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.

Find Local Gas Prices (and where it's cheaper)

Gas Buddy is a website that tell you what the gas prices are in your area (United States and Canada). This website also tells you WHERE the gas stations are.

Info is updated and input by members.

You can also get this application on your smartphone.

Coffee Prices Are On The Rise

My solution to your morning wake up routine? Make it yourself. Buy a simple coffee maker, coffee beans or ground coffee, add water, and make it at home for so much less. Don't think you have time to make coffee? Prepare everything in the coffee maker the night before and turn it on in the morning before you take your wake up shower. The coffee will be done and waiting when you get out.

You can find coupons for coffee and coffee creamers online. Print the coupons and buy the coffee and creamers when they are on sale and save even more!

Coffee Creamer websites & coupons:

http://www.baileyscreamers.com/sp/coupons.aspx

http://www.internationaldelight.com/

http://www.coffee-mate.com/Offers/Default.aspx

Hypermiling

The turmoil in the Middle East is causing the gas prices at the pump to climb before the traditional Summer months making filling your car's gas tank even more painful.

Gas is more than $4 per gallon here now (and on the West Coast I hear) so what are you supposed to do?

Cut back on spending is the first thing. Tightening that belt and eating less helps. Then there's hypermiling.

What is hypermiling? Well, it's a way to maximize fuel consumption when you drive. I started doing it on my own (not knowing what it was called then) when I was driving back and forth visiting upstate. I wasn't thrilled about having to constantly refill the gas tank on trips when my room mate would drive (it cut into travel time and finding a gas station is like finding a needle in a haystack at times) so when I took the wheel, I would let the car coast downhill and move forward on it's own keeping up with posted speed limits by just tapping the gas pedal when needed. I'm not one for speeding and so long as you give yourself enough time to travel, you won't need to speed. Drivers with a lead foot will change their behavior as well soon with gas prices expected to hit $5 come Summer.

Hypermiling isn't so feasible in the big city when you have to constantly stop at street lights but try it when you are on the open road and see how less often you'll be refilling that gas tank.

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

Dollar Store Deals [Video link]

I'm sure there are 99¢ Stores or Dollar Stores some where in your neighborhood. At one time they were known as the "5¢ and 10¢" or the "Five and Dime". Woolworth's was one of the original American discount stores which disappeared in 1997.

Here is a video I found about shopping in dollar stores. You may also find it helpful.

MSN video: Dollar store deals


From About.com, here is an article that also shares the same thought on Dollar stores:

Dollar Stores - Top Ten Dollar-Store Deals


Just be careful though, just because it costs a dollar, doesn't always make it a deal!

Dollar Store Duds

Every dollar store is different and carries different items. Make it an adventure to explore one.

Which Sales to Target When, Throughout the Year

Just saw this on the Saturday Early Show on CBS and thought to share it with you. Some of us know this already but it bears mentioning again...

Different Products Tend to Go on Sale at Same Time Each Year; Planning Around That Timetable Can Help Save You Big Bucks!

It's said that timing is everything - and that certainly applies when it comes to finding things on sale. Getting the best bargains is all about timing, and knowing which deals to look for, when.

When's it best to buy a bike? Computer? Cookware? So much more?

Hitting big sales when you're out shopping may feel like a matter of luck, but the truth is, if you put a little forethought into it, you can time your shopping to find sales on major items throughout the year.

On "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," Jason Cochran, editor at large of AOL's WalletPop.com, highlighted months spanning the seasons, discussing the kinds of items usually on sale at the different times, and why.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY: LINENS, BICYCLES, FURNITURE

Linens: January is always the time of the white sale ever since department store owner John Wanamaker introduced them in Philadelphia in 1878. It's thought he did it because it was normally the slow time for such sales, and now it's a tradition. Back then, sheets were available mostly in white, hence the name.

Bikes: It's simple: Few people want to be out in the snow, breathing cold air. That's a warm-weather thing. So bike shop owners need to make their rent, and they'll deal.

Furniture: Many manufacturers, such as Crate and Barrel, get their new stock in January and February, and they need to clear their old stuff to make room.

APRIL: COOKWARE & ELECTRONICS

Cookware: May and June sees lots of newlyweds and graduates, and because cookware is a big gift for them, stores stock up and make deals. Join the crowd for discounts. (There may be another bump in late summer as college students head off to school.)

