I have learned so much in the last few months about saving money. This is not one of my best purchases--however I will say that this is becoming an average purchase for me. I have a lot of friends who have been asking me for tips and advice--so I thought I would use my blog to help update people on what I have learned so you can save money as well. So what did I buy for $12.42...
2 ice cream (1/2 gallon)
3.5 lb broccoli
3.5 lb apples
20 oz brats
2 boxes of organic cereal
1/2 gallon organic milk
1 gallon whole milk
1 dozen eggs
1 package shredded cheese
1 package sliced cheese
1 gallon apple juice
1 bag fresh salad mix
1 box of juice boxes
Not too shabby.....And the most outstanding thing is that I am buying organic food for cheaper than I buy regular food at Aldi's. The cereal was 0.80/box. Both milks were free (yes the organic one too!). The juice boxes were free. The eggs were free. And the sliced cheese was free. Now this is how I like to shop!
I have become a coupon shopper the last several months and it has paid off. Previous to this we shopped at Aldi's every week (cheapest place to get food) and spent $60/week. We would also make one Woodman's run (the big cheap store) for all the necessities that Aldi's does not carry. That run would cost us $100. Our monthly grocery bill was then $340/month. I have now cut our grocery spending by more than half! I am very excited by this! This month I am looking at a grocery bill of $160--and the fabulous thing is--we are eating healthier than ever and enjoying new foods we get for FREE. I also need to add that I have virtually eliminated our "Walmart" run. Usually I spend $50 - $75 at Walmart/month for cleaners, toiletries, etc....Last month I spent $10. This means we are saving over $200 a month! Yeah Coupons!
Just to make myself clear, I do NOT buy things just because I have a coupon. (I have a lot of people assume that because I am a coupon shopper I buy things anytime I have a coupon.) The first step I laid down for myself was never to buy anything I wouldn't normally purchase unless it was FREE. For example, the Melt Downs in the picture above are cheese slices. I always buy cheese slices, however these are processed cheese slices (something I would not normally buy). However, they were free (and in fact I got a 0.40 credit towards my other groceries with the coupon I had). --the kids will enjoy it and it will be a fabulous treat.
One may argue that I don't normally buy Organic cereal--however, when I was purchasing our cereal at Aldi's I was spending $1.79/box. Here I am buying Organic cereal and I only spent $0.79/box. Good tradeoff! :) That was step 2, only make substitutes for your normal products if they are cheaper and you know you will eat them! Which brings me to Step 3, figure out what you are normally spending on certain items and aim for lower! Now this will include you occassionally looking at the per ounce price. (Welcome Math people!) If you normally shop at Aldi, they will break this down for you on their price sticker--when you compare prices at your local super store, you will need to do the math yourself.
And for my last step of this intro lesson to saving Step 4 Start making a "ROCK BOTTOM PRICE LIST". Basically this list will consist of your basic grocery items and the lowest price you have been able to find for them. This will help you to have a shopping "goal" as well as tell you when to stock up on an item until its next sale. As you look at fliers you will start to notice a trend. For example, 3lb of frozen boneless chicken breasts go on sale once every six weeks for $4.88 (this is my rock bottom price!) I will then make sure I purchase enough packages of chicken to last me the next 6 weeks until the rock bottom price comes around again. WOO-HOO!
Not to overwhelm you, I am going to end this blog here and leave you my current ROCK BOTTOM PRICE LIST (which I am still working on--remember I am new at this too.) If you have any questions, feel free to email or comment. Otherwise, I will blog again soon with the next steps to saving money!
Jessica's Rock Bottom Price List
Shampoo/Conditioner: Free ( just pay tax)
Soap/Body Wash: Free ( just pay tax)
Kid/Baby Shampoo: ?
Lotion: ?? (Last 4 bottles have been free…)
Pads: Free (just pay tax)
Tampons: Free (just pay tax)
Floss: Free ( just pay tax)
Toothpaste: Free (just pay tax)
Deodorant: <0.50 or free (just pay tax)
Diapers: $4.00 for jumbo size
Toilet Paper: Less than $4.00 for 12 rolls
Dish Soap: 0.50
Cereal: Less than 0.50 a box--though often will get free
Crackers: $1.00
Pasta: Free
Pasta Sauce: $1/jar
Canned Veggies 0.40 can
Frozen Veggies: ??
Stock (Chicken/Beef): $1 / carton
Frozen Pizza: $2 for a fancy pizza (Digiornos, Tombstone, Freschetta)
Bread: 0.75 for whole wheat
Bagels: $1.00
Cheese: $1.25 for 8 oz
Peanut Butter: $1.39
Vinegar: 1 gallon $1.99
Apples : 0.99/lb
Oranges : 0.50/lb
Cantaloupe: $1.50 each
Pineapple: $1.50 each
Bananas: 0.39 lb
Carrots (baby, peeled): $1.00/lb Aldi’s has them 0.49/lb every 1-2 months and I stock up then! Though it doesn’t last until the next sale
Flour: $1.39 5lb bag
Sugar : $2.35 5 lb bag
Fruit Snacks: $1.00
Chicken boneless breasts frozen: $5.00 3 lb bag
Chicken boneless breasts fresh (no hormones): $1.99 lb
Frozen ground beef: $5 for 3lb
Pork ribs/loin/roast: $1.79 / lb
Lunch meat: (nice shaved real meat): $1.50/ 9 oz
Ice Cream $1.50 / 0.5 gallon
yogurt: $1.45 / 32 oz or $0.30 per multipack (4 cups)
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