Sticker shock at grocery store

[RebMel]

RebMel Just wanted to say hi we are also from Pa. I have two teenagers and a soon to be 9 year old living at home. The thing that has really helped me with food is using coupons. Most of the things that I have put back in my stockpile I got for free or paid very little for. I started this in Oct. and I spend less now on food then I did before. I think the best I have every done on food at Giant was 192.00 and I paid 92.00. I do even better at CVS. My totals can come to around 200.00 and I pay around 30.00. Just something to think about.

Tammy :heythere

Thank you for the advice. My problem is I'm not very savvy about coupons. There must be a source other than the Sunday paper, because the coupons they offer are not for the cheap brands. So in my experience you end up spending the same amount of money on the expensive brand by using the coupon as you would spend if you just buy the cheap brand anyways (which I do). I've heard others talk of on-line printable coupons, but I'm not certain if our grocery Giant Eagle will accept them. And to drive elsewhere is so far that it would not be cost effective (If I could save $100.00 per trip, though, that would make it worth while). We have no CVS nearby.

If you could give me a few pointers to clue me in on what I'm missing, that would be great. :hat

[Jubilee21]

:heythere RebMel..I live in the Lebanon county area of PA so nice to meet you too!

I hear what you say about name brands vs/ no name brands..sometimes it it is true whenit comes to the way it works..

Just an example of why folks love those coupons since you mentioned Giant being nearby
Say for instance it was peanut butter..the no name brand would fall in the $1.75 - $2.00 range..but say Peter Pan runs in the $2.25 + range, and they have a five for $10.00 sale, thats $2.00/ jar

If you have (5 )50 cent coupons that get doubled..then that $1.00 off the Peter Pan..and that makes it as cheap or far cheaper if its only $1.25 a jar
So if possible, buying 5 jars makes more "cent's"

If you buy 5 jars of no name at $2.00, you spend $10.00 but if you buy 5 jars of Peter Pan on that sale with coupons..you are paying $1.25 a jar and only spending $6.25..saving $3.75.

You are almost getting two jars "free"..

And at a place like Giant, if you spend $30.00 - $50.00 minimum..you get points, credits for other things to do the same 'hat trick'..and sometimes there are tie in sales..

Say there is a promotion if you brand names and buy 6 items of the promo..you get a free gallon of milk...if you use the coupons and work this out..you can sometimes make a huge 'score'..

The trick is to get a file up and running and leran how to get coupons free or cheap.. and invest in doing the math..to figure out which way is cheapest, and it does require buying a bit ahead in volume..insome cases..

But say you didn't want 5 jars of peanut butter and there were other 5 for $10.00 promotions and you had coupons for that..same principle..it all depends what works for your family and preferences in some case.

I can and have had multiple coupons out the Kazoo..and I would invest in five newspapers for $9.00 to "make" those coupons turn into $500.00 of savings with this method over 3 -6 mos of shopping...repeat this weekly and it add's up if you work ahead of the prices rising so fast..

I have 15 jars of Peter Pan peanut butter left I bought at 50 cents each that are now $3.00 each..from five mos ago..no kids to feed, but lots of folks I do..and I bake out the kazoo too, so I run through peanut butter..

If you repeat this with 25 outof 50 items you buy, and buy ahead, it adds up if you buy 3 - 12 mos of something and put it on your shelf at home insteadof at the store..

Walgreens and Rite Aid have good rebate and coupon programs like CVS..

Its all about planning itout..once you get the hang of it, you do tend to become real good at it and 'addicted' to the method. lol!!

The point is don't buy something just because you can get 20 of it "free"..if you won't use it or it won't help to get something you do need.. I only do this "if" it does, then I donate it to my food bank or local charities..or family sometimes..my kids will throw gas donations into the gas tank for me to get their stuff..I don't use mens products but my son's do..and they love to have their name brands 'dirt cheap", but hate shopping and if it helps me..to do that for them, we both makeout..:)

[RebMel]

:heythere RebMel..I live in the Lebanon county area of PA so nice to meet you too!

I hear what you say about name brands vs/ no name brands..sometimes it it is true whenit comes to the way it works..