Electronics/TVs: The big Consumer Electronics Show happens every January (it was last week in Las Vegas) and by the spring, the new models are rolling out. The old ones need to go. Last year's models are still pretty cool; they were getting us excited only a year ago.

AUGUST: SWIMSUITS, COMPUTERS, LAWN MOWERS

Swimsuits: Don't get warm-weather stuff at the start of the season, in May. Get it now, because everyone will have purchased by now and the clearance sales begin. Don't wait until fall or winter for swimsuits- they won't be on the floor anymore at all.

Computers: especially mid- to low-end, are in good supply because of all the college kids going to school.

Lawn Mowers: As with the bathing suits, fewer people are thinking about warm-weather things like mowing lawns come the end of the season. There are big sales to be had here.

OCTOBER: SCHOOL SUPPLIES, JEANS, APPLIANCES

School supplies: School supplies are marked way down because everybody has already supplied themselves. Get next year's now -that's the key to a lot of things. Plan ahead! It feels silly buying this stuff so far ahead, but the deals can stack up. If you buy at peak season, there may be no incentive to mark down.

Jeans: Jeans are also subject to back-to-school sales since so many parents dress their kids in them. They're durable and can be work a few times before being washed. Stores have lots left over after the back-to-school rush. Also, since so many product lines come out in the spring, the pricing heat has cooled off many styles.

Big appliances: New models for appliances come out around now, so the big stuff (washers, dryers, compactors) are on sale. Really, there is very little difference between the washer of 2010 and the one of 2011. Get last year's. If you miss October, no problem: Black Friday is the next month and the appliances, once again, are marked down.

DETAILED LIST OF WHAT TO BUIY, WHEN

January:
Linens (it's white sale season)
Christmas cards
Wrapping paper
Furniture (new lines arrive February at Crate and Barrel)

February:
Weddings (May-Sept is peak season. Honeymoon cheaper, too)
Home theaters (Super Bowl sales)
Bikes (new models are released this month and in March; get old ones)
Boats (better prices to clear docks for new models)

March:
Video games (new titles come out Nov and Dec; cheaper by now)
Gardening tools (plan ahead for gardening season)

April:
Cookware and kitchen accessories (sales for graduates and newlyweds now)
Electronics (Japanese manufacturers release new models; old models marked down)
Televisions (ditto)
Office furniture (home businesses often start up after Tax Day, so there are deals for the higher traffic)

May:
Vacuum cleaners (new models come out after spring cleaning)
Snow blowers (of course)
Winter coats (of course)
Mattresses and box springs (new models on their way)

June:
Gym memberships (January is worst: resolutions and weather)
Hardware (Fathers Day sales)
Paint (people paint during hottest days, ergo, lots of competition)

July:
Heating items/oil for your home
Furniture (second wave of year's new product arrives August)
Suits (spring suits on sale)
Appliances (Fourth of July weekend sales)

August:
Computers (back-to-school volume creates deals)
Lawn mowers (peak season is passed)
Swimsuits (same reason)

September:
Patio furniture (it's big, and Walmart and Target need to make room)
Houses in the suburbs (school will have started-most people move by then)
Shrubs, bulbs, trees (that you can store until spring)
Wine (latest vintages are coming out)

October:
School supplies (clearance)
Cars (dealers are clearing lots of old models)
Big appliances (washers, dryers: new models rolling out now)
Jeans (post back-to-school)

November:
RVs (dealer clearance, and owners sell them before winter)
Outdoor and camping equipment
Black Friday biggies: electronics, appliances
Candy (post-Halloween)

December:
Air conditioners - in summer, people pay up to alleviate the misery, but in winter, stores can't move them
Champagne (lots of stock for New Year's)
Wedding dresses

© MMXI, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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!

Happy New Year!

It's a new year and a great way to start fresh!

Try to pay off all those outstanding bills first and then try not to live beyond your means!

That means take 1/4 of your paycheck and put it away for rent/mortgage, give yourself a food budget for the week and stick to it (only buy what is on sale and REAL food not junk food), and put the rest into the bank.

Every Sunday go online and check the supermarket circulars for sales and print your shopping list. STICK TO IT! Best to stock up on frozen vegetables. Tortillas and bread freeze nicely too.

