Photograph Credit: Flickr (Briana Carter)
Last week, we left off with a printed grocery list from each store. These lists contain all the items that I am considering purchasing. My final decision will be based on how much I plan to spend this week on grocery shopping. As we complete Part 3 of Step Four: Creating grocery lists in our food cycle series, I match coupons and top off the lists.
Matching Coupons
With the available coupons listed on my grocery list, I am able to grab my binders and locate the best coupons. Yes, I said binders. Not to get too detailed about my coupon organization, but I have two binders. One holds all the food items, and the other houses all the cleaners, toiletries, medicines, and other non-food items. (You have not missed anything. I plan to do a series on my coupon organization method at a later date. 🙂 )
After locating the coupons for each item, I then decide how many of those products I plan to purchase using the same questions relating to the Buy One Get One Free offers. If I do not have coupons or the deal is not as great as I thought it would be, then I just mark that deal off my grocery list.
In my binders, I keep all coupons for free items in a front sleeve. Before finishing my grocery list, I will add any free items to my grocery lists that can be used with this week’s sales or will be expiring this week.
With the coupons gathered, I place them in an envelope labeled with that store’s name. The grocery list is folded and placed in the front of the envelope for easy retrieval at the grocery store.
Topping off the Lists
At this point in the process, I have two envelopes complete with coupons and grocery list. One envelope is labeled Bi-Lo and the other Publix. The last step is looking back at my pad of paper. Are there still items listed? Yes.
Since none of these items were on sale and I need to purchase them, I will choose the least expensive store and shop for these items. In my area, Aldi is my least expensive option. This store does not accept coupons, and most items are Aldi’s store brand.
The remaining items on my list get compiled for a shopping trip to Aldi. Although Aldi carries most items, there are a few items (e.g., ground mustard) they do not. For those items, I will usually purchase at Bi-Lo or Wal-mart – if a trip is already planned for the week. If I can wait a week or two for some of the items, then I will keep them on the list and continue watching the ads for a sale.
With all three lists created, my coupons gathered, and envelopes prepared, I am ready for a visit to the grocery stores. By thoroughly preparing in advance, I can make smart decisions at the grocery store. I know what I have at home, what I have planned, and what I need to succeed at that plan. Though this process seems long, I have found my rhythm and ways to implement these steps a little at a time. With a 5 minute break, I can complete one or two steps. Just working to improve is making progress!
Question: What is the least expensive grocery store in your area? Please add your answer to the comments.