Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Grocery Shopping in Tough Times

For the last couple of weeks I have been using coupons while grocery shopping.  I have to admit that it has been quite an interesting and eye-opening experience.  The rule of thumb for me is to only buy things that are readily usable in my food storage OR that it is free.  Yes, I have found that there are a few things that I have been able to pick up FREE! 

Here is what I have been doing.  First I check out the weekly sales ad's to see what is on sale.  And then I go   through the coupons to see what I can use.  The local grocery store here doubles coupons up to $1.00 which can have a huge impact on savings.  I make a list and try to stick to it.  So far I have been doing really well.  I just have to remind myself that I am only shopping for food storage and for immediate use around here.  I stay away from things we don't actually eat. Store what you eat and eat what you store is a motto around here.   I didn't buy anything that wasn't on sale and I had coupons for almost everything I picked up. So here it is...

1 Box Keebler cookies - Free with sale and coupon
1 Bag Pepridge Farm Cookies - Free with sale, double coupon and instant savings coupon
2 Jars Peter Pan Peanut Butter
2 Boxes Oatmeal
1 Box Life Cereal
1 Box Captain Crunch ( Hey, don't laugh, I love Cap'tn Crunch!)
1 Bottle Aunt Jemimah Syrup
1 Jar (med size) Pace Picante Sauce
2 Cans Hormel Chili- No Beans
1 Pkg Hormel Assorted Pork Chops (5.68 lbs)
Total Amount Paid after all sales and coupons 
$20.74     That's a savings of 62%! 

I'm totally amazed at how much money I saved.  I think I may end up being a couponing freak!!  It didn't take much time at all to deal with the coupons and make the list either.  I will sure be doing this again and I bet I end up being pretty good at it too.  Everyone knows how much I love being cheap....err... frugal. :)
I am still hoping to have Shelly, from the Ohio Prepper's Network, to do a guest post about how it all works.  That girl is a Grocery Shopping Guru.
I have just started trying this over the last couple of weeks and already I can see that it is a great way to make your dollars stretch.  Which means more $ for more preps! 
                                    ~~Hey... I'm Just Sayin...~~

5 comments:

  1. It gets addicting. I have been a major coupner for 12 years. Good luck and enjoy the free.

    Melissa

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just started a week ago and I am doing good so far. I don't think I have saved 60% yet but I'm working on it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shopping with coupons used to be fun and a challenge...now it's a nessesity.
    Great work on your shopping!One of my friends gets all her personal needs and over the counter drugs free at the local drug stores with coupons and their shoppers cards.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great job!!!!! There are some good coupons online that you can sign up for - they will send you emails when new ones come out - I really like coupons.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm going to have to give this a shot. I never have cut coupons.

    ReplyDelete