is a sale going on, pick up more of what you use more, and nothing of stuff that you only use once in a while. That way, you don't have stuff just sitting in your cupboard.
Hope this helps! |
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wendy a
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Try cutting back on any frozen foods pre-made items like lasagne, microwave dinners. Also individually packaged snacks or premixed meals, try making more home cooked meals, rice, cornbread, pastas, vegatables. Try oatmeals and cream of wheat instead of cereals. Bake cookies, and cakes instead of buying snacks. Buy the larger pakages of meat and split it up before freezing. Double up when its on sale. If chicken breast are on sale for 2.99 this week instead of the regular 4.89 stock up, it may cost more now, but you'll be better off in the end. |
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DonPedro
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Only use coupons for things that you normally buy. Look for buy on get one free coupons. Eat every meal at home. Cook all meals from scratch. Never buy alcohol unless it is part of the meal. Use fresh vegetables whenever possible.
Stop eating red meat everyday (the most expensive meat). You can make very good meals around chicken, turkey, fish, and maybe some pork or less expensive cuts of beef. Pasta makes it easy to create dished that require little or no meat.
Learn how to use all the vegetables in garden such as cabbage, sweet potato, cauliflower, eggplant, etc......
Get away from using butter and vegetable oils. Use olive oil or canola oil. Put cheese in your diet. Learn how to make bread. Eat fruit daily.
Plan your meals around one meat, one vegetable dish, and a salad.
Drink lotsa water. Again, drink copious amounts of water.
You can reduce your food bill by eleminatingthings that cost a lot such as; alcohol, beef, sodas, frozen foods, packaged meals, snacks, etc.....
Good luck |
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Chris
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Well, look at your list, take away the things you don't need. Also, just look at the prices of everything. Just because it isn't a name brand doesn't mean it's going to be cheaper. So compare. Also use as many coupons as you can. They are all over the grocerey stores. |
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voluntarheel
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Actually I just cut mine this past week...by accident. I usually spend about $70 twice a week (or $140/week). Well this past Monday I had Mastercard call and say someone had commited fraud on my credit card and they were closing the account and reissuing me another card. So I didn't have a credit card. I had to go to the ATM to withdraw some cash to buy groceries.
Well funny thing is, eventhough I knew I had enough cash to buy what I wanted I was very reluctant to get some of the extras I usually buy. I just bought exactly what I went to the store for. I only spent $45 instead of the usual $70. Its a couple days later and I haven't been back to the store so apparently what I bought was enough to get me through my usual meals, Maybe I don't need those extra things I buy after all.
So long story short is...pay cash. It really hurts to see those dollar bills disappear, whereas with a credit card you just swipe and go. |
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Adrian
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Try buying everything thats non perishable in bulk. Like packs of ketchup bottles and such. Also consider going grocery shopping in a different area - were i live theres only one supermarket chain so they mark up all the prices, but just across the border in the neighboring state prices are down by like 15%. |
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countryguyhfc
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Well you have already mentioned coupons and a willingness to buy store brands and/or generic brands. So you are off to a good start. Personally I hunt so I get much of our meat from hunting. But we do buy meat as well and try to stick with the cheaper cuts and buy extra when it goes on sale and freeze it. Also stay away from heat and serve meals you don't get much for your buck there. I make chili and stew from scratch, both are easy to make and will fill you up. Pasta dishes and salads are also good inexpensive dishes. Stay away from soda, drinking milk or just plain tap water is better for you anyway. Juices are questionable in value as most are more corn syrup than anything else, but if you buy the orange juice concentrate you should be ok. |
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a.mickie
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Buy in bulk, or get the family value packs. Try to stay away from already made meals (freezer/box) and name brands. Keep an eye open for sales. Shop & compare other stores. I shop at three different stores each month just keep our costs down. We also have a freezer to store things when they do go on sale (gonna need it sooner or later).My oldest son & my husband are hunters & that also helps us save each year.
