How are you saving on your grocery bill with the economy?
By MaryLynn321
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
United States
March 17, 2009 8:08pm CST
Share with everyone the ways you are saving on your grocery bill.
For my husband and myself, we shopping at Aldi's which has lower prices, and we only buy what we absolutely need.
I grew a garden last summer and froze carrots, broccoli, beets, celery, yellow wax beans, green beans, and peas. So we don't have to purchase veggies.
We also qualify for the local food pantry, so we go there and get some basic things that they have. We get all of our bread through them, which really saves on the grocery bill. They don't have a big selection on foods, and things are out dated. But, it sure helps.
For Christmas our children gave us gift certificates to Aldis's which I just used the last $25.00 certificate up today. It helps to stock the pantry, with the basic essentials.
We don't buy chips, cookies, etc. No treats, we would love some here and there, but there really are not necessary, and they keep the cost down.
We watch for sales on meat, and if it is low enough we get a few packages.
We eat a lot of the same things, because it is cheaper, I just learn to experiment with recipes. Con-cocked quite a few new ones that we like.
I make a lot of homemade soups, just using broth and vegetables when we don't have meat.
Won't you share your grocery saving tips with the rest of us.
8 people like this
29 responses
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
My husband buys the toilet paper in the 12 packs, and it lasts much longer. We also get bigger boxes of detergent, but that price just keeps going up. Canned goods I like to stack up on.
Thank you for sharing.
1 person likes this
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
18 Mar 09
I have a small garden in my terrace where I grow different vegetables. I also grow grapes. What I do is I buy vegetables from the roadside shops where the vegetables are brought mainly by the farmers and are sold in a cheap rate. Sometimes there would be a huge difference in the vegetables. I buy groceries from big bazaar or from the margin free shops. I found that here the cost is very low compared to other shops.
3 people like this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
I like the idea about the grapes, I would love to grow blueberries, they say you can freeze them for 2 years. And they are good for your health too. I don't buy from the farmers market as I grow a huge garden. This year the garden will be even bigger to accommodate several families besides ourselves. I have never heard of margin free shops. Wonder if they have any here. This is interesting, I will have to look into it.
Thank you for sharing.
@nancysoffice (55)
• United States
18 Mar 09
I hear about Aldi's and how cheap they are there's one close to me I may have to check it out.
I basically buy what I need for my household and if it's on sale. If the item is not on sale then I buy the generic brand. I mainly buy bulk from Sam's Club and I buy meats in bulk, too at Meat City.
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
We don't have a Meat City, and we have to go out of town to go to Sam's. But with the price of gas, and the cost of bulk food at Sam's we can't afford the extra like we use to. It use to be so nice to go there. Check out Aldi's it has become very popular.
@borgborg (821)
• Philippines
18 Mar 09
Wow! Those are real great saving tips! We really need to save especially now that things are so expensive. I still am living with my parents so I don't do the grocery shopping at home yet but I buy my own essentials like toiletries and stuff. I always compare the prices of different brands and buy the cheapest but still durable product.
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
That is why I started this discussion. It never hurts to discuss these things. Others find the discussion and put in their savings tips, and also learn different ones from others. I have learned a lot from everyone, and thought I was doing pretty good. Heck I can even do better now.
Thank you for sharing. Comparing prices is definitely a must.
@lucky1girl (139)
• Taiwan
18 Mar 09
1.Buy something at large quantities.ex a small bag of cookie is $2 but $5 at three bags.
2.only buy the things we need,never buy the cheap one but useless.
3.use coupon to shop.
4.Do the deliciouse by ourselves.
5.online shopping
6.Buy the things at discount.
I just can remember these to share with everyone haha:)
2 people like this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
18 Mar 09
Sounds good, everyone has great ways of saving on their grocery bills. I will have to check out the online shopping and see if I can save that way. Discount and coupons, I do, and they really do help.
Stop back if you remember any more.
Thank you for sharing.