Just an example of why folks love those coupons since you mentioned Giant being nearby
Say for instance it was peanut butter..the no name brand would fall in the $1.75 - $2.00 range..but say Peter Pan runs in the $2.25 + range, and they have a five for $10.00 sale, thats $2.00/ jar

If you have (5 )50 cent coupons that get doubled..then that $1.00 off the Peter Pan..and that makes it as cheap or far cheaper if its only $1.25 a jar
So if possible, buying 5 jars makes more "cent's"

If you buy 5 jars of no name at $2.00, you spend $10.00 but if you buy 5 jars of Peter Pan on that sale with coupons..you are paying $1.25 a jar and only spending $6.25..saving $3.75.

You are almost getting two jars "free"..

And at a place like Giant, if you spend $30.00 - $50.00 minimum..you get points, credits for other things to do the same 'hat trick'..and sometimes there are tie in sales..

Say there is a promotion if you brand names and buy 6 items of the promo..you get a free gallon of milk...if you use the coupons and work this out..you can sometimes make a huge 'score'..

The trick is to get a file up and running and leran how to get coupons free or cheap.. and invest in doing the math..to figure out which way is cheapest, and it does require buying a bit ahead in volume..insome cases..

But say you didn't want 5 jars of peanut butter and there were other 5 for $10.00 promotions and you had coupons for that..same principle..it all depends what works for your family and preferences in some case.

I can and have had multiple coupons out the Kazoo..and I would invest in five newspapers for $9.00 to "make" those coupons turn into $500.00 of savings with this method over 3 -6 mos of shopping...repeat this weekly and it add's up if you work ahead of the prices rising so fast..

I have 15 jars of Peter Pan peanut butter left I bought at 50 cents each that are now $3.00 each..from five mos ago..no kids to feed, but lots of folks I do..and I bake out the kazoo too, so I run through peanut butter..

If you repeat this with 25 outof 50 items you buy, and buy ahead, it adds up if you buy 3 - 12 mos of something and put it on your shelf at home insteadof at the store..

Walgreens and Rite Aid have good rebate and coupon programs like CVS..

Its all about planning itout..once you get the hang of it, you do tend to become real good at it and 'addicted' to the method. lol!!

The point is don't buy something just because you can get 20 of it "free"..if you won't use it or it won't help to get something you do need.. I only do this "if" it does, then I donate it to my food bank or local charities..or family sometimes..my kids will throw gas donations into the gas tank for me to get their stuff..I don't use mens products but my son's do..and they love to have their name brands 'dirt cheap", but hate shopping and if it helps me..to do that for them, we both makeout..:)

Thank you. You know, I always had accounting jobs and I love doing excel spread sheets. I run my own business now in addition to working part time. I like nothing better than to analyze the cr-p out of something. This is beginning to sound like fun. . .

ChristianMom has encouraged me to sign up for the shopping game, and I am going to do that.

I want to thank both of you for all your encouragement and advice. I will let you know how it goes. . . :)

[Jubilee21]

Go for it RebMel..if you have those gift's for accounting and speadsheets, you will have a lot of fun with this method and able to use it very effectively.:hug

Here is a site I offer folks..it will take you to good ones to see the ad's on a weekly basis and plan around them at home..

There are so many food items you can buy at drugstores like cereals and other things nowadays, that it often works out to it this way..

I did it with cereal and coffee at CVS a few weeks ago and it was just silly how much I saved..but I actually "made money"..literally made $20.00 on an investment that got coffee and ceral for free ,and then turned it around and got paid for doing it..go figure! Now that $20.00 is making me $40.00 in other areas..

Tammy is awesome at this if you read how she does this..:thumb

http://www.moneybluebook.com/how-to-get-free-stuff-by-using-drug-store-rebates-cvs-rite-aid-walgreens/

Your rebate point information can be easily accessed through your online CVS account via their website. If you want to save up your Extra Care Bucks, you can do so and later print them out at home through your CVS online account or later visit the store and request a printout. Keep in mind that Extra Care Bucks do expire and the expiration dates are usually indicated on your receipt. With CVS, you will want to seriously consider signing up for their email list. Once on their list, they occasionally send you coupons for dollars off certain purchases that you can print out and use in their stores. Currently, CVS is offering a $4 off a $20 purchase coupon when you update you email address or join their Extra Care program.

