We decided that $75 a week would be a good goal to shoot for...$25 each, including eating out. This was a real challenge at first and then we got really good at NOT going to the store on the way home for that 'last minute' item and also NOT going to a restaurant without a coupon...We also try to plan most of our dinners for the week so there isn't some of the discussion about what we're going to cook and then we stop at the store without coupons or a plan!
1. I get the Sunday paper. It's the best place to start looking for coupons.
2. Get yourself organized. I use an old wipes container with dividers in it. I file everything in the correct section after I've cut them out. I leave coupons that are 'high dollar' or ultra important (ie. diapers when we needed those!) in the front of the box for easy access.
Some people use notebooks and other things but this really works for me!
3. Look for coupons at manufacturer sites, sign up for freebies, etc. This can get you lots of coupons not found in the newspaper. This can be time consuming but after you get signed up, it doesn't take any time at all! Just click the 'print' button and you're on your way!
4. Use your frequent buyer card/loyalty card at the stores to help save big bucks!
I keep all of mine on one key ring and then keep it with the coupon box in a special bag that is used just for grocery shopping. That saves me lots of time, for sure!
5. Check out the ads when they come out - we get some on Tuesday and some on Wednesday. Husband looks through and marks things that he thinks we need. I then go through the ads and write a list for each store on a separate envelope. (I use the ones that come with my bills since I pay most of them online anyway...)
6. I organize coupons based on what's on sale at that particular store. I normally go to Sprouts for produce and things (not many coupons here), Kroger and sometimes Tom Thumb, Market Street or Walmart. I save more money at Kroger than anywhere else and it's so much fun that the receipt actually says the percentage saved rather than have me figure it! (I'm not a math genius!)
Sometimes we have a week where we go over budget by a few dollars - when we buy meat and stuff at Sam's but then we make sure that the next week is lower to make up the difference.
7. Next, I check out a few coupon blogs to see if they have anything listed that we need that I missed. At the same time, I search for coupons for things we need/want that I don't have a coupon for...I find them a lot just by searching "_____ printable coupon."
8. Then I head to the store. I normally go by myself but sometimes I take both boys. This is especially good when I have a big list at a particular store and Husband pushes the cart, occupies Eli and I can concentrate on getting what we need.
Okay - that sums up what happens around here on the typical grocery shopping. Hope that helps someone!
