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| Getting Prepared for the Grocery Store |
Being prepared to go grocery shopping is as important as being prepared for
battle. The goals are the same, WIN! There is nothing on this page that you
probably have not heard at one time or another, but when all of these tips and
tricks listed below are used together, you will save much time and money!
So, give this page a glance and we promise that you will at least take one part
of it with you! Even that one part will start saving you money. Then you can
come back and take another tip! Enjoy!
battle. The goals are the same, WIN! There is nothing on this page that you
probably have not heard at one time or another, but when all of these tips and
tricks listed below are used together, you will save much time and money!
So, give this page a glance and we promise that you will at least take one part
of it with you! Even that one part will start saving you money. Then you can
come back and take another tip! Enjoy!
1. Get Organized: We like to use a 3-Ring Binder filled with paper, dividers for different food categories
(snacks, meat, fruits and vegetables, canned goods, etc...), the same number of those pencil pouches for the
binder to hold coupons (will discuss more in a moment), a calculator, and of course pens and pencils.
Whatever you might come up with, the point here is to have a way to keep track of all information you collect
that will be discussed further throughout this page. Great Free printable templates to add to your organizer!
2. Start Preparing Immediately: Two weeks is ideal, but a week before grocery shopping is absolutely necessary
to having a successful trip. There is a bunch of steps to accomplish, so giving yourself plenty of time to
complete these tasks is essential! Remember when you waited till the last second to complete a homework
assignment? Stress and/or bad grade followed, right?
3. Menu (First Draft): We are using 2 weeks of meals as an example for this step. We suggest writing down 10
meals to prepare for dinner and any other meals eaten at home (breakfast or lunch). List all sides needed to
complete these meals. The reason we suggest 10 and not 14 is to give the cook a rest (That is good old Dad in
this family). Our family enjoys home cooked meals Sunday through Thursday with Friday and Saturday
non-cooking days. With our older children, they always have something going on during the weekend, so we
either order in or go out. It is a little reward for saving money on groceries.
4. Grocery List (First Draft): With a menu made, write a list of all ingredients needed to complete the
condiments, or other items needed to the list. Let us stress, NEEDED items; not wanted items.
5. Take Inventory: Now that you have a rough idea on what you will be shopping for, it is time to take
inventory of what you already have. A bunch of people skip this step and end up buying items they have plenty
of. Add or deduct items from your grocery list.This is also a good way to get that kitchen organized. Here are
some simple printable templates for your notebook to keep this task organized.
Refrigerator/Freezer Pantry
(snacks, meat, fruits and vegetables, canned goods, etc...), the same number of those pencil pouches for the
binder to hold coupons (will discuss more in a moment), a calculator, and of course pens and pencils.
Whatever you might come up with, the point here is to have a way to keep track of all information you collect
that will be discussed further throughout this page. Great Free printable templates to add to your organizer!
2. Start Preparing Immediately: Two weeks is ideal, but a week before grocery shopping is absolutely necessary
to having a successful trip. There is a bunch of steps to accomplish, so giving yourself plenty of time to
complete these tasks is essential! Remember when you waited till the last second to complete a homework
assignment? Stress and/or bad grade followed, right?
3. Menu (First Draft): We are using 2 weeks of meals as an example for this step. We suggest writing down 10
meals to prepare for dinner and any other meals eaten at home (breakfast or lunch). List all sides needed to
complete these meals. The reason we suggest 10 and not 14 is to give the cook a rest (That is good old Dad in
this family). Our family enjoys home cooked meals Sunday through Thursday with Friday and Saturday
non-cooking days. With our older children, they always have something going on during the weekend, so we
either order in or go out. It is a little reward for saving money on groceries.
4. Grocery List (First Draft): With a menu made, write a list of all ingredients needed to complete the
condiments, or other items needed to the list. Let us stress, NEEDED items; not wanted items.
5. Take Inventory: Now that you have a rough idea on what you will be shopping for, it is time to take
inventory of what you already have. A bunch of people skip this step and end up buying items they have plenty
of. Add or deduct items from your grocery list.This is also a good way to get that kitchen organized. Here are
some simple printable templates for your notebook to keep this task organized.
Refrigerator/Freezer Pantry
| Because every household is different, we tried to make these suggestions as general as possible. Keep this in mind as you read, and adapt these ideas to your own personal lifestyle. Also, the first few steps will make more sense as you get further down the list. |
| Take a deep breath. We have now got started getting prepared and from here on out, the above steps will start making sense as we keep exploring more. You will also be doing a little work, so take a quick break before we get started! |
6. Make a list of Stores: Grocery stores, drugstores, dollar stores, home improvement stores, and even local
convenient stores in your area are all potential places to shop for savings. Make a list of all these in a 2 putting it in
whatever you used for organization. You might be surprised how much savings you can find in different locations!
7. Price Book: A grocery price book is an awesome tool to put together! It is an ongoing list of the items you most
commonly purchase, how much or the best price you paid for them, and what location has the most consistent price
on an item. This list allows you to detect price cycles, spot bargains, and plan your shopping trips for maximum
savings. Here is a handy printable template to add to your organizer.
