The Grocery Store Challenge

I would like to invite you to join the coupon challenge. This challenge is for newbies and the seasoned veteran. It will require a few items you have around your home: notebook, pen, and the free inserts that you receive in the mail every Thursday (the ones you toss right into the recycling bin before you even glance at them).

The first step is to take your notebook to your freezer and inventory your proteins. Proteins are the most expensive part of most meals. You can use sale items to complete your meals when you know exactly what you have on hand. If you are starting with a very low stock of protein, use the proteins that are on sale. Make sure to look for unadvertised sales in your meat department while you are shopping to build up your stock.  

Sit down at your kitchen or dining room table where you can spread out your grocery store inserts and actually look at them. Look at the loss leaders which you can find on the front page and back page of the inserts. You may also find a few $1 deals in a special section of your circular. Take your pen and circle the things that you know that your family will use. Make a list of these items, the price, and the store in your notebook. This list will help you create a menu for the week, or month if you make a monthly menu.

It is so important to create a menu when preparing a shopping list. This menu will ensure that you use the sale items to your advantage. With a shopping list created around sale items, you will instantly save money. If you need a formal worksheet for your menu and grocery list, you can print one at Vortex42.com by searching the word 'menu.' You can also download an application called DinnerTool for your iPhone, WhatsforDinner for your Android, or use either site via your computer.

You can save even more money by matching the sale items that you want to buy to the coupons that are currently available. If you get a newspaper or have a printer available, you can use the coupon database on Hip2Save.com. This coupon database will allow you to search for printable coupons, tear pads, and newspaper coupons. Click on the “coupons” link and plug in your product name to search the coupon database.  

The supermarkets set the prices of certain items very low knowing that you will grab a few extras on your way through their store. Do not be one of the shoppers that walk out with an extra $50 in your cart. Join me on this coupon challenge and plan to save at the supermarket.

Happy Couponing!