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The following is a guest post by Outside the Box Mom:
Saving Money with Coupons
Grocery shopping is a necessary evil. We all have to do it. But how much it costs you and how long it takes you is completely negotiable. Grocery shopping causes the least headaches when paired with a simple plan.
1. You Need a Grocery List
Track items as you run low. Don’t wait until you run out or you will pay full price for the items you need. Determine what makings of a meal you already have. Finalize it into a plan of what you want to make this week. Make a list of any items you still need. Pay attention to items on sale this week. Use coupons to stretch your grocery budget (visit sites that offer coupon matchups for your store by doing a Google search ( i.e. “Food Lion matchups” or “Food Lion deals”)). Organize the list in the same order as the aisles.
2. Grocery Trips Need to Be:
- Efficient (Organize the list in the same order as the aisles.)
- Affordable (Aim for the lowest prices on each item you buy.)
- Scheduled (Set a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly shopping schedule and stick to it).
Grocery shopping causes the least headaches when paired with a little planning. As you shop, be open to any brand. Be willing to pass if the item is too expensive (i.e. not on sale or if you don’t have a coupon). Make substitutions if possible (i.e. you want butter, but could use margarine). Shop once weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc. The quick “run-in-the-store-to-get-one-thing” trips will kill your budget. Keep the 6 week sales cycle in mind, only stocking up to get you through that time period. We’ll cover that in a couple of weeks.
This is an interactive series, which will feature answers to your questions. So, ask away!
– Outside The Box Mom features quick, easy, time-saving tips and solutions to help busy, working moms find balance, easy meals, deals, and time for moms. Follow her on Twitter.
Other posts in this series:
- Goals when using coupons
- Common reasons why people don’t use coupons
- #1 obstacle in using coupons
- Types of coupons available and where you can get them
- Ways you can organize your coupon stash
I follow you on GFC.
Some great tips there, thanks for sharing x
Good information. Finding a good site that does price matching helps as well as buying multiple papers to get more coupons to buy more than 1 item from a sale!
Thanks for sharing!
Following from the crazy nuts Mom
Regina
Hi Samantha! Nice tips! Thanks for sharing!
I’m a new follower from the hop finding new friends!
You are very welcome to check out my blogs:
http://we-makepeople.blogspot.com
http://ggs-kitchen.blogspot.com
🙂
Hoping with Lucy and Sam…pleased to meet you! Very nice site…hope you join me!
Hi there! Following you now from “finding new friends weekend blog hop”! Great site!
Check out mine when you have the chance:
http://www.mckinneymommas.blogspot.com
Thanks!
New follower! Thanks for hosting!!
I hope you’ll come check out my blog as well!
http://www.whenwereathome.blogspot.com
Thanks! 🙂
Kalista
Great tips!! I have had to totally change my diet so I am going to be even more organized now 🙂 Stumbled also.
Hello! I’m hopping around with Lucy and Sam. Thanks for hosting!
Great advice! Thank you! If I want to save money, the number 1 on my list – DO NOT take hubby! LOL!
I have to agree 100%. I’ve gone shopping before when not fully prepared and it is a massive budget blower! I try to sit the night before and make sure everything is 100% organized.
My other rule of thumb is that if it’s not on the list, it doesn’t go in the cart. If it’s not on the list I most likely don’t have room in the budget.
great tips! passing it on!
I haven’t figured out couponing at the grocery store, but I love couponing at Walgreens and that’s what we need help saving on. 🙂
Great tips and awesome post!
I’m an avid couponer and would love to know how I can reduce my budget…I try matching ect, but still go over budget…always
Great tips!!
Hi, I’m a new follower from the blog Hop, way past the sippy cup days , my sons are now 17 & 18 but your blog still has many interesting things in it for families in general.
Dixie Goode
http://echo-echosvoice.blogspot.com/