Archives for April 2011

Last week, while defining and explaining how to stockpile, I mentioned the term “rock bottom prices.” For example: “My rock bottom price for marinades is $.75 or less.” This means that, for me, $.75 is a low price for a marinade. If I can purchase a marinade for $.75 or less, I will stock up on marinades since I probably won’t find a lower price.

DISCOVERING MY ROCK BOTTOM PRICE

You can make this process as simple or as complex as you need to save money. I love to save money, but I also love to spend time with my family. If my budget has some wiggle room, then I might purchase a marinade on sale for $1 which is a good deal. But when my budget is tight, I will spend more time working the sales and seeking the rock bottom price for some of the extras, like a marinade. Overall, I have a simple  organizational system, but you can save more by using your time gathering the information.

Simple Version: Shop the sales at 2-3 grocery stores in your area. Then supplement those purchases with items bought at the least expensive grocery store in your area. You can then compare what you pay at all the stores to find the best savings.

The least expensive grocery store in my area is Aldi. I use their cost per unit as my rock bottom price. I keep my receipts and refer to them when I need to compare deals. For example, the price of sugar at my Aldi is $2.39 for a 5 lb. bag. While at Sam’s Club today, I priced the 10 lb. bag of sugar at $5.95. After a little math, purchasing 2 – 5 lb. bags at Aldi for $4.78 is less expensive than the same weight at Sam’s Club. Having done the comparison, I chose the better deal. I picked up 2 sugars from Aldi while I was there shopping.

Maximum Savings Version: Use a pricing book, which is a journal or notebook that lists the prices you pay for items. When a sale comes along and you snag a great deal, update the pricing list with the lowest price you paid for that item. If you have the time and energy to keep up a pricing book, then do so. This system is more complex and more time-consuming, but you will see deeper savings to your budget.

Whether you choose a simple system or the maximum savings version, you need to have a price list from which to work. Next week, I will use the simple version and walk you through creating your rock bottom price list.

Do you use an organizational system, like a pricing list, to help you compare, have a general idea within $1 or $2, or really don’t care as long as the item is on sale? I’d love to hear how you save money and time as you gather items to feed your family.