Hasn’t the price of groceries just astounded you lately? I know I’ve been shocked. Everytime I go in there to get groceries, I come out with a little bit of stuff and it’s at least $40-50 just about every trip. We used to take for granted that bread, milk and eggs were staples that most could afford to have around all the time, but even those items are getting out of sight! The state of our economy is pretty alarming to me, so I thought it would be fun to share some grocery tips with each other. How do you save money on groceries each week? Do you have any great ideas on buying groceries and keeping the costs down?
It definitely pays to shop around. This chili mix that we love is $1.00 cheaper at Walmart than it is at Publix. That adds up!
For instance, this week, Publix had sweet potatoes for 49 cents a pound, so I bought some of those. We love sweet potatoes, but when they are about $1.00 a pound, I usually pass on them. Asparagus is another favorite, but I will only buy it on sale too. I think it’s coming in season now, so we should be able to get it reasonably priced for the next few weeks. This week it was $1.99 on sale. I won’t pay $4.00 a lb. for asparagus. I try to work my cooking around what is in season for fresh veggies and fruits. Then stock up on things then. And during the winter, we eat mostly frozen veggies.
lusks says
www,madaboutbargains.com is a great site for us in the UK. You can look at all the major supermarkets and see what their deals are for that particular week.
I also like to look for the ‘woops’ aisle where things that are going out of date are offered at knockdown prices, bread, meat, chicken etc can be frozen and used later.
ValleyGirl says
I’m definitely into clipping coupons and shopping on sale days. I try to only buy the bare necessities otherwise. Another thing I do is substitute chopped, frozen zucchini for half the ground beef in some recipes (mostly ones in a tomato-y base, like lasagne or chili, but I also do this when making burgers). I always buy meat that’s marked down because its ‘best before’ date is the same or next day, and I buy as much as I can. I also try to make sure I use all the leftovers in my fridge instead of letting them go bad! (or feeding them to the dog and cats just before they go bad because we’re obviously not getting around to eating them!)
Reynie says
These are all such great ideas and suggestions!
We have Kroger where we live and everyone is correct on what great meat deals they have there! I try to go by there on Friday after work. They put out a bunch of great “manager specials” on meat for the weekend. The good deals will be gone quickly though if you wait till Saturday to shop. I buy what I think we can use and freeze it.
Also, I love my veggie garden and do lots of freezing of veggies for easy dinners on cold winter nights.
Mrs. B says
Hi Rhoda! Thanks for visiting my blog. My comment doesn’t have anything to do with saving on groceries, because we’re really not very good at it! I wanted to tell you that I linked to your earlier post on your Easter display because it inspired me to do a little rearranging. Hope that’s okay and thanks for sharing your great ideas!
restyled home says
Hi Rhoda,
Yes, the news keeps getting worse…have you caught discovered how much the price of flour has gone up?? It has at least doubled, due to the wheat shortage and thus resultant high cost of it. Apparently, this will lead to a dip in the price of beef, as farmers are struggling to pay for grain to feed them…they are slaughtering them in record numbers!! While this will be a savings to the consumer, we must expect the prices then to soar as they will then have a beef shortage!! Aargh…does it ever end??
Meanwhile, I’m stocking up on flour…when I can still find it at the lower price! I read in the paper that bakeries are seriously hurting as their customers are balking at the increase in prices, yet the flour costs to the baker are exhorbitant!!
Maybe it’s time for all of us to go on one of those low-carb diets…
Interesting post!!
Linda
Rosemary says
Hi Rhoda,
I know what you mean. A few things is $50. I am not a coupon shopper. I try to buy on sale though.
Have a fun visit.
Rosemary
Rue says
You are so right about the price of groceries! I try to go once a week to walmart and buy all my main products there (paper towels, TP, cleaning supplies, milk, cheese, etc) and then I go to the regular stores for meat and produce.
I cook from scratch too, but my sister-in-law cooks from a box and she gets things a lot cheaper that way, but I love to cook, so it’s just not for me.
The biggest thing I can think of to save money on is plastic baggies. The store brand is the same as Ziploc. It’s not much, but it helps 🙂
Rue
Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe says
Ditto friend!
I love to go to Whole Foods… and look. Publix’s is my mainstay.
Have fun with your family for Easter.
Sher's Creative Expressions says
I shop at Costco and Sam’s club for most things. I divide up my meats and freeze them. I purchased what I can from Aldi Foods and then finish up with the rest from Walmart.
Groceries are getting too high. I try to stretch the food bill with such things as homemade soups, chilis, stews, meatloaf, sloppy joes, things like that at least a few times a week.