8. Rewards/Loyalty/Membership Cards: Whatever a particular store calls their little shopping card, most all retailers
offer one now, and you are crazy not to spend two minutes filling out their form to get one. Even if you rarely shop
a particular store, GET A CARD if it is available! Coupons, sales prices, free stuff, and other advantages are only
usually offered to customers who carry around a particular stores loyalty card.
Example of how we use rewards cards to our advantage. We have signed-up for RegisterRewards at Walgreens and
ExtraCare with CVS. We have split our families monthly pill prescriptions between the two stores. Though we have
health insurance to lower the cost of the prescriptions to almost nothing, when our reward cards are scanned at the
time of pick-up, the full price of the prescription is entered onto the rewards program offered. In return, we receive
valuable coupons and even free purchases of a certain dollar amount each month. At CVS on September of 2010, we
received $18 to spend on whatever in the store for making a $6 prescription purchase!
Lesson here is to join all rewards programs that retailers have to offer! Even if you have not stepped foot in a
location for over a year, there maybe savings waiting for you when you go back. Also remember, when a rewards
program is offered, you can usually only get their sales prices as a member of that rewards program.
9. Asking for a Wish List: Here is a time where you need the family to speak up! Ask everyone if there are any
snacks or special wants. Though you can't get everything, a little treat here and there is not going to kill your
budget.
10. Coupons: Bet you knew this step was coming. Get your menu and grocery list rough drafts together, scissors, a
highlighter, and a way to keep coupons organized. Let's get started!
Where to find coupons?
Sunday Newspaper: The tried and true method of clipping coupons from a Sunday newspaper is still a fantastic
way to gather coupons. Relax with a beverage and some music and you might find that cutting coupons can be a
pleasant experience each week.
Grocery Store Websites: Yes, even your local grocery store probably has a website, and yes, that grocery store
wants to save you money too! Here is a link that has a pretty healthy list of grocery store websites.
Online Coupon Sites: Upper left-hand corner of this page has a list of trusted online coupon sites worth a look.
There are several more out there. Just search "best coupon sites" in your favorite search engine.
Manufacturer Website: Search manufacturer's sites for special coupons. One example is Kraft. When you join
their site (free of course), you will be privileged to unique recipes and coupons.
In the Mail: Valpak is an example of mid-week coupons that come right to you, so stop disregarding these as
junk mail.
On Your Food: Look for coupons on the labeling or inside packages of your food products. Sometimes you can
find hidden treasures.
On Your Receipt: Many supermarkets print coupons on the back of your grocery receipt. These are often very
good coupons so remember to check the back of your receipt. Some supermarkets also have an additional coupon
printer that prints coupons when you checkout.
Free Local Publications: Like the Sunday paper, free newspapers like the Dandy Dime, Thrifty Nickel,
Greensheet, etc... provide coupons as well.
Magazines: Look through your favorite magazines to find manufacturer coupons.
You found them, now what?
Start clipping and organizing them! There is no right or wrong way to do this. My wife likes to just clip everything
and sort through it after. I like to cut only the coupons I think we will use. We both then separate them by
categories like meat, frozen, vegetables, etc... We then compare them to our lists. Sometimes when we come
across really good deals, we alter our menu. Example, maybe you had spaghetti as a meal one night, but you came
across a family sized lasagna with a manufacturer coupon, a store coupon, and also see that the item is on sale. This
could possibly save you $2 off your Italian meal! You might also come across deals to replace sides listed on your
menu. The point here is to match the coupons to your grocery list and menu. Now you see why we recommended
two weeks of prep time?
Want more information on clipping coupons? This link has great information!
11. Finalize the Lists: Coupons are matched up! Now there is no turning back. Finalize the menu and grocery list. No
matter how tempting it will be at a store, this list can not be altered from this point on!
12. Plan Your Route: If shopping at multiple locations (which I suggest you do), use your map to plan out your route.
Wasting money on gas negates the purpose of saving on groceries.
13. Wednesday, Early: Not everyone can swing this, but early on Wednesday mornings are the best times to shop.
Grocery stores usually start their weekly specials on this day, majority of people have to be at work on these
mornings, and leftover specials usually get discounted even more!
14. Do a Mental Check on Yourself: Most everyone knows to eat something before heading to the supermarket, but
being tired and angry can influence buying habits just as much. They say when you are having a bad morning or day,
you are more likely to grab for junk or comfort foods to ease the stress. So before leaving for the grocery store, grab
a bite to eat, listen to your favorite music or radio show, take a warm shower, and turn the frown upside down!
convenient stores in your area are all potential places to shop for savings. Make a list of all these in a 2 putting it in
whatever you used for organization. You might be surprised how much savings you can find in different locations!
7. Price Book: A grocery price book is an awesome tool to put together! It is an ongoing list of the items you most
commonly purchase, how much or the best price you paid for them, and what location has the most consistent price
on an item. This list allows you to detect price cycles, spot bargains, and plan your shopping trips for maximum
savings. Here is a handy printable template to add to your organizer.
