We all strive to save out dollars for important things and moments in our lives. Those things could be money to live on in retirement, medical emergency, school dollars for kids, living through a weather catastrophe, or just for a rainy day! It could be you watch your pennies because you have to, to live.
We all have different reasons.
The other day I was looking through the store and doing some research. Right off the bat I noticed - red, yellow, orange bell peppers $1 each. Directly across the aisle (maybe 6-8 foot) was a 3 pack of peppers (red, yellow, orange) for 4.99! WHAT? No it wasn't organic or different. I walked another 15' or so and there was the .99 bin. Guess what I found? A bag with a red, yellow, and orange pepper in it - 99 cents total for all 3!!!!!!!!
You just have to look around!
I noticed another day at Walmart that chocolate milk was .77 a half gallon (not special sale) - and right next to it was a gallon of the same chocolate milk for 3.98.
I guarantee you many people still bought the gallon.
Just because something is bigger doesn't mean it's cheaper. Just because it's smaller it doesn't mean it's cheaper. The store is playing a game and hoping they win and not you.
Well this old chick can play the game as well as they do. I LOVE WINNING!
Produce is not all the same. If you are buying a bag of potatoes, or apples, or oranges, or onions....... whatever, WEIGH THEM! I have done this for years and the 5 pounds isn't always 5 pounds. I have weighed them in all amounts. Always get the heavier one.
Check different aisles in the store We love hominy. In the canned veggie section (by the corn) it can be purchased for ? price. I can walk over to the Latino aisle and a can twice the size is cheaper. Generally they even have gallon size cans much cheaper.
ALWAYS check the ethnic areas. I can almost guarantee you 100% that the same items will be cheaper there.
This is especially true with spices and tortillas! I see tortillas at the deli (pre-packaged) that cost at least 3X the price as Latino aisle.
Once I was 'shopping' TP and saw name band 12 pack single rolls for 5.99. Not a bad price - but 4 packs were $1 each (same exact thing). That made 12 rolls for $3. Half price.
I told several people in the aisle that day and they looked at me like I had 3 horns and 5 eyes protruding from my head!
In my opinion if you spend 2X as much for the same thing - YOU have 3 horns and 5 eyes!!! LOL
I noticed side by side in the baking aisle - there was brand name evaporated milk, store brand evaporated milk, and a can with ethnic words - all 3 were different in price. THEY ARE ALL THE SAME!
Buy markdown bread (those .39 loaves) for drying bread for stuffing/dressing.
Aldi generally has sugar and flour cheaper than most stores. True, many stores will be having specials soon on baking stuff - but for every day I will make a side track to go there and get mine.
As soon as Halloween is over, the food deals will begin. Compare and shop smart. Get those turkeys, hams, potatoes, sweet potatoes, celery, onions, broth/stock, soups, canned veggies, etc. THEN! Buy as much as you can. IF you can afford it, buy enough for a year. It will last and you will have your money for other things.
Don't forget that drastically marked down Halloween candy that can be used in your baking or for stocking stuffers.
Be smart and compare prices from store to store and from aisle to aisle. Think of alternative stores as well, such as dollar stores, Ollie's, Big Lots, Amish, closeouts stores, etc. You have options.
Save and stock up. WIN - WIN!! Be prepared for anything and still use your money for things other than food.
ALWAYS COMPARE!
This is so true. I always compare the price per 100g or per litre. I enjoy winning the game!
ReplyDeleteME TOO! Somebody is going to win and I would rather it be me instead of the store.
DeleteGood job.
Yeah Cheryl!!! What great deals you found. I love when that happens. I know all about those looks people give sometimes when you try to help. We have an Aldi right across the street from the local Shop Rite. When I tell people that they can get the same thing they are currently looking at, cheaper at Aldi, I get that look. Oh well, their loss.
ReplyDeleteI just want to spend as little as possible. I really don't understand when people never look at price - and just throw it in the cart. It shouldn't matter how much money you have - you should be a good steward.
DeletePeople just don't get us!!!!!1 Glad we have each other.
Cheryl I hate shopping with a passion. I am so thankful for a husband who does the shopping. He gets the catalogues and goes over them and finds all the deals. He is more than happy to go to several different stores to get the specials. He too checks clearance items.
