I am a little disheartened, though. I have noticed a trend the last few months. The grocery ads for my local grocery stores are offering fewer sales items each week. Those items that go on sale really aren't a super cheap price, and coupon match ups are not fabulous, either. Pair that with the fact that I am trying to remove most prepackaged and processed foods out of my families diet (cold cereal is still a staple I just have been buying "healthier" options) has kind of made me revamp how I shop. Ridley's has actually been offering better sales prices than either Smith's or Albertson's, lately. So, I will be going back to posting the weekly deals, if only for my benefit. Here are this week's deals:
- Quaker Cereal (Life, Oatmeal Squares, Capt'n Crunch) $1.89 each
- 2 liter Pepsi products $.93 each
- W.F. (4oz) Diced Chilies 2 for $1.00
- Dole (12 oz) frozen 100% Orange or Pineapple Juice concentrate 4 for $5.00
- Old Orchard (12 oz) frozen 100% Juice Blend concentrate 5 for $5.00
- Libby (12 pack) canned Corn, Green Beans, and Peas $6.00
- Fresh Pineapple $.79 pound
- Broccoli or Cauliflower $.79 pound
- Hunts (26 oz) cans of Spaghetti sauce 11 for $10.00
- American Beauty (12-16 oz) packages of pasta 11 for $10.00
- Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (4 pack) $2.32 each ($.58 per individual box)
- W.F. Cream of Mushroom or Chicken soup $.69 each
- Tillamook (5 pound) brick of Medium Cheddar Cheese $11.95 ($2.39 per pound)
- 10 pound box of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $13.95 each ($1.39 pound)
- Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs $1.79 pound
- Tide (100 oz) Laundry Detergent $9.69 each
- Sauve (15 oz) Shampoo or Conditioner $.88 each
I'm just curious, have the local grocery stores in your area changed their sales tactics, as well?
Yes, my area supermarkets have all been having less and less great deals. Meijer is my store of choice, and the coupon matchups are not as good as they used to be. Although they still do every 3 or 4 weeks a 10 for $10 with the 11th item free (mix and match) and are starting to include some pretty good stuff, like whole bags of spinach, 3lb bags of carrots, celery bunches and that kind of thing, which there are never coupons for.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog last week, and spent hours reading back to the beginning. You are an inspiration. I am amazed at your ingenuity and thrift. I am trying to be more "domesticated" and bake and cook from scratch more, so your blog is a great learning tool. The post about your friend/neighbour who said"I don't know how anyone can live on less than XXXX $ a year" really stood out to me. We are solidly middle class, and it amazes me that people who make double what we do struggle.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the sales being fewer. I am in Canada, where coupons are few and NO stores double let alone triple coupons. I am in awe of these American women who blog about getting thousands of dollars worth of food for free.
I have to save with sales, and with food going up in price every.single.week, the sales are now what the price used to be mere weeks ago.
I will be following your blog and gleaning tips and tricks to keep my household running.
Thanks!
Shannon - It's so discouraging that there are rarely coupons for healthy food like fruits and veggies. I do love ten for ten sales, too. That is usually how I restock my pantry.
ReplyDeleteTheresa - Welcome!!!! Thank you for your kind words. I am so glad my crazy, frugal antics are helping others. With a little resourcefulness you can live a very happy, comfortable lifestyle on a mere pittance!
P.S. I am a seasoned couponer and I have yet to get $600.00 for $1.95. I find there are other tactics that can reduce your grocery budget and are far less time consuming.
I shop at Publix because there is a beautiful store a mile from my house and I count just about everyone who works there as a friend. I have noticed that there are not that many good sales anywhere. Publix does double the coupons up to 50 cents, but I agree they are never on fruits and vegetables. DH shops for me on Wednesday so he can get his 5% senior discount. The sale does seem to be what used to be regular price. Lots of food is cheaper at Sam's. Aldi also has cheaper diary products. We end up buying at 3 or 4 stores each week, but it has almost become our entertainment.
ReplyDeleteEating healthy is the most important thing!
Really enjoy your blog!
Your first bullet point caught my eye - the Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal is so good. I went with a friend to Costco and bought one of the big boxes.
ReplyDeleteYeah, no real great sales here. Plus, Walmart here is significantly higher than in IF. Pretty bad when I have to have WM price match their own add.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that same trend. I open the ads each week only to be disappointed. They have taken all the fun out of grocery shopping.
ReplyDelete