1 person likes this
@gurlychie (17)
• Philippines
18 Mar 09
I only buy those things which my family and I really needed in everyday activities. I don't tend to buy luxurious things if it is not needed.
We have a garden at home also....we get vegetables in our yards so that we can spend less.... We eat more on fishes and vegetables rather than meats. It's more nutritious. Now I'm still a student so it has really many expenses coz of the tuition and projects so i must use my money wisely. I don't often buy dresses or any accessories..good luck to all of us.
2 people like this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
Excellent advice and information, it never hurts sharing how others save on their grocery bills as well as other bills. Sounds like you have things under control. Good luck with school
Thank you for commenting.
@dfollin (25379)
• United States
18 Mar 09
We eat less and eat more foods that are filling.We shop where most of the food is on sale.I heat up a lot of leftovers,eat free meals at church as well as other places.I take advantage of double coupons too.
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
18 Mar 09
Great ideas, thank you. We definitely eat leftovers too, if we are sick of them, then I freeze them for another meal. Our church doesn't have the free meals but it would be nice.
@fasttalker (2796)
• United States
18 Mar 09
I make a list and stick strictly to it. It helps eliminate picking up unneeded extras. We don't have an Aldi's near us so we shop at Sav-A-Lot. They have some really good buys there.
We grow a veggie garden every year and last year was a good year for us. We are still using frozen and canned goods from that. Hopefully they'll stretch through unitl this years crop gets going. Then back to the same routine! LOL
1 person likes this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
I make a list as well. It sure does help. I would love to take a ride out of town, as Sav-A-lot carries a few things that Aldis does not carry. They definitely have good buys. I grew a garden last year for the first time in 20 years. It was great to have cucumbers, and cucumber salads, cut up cukes to eat, carrots, beets, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, radishes, pumpkins, squash, corn, peas, beans, etc.
We did a lot of fresh eating, and I made a lot of vegetable soup, and cream of broccoli soups too. Many casseroles as well.
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
We are stilling using our frozen vegetables as well. They just taste so much better than canned. I am hoping mine will last till it is time to start picking and freezing as well.
I hear you about the same routine with the garden and canning and freezing. I think a lot more people will start up canning and freezing again. I use ice cream pails that we saved. We save the lids. Once the veggies are blanched and chilled, I put them on a jello roll sheet and have them in one layer, and pop them in the freezer until they are frozen, then I put them in the ice cream pails. Then all I have to do is scoop out what I need for a meal. Saves on buying freezer bags.
Thank you for sharing.
@ladynetz (968)
• Canada
19 Mar 09
I started to use coupons a lot.
I also check the flyers weekly and write to myself on a piece of paper, what's on sale and where.I buy most things on sale, and try to use my coupons to lower even more the cost.Lots of times, i get to pay only the taxes. I bought recently juice, soap for dishes,face cream, soap, snacks, and more, for maybe $0.50 each. It's so good to know that you can give your children what they like, and it costs you almost nothing.As for money.It takes me quite a while to check every flyer, to clip coupons, to look for coupons everywhere I go, but the bottom line is a big money saving. And that's all about.
Clothing - I buy only second hand.
Meat and vegetables - I look for 50% sales and cook them the same day.
Bread - there is a place selling almost out of date bread, but if you freeze it, it's good as new.And the price is around 25% cheaper.
1 person likes this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
Thank you, I didn't know that. Do the stores except coupons that you print from your printer? I know some stores don't.
That is good to know I will have to look into it further.
Thank you for sharing and for commenting.
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
Thank you for all your tips. I never thought of cooking the meat & veggies the same day. I just freeze it. But, I like your idea. The meat and veggies then are already prepared, just have to be reheated. We don't get the newspaper anymore (it didn't have many coupons in it) but, I think I will check the stores and see if they have flyer's out.
Thank you for commenting.
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
18 Mar 09
I have to shop the sale flyers. If I can give the sale items an extra savings with coupons I will. It is hard to get lots of coupons in Canada. There is not as many coupons available in Canada as in the USA. I plan my menus on what is on sale for that week. Also when something is on discount like bread for a dollar I throw a few loaves in the freezer for later. I am eating more rice based meals. I am eating more beans and less meat. For cereal and midnight snacks I use oatmeal. The oatmeal I got at the bulk food store on their discount day. Those boxed cereals cost as much as meat.