Condensed soup can be pretty handy in the kitchen to help make a quick meal. If it's on sale for $1 or less, buy it. I tend to buy Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Chicken to use in recipes (sometimes even using the ones on the can)

Don't feel like you are living poor or unreasonable for doing this. Look at all those celebrities and reality "Housewives" (probably your neighbors too) that are going through so much financial trouble with large credit card debt, foreclosures, and living paycheck to paycheck. It's scary!

In a world where we live with technology and everyone wants the newest gadget, you can always find online someone who is selling their old one for a cheaper price than buying it new in a store.

Do your research.

If you are a slave to fashion and must buy a new wardrobe every season, you should DEFINITELY sell your old wardrobe FIRST before buying anything new. I know some people that buy more shoes than they have feet or occasions to wear to. Crazy!

Classic looks are best. They never go out of fashion and some pieces you can keep for a long time as fashion is a cycle and will come back again.

Men's wear hasn't changed in centuries and thus they can wear a classic suit until it falls apart.

Women on the other hand are a bit more fickle. You are best to buy and wear separates and mix and match, changing it up a bit with accessories like a scarf or necklace. Costume jewelry can be just as pretty as the real thing.

If you have a bunch of friends that also have a large wardrobe and accessories that they don't really wear anymore, you can do a closet swap. Everyone meets at someone's house for say, lunch or cocktails and brings a suitcase of items they want to swap. Everyone chooses an area in the room to present their wares and you all walk about trading one item for the other. In this way, you all get new items to wear. What ever that isn't swapped or taken is then either donated to charity for a tax deduction, or sold on ebay.

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!

How To Cut A Whole Chicken

Save money by buying a whole chicken and cutting it up yourself. The technique can also be used to cut a cooked chicken as well.

This video lesson courtesy of the Pampered Chef.

Keep an eye on the register screen!

Can never say this enough!
When you are shopping, keep a running tally in your head or better yet, write it down.
If you are buying groceries, make sure that you pick up the supermarket circular once you get into the store. Chances are when you are on the check out line and you items are being scanned, an item or two will scan in at it's regular price or higher price than that marked or advertised.

In these days of computers, it is easy for a manager to miss adjusting an item's sale price into the main terminal at the start of a sale week and an unwary shopper can spend more than they were expecting to. If you have a sales circular on you when you are checking out, you have physical proof.

If you have a junior manager argue the point with you that the item that you are purchasing is not what is pictured in their circular and YOU know that you are right, go over their heads and ask to speak to a head manager. They HAVE to honor the advertised sales from their corporate office. If they don't, then make a scene and have the salesperson take it off. Call or email the corporate office and let them know your experience.

Money Saving Coupon Websites

Most of us know about the grocery store coupons that come with the Sunday paper. Those do come on handy if you are buying a name brand item but it is just as well to buy the store brand or equivalent that is on sale that week. Valpak, the large blue envelope with coupons that come in the mail, usually are for services and restaurants in your local neighborhood, but you can also find coupons online!

Many chain restaurants have their own official website that also has a money saving coupon that changes week to week that you can print from your computer and bring into the eatery.
In many cases, you enter in your zip code to find the coupons and store in your neighborhood.
Here are a few that I use when I don't feel like cooking...LOL!

Popeyes Chicken http://hosted.where2getit.com/popeyes/
Kentucky Fried Chicken http://www.kfc.com/coupons/ageverification.asp
Dominos Pizza http://www.dominos.com

Not to forget your pet!
Petland Discounts http://petlanddiscounts.com/specials.asp


Here are several websites that offer online and printable coupons for various services and stores.

Smart Source http://www.smartsource.com
Retail Me Not http://www.retailmenot.com/
Coupon Pages http://couponpages.com/
Price Grabber http://www.pricegrabber.com/home_coupons.php/
Coupon Cabin http://www.couponcabin.com/index.htm

Cutting Your Spending

I learned some of these tips on my own the hard way when I moved out of my parents' house but I wish I knew about these before!
Hope they help you as much as they helped me!

5 Easy Ways To Budget

So that you are not living paycheck to paycheck!

Let's Go Shopping!