My family of four usually costs less than $350 per month. |
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jake_deyo
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Plan you meals and ingredients. Budget yourself and take only that amount to the store with you in cash. This way, if you go over, you have to put stuff back. The first things that you reach to put back... you obviously can live without. It will only be embarrasing the first couple of times it happens. Pretty soon, you will be teaching yourself what it takes to get by. Coupons are nice but will not drastically save you money. |
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XoxoxoxoX
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Even Canada has no coupons, I am sure they have sales right? So plan out your grocery list before you head to the store. This help because you stay focus on what to buy and not just go in to the store and grab whatever you think you need. Bring sandwiches to work for lunches will save you a bunch so shop for bread and cold cuts when they are on sales. Buy pasta when they are on sales and so is spaghetti sauce and etc. I buy chicken white meat when they are on sales too. They are great for chicken salad (buy salad dressing on sale or make your own by download receipt on line), chicken sandwiches (good alternative other then cold cuts and is way healthier than cold cuts). So go thru the sales ad, then see what is on sale to plan out your meals, put together a shopping list before you head over to the store. |
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American Beauty
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Cut down on your meats. That is, make your vegetables the main attraction, not your meats. Watch the late night snacks as well. Those chips and dips can add up. Those microwave popcorns are expensive too! Buy a bag of unpopped popcorn and do your own thing. Buy a big box of rice and serve vegetables over rice. You can also serve your spaghetti sauce with meat recipes over rice. Make a rice and burger cassarole. Add mushrooms, onions, and cheese if you like. Then bake it in the oven. Serve it with a fresh lettuce salad and you're good to go.
Egg noodles are great too. Chicken livers or gizzards (or both) in gravy over noodles is delicious. Be sure the gizzards are cooked tender before you simmer them in the gravy. Noodles and prepared alfredo sauce is good too. Ragu makes a good alfredo sauce, and there are other nice brands. Mix green peas in with the noodles for color and taste.
The real secret to effective food shopping is meal planning. Plan for overlapping meals, so that one meal lasts for two days, even if they're not consecutive days. When I make chile, it actually lasts for 3 or 4 days, because I freeze half of it. I even serve some of it on my chili dogs. Chicken stew with cornbread or bisquits makes a great meal. The 3 for $1.00 cans of vegetables work out fine for this. Add tomatoe paste for color. The cost of this meal is cheap, cheap, cheap; and it lasts for 2 or 3 days. Create your own recipes, as well. Meal planning, that's the secret! |
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ha*ha*ha
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http://www.pentagon.gov/mapsite/savefood.html
This is a great website with lots of tips for spending less on groceries. And since you want to have children, consider making your own baby food out of your own meals. |
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boer84
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Shop at different stores to find where you can get certain foods cheaper. Then only go to that store for those foods. Try and only buy store brands, and make sure it's the cheapest.
Also trying to buy some items at wholesale might help with saving on non perishable items such as toilet paper or paper towels.
Warning: You get what you pay for though. |
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Old Guy
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Canadian lakes and rivers are some of the best fishing in the world. Get into it or get a friend that is and fill your freezer with fresh fish. Also one Moose would probably feed you for 4 or 5 months. |
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♥deb b♥
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i've started doing my food shopping online and it's delivered from the supermarket, i reckon i've knocked about 20-30% off the bill by doing this because i only get the items need instead of getting things cos they are on special offer. hope this helps. |
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THE"IS"
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unless you've decide to quit eatting,there isn't much,you might try a menu for the wk. and combine some leftovers.,use whole potatoes(cheaper)buy only at bargain str. .ck.price to volume,a small bag may contain as much as a big bag |
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contact_wraith
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Only go shopping once a month. Youll be suprised how much you save.
It might take you a few months to understand how much you need but once you do youll save.
Bread and dairy can be frozen (but some dont like its taste after) youll have to try that out and see if its reasonable for you.
The less you shop the more you save.
If you cant go the whole month go bi-weekly. |
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Blonde-Thoughts
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well you look for the generic brand names which are cheaper! obviously you cant not eat meat but you should look for bargains eg meat thats half price as it is nearing its sell by date. i probably wouldn't shop in a butchers or a greengrocers, just go to the supermarket and shop in different shops to see which is cheaper
also look over your receipts, so you can see what is unnecessarily expensive and not needed |
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BYB's suck Saddam'sPen..
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Stay on the outer areas of the supermarket. Buying fresh foods will help reduce your bills. Costs jump up dramatically when you start buying frozen dinners, prepackaged meals, and bottles of crap.
Buy only what you will use. Don't shop for a week's worth of fruit and veggies if you aren't positive that you will use them all.
Cut back on meat. Aside from it being unhealthy and unethical, it's also more expensive than non-meat foods.
Shop locally. Look for local produce stands that supply local fruits and vegetables. Try to only buy items that have been grown locally as well (less cost for shipping).
Use mostly fruits and vegetables that are in season. Even if you are craving a tomato salad in February, the tomatoes will cost 2-5 times as much. Adjust your menus around the seasonality of the crops.
Hope this helps! |
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Goodhead
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Eat a lots of rice its cheap and mix lots of veggie with little meats. Eat only twice a day. Eat free at homeless shelter once or twice a week.
Buy the cheapest meat and tenderize buy pounding into thin size. Learn how to do Chinese style stir fry very cheap a meal to cook. |
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Babybear
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when push came to shove you'll cut like I did' |
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