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[imported_jenniferp417]

Oh, man. Bummer to both of you. The store I go to is actually about 15 miles away from me and I had to put in a different zip code to get it to show up... but I shop in that town anyway so it worked out just fine. But 75 miles is a wee bit far to drive even for good sales.

 

[jrstephens]

I make one but buy way more than is on there. I do not put the things I know I have to buy each week on it just what is different and that I need to remember.

 

[imported_whiteyteresa]

I only follow my shopping list when I am shopping for my shows - I have laminated all of my recipes cards and as I put something in my cart - I use a dry eraser and mark the item off - when I get home I will wipe the card(s) off and put in my recipe binder - ready for next time

~

 

[rebeccastt]

I tried the Grocery Game, but I'm just not good at making dinner with what I have (improvising ingredients, etc.). I try to plan my meals, then buy what I need to make those certain recipes. Plus I was finding that so many of the coupons in the newspapers were for items I wouldn't buy. Anyone have that problem?

 

[imported_jenniferp417]

I trade the coupons I won't use in "coupon trains" - every week I get an envelope of coupons others in my group didn't want. I take out stuff I'll use, and put in stuff I won't. Works rather well.Plus, maybe I wouldn't normally use a certain kind of deodorant for example, but if I get it for a quarter, I'll give it a shot. Some things I can be open-minded on, brand-wise, and some things I can't. I stock way up on the brands I *have* to have.I like to plan my meals too - but I nearly always cook the same things - there's a lot of variety, but I know the dishes I prepare - so I stock up on things like spaghetti sauce and manwich, so when I do want to add sloppy joes to the week's menu, my stockpile already has most of the ingredients I need.The grocery game doesn't work for everybody, to be sure, but maybe the things I've mentioned will help!And I'll fully admit that coupons and the grocery game are my new obsession.

 

[jrstephens]

What is the grocery game?

 

[imported_jenniferp417]

http://thegrocerygame.com - basically, sales happen in 12-week cycles and as I'm sure you've seen, sometimes things will be on sale one week and a better sale in the next couple of weeks. They do the work for you to figure out when the absolute best times to buy things for maximum savings, and which coupons to use. Yesterday's grocery bill was 60% off, my personal best so far, thanks to the grocery game.

 

[jrstephens]

Thanks! I checked in and in AL the only store near me is Rite Aid - I do check their ads each week.. Thanks anyway though. I wish we had more to choose from but Walmart and locally owned stores are my only choices.

 

[SummerG]

I do the grocery game. I buy things from their list when they're at the 'rock bottom' prices and try to stock up - that way I only have to buy things at their best prices. I'm averaging about 40-50% savings so far and I think that'll get better.

Another Grocery Gamer here! I can't believe how much money I have saved since adapting this style of shopping!

 

[imported_jenniferp417]

Bummer, JR! Maybe someday they'll get more stores in your area that work with the list!And summer - I'm glad I'm not one of the only ones! I get so excited about my coupons!

 

[bethsbiz]

I have a pretty effective system of makng a weekly menu (checking freezer and sale adds first), looking for coupons, listing needed groceries (by store, 3 stores max on a busy shopping day) and then shopping. When my budget is really tight, I will even estimate each item on my shopping list and add everything up before I go shopping. If I am "over expected budget" I'll start revising my weekly menu or taking extras off the list.

My budget right now is about $120.0 per week for main shopping (3 people and 3 pets) plus about $75.00 for weekly extra visits to the store for missed ingredients, changed plans, unexpected items, etc. )

 

[jrstephens]

I get the magazine All You. It has some really good coupons in it. I may have mentioned this hear. The magazine is $1.97 and it pays for itself with the coupons. I usually pick it up at the newstand but I am subscribing to it through a school fundraiser.