Grocery store savings - Part 1: Prepare and organize

Grocery shopping used to be something that I filled me with dread. Trying to manage my list, a bulging file of coupons, a very strict budget, and a likes-to-grab-things-encased-in-glass toddler left me cursing and dripping with sweat by aisle five. Now that I've got a 'system', I actually enjoy grocery shopping. It took a lot of trial and error to figure out what worked but it was well worth the hassle! By sharing some of these ideas here I hope to alleviate at least some of the stress that comes with shopping.

1. Know what you need to buy. We have a small dry erase board on our fridge so when someone is scraping the bottom of the peanut butter jar, they can add it to the list. The night before going to the store, I write down all the items on the list. This eliminates the "Do we have it at home already?" game while at the store. This only works if you enforce the household rule, however. My husband caught on quickly after having to eat a peanut-butter-less PB&J!

2. Keep your coupons and lists in order. I have two separate files for my coupons. The first one is divided up by category (baking supplies, canned goods, etc). The second, smaller file is categorized by the names of the six stores I shop at most often (Kroger, CVS, Target). Whenever I get new coupons I clip them and file them by category in the first file. When it's time to go shopping, I pull out my labeled envelopes from file #2 and put the coupons for each store in their corresponding envelope. That way when I enter the store all I need (for the most part) is my envelope and my list. I tuck the larger coupon file into my purse for unadvertised sales and clearance finds. This way I don't have to stop in the middle of each aisle to dig for a five month old coupon.

3. Use the internet to find the best deals on what you need. A quick google search for "coupon database" will give you a decent idea of what coupons to match with current sales. My favorite (free!) database is couponmom.com's grocery coupon database. Once you sign up, you'll have access to the database as well as several great resources for printable coupons. I spend about thirty minutes each week printing out new coupons. I often find printable coupons that end up being more valuable than the coupon inserts in the Sunday paper.

(Next week I'll be writing a separate post on my favorite IP coupon websites, so make sure you don't miss it!)

4. Complete your shopping list by noting what coupons you will be using. WayMore4WayLess has a fantastic pre-made shopping list that has (organized!) room to write down each store, quantity, item, price, coupon, and any notes you need to include all in one page! Go here to grab a copy and make sure to leave a comment. It's been a huge time saver - having everything I need all on one page makes keeping track of my spending a lot easier! I carry a highlighter with me and highlight each item and coupon as I shop so I can watch my totals at the register. It makes going over my receipts a lot easier because I can track what each item should ring up at and match it to the appropriate coupon to make sure everything was rung properly. Who doesn't love a little help in that department?

5. Hang your reusable shopping bags on the front door so you don't forget to take them with you! Plastic shopping bags are not only annoying, they're bad for the environment. Cloth bags hold more, are sturdier, and can be used for more than just transporting groceries. If you don't already have a stash of bags, start out by buying one each time you shop. Make sure you leave some kind of identifying mark on your bag! I've been resold one of my own grocery bags before, so now all of my bags either have our last name written on them in permanent marker or have a ribbon tied to the handle. You'll thank me later. ;)


Part 2 is coming up on Saturday. (I know, I know. The excitement - it kills!) Don't forget to enter this week's contest to win over fifty dollars in coupons!

Have any tips or suggestions to add? Comments are always welcome and more than appreciated.

- Leslie
The Healthy Hearth