Today I am making out my monthly grocery list, it can get quite long. The reason I started going only once a month is because we were spending way too much money making "quick" trips to the store. So very recently I started to grocery shopping once a month, usually the first week of the month and then in the middle of the month I do our Wal-Mart shopping (toilitries and such). This works out really well.
My best advice to give is to start planning a few days in advance. I make a first draft list, and then I go through and put the items in order. I also get very specific in the quantities that we buy, I have found that if I have a number next to an item I am more likely to only buy what we need. I have also found coupons to be very helpful, I receive emails from a couple of different coupon web sites. Its so easy because all I do is go through and mark the ones I want and print them off. We also get the sunday paper, which is very helpful in getting coupons.
The first step I take in making my list is to go through and write down all the items that we are in need of. Like this week I know that I am going to need buns, yogurt, cheese slices, etc. Then our grocery store sends out fliers every week with the items that are on sale. I look through that and continue my list. After my list is complete I like to look at the items I have written down and then figure out what meals and how many I can get out of those items. I like to have at least 15 meals taken care of. This past month I was able to buy a bag of fishsticks for about $5.00 and that made lunch 3 times for my boys and I and dinner once for my husband and boys (while I was out with some friends). So I like to buy things that will make several meals and then I rotate them throughout the month. I also wrote a list of the meals and how many they would make and put it on my refridgerator so I could easily look and see what I could make for dinner. When we ate the meal I crossed it off.
The second draft of my list is where I put the items in order according to the aisle (some grocery stores have a list that you can ask them for, I personally just have my grocery store memorized!) As I am doing this I am very careful in making sure that I put quantities next to the items (especially if I am going to use a coupon). I also put a little "c" next to items that have a coupon, so I remember to check the coupon while I am at the store to make sure that I get the right amount and size. Another tip in checking the store circular is to look for items that are on sale and make sure to use your coupon for those items. Its amazing how much money you can save!
My last trip to the grocery store (last month) my total was about $220.00 before coupons and after it was $183.00, so I saved $37.00! I do usually go in the middle of the month and buy more milk or yogurt. I don't like to buy too much of that at one time because it spoils so quickly. I have tried so many other methods and read so many blogs on couponing, but I think the trick is to just find out what works for you and your family and do that! I have taken tips from about 4 different people and made it work for me!
Happy Shopping!
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