2) Rite Aid - Single Check Rebates - (Weekly Circular) - At the start of each month, Rite Aid publishes a booklet, viewable online, in which it highlights the rewards/rebate offers for the month. Rite Aid offers a traditional rebate program in which customers have to request rebates by providing receipt information to redeem. However, here is the best part - Rite Aid offers an easy and no brainer way for customers to request rebates online rather than having to manually mail them in through snail mail. Another great feature is the ability to instantly view all monthly featured rebate products on their website through the Rebate Plus section. You can always view your rebate balance online as well.

3) Walgreens - Easy Saver Catalog - (Weekly Ad) - Walgreens publishes their Easy Saver rebate deals in their monthly rebate booklet where they list products with rebate promotions including items that are free after rebate. They also offer Register Rewards every now and then, which operates similar to that of CVS Extra Care Bucks in that you can use the printed coupons for free products on your next purchase for qualifying items.

Like Rite Aid, Walgreens offers the traditional rebate program where customers have to take the initiative to submit in rebate claim information. Walgreens does offer the ability to submit your rebate receipts online to a limited number of states. The majority though will have to submit their receipts manually via regular postal mail, which is sort of a bummer. To redeem your rebates you need to mail in a claims form. Walgreens limits this rebate submission to one time per promotional month. Thus, don’t send in all of your rebate receipts until the end of the month or you’ll have to delay your additional request until the following month.

Walgreens does offer an additional rebate redemption bonus in the form of an extra 10% on top of your rebate request if you accept your rebate in the form of a Walgreens gift card. Obviously, you’ll want to pick this more attractive option rather than cash. With the gift card bonus, you can then continue to roll the money into another set of drug store purchases. If you play your cards right, the new purchases will allow you to earn and redeem further rebates as well.



What you can do with groceries and other items , you can often do with other things every family uses and needs too!

Don't dismiss investing in gas to travel..say you go 25 miles for $4.00 one way..$4,00 back..that's 8 dollars yes, it hurts..BUT if you planout the trip, know you are shooting for an area and a day where you do these things right, that $8.00 is a good investment..
My daughter inlaw lives in Pottstown..comes here.., a 50 minute ride, and $12.00 of gas..( 3 gallons)

But her eggs and sugar are 99 cents at Aldi's, she goes to Hornings alocal Amish Market) with me and hard salami is $2.90 a lb..Cooper Cheese, $3.25, English muffins 25 cents a bag, letuce 50 cents......I am blessed to be near this store obviously, but it is worth the drive for those who are not if they plan around it..they can not walk away without covering the cost of gas and still making out ..

THEN, we do the Giant and drugstore couponing on top of that..for 2-4 week plans, also hit Salvation Army on Family days where everything is 50% off, all of thes stores are in a 10 mile or less radious of me..so that gas and ride is a money maker for her..not a hardship at all to save substantial amount of money..and she shops for her family as well and they pitch in gas money..:)

She takes her her days off here and there , sometimes just a half day and gets here by 8 am and is back at work after lunch..because she has flex time to do so..it can be done if you work or are a stay at home Mom..I offer to do this for anyone , I just enjoy it.

More than one way to skin a cat..if you need a fur coat, lol!!

[dramama]

If you plan your meals around what's on sale in the circular for the stores you shop at it will also help.....

[Tammy]

Tammy :heythere

Thank you for the advice. My problem is I'm not very savvy about coupons. There must be a source other than the Sunday paper, because the coupons they offer are not for the cheap brands. So in my experience you end up spending the same amount of money on the expensive brand by using the coupon as you would spend if you just buy the cheap brand anyways (which I do). I've heard others talk of on-line printable coupons, but I'm not certain if our grocery Giant Eagle will accept them. And to drive elsewhere is so far that it would not be cost effective (If I could save $100.00 per trip, though, that would make it worth while). We have no CVS nearby.

If you could give me a few pointers to clue me in on what I'm missing, that would be great. :hat


Jubilee21 said it better then I could have.

[RebMel]

Thanks to everyone for the great advice.

I am going to start doing this!