Food Shopping

Aside from coupons, what are some things that you do to try to cut down your bill? I spend $100 + every time I go and I feel like I walk away with nothing. I'd love to hear some of your suggestions!

Re: Food Shopping

I started buying the generic brands. They taste the same to me.

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I plan my meals for the week and buy the ingredients I need. I don't just buy stuff to buy it.

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I buy the store brand as much as possible, almost always. Unless there is a sale where the name brand is cheaper, but you always have to check.
We shop at Waldbaums, so the store brand is Americas Choice

We buy toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, soda, coffee and water at Sams club.

At the supermarker we look out for sales on soda - we dont buy cases unless it is around $10 for 3 cases or so.

We even buy stuff like shampoo and toothpaste at the Dollar Store. They have the same exact stuff as the supermarket.

Message edited 12/27/2006 10:02:32 AM.

Re: Food Shopping

I thought I was the only one wo spends $100 everytime I go into the supermarket and it looks like nothing...

oh, and I already buy generic stuff so for me that is not the answer...

Message edited 12/26/2006 6:49:14 PM.

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20/20 just did a show last week on "generic" brands...they prooved that they made with the same ingrediants as name brand items...we are programmed to buy the more expensive name brand items.

I recently started buying generic items as well....but there are still a few items that i will still buy name brands.

I also try to plan my meals in advance, that way I make less trips to the supermarket.

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I refuse to go to the supermarket, that's my answer!!!

I go to the local produce market for my produce, almost always 1/2 the cost of S&S.

I go to Western Beef in Mineola for my meats and groceries and cold cuts, way cheaper and better quality, and Boar's Head!

I only go to S&S when I need a specific ingredient I can't get anywhere else, or if there's a great sale.....

Re: Food Shopping

i go every week and buy 4 meats, 4 veggies and 4 carbs

like steak, chicken and pork chops
broccoli, salad, sweet potatoes and spinach

couscous, wild rice, pasta and potatoes

then i buy whatever im running out of
or ingrediants for a recipe

i do one of each every night.

bill has been lower lately

i used to get sucked into buying crap i didnt need but now i am there on a mission and try to stay away from impulse purchases

our fridge is bare at the end of the week but it keeps me thin! lol


ETA- SOME NON BRAND ITEMS ARE GOOD AND SOME STINK-

BAD BEING DISHWASHING POWDER, TRASH BAGS, HAND SOAP
GOOD BEING THE STOP AND SHOP LAUNDRY DETERGENT- WHICH WORKS GREAT, ZIPLOCK BAGS, DRYER SHEETS

Message edited 12/26/2006 7:36:43 PM.

Re: Food Shopping

I shop for my family of 4 on $80/week. I use coupons, get things that on sale the majority of the time and do buy the store brand. I get alot for my money.

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Stop and shop also takes the king kullen $10.00 off coupons.

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I will occasionally go to more then one store. If I can really save some money....

But I usually end up spending a lot more then I wanted to.

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I try to go to Trader Joe's and the produce market to get many items instead of S&S. We buy generic some of the time, but never for orange juice...yuck! I'd like to bring our bill down some too.

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I always go to the store wih a list and I stick to it and i'll buy whatever brand is on sale. Plus i find that i need to shop on a full stomach or i will impulse buy.

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I make a list of stuff I need, then check the S&S circular online before I go. I'll make sure to buy the brand on sale, and for items I know we go through fast, if - and only if - it's on sale, I'll buy in bulk, because I know it will be off my list for a couple of weeks then.

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when you find the answer let me know - I spen 150$ every week and I am usually dry by 3 days.... we like to eat ALOT.

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i shop at produce stores like meat farms or best yet for my meats, veggies and fruits. I also have a cup that we throw loose change in and once a month I take that change to the coin star at the supermarket and use it towards my groceries. it really helps. sometimes it's up to $60 !

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I try not to go as often or send DH since he tends to stick to the list.

Another hint to try is to only bring a certain amount of cash. If you only have $20 you can only spend $20 dollars. I do this sometimes and it helps me weed through and only buy what I need.

Message edited 12/26/2006 9:54:40 PM.

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I plan my menu for the week before I go - this way I know exactly what I have to get for each meal. I also look at circulars to see what is on sale, and try to plan some meals according to that. When I see stuff on sale (ketchup, toothpaste, etc.) I buy it even if we are not running out yet.

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I try to plan our meals in advance and shop for the ingredients that I need - also to stock back up on any pantry items we are low on and actually use.

Another thing, we buy all of our meat at Costco. We cut it ourselves and separate it into foodsaver packages that we freeze. I like the Western Beef suggestion though - might check it out.

I also stock up when things that we use are on sale - like the pasta. If they have those 10 for $10 deals I will stock up.

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buy some stuff at target- it's cheaper
coupons
buy what's on sale with your card- or store brand
stick to my list

I spend about $120 for 2 weeks - so that's $60 a week for 2 people