I started with humble beginnings myself when I first moved out on my own... working in a small retail shop in SoHo and then a bar in the Village and then taking the train home to a rinkydink apartment that I shared with 4 other people. I quickly discovered that I had to learn how to cook since many of the stores/restaurants were all closed by the time I got home from work late at night.

When I bought a computer, I soon discovered that many supermarkets have an online website where you can look up their weekly circular to see what's on sale for that week or following week. You can also find out where they are located for those of you who just moved in to the neighborhood. If you live in a large city that happens to have several in your neighborhood, good chance that they will be competing with each other and you can find a great buy. Make a list of what's on sale and it will help you stay away from impulse buying (never grocery shop on an empty stomach!) as well as help you dictate what dishes to make for the week. I don't know of anyone who has time these days to go food shopping every day (our parents usually shopped once a week!) so allot yourself a food allowance for the week and try not go above it.
Learn about your supermarkets. Fresh produce is usually situated near the entrance while meats and dairy are usually along the outside perimeter of the store. Try to stick to the outer perimeter of the store to buy food while everything else like junk food, paper products, cleaning products and sundries are usually in the middle of the store.
Make a shopping list of items that are on sale for that week and if you can afford it, stock up on canned tomatoes, soups, and frozen vegetables. They will last for a long time and you can have them on hand to add to recipes and extend some meals as well thus saving money. (TIP: January and March are the months that many supermarkets have a frozen food sale so if you have room in your fridge, stock up!) Frozen vegetables are great since you can cook just the amount you need and keep the rest in the freezer until needed. Be careful about packaging though since "family size" does not always mean a savings! Do your math comparing dollar/cents per ounce/pound (and you thought you didn't need to learn math)!

Buying store brands is perfectly fine and most of the time they are priced lower than national brands. Don't waste your time and money buying dented cans or food that is about to expire. Look for the expiration date! If the supermarket that you shop at does not have a store brand of an item that you need, buy it when it's on sale or use a coupon.
A well stocked pantry will save you money in the long run. You'll have that item handy in your pantry when it's not on sale at the store the following week. When ricotta and mozzarella cheese is on sale that week, I'll buy it and keep it in my fridge since I know that I can make a variety of Italian dishes for that week or following week depending on what other ingredient will be on sale. If eggplant is on sale that week as well, then I'll make eggplant parmigiana or rollatini. No bake lasagna noodles at 99 cents will dictate that dish. Ziti pasta on sale that week will become baked ziti and so on... Now I can hear some of you raising your voices about diet and too much carbohydrates and fats but if you moderate your intake you won't get fat. A pan of lasagna makes 8 servings so you'll have a meal for a week (or freeze some for another time).

Aside from supermarkets, sidewalk produce vendors are a great way to save money too but most of the time the produce they sell while may be cheaper than a supermarket, are usually very ripe and meant to be eaten that day or so. Check out the grocery department in drugstores as they usually will have lower priced items due to low overhead on cereals or canned foods. 99 Cent Stores (or Dollar Stores) are popping up in many cities so if you can one, check them out! Most of the time their food items come from our neighbor to the North (Canada) and in many cases, are manufactured in the USA for sale in another country. Now, why would you pay $2.49 for a loaf of bread when you can get the same item for $1.00 or less? If you are lucky to have a warehouse club in the neighborhood (CostCo, Sam's Club, BJ's Warehouse), joining them can save you money as you buy in bulk (if you don't have the room to store it, split the item and cost between friends). I've found that a carton of 3 dozen large eggs at COSTCO costs about the same amount as 1 dozen large eggs at the local supermarket! Walmart and Target are also great mega stores to look into!
If you are lucky to live in a city that has a Chinatown or Asia Town, check them out for fresh produce which is ALWAYS cheaper and fresher than a supermarket since the turn over is so great. Restaurant Chefs usually check out the local green markets or Chinatown markets since the produce is delivered daily early in the morning and is so reasonably priced that they are all sold out by night fall.
For those of you who say you have no time to shop and would rather order in, think of how much money you are spending for the week on take out/eating out vs making it yourself! Speaking of restaurant Chefs, if you think like one, you'll bound to save money and I'll let you know how in the next blog. Don't worry, everyone has 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It's just how you manage your time. You can take one full day out of the week and cook a bunch of dishes for that week.