Brandy Long

Super Market Strategies

$  Clipping coupons-You will find about 82% of coupons printed will be in the local Sunday paper.  They usually go with the upcoming sales in the grocery and drug stores within 2 weeks.  Also, try internet sources.

$  Manage you coupons by organizing them-It won’t do you any good if you go to the store and leave them at home. You wouldn’t leave your checkbook or money at home, would you?  There are many methods you can use for organizing coupons.  Find one that is simple at first and then graduate as you accumulate more coupons.  See brandylong.net for the Coupon Caddy.

$  Use caution while couponing-know that just because you have a coupon doesn’t mean you have to use it.  Don’t clip the coupons if you know you don’t eat or use the product. Manufacturers print coupons usually for the higher priced and high-marketed products, like cereal.  These products are located at eye level.  Never just grab a product off the shelf.  Look high and low for similar brands. 

$  If possible, shop alone-you will save money on impulse buys if you go into the store prepared.  Take your ad, coupons, calculator into the store with you and go to those items you plan to buy (circled ads).

$  Don’t waste time going down every isle–Unless the store is having triple coupons. Grocery stores are set up to walk you to the right of the store, into the produce and bakery departments first so that they can appeal to your senses.  Ever wonder why the produce department is always in the same location in every grocery store?  What about the smell of cookies, bread and pies?  Is this appealing?  Why is the milk always in the back of each and every grocery store? The longer you stay in the store, the more you will spend. 

$  Plan meals- Plan your meals based on weekly sales.  Lack of advanced planning is one of the biggest time and money wasters.  If chicken is on sale for $.99/lb. then have chicken.  This is not only manageable but also takes stress out of dinner preparation!

$  Don’t be store loyal-shop more than one store if convenient.  You want to use caution not to drive so far that your savings are eaten up by gas to drive to the location.  Make it worthwhile to go by a different store than you usually do if you will be in the area anyway.

$  Time is money-The more convenient the food, the more expensive.  If your child likes Lunchables, you will pay a much higher price for it because of packaging.  But you can do the same things yourself if you make the time.  If you do this, make the whole weeks worth of lunches at the same time to save you time wasted on getting the food and bags out every day.

$  Save for the sales-Know what price to pay and wait until it is on sale.  Then, stock up.  Keep your pantry stocked for quick meals.  It is so tempting to go out to eat when you don’t have the items you need for a meal or you didn’t thaw out your meat beforehand.

$  How to Buy Food in Bulk-Bulk buying or “stocking up” saves you money!  Although you may shop at more than 1 store, it will not necessarily require more time.  The first rule of bulk buying is to know your prices.  Never assume that one store has the lowest price on every item, regardless of the type of store.  This is when you use your price book.  Do not forgo this step thinking it is too much work.  It will save you hundreds of dollars over the year.  As a general rule, the loss leader sale items, which appear on the cover and back of sale flyers, will beat the prices of any wholesale food source.  The grocer takes a loss on these items figuring you will buy other products at regular price.  Bulk buying isn’t just for big families.  Simply put, buy enough to get you to the next sale.  You will begin to detect a pattern of frequent sales.  For example, you determine P/B goes on sale once every 3 month; then, you probably should buy a three-month supply.  To buy in bulk most effectively, you should own a freezer.

$  Check unit prices-The smallest unit is usually best when doubling coupons.  Many times you will get the item free or almost free.  Always compare the price after coupons with alternative products, making the same item from scratch or not buying the item at all (as in soda, candy, cookies).

$  Meat deals-Buy whole cuts of sirloin tip roasts or whole pork roasts and ask the butcher “tray” it the way you like.  They do this at no charge.  For example, Ground round hamburger is about $4.00/lb.  Instead, buy the whole cut for as low as $1.99/lb and have it ground.  Also, buy steaks in the winter when BBQing is not popular.  In addition, buy the less tender and less expensive cuts of meat and place in a slow cooker for 8 hours.  It will be so tender it will fall apart; not to mention dinner is cooked when you get home.

$  Produce–If your produce goes bad, or you are not completely satisfied with the purchase, don’t throw it away.  Be sure to return it for a money back guarantee.  Also, be sure to look for produce stands or farmers’ markets.  These are frequently cheaper than the store and you will be buying locally.

$  Chicken–the prices in my price book for chicken is $1.99/lb. for boneless and .99 for bone-in.  These are frequently on sale.  Buy several on sale and stock in a freezer.  You can also buy a whole chicken for a small price per pound and cut it up yourself and freeze what you don’t use right away.  Do not buy whole turkeys; you will pay too much for the large bone and inside organs.  Get breasts when they are $.99 and freeze. 

$  Dairy/Perishables–Be sure to look at the date of expiration on milk.  The produce manager or employee has coupons to mark down the milk.  Also, I have a wonderful tip to prolong the date of milk.  You must put it in a microwaveable safe bowl and heat it until a candy thermometer reads 160 degrees.  Then put it into the same plastic container after rinsing it out.  It will last for a week to 10 days more.  It can also be frozen—just be sure not to fill all the way up to allow for expansion.

$  Can drinks-Never buy them from vending machines.  Buy a 12 pack of soda for about $2.50 and it will cost you .22 each instead of $1.00 or more.  That’s outrageous!  Many employers have a refrigerator for their employees.  Just take your soda/lunch/snacks you made at home with you to work, and watch the extra dollars in your pocket add up.  If your work does not have one, recommend it.