I have always had to pinch pennies so this recession is not really making a lot of difference to me, it is just that there seems to be more people that are getting in my situation.
We do not have an Aldi's here.
2 people like this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
18 Mar 09
Most of my life there has been pinching pennies or watching money one way or the other. My parents went through difficult times, and so did my husband and myself after we got married, and now we are going through it, but this time is the worst. Oatmeal sounds like a plan. I use a lot more rice too, and wide egg noodles. But try to use the rice more. It is good to use the coupons too. I especially like it when I really would like a name brand and they have a good coupon for it. We buy 3 or 4 loaves a bread at a time, and just keep out one that we need, the rest get froze.
Thank you for commenting.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
18 Mar 09
We buy our meat in bulk at a local butcher to save money on our meat. I make a great deal by scratch because the ingredients go further and I can make more out it then if I bought pre-boxed meals. I do a great many stir fry meals as they seem to go further, and I make use of my crock pot.
Namaste-Anora
2 people like this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
18 Mar 09
We had a steer we raised and butchered it in February. So our freezer is full of beef. But, I still try not to use it all of the time. We don't need that much beef, but at least I can make a roast or meatloaf, a stew, spanish rice, etc.
I too make things from scratch, they definitely are cheaper and to me they are just as fast if not faster than a boxed meal. I use my crockpot as well. I love to put things on at night so they are done for lunch the next day, and in time to put in the hubbies lunch for work.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
18 Mar 09
I hope my mother can be economical. She's the only housewife in the whole world that doesn't look at the pricing before she buys things.
Once she bought a few boxes of tissue paper at 3 times the price of the house brand. The money spent is more than enough for me to buy 3 lunches. I will not mind if she spends a bit more on buying organic food, but imagine wasting the money on tissue paper. I can't help it, always nag at her, till now she has not learnt to look at price tags.
Actually a simple dish of porridge is nutritious and cheap. Just boil the rice, and add a bit of mince meat, some vegetables and eggs.
2 people like this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
18 Mar 09
You sound very wise. If the economy should start affecting your parents, then maybe she will have to look at prices. You will be able to help her save money if that time arises.
I know of people to this day even with the economy that just buy what ever they like. And then they will be the ones to complain the loudest when they don't have money, instead of cutting back now and saving, so they won't run out of money.
Thank you for your tips and suggestions.
1 person likes this
@destanita (99)
• United States
18 Mar 09
This Aldi store sounds like a great one! Wish we had one of those here where I am from! We have a store called Sharp Shoppers, they have amazing deals everyday, their prices are usually half what you would pay at a regular grocery store, I guess you would call it a "scratch and dent" grocery store. The only thing I do not like is that they do not have everything that a normal grocery store would have, but they always have something different. I have started using a lot more coupons, and doing comparison shopping.
2 people like this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
18 Mar 09
I think we all are going to what ever store is the cheaper one. Some places have stores the call Sav-A-Lot. They have great deals too, they are a lot like Aldi's. One thing at these places, they usually have the same things every time. But occasionally they will have a few different things. It is a great place to shop. In fact we were shopping there before the recession, but would still pick up somethings at other stores. Now we only pick up things at another store, if Aldi's doesn't carry it.
Thank you for commenting.
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
18 Mar 09
Yes I find that making a grocery list is very helpful. Also setting a limit on how much is to be spend. We go grocery shopping maybe once every month or even longer. We try to stick to spending $25.00 on just things that are absolutely needed. My husband will pick a few things up if they are absolutely needed between shopping trips. Occasionally we spend more, if we have it.
