Coupons, Circulars Are Key Ingredients To A Cheaper Grocery Bill

I've been doing this for years. Good to see that it's finally made the local news and more people are starting to do it.

From NY1 News:

Clipping coupons can certainly cut down on a grocery bill, but consumers don't need to spend excessive amounts of time with scissors to see substantial savings. NY1's Money Matters reporter Tara Lynn Wagner filed the following report.

There are those who clip coupons and those who take it to the extreme. Melissa Zambito, a mother from Piffard, N.Y. whose high couponing caliber landed her on the show "Extreme Couponing" calls coupons "legal shoplifting."

But just like time is money, saving money takes time. Zambito spends roughly 20 hours a week clipping and categorizing her coupons, and mapping out her strategy before she hits the stores.

However, Jeanette Pavini of Coupons.com says using coupons does not need to consume a shopper's life or basement.

"The reality is you can save a tremendous amount of money," says Pavini. "You can save thousands of dollars a year using coupons and using different strategies with an investment of a modest amount of time."

Rather than 20 hours a week, Pavini says shoppers should just spend 20 minutes going through newspaper inserts and surfing for coupons online and can still shave hundreds off a monthly grocery bill.

"If you can save $200 a month on groceries, and so maybe $50 a week, and you're investing 20 minutes, well, 20 minutes for $50, that's worth it to me," says Pavini.

She says the first place to look is not at the coupons themselves, but rather the store circulars. They may not have clippable coupons, but shoppers can still find tons of savings, no scissors required.

"The circular is your best friend. You look at the circular and you build your weekly menu off of what is on sale," says Pavini. "Once you have that menu established, you look for coupons that match what's on sale, so that you get double the savings, and then clip coupons and print coupons for things that you would need anyway, even if it's not on sale."

Whether shoppers have one coupon in their wallet or a binder-full, like Zambito, there is no need to be embarrassed when approaching a cash register. Couponing is in, as is saving money.

Pavini says, "3.3 billion coupons were redeemed last year -- 3.3 billion coupons, that's a lot of coupons. It's like the new black."

"Extreme Couponing" airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. on TLC.

Grocery Shopping

A friend of mine was amazed when she learned that I only budget myself $20-$30 for the week on groceries and I stick to it. She spends almost $70 for one person!

My trick is to peruse the supermarket circulars and buy only what's on sale. I have a small pantry but I try to stock it up with the basics like canned stock/broth, dried pasta, jarred sauces, and canned beans. Most often times these go on sale for 99¢ or less.
Frozen vegetables periodically go on sale as well and I stock up on corn, peas, chopped broccoli, chopped spinach, whole leaf spinach, and okra when they sell at 99¢. These vegetables come in handy to bulk up a meal and I have recipes that utilize these in this blog.
Bread freezes very well so if you find that loaf on sale for $1.50, buy a couple and freeze one for later.

I buy the store brand most times since it's cheaper and I find it's just as good as major name brands. When I DO find name brands on sale, I also search the internet for manufacturer's coupons for that product for the additional savings.

Specialty spices and sauces I buy in Chinatown or Little India as they are often sold at better prices than major markets.

I shop at Costco for bulk savings like cereals and bevereages and they also have coupons on specific items. Fresh produce is cheaper there than at supermarkets as you can buy a package of 6 romaine hearts for about $3 (great for making Caesar salads and wrapping Galbi Gui). Don't forget the drugstores and 99¢ stores!

When buying fresh produce or items from the refrigerated sections, always look at the expiration date and chose the one that will expire later. Supermarkets usually put the newer stock behind the ones that will expire sooner. When you get home, do the same with your refrigerator and pantry.

Once your pantry and freezer are well stocked, you'll be spending less to make a meal. Many recipes will make a dish to serve a small family. If it's just you, freeze the rest for meals you can eat later and you will have saved yourself money AND time.

I'm going to the Pharmacy to buy... Groceries???

Yes! Many big name drugstores and pharmacies like Duane Reade, CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid all are starting to carry a larger selection of groceries and food. While the selection may be smaller than a grocery store or supermarket, the prices can be MUCH cheaper.

You can use manufacturer's coupons along with the store's coupon or membership card to get even better savings on your groceries! So, when you are making a trip to the supermarket, stop by a drugstore/pharmacy along the way and check them out.

My weekend ritual of perusing the online weekly supermarket circulars for sales now includes the drugstore/pharmacies!

The following are links to the the weekly circulars. You may have to enter your zip code to see the savings in your area.

Duane Reade Weekly Circular

CVS Weekly Ad

Walgreens Weekly Ad

Rite-Aid Weekly Circular

Numerous violations at NYC Supermarkets

I wrote earlier in this blog that you should always watch the screen when you are at the supermarket. I've personally caught items ringing up wrong prices mainly at supermarkets that don't allow you to create and print up a shopping list from their online websites.
I've said it before and will say it again, make a shopping list!
Keep a pen with you and write down the price next to the item so that you can check it against the receipt. Bring the sales circular with you to show the checkout person and bring it to the attention of the Store Manager. I've even warned fellow shoppers waiting behind me to watch the ring ups!

Thanksgiving is on sale now!

Perusing over the online versions of local supermarket circulars, I've noticed that Pathmark in particular has many items for 99¢ such as carrots, canned cranberry sauce, canned sweet yams, etc...

This is the time to buy and stock up now allocating a small amount each week for the groceries and saving the rest.

By the time the big holiday comes, you'll have many of the ingredients in your pantry ready and have bought them when they were on sale. Just look at the expiration dates on them items and buy the ones that will expire farther down the road.

If you have stocked up on more than one particular item, you'll have a full pantry to throw a wonderful Christmas or New Year dinner as well!