Shopping tips and ideas

Below are the tips and ideas I share with each low-country store deals post, but I thought I'd put it in its own post with its own label for easier access.

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.

--Online shopping for food storage items:  there are many online resources to buy food storage items.  When shopping around, compare both the cost of the item along with shipping costs because sometimes the product itself may not cost much, but the shipping may be a lot and cancel out any savings compared to another company/website.  Use only those companies and websites you feel safe doing so, either from recommendation or from your own research on the company.  Two companies I have used and been satisfied with both the product(s) and the service and therefore would recommend:  Emergency Essentials (www.beprepared.com) and Honeyville Grain (http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/).  They both have reasonable prices and shipping costs (in fact honeyvillegrain has a flat rate shipping fee--very nice!).  Every month, Emergency essentials has group specials that qualify for free shipping in addition to the savings on the product.  Honeyville Grain does periodical sales of 5-20% off an order (plus the flat rate shipping).  It may be worth it to sign up for the free emails/catalog to these companies or other sites so you know when sales are happening.

--non-food items:  follow some of the same rules as above--stock up when on sale, know where the best price for the items you buy is, set a price per item/ounce/lb/load/box (like for laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, cleaning supplies, etc.) you are willing to pay--to realistically do this you will need to know the cheapest price you already have to pay so you can find deals to decrease that amount (this is whether you prefer and use name brand or off brand products, find the cheapest normal (non-sale) price of the brand you would use)

--for clothing, household items, fun/hobby items:  save money buy buying on sale or with coupons, or online.  Shop around for the best price.  Watch for these types of items at garage sales, thrift stores, on clearance, or online for new & used.  Be sure to only buy what you can use and will use, what you can fix up if it will need to be, and what you have a designated spot for already.