DeleteBluey is very good at sticking to the list where I am not. I write on a blackboard in the kitchen items we are running out of or items that are wanted. He makes sure those items are bought and for the best price.
Great advice Cheryl. Let those who can, do.
I am not a big shopper of other things - but I love shopping for groceries.
DeleteThat is so neat that your hubs likes doing it and does a good job. I always had the opposite problems with my hubs - he threw everything in the cart!!!
You go girl!
Enjoyed reading all your tips this week. Great idea about the Halloween candy! We are having family in for Thanksgiving and I think we'll have a piñata with after Halloween sales candy thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteOh how fun that would be. Kids and adults alike would have fun. That would be the cheapest way to get the candy and you can get good stuff!
DeleteThanks.
Your right about the tortillas -I buy low carb and the Latino's ones are about $1.25 cheaper than the name brand. Taste great.
ReplyDeleteExactly. it is amazing the same items can be different prices in the same store.
DeleteGood advice Cheryl! So true! I feel like a store detective sometimes but it it worth it!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Me too!!! Hunting for that bargain! It is sure worth the savings.
DeleteCheryl, thanks for reminding us all about looking in all the different places for food. I had such a hard time finding hominy in NJ, now it is in just about every store here in FL, I just have to keep my eyes on sizes and prices. Since I budget $30 weekly for groceries, I can't always get everything on the list each week. So, last week included carrots, this week includes potatoes and onions (I had 2 onions still last week, so they dropped off the list then). Also by checking out the ethnic sections, you might find new things to include in meals, I love water chestnuts to add into homemade fried rice, and they are inexpensive. I have discovered Thai chili sauce (not hot) that makes tuna a whole new tasting meal. I buy mild chili peppers whenever and wherever I find them (Walmart is my go-to spot for these) and one day in Aldi's I find sticky rice rolls. They are sort of a rice krispies treat in a roll (about 1" wide and 3" long). They have just enough "sticky" to make them hold together, and just enough "sweet" to satisfy that need. Certainly spices are less expensive in the ethnic sections, and most times they are fresher too. When I can't find fresh bell peppers, I turn to the freezer section. In the ethnic sections of the freezer section, don't be afraid to pick up bags of veggies. Same quality, less expensive there too. If you pick up just plain chocolate after Halloween, you can use it in baking all year long. Even M&M cookies are delicious with Halloween M&Ms throughout the year!
ReplyDeleteI bet hominy is easier to find in Florida. I love water chestnuts as well. We recently ran out of them - I found a huge sale about a year and a half ago - and they lasted till this summer.
DeleteSo many ne and exciting spices can be found in ethnic sections.
I am down to the end of the chocolates and M&M's I bought last year after Halloween. It's about time to stock up. I have gifted, made up fancy jars, baked with and ate all year!
You gave us some more great ideas!
You are so right about things being cheaper in the Latino isle. I usually find my beans there. We have a new Latino grocery store in our little town and I was amazed at how inexpensive the dried beans are, compared to the chain grocery store. I love this post... great tips!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yep, it is not just the grocery aisles, but there are so many ethnic stores around now. I get beans and rice products much cheaper at the ethnic grocery.
DeleteWe have Latino/Hispanic, Asian, Indian, Chin, Burmese, you name it. Most are within a 5 mile radius.
It pays to pay attention! So, don't only grocery shop when you have eaten, go when you are the most attentive!
ReplyDeleteYes mam. One needs to be alert and pay attention.
DeleteHungry shopping costs money! So can tired shopping.
Great post Cheryl. All I really need this year is some flour sugar and chicken broth and the general fresh things.
ReplyDeleteI just realized I am out of bags of flour!!!! YIKES - how did that happen?
DeleteGood for you on staying well stocked. Good job.
What a great article, Cheryl. THat was a GREAT price on the tp, and very funny about the horns. hehehe
ReplyDeleteThank you vey much. Once in a while a deal comes along!
DeleteI always head to the marked down racks first. I find it hard to resist cheap peppers too. Great article.
ReplyDeleteClearance and markdown racks are my first shop as well.
DeleteThanks.