Saving 62% off groceries- without coupons (grocery, pay, buy, costs)

[VegasGrace]

Thanks to this forum!

I spend $520 or so on groceries each month. Just going to a store, buying what looks good, throwing out food because it gets old or finally getting tired of seeing it in the refrigerator.

I made a monthly menu (this doesn't include lunches M-F since daughter in school and I'll just eat leftovers) w/ breakfasts, weekend lunches, snacks, and dinner- USING weekly circulars from local grocery stores (online versions since I don't get them in the mail).

Made a list and headed to Walmart to compare prices and if something was cheaper than the ad- I got it at Walmart, and for things not found in ads.

Then I headed to the other 3 grocery stores all w/in a block or so.

$196.46!!!! My refrigerator and freezer and pantry are stuffed!

Thanks again! (Walmart doesn't match buy 1 get 1 free promos so that's why I don't do the 'bring circular and we'll match it' thing)

[IDASpaceman]

Congrats!!

[yellowsnow]

Because of your name, I'm thinking you live in Vegas? If you do read this thread and you may be able to save even more.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/las-v...las-vegas.html

You are doing great!

[Tightwad]

Originally Posted by VegasGrace

Thanks to this forum!

I spend $520 or so on groceries each month. Just going to a store, buying what looks good, throwing out food because it gets old or finally getting tired of seeing it in the refrigerator.

I made a monthly menu (this doesn't include lunches M-F since daughter in school and I'll just eat leftovers) w/ breakfasts, weekend lunches, snacks, and dinner- USING weekly circulars from local grocery stores (online versions since I don't get them in the mail).

Made a list and headed to Walmart to compare prices and if something was cheaper than the ad- I got it at Walmart, and for things not found in ads.

Then I headed to the other 3 grocery stores all w/in a block or so.

$196.46!!!! My refrigerator and freezer and pantry are stuffed!

Thanks again! (Walmart doesn't match buy 1 get 1 free promos so that's why I don't do the 'bring circular and we'll match it' thing)

A word of caution here........

Be sure that you always figure the TOTAL COST of your shopping trips to include the vehicle cost of fuel and vehicle use. To get a good cost picture one must always deduct these cost from any savings.

This is where a planned once a month "supplies" trip can really add up by avoiding any willy nilly run about vehicle cost. Make the trip pay for the vehicle use by never wasting vehicle time on unnecessary trips.

[TexasHorseLady]

Sounds like fuel and vehicle use wouldn't be much of an issue if all of the grocery stores are within a block or so as stated by the OP. Otherwise, I agree with you.

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by Tightwad

A word of caution here........

Be sure that you always figure the TOTAL COST of your shopping trips to include the vehicle cost of fuel and vehicle use. To get a good cost picture one must always deduct these cost from any savings.

This is where a planned once a month "supplies" trip can really add up by avoiding any willy nilly run about vehicle cost. Make the trip pay for the vehicle use by never wasting vehicle time on unnecessary trips.

I've run across this argument many times before. If you are shopping weekly or twice a week, it makes some sense. Otherwise, it simply is not a factor. The depreciation on a car will happen whether or not you drive it. The costs involved are primarily the cost of gas, oil, and a minor amount of tire wear.

If a gallon of gas will take you 20 miles and costs $3, and the oil cost is 50 cents over that distance, and tire and incidental cost another 50 cents, you can still save serious money.

Example - canned turnip greens at Publix - regular price $1.09. At Sav-a-lot, regular price 59 cents. Buy 8 cans and you have covered the cost of a 20 mile detour. Anything over that is turnip greens covered in gravy.

[Tightwad]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Sounds like fuel and vehicle use wouldn't be much of an issue if all of the grocery stores are within a block or so as stated by the OP. Otherwise, I agree with you.

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

I've run across this argument many times before. If you are shopping weekly or twice a week, it makes some sense. Otherwise, it simply is not a factor. The depreciation on a car will happen whether or not you drive it. The costs involved are primarily the cost of gas, oil, and a minor amount of tire wear.

If a gallon of gas will take you 20 miles and costs $3, and the oil cost is 50 cents over that distance, and tire and incidental cost another 50 cents, you can still save serious money.

Example - canned turnip greens at Publix - regular price $1.09. At Sav-a-lot, regular price 59 cents. Buy 8 cans and you have covered the cost of a 20 mile detour. Anything over that is turnip greens covered in gravy.

What you both say is true......as long as.....the trips are short in nature. If you have to travel any distance at all then the cost does become a factor.

[LittleDolphin]

You've passed along some very valuable money saving tips. And they work--look at all the money you save. I try to do the same thing, buy what's on special and buy seasonally.

Plus, I try to buy some things in bulk--such as oatmeal and onions when they're on special. But only things that don't spoil. Otherwise, the savings vanish when you have to chuck out good food gone bad...

My DH may be a little odd in our eating habits--we don't mind eating a favorite meal 3-4 times in a row if it's something we really like. So when I get some chicken breasts on special, I'll cook them up and then shred them for chicken and make into chicken, onion, tomato and black bean burritos which we'll eat til it's gone...if it's too much to finish in 3-4 servings then I'll freeze some for the future...in fact my favorite meal is--left-overs!

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by Tightwad

A word of caution here........

Be sure that you always figure the TOTAL COST of your shopping trips to include the vehicle cost of fuel and vehicle use. To get a good cost picture one must always deduct these cost from any savings.

This is where a planned once a month "supplies" trip can really add up by avoiding any willy nilly run about vehicle cost. Make the trip pay for the vehicle use by never wasting vehicle time on unnecessary trips.

One of the best things about living in Vegas is that everything is pretty close!

[sterlinggirl]

The other day I looked at vanilla at Wal-Mart and was shocked at how expensive it was. $4 for a two ounce bottle of the watered down stuff that we're used to accepting in the US is just ridiculous.

Today I went to the local mexican grocery store and picked up a 16 oz bottle of the good stuff for $4, and could have gotten a 32 oz bottle for $6. The same amount at Wal-Mart would have been $72.