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Grocery Bag Efficiency

Carol — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:27:38 +0000

I am doing my part for the environment by collecting the reusable grocery bags. I started with plain black ones, and have now expanded to colorful lime green and red ones. I always keep them handily in my car so I’m always ready for that last minute shopping trip. They’re great…when I remember to bring them into the store. I am always leaving them in the car! You know that V8 commercial, where they slap their forehead, and say “I could have had a V8!” That’s me with the bags, right after I enter the store.

Well today I remembered! Today I brought in all 10 of them, more than plenty for my quick purchase to ready myself for the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays. I was actually quite proud of myself for remembering.

But as I stood and watched the cashier ring up my $30 grocery purchase, I couldn’t help but notice the young bagger. She carefully placed my 2 large yams, a can of mandarin oranges, celery, 2 bags of cranberries, 2 boxes of stuffing mix, a large square container of rice mix, a large bag full of fresh broccoli, a bunch of asparagus, and an onion, all in one bag! And in the second bag, she put a lonely bag of 8 cherry tomatoes. That’s it.

I had to chuckle to myself as I lifted my two bags, one light as a feather, the other so heavy I thought the handle would snap off. I thanked her, and we both felt a sense of pride that day.

Organize Your Grocery Shopping Day

Carol — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:55:06 +0000

How many times have I arrived at the grocery store only to find out that I left my coupon book at home. Or, get up to the register and realize I forgot to bring my reusable bags. Or, I forgot the check I was suppose to deposit. I put a stop to that with a little organization the day before.

Now when I complete cutting my coupons and creating my lists, I immediately place them into my coupon binder. I use one of my reusable shopping bags to hold my coupon binder, grocery lists, any returns, a list of all errands and all my reusable shopping bags. I then place it by the front door. Next morning, I am not getting out the door without everything I need. Now I am not wasting my time or my money!!

Don't Forget!

Get Into the Grocery Coupon Game–Part Two

Carol — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:52:29 +0000

To summarize my Get Into The Coupon Game: Clip, Organize, & Save! blog, I talked about putting together a coupon binder as well as cutting and organizing coupons. We are ready to move on to the next step.

On Wednesday mornings, I pull all the grocery ads from the newspaper (there are usually coupons included). If you don’t get the newspaper, you can ask to be placed on the mailing list for all the grocery stores–most will be happy to mail you a weekly ad. I go through each ad and write down their best deals for the week. All of the stores lower their prices on certain items to pull you into their store, and we want to take advantage of them.

After I have gone through the ads, I prepare my weekly menu and grocery list based on the sales and what’s in season. Watch for future blogs on menu and recipe ideas. Take advantage of seasonal buys. During November, I stock up on turkey, which can be as little as $5.00. After Christmas, the hams go on sale–Carol and I bought several at 75% off last year and froze them.

Carol and I use a service called “The Grocery Game”. For a small charge, you receive a list every Sunday to a grocery store of your choice (I choose the one that doubles coupons). The list indicates anything in black as being on sale, but not at the lowest prices. Anything in blue is on sale at the lowest prices of the season and recommends that we use our coupons. Anything in green is free when you use the listed coupon. So you can see how valuable this tool can be and I believe it to be worth every penny! I encourage you to visit the website for more information.

Sunday is here and I am armed with my list of sales items, grocery list and “The Grocery Game” list. I now start pulling coupons and paperclip them to the appropriate list–see the picture below for a visual. Since “The Grocery Game” list is available Sunday morning when coupons are published, you have Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to shop before the new ads come out Wednesday morning.

Monday morning, I am organized and ready to shop with my lists, coupons and my reusable shopping bags. I start with the store the furthest away from me and work my way back towards home. Because I am organized, it does not take me long to run through all the stores on my list. I also map out any errands I have to make sure that I am not doubling back and wasting gas.

Don’t forget to take your coupon binder with you into every grocery store. You never know when there may be an unadvertised special or something clearanced that you may have a coupon for. Watch very closely as they ring you up; there are mistakes made and it is your job to catch them. I never leave the store without taking a look at my receipt. If I find a mistake, I make sure they correct it before I leave. Remember, we are trying to hang on to our money, not give it away!

I use to be a brand snob, using only certain brands because I thought they were better–that is not true in most cases. Don’t be afraid to try something new in a different brand (especially with a coupon) or try the store or generic brands. There is not that big of a difference, if any. Also, most stores have a section for outdated food or day old bread–don’t forget to check it out. Many times it is only a day or two past the expiration date, but still perfectly good food.

When I get home with the groceries, everyone wants to know how much I spent–even my husband is proud of me knowing how much I can save when buying groceries. And of course, on my best shopping days, I have to phone my friends and brag about my latest steal. I pat myself on the back and start plotting my next trip to the grocery store.

If you have never used coupons, it is time to get in the game. If you use coupons, share some of your tips and ideas with us. As much as we think we know, we can always learn more! Happy Shopping!