Even if you buy the same things every week, it's a good idea to check the ads, you may find the sale prices at the local grocery to beat the prices at the big box store. You may save enough there to afford extras of your regularly purchased items and continuing the process each week will save you money.
If you have a little time, I suggest looking through the ads yourself. Doing so helps me pick out the best sales and things I actually need and use.
If you are looking to match sales with coupons, I do suggest www.coupondealsandsteals.com as a good place to start. I actually know the lady that runs that blog, and she knows her stuff. I'm not really into couponing anymore, but she constantly makes me rethink myself.
My process pretty much looks like this:
- Go through each ad circling any good sales and marking if I think I have a coupon*.
- Decide which store or two will be my go to stores for the week.
- If I am going to Kroger or another store with e-coupons, I get online and add any new e-coupons.
*While I no longer consider myself a couponer, I do still use the occasional coupon. I use coupons that are given to me in the mail or at the checkout. I also use e-coupons through things like rewards cards, mperks, and cartwheel.
Click the following links for the other parts in this series:
part 1: inventory
part 3: pick meals
part 4: make a list
part 5: meal inspiration
part 6: shopping day
When do you prefer to check the ads? as soon as they come? as you walk through the store?
I originally published this post on 10/25/11 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I revised it and republished it here.
I don't use coupons or check sale papers at all, so you are definitley one step ahead of me :)
ReplyDeleteI used to do this, but I've really gotten off track. Thanks for posting and thanks for the site link.
ReplyDeleteI check for as while I walk through the store. I never have enough time to browse through ads while at home unless they send it through email.
ReplyDeleteWe do this all the time.. have to get the sales or we pay way too much!
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer to check the sales before I go to the store...because then that often changes which stores I drive to. Since everything is so spread out; if I can cut off a store from the shopping list; that means a lot of Gas saved. I use coupons whenever I find them, but I don't hunt like crazy for them.
ReplyDeleteI usually forget to check the ad and lately my hubby is doing all the shopping. This is a great reminder!
ReplyDeleteI find grocery stores sales beat box sales A LOT. I'm pretty careful about that.
ReplyDeleteI love using coupons! anything to make the most of our hard-earned money. Nowadays, it's all about stretching the budget so i'm happy to read posts like yours
ReplyDeleteTerrific advice, Anna! I do coupon, but I need to menu plan more! Especially coordinating it with the sales. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI really should do this because I always go to the same store and buy the same things and probably could save more by circling best prices in the ads and then going to the store that has the most! Great Tip!!
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