Your best grocery savings tip? - Page 3

klaxiam · 01-02-2008, 08:31 AM

Does anyone know the cheapest place online to order bulk foods? I've started to look off and on, and will report back if I find anything really good.
[/quote]

Amazon Grocery is a great service if you need recurring stuff that they stock. They have a deal right now where you subscribe to 3 items from the grocery offerings, and you will get a $30 gift certificate. For example, I subscribed to the steel-cut oatmeal (which is already almost half what the local grocery charges), and with a subscription, you save an additional 15% off. You can subscribe as frequently as every month or up to every 6 months for less used stuff. Totally happy with the service, highly recommended!

Miranda · 01-02-2008, 03:02 PM

To reiterate Paul Michael's “Shop in stores with concrete floors” article, I think it saves money to buy things you use regularly in bulk.

Coupon-cutting can get complex, man; I don't really have the patience or know-how for it (though, if you really want to go that route, I recommend that you read Nora Dunn's " Free Shopping at Walgreens" article and/or Sarah Winfrey's "My groceries are killing me: easier ways to shop" article).

JK1976 · 01-02-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klaxiam

Does anyone know the cheapest place online to order bulk foods? I've started to look off and on, and will report back if I find anything really good.

Amazon Grocery is a great service if you need recurring stuff that they stock. They have a deal right now where you subscribe to 3 items from the grocery offerings, and you will get a $30 gift certificate. For example, I subscribed to the steel-cut oatmeal (which is already almost half what the local grocery charges), and with a subscription, you save an additional 15% off. You can subscribe as frequently as every month or up to every 6 months for less used stuff. Totally happy with the service, highly recommended![/quote]

Amazon is awesome if you have kids and don't like to go to the grocery store with them. Our son is on a Gluten free diet and we can buy in bulk a lot of the specialty foods cheaper than at the health food store. Free shipping for >$25 plus we don't have to go the the store with the kids as much.

amandajane · 01-02-2008, 10:10 PM

Another tip - well a money saver is home made yoghurt.

I use Easyyo and buy the sachets and it costs approx $2.50 for a litre of yoghurt which would cost about $8 - $9 normally. There is plenty of choice and it's good to know that it's the healthiest way to eat yoghurt too. The maker costs $20 here in NZ, and I think it's paid for itself already.

lucille · 01-03-2008, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandajane

Another tip - well a money saver is home made yoghurt.

I use Easyyo and buy the sachets and it costs approx $2.50 for a litre of yoghurt which would cost about $8 - $9 normally. There is plenty of choice and it's good to know that it's the healthiest way to eat yoghurt too. The maker costs $20 here in NZ, and I think it's paid for itself already.

I assumed with the high cost of milk, making your own yougurt would not be cost effective. A gallon of organic milk is about $6.50 and a tub of yougurt is $2.99 for natural and $5.99 for organic.

amandajane · 01-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Hi Lucille

That's the good thing about eazyyo, you mix the culture with cold water, no milk required :0)

kwilt2 · 01-03-2008, 01:23 PM

I make a menu on a cheap/free calendar.

First, I check out the cupboards, freezer, fridge to see what I have. I make a list of I can't remember.

Second, I use the calendar spaces to make the menu. I make it a habit to have a fish meal and one pasta meal each week and it keeps me from serving the same thing over and over.

Next, while I am making the menu I make a grocery list. This prevents not having the right items on hand when it comes to making the meal. If you have to run to the store for one item, it always ends up that more money is spent.

Fourth, I collect the grocery store ads to see who has what I need on sale. I circle the things I need, check which place has the most. If I have time I go to two-three stores, if not I go to the one who has the most items I circled. I usually start at the Dollar store to see what they have, buying only name brands.

Lastly, the cupboards are organized by the nature of the product. All condiments, spices, additives and sauces are together. Soups, chilis, canned foods etc. I have a box for packets mixes. Rices and pastas, sugars and flours are together. In the freezer meat on one shelf, veggies on the other, potatoes and frozen foods on another. By putting everything in the same place, its easy to find and assess what is needed.

This seems like its time consuming but I only do it once every 3-4 weeks.
I learned to do this as a cost saving measure. I also do not care for the daily annoyance of trying to decide what to make for dinner, and that sometimes translates into going out, making PB&J sandwiches or letting everyone fend for themselves.

Rebecca · 01-03-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katlady

I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't know this until very recently.

Great tips Catherine!

