So a long long time ago I shared with you here how my dad was cheap and I had to learn how to stretch a buck. Well I am back to share a little more. I first want to disclaim that I am not a professional...I am just merely scratching the surface with this stuff. There are some people out there that have this down to a science.
So I had been clipping coupons and going to Wal-Mart thinking I was really saving some money. The unfortunate part was we were still spending way too much...that place is a trap. Then one day I was standing in line at Target and the girl in front of me had a cartload...might as well been a boat load of stuff...I also noticed she had coupons...so I inched closer. She had an interesting mix of stuff...shampoo...ice cream...laundry detergent...but what really got my attention was her total...it was around $280 give or take a few dollars...then she handed over the coupons and the magic began to happen. I sit here today and blog that when they finished scanning her coupons her total was around $75. I kid you not, she saved over $200 with coupons...I saw it with my own eyes...and I still couldn't believe it was true. At this point, I had to stop and talk to her...I mean what was she going to do with 30 bottles of shampoo...she was going to have a yard sale...thats what. Yep...she buys 20 some odd Sunday papers, clips the coupons and then stocks up...she said she will sell items at a yard sale for half off the store price and can make $1,000 any given weekend....AMAZING.
Now obviously I am not looking for this level of commitment, but it got me to thinking I could do a little better than my save $8 on a good day at Wal-Mart...and then Brandon refused to shop at Wal-mart anymore...he said we could save just as much by going to Publix and he was tired of everything that was Wal-mart...we've all been...we know what it's like. So I caved...reluctantly I do admit...we bought all Publix brand stuff and wouldn't you know it the bagger offered to take our groceries to the car and that was it...Brandon was sold...and I was a little bit too...but we still spent too much.
After a little research, I discovered The Grocery Game. Its an online list that you print each week which breaks down the best prices on certain items. Its color coded and lists besides each item the corresponding coupon to use making it even easier. I tried it for 4 weeks free {it's $10 every 2 months} and was hooked. Our grocery bill was cut in half...and I was buying name brand products! Now, it does take minimal effort and you buy whats on sale and go from there...not the make your menu and buy your ingredients like I was doing. That was my biggest question was what am I going to do with gummy bears, salsa, and hot chocolate? However, I have found that after using it for a few weeks my pantry is actually better stocked than it ever was and I have the ingredients on hand to make lots of things...you can read more on their website and they have a whole rules section that really goes into more detail...try it...they have other stores besides Publix too...I know you think it is a lot of work...but it isn't...take it from a lazy person...it isn't and it is so worth it when you see that you saved more than you even spent.
Finally, because this is turning into a longer post than anticipated...I use I Heart Publix. It is a great resource too for matching up your coupons with sales...they even have some coupons available that Grocery Game doesn't so I make sure to check this site too when making my list. Using the two sites I have been saving around 50% on groceries. This is just a drop in the bucket compared to the 70-80% some save. Yesterday I saved 57% and then promptly spent the savings at the new Target by our house....we needed dog food...and I needed some warm weather clothes for fall...because suddenly it's fall...and suddenly none of my clothes fit...hey...that's why I play the grocery game.
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