This is where I will post meaningful information and links to those of you that would like to dive head first into the crazy world of couponing...It can be scary so we'll take it one step at a time. Already know all of the basics? check out my other links to couponing professionals in your area.
THE BASICS
- KNOW YOUR PRICES! While youre getting used to the concept of couponing skim through multiple ads and price things that you normally buy..While in store, pay atention to prices of different brands so that when something goes on sale you know if you're getting a good or great deal.
- DON'T BE PICKY! Try out new brands and see which you can't stand no matter the savings, you may be surprised at what you like..Me for example I don't care how cheap they are I cannot buy Kroger brand saltines...every box I've ever gotten the crackers have been in a hundred pieces.
- PLAN YOUR MEALS AROUND YOUR AD. You can't save money if you don't have a game plan. Know what's in your cabinets and what you can fix before the next grocery outing.
- SAVE COUPONS. Sounds obvious, but if you don't need them for this week you might next week, so keep them! Throw away of course pet food stuff if you're animal-less or baby stuff if your childless. Check out Couponing 101 to see all the places you can find coupons.
- FRESH IS BETTER! You may have heard that you should shop around the outside edge of a grocery store. The reason is that's where most stores keep their fresh foods. The less hands that touch your food the better. Not only are fresh items healthier, the less people that have been paid to handle it the cheaper it will be. For example, a bag of salad will be more expensive per ounce (unless its on clearance) than a head of lettuce some carrots, celery and whatever other greenery you may want.
- DO THE MATH Notice in the above statement I said per ounce...If you need a salad for one meal its cheaper to buy a bag..If you eat salad every day for lunch and need a larger amount then its cheaper to make it. Same reason many people like to buy in bulk...see below.
- MORE MAY NOT BE BETTER. Buying in bulk at Costco or Sam's is often appealing and IS a good deal for items like toilet paper or Bread. The problem comes when you've bought a five pound box of pretzels and you have turned a relatively healthy snack into a food you feel like you have to gorge on so that it doesn't get stale before the box is finished. So just be aware and realistic of what your family needs.
- CONVENIENCE VS PRICE. There's no doubt about it, a large part of the time a food made from scratch will be cheaper than one bought prepackaged. The question is, do you have the time to deal with pizza dough and sauce or is it worth it to you to spend a bit more on a frozen one to pull out in a pinch? Do you want to bone a chicken or are boneless skinless breasts worth the extra cost? Only you know the answer.
- RESOURCES: check out my links to friends that have couponing down to a science and can explain in detail "the grocery game" to get every penny out of grocery shopping.
