Photograph Credit: Flickr (Terra Nova)
As I approached the checkout station at Bi-Lo last week, I chose a short line where the customer ahead was getting ready to pay for her groceries. As I began unloading my cart, the cashier announced her total of $186. Without a visual response, the customer paid the cashier and was on her way.
I watched as she pushed her little-more-than-half-full cart out the door. Wow! I remember making the same type of purchase a few years ago. Back then, I thought I was shopping well. I chose the least expensive store, generic items, and used the occasional coupon.
Having learned the sales cycles, I now cannot imagine paying more than half price to feed my family. You, too, can have great savings success stories. I am sharing all my tips and tricks in my food cycle (for lack of a better title) series.
Thus far, I have taken you through my menu planning process, and we are still covering “the method to my madness” in grocery shopping. To help you see where we have been and where we are headed, here is a sequential overview:
My Menu Planning Process
Step One: Choosing a menu plan
Step Two: Adding meals to your plan from the food you have on hand
Step Three: Continuing to add meals
My Grocery Shopping Process
Step Four: Creating grocery lists
- Part 1 – Identify needed items
- Part 2 – Select sale items
- Part 3 – Compile a list for each store
Beginning next week . . .
Step Five: Gathering your savings
- Part 1 – Entering the store
- Part 2 – Shopping your list
- Part 3 – Checking out with confidence
The next set of posts in this series will focus on the shopping experience. I will share my current system, so feel free to share what works for you. I am always interested in your comments, suggestions, and victories. As you plan and shop to feed your family, I trust you are aiming to increase your savings, lower your budget, and stock your shelves. Happy savings!
Question: What additional topics would you like to see addressed? Please add your answer to the comments. I will do my best to answer your questions.