How I Spend $200 or Less per Month on Groceries, Part 8

In Friday's post I began sharing how to maximize your savings at the checkout counter.  And I gave you an assignment!  If you haven't done it yet, be sure to research your store's coupon policy.  Let me know what you discover.  I would enjoy hearing from you!

I want to continue the discussion today by sharing some areas in which you need to be flexible in order to maximize your savings.

1) Store loyalty

When our family lived in Georgia, I had been shopping mainly at Kroger (and Aldi) thinking that Publix was so much more expensive.  But when I learned that Publix would stack coupons (two coupons per item: store and manufacturer's), AND they took competitor's coupons, guess who started getting the bulk of my business? Kroger only accepts one coupon per item, and it must either be a manufacturer's coupon or a Kroger coupon. However, they will accept both an electronic coupon loaded on your shopper's card AND a manufacturer's coupon for one item, so it is possible that you could "stack" coupons for a few items on your Kroger shopping list. This requires some careful planning, though!

Do your research and find out which grocery stores in your area are the most "coupon friendly" and start shopping there! In Georgia, most stores doubled coupons valued at 50 cents and less, but here in Pennsylvania, most grocery stores double coupons 99 cents and less!  Sadly, I have not yet come across a grocery store that will stack coupons.  

Note: Target and Walgreens will stack coupons!  We'll talk about that soon.

2) Brand loyalty

I have never been incredibly loyal when it comes to brand name foods, although there are a few personal care product brands that have won my loyalty.  If you want to achieve major savings you do need to be willing to try new brands.  I had never tried San Giorgio pasta, but when I was able to get a free box of it, you'd better believe I took it!  And we liked the pasta, too! Be flexible. Be willing to try new things. Unless we have tried a brand and definitely did not like it, I always go for the brand that I can get at the lowest possible price.

3) Time commitment

I am occasionally asked the question, "How long does this take you each week? I don't have a lot of time to put together lists and coupons!" I am right there with you!  I don't have a lot of time, either. But, I figure that the ratio of time spent to money saved means that I make anywhere from $30-$50 an hour for preparing my shopping lists and coupons, so I've decided it's worth it!  

You should expect a learning curve as you begin this journey. I probably spent 3-4 hours a week at the beginning for what now takes me just about 2 hours a week (on a week when I am doing a grocery store and a drug store). Be patient!  The savings will more than pay for your time.  Wait for the kids to go to bed and do your research and planning in the evenings. Or get up early... =)

More tomorrow!

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