Blessings,
Sher
Sandi McBride says
The cost of food is absolutely alarming, which makes my canning and freezing all that much more welcome to my family. I’m glad that I enjoy it, too! My next project is to enlarge my pantry…now it’s a must! Thanks for all the tips.
hugs
Sandi
Debbie Kay My Vintage Daydreams says
Hi Rhoda:
I agree with you, the price of groceries has gone way over the top. I always shop at the Walmart Superstore for 75% of my food and household items. I find the prices to be much lower than say Vons or Albertsons. I can’t get everything there and some things are cheaper at Trader Joes. Go figure….
Thanks for the tips. Love your blog.
Debbie Kay
ShabbyInTheCity says
My dad used to carry the sales ads around and gather meat on sale then cut up chickens, etc. himself for freezing…with gas prices now that probably wouldn’t float! I don’t even know how to cut up a chicken.
Multitasking Mama says
Hi. My first visit to your site and I love it. 😀 The pic of Publix potatoes caught me off guard – that’s my store of choice, LOL. I will also vouch for their store brand – top quality.
For mom’s – I’ve tried their diaper wipes and they are soft and a nice quality (plus they have the soft pack with peel and close opening). Also, Publix offers a baby club where they send coupons (my son is getting close to 2 and i still get the coupons on a regular basis) and they sometimes include coupons for milk, produce, deli, etc.
I coupon and match sales to coupons to try to get the best deals and stock up when I can. Visit my blog @ multitaskingmama.wordpress.com for some of my shopping tales (I share freebies too). :p I find that using coupons + sale together I can get name brand items cheaper than store brand or dollar store items.
We don’t get the penny item sales in Florida – perhaps b/c Publix is based here and they are more settled in.
Thanks for sharing your blog – I’ll be back to check it out more. 🙂
see you there! says
Wandered over from Shabby’s place.
I love to cook and I’m fussy about what ingredients I use and what goes into my food. Boxed/pre-packaged things aren’t part of my menu. I guess I’m really not frugal about groceries.
However, we do have a small garden with something growing almost year round (greens grow here in winter months) and I am a demon when it comes to controlling waste. Some folks waste lots of food. That just makes me sad.
Darla
Jill@Who Could Ask for Anything More says
We were spending nearly $600 a month on a family of 5 and my husband thought that was a little much so I set out to cut costs. Without trying very hard I’ve nearly cut our grocery budget in half. We don’t eat a lot of meat, so that helps. Like you, I find Wal-Mart to be significantly cheaper on many things. I also love Publix private label and buy that if shopping at Publix. Stephanie Nelson, the “Coupon Mom” on Good Morning America is a member of our Sunday School class and she swears by the whole coupon thing, but I don’t clip. Forget them half the time and it was just too much for me. We also have a huge farmer’s market nearby that we love to shop for fresh produce. Finally, I love this site
http://www.southwesternproduce.com/index.html for locally grown produce shipped directly to your door. Great post.
Anonymous says
Hi Rhoda, thanks for this great post. The price of groceries has gotten so high that for dh and I at times just doesn’t pay to cook. We’ll do takeout knowing its not healthy for us. We miss Publix terribly since moving to NC from Fl nothing compares to the quality and cleanliness of Publix. We shop Harris Teeter and Wal-Mart. I’m also looking into a Food Saver to store/freeze and perhaps have less waste. Lucy
Anonymous says
Hi Rhoda…..It is hard to shop for just 2 people, isn’t it? Sometimes we just eat out & forget the grocery store. Other times, we shop & it is expensive! YOu gotta eat something though, LOL!
Bonnie
KJ says
Hi Rhoda! I know what you mean about grocery shopping. I am being so conservative with my selections and my eyes pop out at the register. One thing that has helped here in So. Cal. is the opening of Fresh & Easy. They are a British company that specializes in fresh and mostly healthy foods, encouraging shoppers to buy in small quantities, a few days at a time. The stores are touted as Neighborhood stores and are not huge. The prices are very reasonable. It’s kind of like the “Why French Women Don’t Get Fat” concept.
Have a blessed Good Friday!
KJ
Charlotte says
For Chili mix – I make my own dry mix using Ground Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Paprika and Ground Cumin and I like to use “Hot Chili Beans” which is added kick and saves money on spices.
I agree with you ” Publix brands” taste great and they save money and I stock up when things go on sale or are 2 for 1. I buy some things in bulk if I have room in my pantry.
I shop once a week with a LIST to help me stay on buget.
“The Dollar” store is also a great place to shop and my parents shop at “Aldies” which they happen to believe hung the moon and in their opinion the cheapest grocery store around. Here in Aldies is not close so this store really is not an option.
Thanks to everyone for posting so many helpful comments.
Happy Resurrection Week!
wanda says
There is an Aldi’s here in the Birmingham-Metro area. It is located on Greenspring Hwy in Homewood. You should check it out.