Photograph Credit: Flickr (Bethany Lynne)
Here it is . . . the last post in this food cycle series. This journey began with menu planning, circled around grocery shopping, came to evaluation, and continues back to menu planning. By following an intentional plan, I continue to save money, energy, and time.
In Step Seven: Evaluation, we considered reviewing our grocery list (Part 1) and our store envelopes (Part 2). In Part 3, consider reviewing your receipts.
Reviewing your Receipts
Surveys. When I review my store receipts, I check the bottom for a survey invitation. Though Publix does not offer surveys, our Bi-Lo stores do. Since there is a 5-day time limit to complete the survey, I try to get these done first.
When I complete my survey, Bi-Lo offers a link to a coupon. The coupon is usually for a free product with a month-long expiration date. If you really like the coupon, then break up next week’s trip into more than one transaction. You can print a coupon for each survey completed.
WARNING: Please do not print or copy multiple coupons without filling out a survey for each coupon printed. If customers take advantage of the system, then stores may stop these survey benefits.
Documenting. After taking the survey(s), I enter the receipt totals into a spreadsheet. Tracking my spending and savings by entering the amount I paid and the amount I saved, I can watch the numbers and the percentages all year. Need a free spreadsheet? Try the Coupon Savings Tracker by Happy Money Saver or the Coupon Savings Calculator by Coupon Closet.
Filing. When the documenting is complete, I file my receipt by how I paid. Filed in a pouch, kept with my monthly expenses, are the cash receipts while the credit card receipts are filed in that credit cards’ file folder in my filing cabinet.
In evaluating my shopping trips, I review the store receipts by completing surveys, documenting my savings, and filing. With the shopping and evaluating process complete, I am ready to start back at menu planning. This process continues as my family continues to need nourishment.
As you find a system that fits your needs, be intentional with your planning, spending, and evaluating to save money, energy, and time. Continue using time wisely to create a system or adjust my process to work for you. Happy savings!