@kareng (61740)
• United States
20 Mar 09
Well I've become a coupon freak again. I used to be an avid coupon clipper and had slacked. I'm back at it now and make a point to print out all coupons I can find and get the ones out of magazines and the Sunday Paper. I share them with my mom and she shares hers with me too. We also have an old neighbor that sends her coupons after she cuts and we send ours her way when we are done. One of my daughters is also getting into the act so that adds more coupons to the hat!
I saved over $30 on my last trip to the store. I had several free coupons and only bought things we needed, no extras.
I am also trying to be creative with meals. For instance we had tacos last week. I had a lot of meat left over, didn't realize I had cooked so much, but I did. We then had taco salad. I still had meat left over so I ended up opening a jar of Ragu and tossing the meat in there. It was a spicy spaghetti but we liked it. It was different and a good change. We took this for lunch one day during the week.
Little things add up, just keep your eyes open and surf the net! There are lots of coupon groups at yahoogroups too. One that I started several years ago is FreebiesUnlimited. They post links for free samples too! Great group!
1 person likes this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
20 Mar 09
Great ideas. I would suggest next time take enough of the meat and freeze it for another time, so you all don't get sick of it. That way you just have to unthaw and heat, and you have one quick meal just about done.
Great ideas.
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
19 Mar 09
we do not buy alot of the things we used to and we shop at aldi's to save money. we no longer shop every week as we cannot afford it and we use up whatever is in the house.
1 person likes this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
We have cut back so much, including buying things for the grandkids, we only get items that are practical and onsale, or I make them with something I have around the house. We definitely do not shop every week. More like once every few months. If we absolutely need something like bread or milk, my hubby will pick something up on the way home from work.
@theweerouss (982)
• United States
18 Mar 09
I've been much better about using coupons lately. I only clip the ones for items that I actually need, so as to avoid spending on something I want, but don't need, just because I have a coupon for it. I also check circulars of different stores to see where is showcasing the best prices on what I need for the week. I never used to do this, and I would simply shop at the grocery store I like the most, but it's proven to pay off to use different stores for different items. A few weeks ago there was a huge sale on frozen tilapia at one of my local grocers and I was able to get dinner for three nights out of the supply I got, and it averaged out to only a dollar a person (including side dishes!) I'm trying to find even more ways to save, but I'm having fun with it and liking how things are going!
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
Yes it can be fun, and finding out how healthy one can eat too. You ditch the stuff one really doesn't need, and get only what is practical, and affordable.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
18 Mar 09
I don't have a big grocery bill at all! I eat at work twice a day when I do work. When I'm not I take food home to eat on my days off! The food I do buy I buy at Walmart. When it comes to buying milk I go to one of the Kwik Trips. I buy milk in the bags and they are much cheaper then the jugs! That is how I'm dealing with a weak economy!
1 person likes this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
The milk is definitely cheaper at Kwik Trip. Some people don't realize how much they can save. It is also a great place to buy bananas.
@rebelmel (1386)
• United States
18 Mar 09
I use reusable shopping bags - they sometimes discount you five cents for each bag.
I also make a lot of rice and beans, those are both VERY cheap and easy to dress up with spices. Pasta is also a good way to save money - it's so cheap to buy and you can use it in soups too.
I also really love to bake. I make cupcakes very frequently, they aren't too expensive if you make the frosting yourself.
1 person likes this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
I use a lot of rice and beans too. Frying up hamburger and adding a can of baked beans to it, its quick and easy as well as good. I use a lot of macaroni and egg noodles in dishes too.
You are so right about the cupcakes. A little powder sugar and some cocoa and evaporated milk, along with a couple tablespoons of Crisco makes a great frosting.
Thank you for sharing.
@hushpie234 (32)
• United States
18 Mar 09
i honestly really dont know how i would be able to explain it but
i think that with the present economic crisis
it would be a tightening of the belts issue
you understand
i think one could earn some good cash
and the try to buy wholesale
to avoid unnecessary retail expenses
sometimes more is better
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
19 Mar 09
I agree with you. But with our economic crisis, many of us do not have the extra money to be able to buy wholesale. Maybe if several people went together and shopped and helped split the price of cases or larger quantities of food, that would make it affordable for more people.
