Deal With It, Simply!

I went grocery shopping today and there are plenty of sales around if we just look. I started using coupons again in January. I thought it was worth retrying and learning to save and get “free Money”  In the last two weeks we have saved $175.95 on our grocery bill. If we can do it you can too. Our Family has a budget of $300 a month and now that we are using coupons and I am starting to think and plan more, it is getting easier to stay in that goal!  Here is some of what I am learning: A few may be repeats from an earlier post, but I think they are worth repeating

• Make a menu then your shopping list. Sometimes I rearrange the menu, if I see something on sale that will add to my budget.
• When you plan your menu make plans to reuse your leftovers. This will save money and you may be surprised what you can create!
• Learn your stores policies for coupons, Price matching, club cards and even gas.
• Don’t go to the store hungry, you may spend more.
• Don’t linger in the store. I always seem to pick up more when I linger.
• I realized this on a quick trip to the grocery store. I didn’t grab a cart and ran in to get a few things and could have grabbed more but my hands where filled, so I saved money! Also, go alone, when I take the kids I spend more because somehow they talk me into things.
• Make the time to shop and plan. I impulse spend when I am in a hurry.
• Coupons if you have them. For me I would buy things I didn’t need because I had a coupon, so now I only use what I need.  Just because you have a coupon doesn’t always make it the best deal. That is why I bring Randy or a calculator. ** I have been cutting out the coupons I don’t need like diapers and I place them on the product to help others save. (diapers are so expensive and new parents need a break!)**
• Another coupon idea- I have asked a few of my clients that I noticed throw theirs away to save them for me so now I get 2 or 3 extras and when something is on sale I can buy more then one. I staple them together after I cut them out then they are together when I buy something. Helps me organize them a little better.(I need all the help I can get)
• Shop the perimeter of the store for your items. Example: I found summer sausage in the center isle of the store for 3.99 and as I was shopping for other items there was another display for summer sausage on the outside wall for 2.99 same size, brand.
• Stores are set up so we spend more money. Milk and food staples are always at the back point of the store. Why so you pass all the other items and buy more. You can’t blame them it’s a great idea. They have great marketing strategies and they know how to catch you.
• Use cash only then you know you won’t go over. I don’t want to be embarrassed so I never seem to go over. Now that’s a real budget plan!
• When you have a rebate for a product make sure to keep the receipt and rebate form together then when you use the product and need the UPC code it will be together to send it in and get your rebate money.
• We do not buy non-grocery items at the grocery store unless it is a deal. Generally it is always cheaper at the dollar store and most will take your coupon for face value, but I still save.

If you have any tips to add please let me know candyh@dealwithitsimply.com  and I will share.

Have a blessed weekend and God’s Blessings, Candy