Step 3: Saving Money on Groceries
If you have been following my couponing series the past couple of weeks, you should have accumulated tons of coupons by now. You can read my previous two posts:
1. How to start couponing. Coupoing 101
2. Shopping With Coupons
If you do not have a lot of coupons you can PRINT COUPONS for free. If you have started trying to acquire coupons, you have probably printed a ton off the internet in order to create a nice coupon stash. I know I did when I first started. I had stacks and stacks of coupons to cut. I had the whole family cutting them out for me for a while. Now it is under control.Now that you have quite a few coupons and you have made your first trip to the store, you are ready to take it up a notch. How did you feel the first time you scored saving 60-70%? It felt great, right? I know it was great for me, since we needed food and we needed food fast. Saving money on groceries was my priority.
Saving Money on Groceries
Let’s talk about your next trip to the store where you are going to do a larger shopping trip and make a larger list to really start saving money on groceries. Go to a matchup website such as Southern Savers and pick the items where you can save 60-70% on items. Now that you have more coupons you should find more items to matchup. You will want to find items at the lowest price, then purchase as many of them as you have coupons for. This way you will save the most on that particular item until it goes on sale again. The major grocery stores have sales that are discounted below Walmart price to entice you to go there and do your normal shopping buying items on sale and items that are not on sale.
Make a Grocery List
Now it is a good idea to gather your coupons from the matchup sites and make or print your list. Keep your coupons in a separate folder or envelope. Before you check out, check your coupons to see if they match according to brand size and type. Count the number of items in your cart and make sure you have the same number of corresponding items to match the coupons you have clipped. Then proceed to the check out. Be nice to your cashier as you check out. Find out if they would like coupons as they scan the items or after they scan. When you are checking out pay close attention to the scanned price of an item and also make sure all your coupons are scanned. This is much easier to do if you don’t have your kids with you, but if you are like me, most times that is not an option. If not try to review your receipt before you leave the store. I saved over four dollars on a trip because something didn’t ring up correctly and went to customer service for my refund. Always be courteous, especially if you can calmly explain the error they will give a refund.
Now it is a good idea to gather your coupons from the matchup sites and make or print your list. Keep your coupons in a separate folder or envelope. Before you check out, check your coupons to see if they match according to brand size and type. Count the number of items in your cart and make sure you have the same number of corresponding items to match the coupons you have clipped. Then proceed to the check out. Be nice to your cashier as you check out. Find out if they would like coupons as they scan the items or after they scan. When you are checking out pay close attention to the scanned price of an item and also make sure all your coupons are scanned. This is much easier to do if you don’t have your kids with you, but if you are like me, most times that is not an option. If not try to review your receipt before you leave the store. I saved over four dollars on a trip because something didn’t ring up correctly and went to customer service for my refund. Always be courteous, especially if you can calmly explain the error they will give a refund.
My standard price to buy an item is below Walmart price or 50% or higher for the saving money on groceries. It is a good idea to know your prices when you are shopping for an item. Walmart claims to have the best price. What that really means is they have the better than the stores normal price. I will share a price list with you in a later post. It is not quite complete, since many rock bottom prices are going up. The only thing I normally buy that is not on sale is milk.
If you can also take a moment to vote for me at Rate My Blog @ Top Mommy Blogs
1. How to Start Couponing. Couponing 101
2. Step Two Saving With Coupons
4. Step Four Drug Store Shopping – CVS
2. Step Two Saving With Coupons
4. Step Four Drug Store Shopping – CVS
Have you tried the first two steps in my series? Do you have any questions? I will do my best to help answer any questions you may have. I love to help people!
I started couponing in May. During the summer, I was able to stockpile some foods, like rice, pasta, dressing, toothpaste, and creamer. I'm now finding a balance between buying what I need for the week, adding to the stockpile, and reducing my grocery budget. I like seeing what other people buy and how they meal plan. Keep up the good work!
Rachel
Thanks! I am getting to that point too. There are not a lot of things I need, but I would like to build my stockpile with Organic or Basic food items to make other meals. Good luck on your journey.
Hi! I am your newest follower. This is such a helpful post! I look forward to reading more 🙂
Couponing is tough up here! I've tried a few times to get some of the amazing deals I read about but to no avail… don't get me wrong, I am careful about using coupons when I can and I always shop around but I only score freebies or super cheap items once in a great while, and I've yet to find a store that allows me to save more than an item is worth! Anyway, thanks for checking out my blog, following you back now!
Angela @ First Comes Baby…
Couponing is getting tough here too. I am not finding as many amazing deals as I used to. But I am on the hunt. Thanks for stopping by and following.
Returning the follow from Happy Hour Projects – Thanks for dropping by!!
Thanks for the info. I'm new to couponing, but doing my best 🙂 Also thanks for stopping by my blog…I'm following you back!
http://www.wherenothinggoodcomeseasy.com
Nice Info but unfortunately people in Europe don't do much couponing. Thanks for linking up to Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. Following you.
Hi! Just returning the follow!:0)
Following you back! We usually have pretty decent milk sales in our area. Most weeks I can find it at around $2.50 a gallon – give or take. The last couple times I got it a Wally World though it ended up souring fairly quickly. ;(
Hi,
I'm following you from the Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. I am learning to coupon and I even bought a coupon holder book that I will start taking to the store with me. It's a pain planning out what to buy and more looking at prices and comparing coupons but I think saving money is worth it.
Thanks for all the following. I am trying to follow everyone back. However, GFC does not always work the best.
Thanks,
Amy
Love your blog Amy! I am inspired! I voted and rated your site a 10! 🙂