Last week I posted that I only spent $58 on groceries for the week. I was asked many times, "how do you do it?" It's actually a lot of work before you even think about going to the grocery store.
There are four major things I do in advance.
First I think everyone should have a budget, you can read how I do ours here. We have an envelope specifically for grocery shopping. Say you get paid on the 1st and the 15th (like we do) pick an amount to put in the envelope. Then, figure out how much you are willing to spend on groceries. For example, we usually put $100 in on the 1st and 15th. Then I figure out how many grocery trips we need to take and usually say I want to spend $80 - $100 a trip. If you don't spend the whole amount, put it back in the envelope...it rolls over! Money starts stock piling once you actually start saving money!
Second I realize this option isn't available to everyone. My Mom sends us Omaha Steaks, I think we average one order every two months. Our last shipment had pork tenderloin, catfish, and filets. They send you 4 - 6 of each item, and since there are only two of us..it lasts a while! So, when someone asks what you want for Christmas this year...tell them you want steaks!
Third Coupons! Get them anywhere you can, newspapers, online, product packages. Also, we get free samples in the mail..and they usually come with a coupon for the product.
Fourth Make the menu for the week, try using ingredients you already have hand. Try doing meals with a lot of the same ingredients (chop once, use twice!)
Ok, so now you are ready to go grocery shopping! Get your list, the money you set aside, a calculator and a pen! We walk up and down every aisle, I use the calculator to keep track of how much we are spending..that way we have no surprises when we get to the register! Make sure you use the pen to cross of things you buy, I hate forgetting things!
We stockpile, but not a lot. We have lots of shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste. We don't buy a lot of snacks, and if we do...it's usually pudding and yogurt. We splurge on two things, beef jerky and cheese. And we usually get a bottle of Lucky Duck wine, really really cheap and yummy! Once a month we have to buy dog food and paper products. I also don't buy any canned products, everything is fresh or frozen.
It might take a while to get a hang of it, we were spending about $100 for a while, getting a good stockpile. But now we are averaging about $60 - $70 (and we buy things that will rollover into the next week), AND we don't use all the money in our budget...so we are still saving money!
We are grocery shopping tonight. I set aside $80. I'm aiming to spend only $60 of that!
Good luck!