8. Rewards/Loyalty/Membership Cards: Whatever a particular store calls their little shopping card, most all retailers
offer one now, and you are crazy not to spend two minutes filling out their form to get one. Even if you rarely shop
a particular store, GET A CARD if it is available! Coupons, sales prices, free stuff, and other advantages are only
usually offered to customers who carry around a particular stores loyalty card.
Example of how we use rewards cards to our advantage. We have signed-up for RegisterRewards at Walgreens and
ExtraCare with CVS. We have split our families monthly pill prescriptions between the two stores. Though we have
health insurance to lower the cost of the prescriptions to almost nothing, when our reward cards are scanned at the
time of pick-up, the full price of the prescription is entered onto the rewards program offered. In return, we receive
valuable coupons and even free purchases of a certain dollar amount each month. At CVS on September of 2010, we
received $18 to spend on whatever in the store for making a $6 prescription purchase!
Lesson here is to join all rewards programs that retailers have to offer! Even if you have not stepped foot in a
location for over a year, there maybe savings waiting for you when you go back. Also remember, when a rewards
program is offered, you can usually only get their sales prices as a member of that rewards program.
9. Asking for a Wish List: Here is a time where you need the family to speak up! Ask everyone if there are any
snacks or special wants. Though you can't get everything, a little treat here and there is not going to kill your
budget.
10. Coupons: Bet you knew this step was coming. Get your menu and grocery list rough drafts together, scissors, a
highlighter, and a way to keep coupons organized. Let's get started!
Where to find coupons?
Sunday Newspaper: The tried and true method of clipping coupons from a Sunday newspaper is still a fantastic
way to gather coupons. Relax with a beverage and some music and you might find that cutting coupons can be a
pleasant experience each week.
Grocery Store Websites: Yes, even your local grocery store probably has a website, and yes, that grocery store
wants to save you money too! Here is a link that has a pretty healthy list of grocery store websites.
Online Coupon Sites: Upper left-hand corner of this page has a list of trusted online coupon sites worth a look.
There are several more out there. Just search "best coupon sites" in your favorite search engine.
Manufacturer Website: Search manufacturer's sites for special coupons. One example is Kraft. When you join
their site (free of course), you will be privileged to unique recipes and coupons.
In the Mail: Valpak is an example of mid-week coupons that come right to you, so stop disregarding these as
junk mail.
On Your Food: Look for coupons on the labeling or inside packages of your food products. Sometimes you can
find hidden treasures.
On Your Receipt: Many supermarkets print coupons on the back of your grocery receipt. These are often very
good coupons so remember to check the back of your receipt. Some supermarkets also have an additional coupon
printer that prints coupons when you checkout.
Free Local Publications: Like the Sunday paper, free newspapers like the Dandy Dime, Thrifty Nickel,
Greensheet, etc... provide coupons as well.
Magazines: Look through your favorite magazines to find manufacturer coupons.
You found them, now what?
Start clipping and organizing them! There is no right or wrong way to do this. My wife likes to just clip everything
and sort through it after. I like to cut only the coupons I think we will use. We both then separate them by
categories like meat, frozen, vegetables, etc... We then compare them to our lists. Sometimes when we come
across really good deals, we alter our menu. Example, maybe you had spaghetti as a meal one night, but you came
across a family sized lasagna with a manufacturer coupon, a store coupon, and also see that the item is on sale. This
could possibly save you $2 off your Italian meal! You might also come across deals to replace sides listed on your
menu. The point here is to match the coupons to your grocery list and menu. Now you see why we recommended
two weeks of prep time?
Want more information on clipping coupons? This link has great information!
11. Finalize the Lists: Coupons are matched up! Now there is no turning back. Finalize the menu and grocery list. No
matter how tempting it will be at a store, this list can not be altered from this point on!
12. Plan Your Route: If shopping at multiple locations (which I suggest you do), use your map to plan out your route.
Wasting money on gas negates the purpose of saving on groceries.
13. Wednesday, Early: Not everyone can swing this, but early on Wednesday mornings are the best times to shop.
Grocery stores usually start their weekly specials on this day, majority of people have to be at work on these
mornings, and leftover specials usually get discounted even more!
14. Do a Mental Check on Yourself: Most everyone knows to eat something before heading to the supermarket, but
being tired and angry can influence buying habits just as much. They say when you are having a bad morning or day,
you are more likely to grab for junk or comfort foods to ease the stress. So before leaving for the grocery store, grab
a bite to eat, listen to your favorite music or radio show, take a warm shower, and turn the frown upside down!
| Related Articles: How to Coupon Effectively Learn to Coupon Cut Your Grocery Bill Starting a Price Book 101 |
| Seem overwhelming? At first it may be, but after a few trips to the supermarket using these tips, the money savings you will experience will easily make up for the time you put into it. The most important step in getting prepared to grocery shop is organization. Without this, you might as well have not read any of these suggestions! |
By: Christopher Foos
Not that you are prepared, wonder what to do at the grocery store? Click Here to find out!!!!