Don't feel so bad about that. The only reason I knew about it was because a boyfriend who had been a grocery cashier told me one day while we were grocery shopping. As a single gal, I also go for these sales but only get as many as I need (which is almost always only 1 or 2).

sloria1 · 01-03-2008, 08:58 PM

Instead of buying bottled water, buy a water filter for your faucet. It's been found that big brands in bottled water just used filtered tap water. Not only does a home water filter save lots of money, but it is environmentally friendly. I recommend this one: Amazon.com: Brita Disposable Faucet Filtration System: Home Improvement

amandajane · 01-04-2008, 05:43 PM

I've thought of another one. Instead of buying low fat milk you could do as I do, buy full fat and dilute it with 50% water. Then you get double for your money and it doesn't taste any different :0)

01-03-2008, 01:23 PM	#27
kwilt2 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Joaquin Valley Posts: 3 Reputation: (10)	Best tips~ Making a menu I make a menu on a cheap/free calendar. First, I check out the cupboards, freezer, fridge to see what I have. I make a list of I can't remember. Second, I use the calendar spaces to make the menu. I make it a habit to have a fish meal and one pasta meal each week and it keeps me from serving the same thing over and over. Next, while I am making the menu I make a grocery list. This prevents not having the right items on hand when it comes to making the meal. If you have to run to the store for one item, it always ends up that more money is spent. Fourth, I collect the grocery store ads to see who has what I need on sale. I circle the things I need, check which place has the most. If I have time I go to two-three stores, if not I go to the one who has the most items I circled. I usually start at the Dollar store to see what they have, buying only name brands. Lastly, the cupboards are organized by the nature of the product. All condiments, spices, additives and sauces are together. Soups, chilis, canned foods etc. I have a box for packets mixes. Rices and pastas, sugars and flours are together. In the freezer meat on one shelf, veggies on the other, potatoes and frozen foods on another. By putting everything in the same place, its easy to find and assess what is needed. This seems like its time consuming but I only do it once every 3-4 weeks. I learned to do this as a cost saving measure. I also do not care for the daily annoyance of trying to decide what to make for dinner, and that sometimes translates into going out, making PB&J sandwiches or letting everyone fend for themselves. Last edited by kwilt2; 01-03-2008 at 01:27 PM. Reason: misspelling

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-02-2008, 08:31 AM	#21
klaxiam Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 10 Reputation: (10)	Does anyone know the cheapest place online to order bulk foods? I've started to look off and on, and will report back if I find anything really good. [/quote] Amazon Grocery is a great service if you need recurring stuff that they stock. They have a deal right now where you subscribe to 3 items from the grocery offerings, and you will get a $30 gift certificate. For example, I subscribed to the steel-cut oatmeal (which is already almost half what the local grocery charges), and with a subscription, you save an additional 15% off. You can subscribe as frequently as every month or up to every 6 months for less used stuff. Totally happy with the service, highly recommended!

01-02-2008, 03:02 PM	#22
Miranda Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 Reputation: (10)	To reiterate Paul Michael's “Shop in stores with concrete floors” article, I think it saves money to buy things you use regularly in bulk. Coupon-cutting can get complex, man; I don't really have the patience or know-how for it (though, if you really want to go that route, I recommend that you read Nora Dunn's " Free Shopping at Walgreens" article and/or Sarah Winfrey's "My groceries are killing me: easier ways to shop" article).

01-02-2008, 10:10 PM	#24
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 417 Reputation: (191)	Another tip - well a money saver is home made yoghurt. I use Easyyo and buy the sachets and it costs approx $2.50 for a litre of yoghurt which would cost about $8 - $9 normally. There is plenty of choice and it's good to know that it's the healthiest way to eat yoghurt too. The maker costs $20 here in NZ, and I think it's paid for itself already.

01-03-2008, 10:47 AM	#26
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 417 Reputation: (191)	Hi Lucille That's the good thing about eazyyo, you mix the culture with cold water, no milk required :0)

01-03-2008, 08:58 PM	#29
sloria1 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Reputation: (10)	Instead of buying bottled water, buy a water filter for your faucet. It's been found that big brands in bottled water just used filtered tap water. Not only does a home water filter save lots of money, but it is environmentally friendly. I recommend this one: Amazon.com: Brita Disposable Faucet Filtration System: Home Improvement

01-04-2008, 05:43 PM	#30
amandajane Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 417 Reputation: (191)	I've thought of another one. Instead of buying low fat milk you could do as I do, buy full fat and dilute it with 50% water. Then you get double for your money and it doesn't taste any different :0)