Low-country store deals

Store deals for this week:

Kroger:  sales started on Sunday, runs till Saturday, customer card needed for deals

softsoap hand soap, speed stick deodorant .88

Old spice/secret deodorant .99 when buy 4

chicken-thighs, drumsticks or split .99/lb

Publix:  sales run Thursday to Wednesday

Quaker Oats 18 oz B1G1 (2.91)

Prego sauce B1G1 (2.59)

Ronzoni Healthy harvest pasta B1G1 (1.89)

Nature’s Own Bread B1G1 (3.07--though if you have a dollar store nearby that sell’s this that would be cheaper)

Nabisco Premium saltines B1G1 (3.07-good price if you like name brand crackers better than the generic)

Smart Balance spread B1G1 (3.59)

Also of note:  on the back of the publix ad, a $10 off a $50 gas card with a $25 dollar grocery purchase--that’s a 20% savings on the gas card

Piggly Wiggly:  sales run Wednesday to Tuesday

Campbells chicken noodle or tomato soup 2/1 (a fairly good price)

some meats, like chicken or sausage are on sale for B1G1

Bi-Lo:  sales run Wednesday to Tuesday

Lots of B1G1 deals this week, including:  pasta, toothpaste, spices, deodorant

Whole fryer chicken .79/lb

Food Lion:  sales run Wednesday to Tuesday

Progresso soups 10/10

Hamburger helper 10/10 (premade soups and mixes are nice to have for those nights when a quick dinner is needed)

smart balance spread B1G1 (3.59)

Grocery Shopping Tips:  

--Basically the more you can stock up when things are on sale, the less over-time you will be spending on groceries.  Stock up ONLY on things your family will eat and be able to use before the items go bad.

--Know what the prices of products are at your favorite stores, so when you get the ads, you can compare the price.  Compare prices with Sams club, online prices, etc.  Stock up when the sale price is less than the cheapest price elsewhere.

--Write (or type) the prices down so you have them available.  Prices of produce can change quickly, but in general expect price changes every month or two on produce items that are seasonal.  Other products, the prices do change (and sometimes by quite a bit), but usually they stay close to the same price over a period of months.  As you keep a price list--both of regular prices and of sale prices, you’ll be able to see patterns in sales and prices--when things are cheapest, how often things come on sale, etc.  

--Sales ads:  some things are drastically on sale--called “loss leaders”--to get you in the store, other things aren’t necessarily marked down in price, they are simply “for sale” so just because it is in the ad does not mean it is on sale or even a good price.  Remember a bargain is only such if you can and will actually use the item, it still costs money, but less than full-price.

--Meats & produce:  set a per pound price that you are comfortable with paying and find deals that are at or below that price.  Example:  meats $2/lb or less; produce depends on the type, but in general $1.50/lb or less.  For some more examples of produce see this post.

--Cereals, breads:  set a price per unit (box, ounce, loaf) that you are willing to pay and then find the deals that are at or below that price.  Example:  cereal--$2/box or less; loaf of bread--$1.50/loaf or less.

--Menu Shop:  In a previous post I mentioned how to save on grocery bills by making menus, see that post here.  But in general, when making a menu follow these steps:

• First:  what perishables do you have on hand that need to be used
• Second:  what sales are available
• Third:  Food Storage items to rotate into meals
• Fourth:  Special Occasions--birthdays, holidays, potlucks, etc.

--Using coupons?  For some things combining a coupon with the sale price at pharmacies and stores is a great deal.  Buy one get one free sales are a great way to use coupons!  So are stores that offer double coupons:  Kroger and some other stores offer double coupons up to 50 cents.  (ex.  if you have a 50 cent off coupon on a cereal, you get the 50 cents then Kroger takes off another 50 cents automatically--yeah!)  Not always is the product with a coupon the cheapest option, but combined with sales or with double coupon deals, often the price of the brand product is much nearer or even less than the generic brands.