I think I have hinted on this blog before that I have a "secret weapon" when it comes to grocery shopping. I am very enthusiastic about it, but have never done a blog on it because I feel like I kind of need to show people in person how I organize for them to really get it. Anyway, I will just tell a little bit about it here, and if anybody is interested, I am more than happy to sit down and show you the ropes the next time I see you. I use a free website called grocerysmarts.com. The purpose of the site is to match weekly store sales with recent coupons. I know, I know, coupon clipping has a bad wrap. A lot of people get REALLY into it. You can buy coupons on eBay, get together coupon trades with your friends, go to the store at 6:00 in the morning on triple coupon days, etc. I think if I wasn't working, I would be more into it too. However, I only spend about 30-45 minutes a week on couponing and I would guess I've saved AT LEAST $1,000 this year.
So here goes: I subscribe to the weekend editions of two different newspapers so I get two sets of Sunday coupons every week. Then, each Wednesday I go to the website to see what is on sale at my favorite/nearby grocery store(s). (I mostly just go to Albertson's.) I print out what I am interested in buying, find the corresponding coupons in my collection (this is where I spend my 30 minutes, but I've got it organized so it's easy), and go shopping!! If you are not interested yet, let me tell you about Saturday's grocery trip: I filled up a cart with everything from laundry detergent, to cheese, to Bertolli frozen dinners. My total came to $77. I paid $17. I always feel so good about how much money I save, and we only buy stuff that we can eat on Weight Watcher's. If you aren't on a diet, you can save even more. I often pass up pizza rolls, Chex mix, juice, etc. that I could have gotten for FREE!! So yeah, if you want to know more about it, let me know and I'll help you out. I love to save!
P.S. If you shop at Albertson's, but aren't interested in clipping coupons, you can save an easy 10% by buying a gift card. For example, we bought a $300 gift card and they put $330 on the card. It does have a $300 minimum, but we shop there enough that it was worth it. Just a little tip.
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5 comments:
Thanks for posting this information. That gets me motivated to do more to save money. Lashelle
Amazing! Congratulations!
Wow! I am very impressed. I want to do it, too! Will you help me?
I went to grocerysmarts.com, and it looks like a need a passport from someone who already belongs.
I am SO GLAD you posted this. We are feeling very constricted by the rising prices, and need to start doing the coupon thing!
I was just doing a google search for grocery smarts and came upon your blog. As of last month I learned that couponing is a verb... so I'm really new to all this. One thing I was wondering about is why not buy the groceries that are free and donate them to your local food pantry? I know the pantries in our area are hurting for food b/c of the rising costs. Just a thought.
Kate from KC
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