Comments on: Grocery Shopping on a Budget

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:36:33 +0000

Do you shop with a list? Do you plan your meals before you shop? DO you plan those meals around what you already have in the pantry? Do you then get good deals like the meat you mentioned to “stock up” even though it wasn’t on your list? My grocery budget including diapers and household is $500 for a family of 5 is that bad?

Just wondering those things…would love your answers. Thanks!

By: Linda (bushel and a pickle)

Linda (bushel and a pickle) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:15:10 +0000

Ironically, my college attending son got me hooked on looking for those yellow label make down meats! I use coupons and don’t drive around to a bunch of stores for “deals”. We eat what is on sale or what I have coupons for. By sticking to one store I save on gas and time. I actually spend less and have very little waste. It was also good to read about the realistic food budgets. I have never fed my family on the low amounts I read about sometimes. Remembering home management is part of my job, I don’t get frustrated or discouraged at the amount of time planning and shopping takes. Thanks for the encouragement to keep on keeping on.

By: niki

niki — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:59:58 +0000

Good tips all around! I really enjoy your blog and seeing how others save money.

2 hours left for my giveaway of The Coupon Mom’s new book:

http://free2befrugal.blogspot.com/2010/03/review-coupon-moms-guide-to-cutting.html

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:55:03 +0000

I agree – love these posts. I have a HT right around the corner from me and get marked down meat all the time. I espcially love it when they mark down the organic chicken. I really love these posts – I learn so much from them and they inspire me to really get that grocery bill down! Now I really need to buy an extra freezer. We have another fridge/freezer in the garage – but the freezer is so small. Plan to eat from the pantry these next 3 weeks!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:54:43 +0000

Jen that’s awesome I totally agree TALK to the meat and produce mgrs. they will seek you out when you come in if they have something to get rid of. We are always game to try something new.

By: Rochele

Rochele — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:35:56 +0000

I love the Dave Ramsey quote, I put it on my facebook status today!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:48:28 +0000

I had run out of wheat. Mine arrived yesterday and I couldn’t wait to try your cinnamon roll recipe. I did all freshly ground hard white instead of the all-purpose. I added an extra tablespoon of yeast. Everything else I kept the same. SO WONDERFUL! I’ve tried lots of recipes, but this is the favorite. The rest are going in the trash. No need to try others. It can’t be beat. Just wanted to thank you SO much for the time and energy to putting together the perfect recipe. I’m sure your family didn’t mind all the additional taste tests. Thanks for all I learn from you. Due to finances, my daughter and I are learning the art of thrift shopping and loving the thrill.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:04 +0000

I really appreciate you taking the time to teach the rest of us your tips! And I really, really appreciate furniture redos! Woo hoo!

By: Kirstin

Kirstin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:33:59 +0000

Great post. Our budget for 4 each month is $390 which I find really isn’t much, so I need to really take my time shopping, finding the deals, etc.. I shop at Coscto (my chicken, TP, Bananas and a few other things now and then), Winco, Grocery Outlet (for whatever I find that is a great deal…especially organic things). We also have a local produce store where I often get discounted produce and they have huge bins of “damaged” goods marked down at great prices. A few weeks ago I bought a box of 8 clif bars for $1.00! SCORE…My favorites are their canned goods for .50.

I think part keeping the budget is what you buy…for example because we have a particular budget (and hubby’s preference) we rarely eat beef and if we do it’s not expensive cuts. We usually eat Veggie, chicken or salmon. Lots of soups!! I don’t purchase a lot of processed or high priced packaged foods. If something I typically buy goes up in price one week, I simply bypass it, waiting for it to down.

I shop with cash and a calculator AND a list!! I pre-make my menu’s so I know what I need. My shopping trips can take awhile, but it’s worth it.

By: Ashley @ Domestic Fashionista

Ashley @ Domestic Fashionista — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:17:20 +0000

I recently switched to the same moto you have of cooking by what I have in the pantry. With me and my husband, I can often leave the grocery store only buying five items. It is amazing how this little change has saved us so much money and has used up all our food. Now, I love seeing the pantry and freezer get empty…a sign we are eating our food and not wasting! I love what you said about being okay with our frugal ways. A lady at target was giving me major attitude the other day as I jumped on their sales and my coupons. She was obviously annoyed with me. But it is worth it…and it is okay to be crazy frugal!!!