Grocery Shopping

This weekend was my big monthly shopping trip to the grocery store.  I didn't save as much as I normally do because there just wasn't as many good sales as usual.  I did save about 50% at Publix though.  You can just save so much at Publix especially with their buy one, get one free offer.

This is what my kitchen floor looked like after bringing in almost all the groceries.

For some reason Kroger (I shopped both Publix and Kroger) had a bunch of empty shelves.  In fact, one of the things missing was lettuce and I needed some.  I have determined I'm going to take my lunch more often this month and I need lettuce for sandwiches.  I went over to the produce in hopes of finding something that would work  since their heads of lettuce were completely gone.  And I found something.  Just look.  I've never seen anything like it!

So neat!  It wasn't as cheap as a regular head of lettuce, but it will do.  Super neat.  It took us (we all went!) 2 hours to do both stores and it took a while to get all the bags unloaded and the groceries put away.  Luckily we have 2 pantries (which was an accidental blessing) and this is what they look like after a monthly grocery shopping trip.

Of course, this doesn't count the stuff in the cupboard that is only for me (my low-fat, diet stuff), nor the fridge/freezer.  I just love the look for a full pantry. 

I think I'm pretty stocked up for a while.  I'll go to get meats and staples next month, but that's probably about it.  In June, my company is going to have it's own Farmer's Market and I can't wait.  Jenna loves fruit and I'm hoping to increase mine and Steve's consumption of fruit.  Having the Farmer's Market at my back door is going to save me lots more money (I hope!).

Saving with Coupons

Since Steve lost his job about 18 months ago, I've really stepped up my couponing.  Because of my busy schedule, I have taken to making a monthly menu and doing one big shopping trip per month.  I do have to go grocery shopping in between times to get a few staples, but mostly, I go one time a month and that's it.

Now, most coupon experts will tell you it's harder to save money when you shop less frequently but I've managed to still save money here and there.

Sunday, after I got back from scrapbooking, I sat down to catch up on my coupon clipping and make my menu and grocery list.  Steve kindly said he'd go to the grocery on Monday, but I decided to run a few places just to get the sale items.

Thought I might share my savings with you so those of you who have been contemplating couponing might be encouraged to try (or those that have been "off the horse" can get back on".

At CVS, I bought 4-12 pack of Pepsis, 4 packs of gum, 2-6 packs of Boost and a 40 count Advil liqui-gels.  The Pepsis netted me a $3 ECB (extra care bucks), I had coupons for all the gum, the Boost was buy one get one 1/2 off AND I had a coupon and I had a $2 coupon for the Advil.  In the end, I spent $29 before tax and saved $19 which was a total of  37.45%.

Then at Publix I bought Ritz crackers, popcorn, Pepsi and soup.  All on sale or BOGO and I had coupons for all.  I spent $29 before tax, saved $26, for a total savings of 47.37%.

Finally, at Kroger, I bought Tide, Downey, Secret deoderant (3), Fiber One bars, Toaster Strudel, Pantene, Bounty paper towels, and Charmin.  I had e-coupons and regular coupons for everything.  I spent $25.  I saved $36.  That's a whopping savings of 62%!! 

So all in all, I saved $90 and spent $83.  I think that's a pretty good day!