I am a big fan of saving money pretty much whenever possible. At the movie theater, (second run only) for my family’s wardrobe, (Goodwill) and especially at the grocery store. I shop primarily at Safeway, as I can almost always stock up on staples when they’re on sale, and my Safeway has easy parking and bizarrely friendly staff.
Which is why, when contacted by the P.R. for corporate Safeway about whether I’d be interested in receiving two $50 gift cards to send out to readers in conjunction with their Everyday Low Prices program I was happy to agree. They also sent a gift card for me “to shop at your local Safeway to experience the thousands of new everyday low prices for yourself.”
Here’s their description of the Everyday Low Prices program:
Safeway is proud to announce that they are expanding their long-term commitment to great quality and value by offering customers thousands of new everyday low prices on items across the stores to help customers save money and time every day. The new pricing program just launched throughout all 117 Safeway stores in Oregon and Southwest Washington, giving your readers a new more affordable shopping experience where they can find everything they need at the right prices to fit their budgets.
Want to win a $5o Safeway gift card for yourself? Just write your favorite grocery money saver tip in the comments section below to enter to win one of two $50 gift cards. Don’t forget, Safeway has a huge assortment of gift cards available for purchase, so your prize could be used for holiday gift shopping like Barnes and Noble or iTunes! (I looked, and sadly — they didn’t have Goodwill.)
And for those who don’t have a Safeway in their area, the gifts cards also good for Vons, Carrs, Genuardi’s, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Pak n’ Save.
The winner will be chosen by a random number generator at midnight, November 14th Pacific time zone. Only one entry per person please, all are allowed to enter.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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To get the great savings you can find matching sales and coupons WITHOUT all the work of matching and clipping – get your coupons from an online clipping service (very cheap and you can get multiples of coupons for things you buy a lot) and use message board like a full cup or hot coupon world – they do the matching for you and it’s FREE!
Someone else was faster with my favorite tip which is to buy spices, baking soda, baking powder, oatmeal from the bulk food bins.
My other favorite tip is to feed my kids oatmeal for breakfast. I’ve convinced them that this is the best, most fun meal there is in the morning. They get to dress it up with fresh fruit and maple syrup. Oatmeal rocks as a cheap, filling, good for you breakfast.
I look for ‘clearance’ meat then plan my meals around that! I also scour the ads & use my coupons when the items go on sale (usually about 2 weeks after the coupons hit the paper). Having a well stocked pantry and basic vegetables (onions, garlic & potatoes from costco), bagged salad, bell peppers, etc. Help me create easy, nutritious meals based on the meat I bring home. As an added bonus, the ‘clearance meat’ forces me to be creative instead of getting stuck in a food rut, making the same recipes week after week…
My trick is to try to do as much shopping as possible at ethnic grocery stores. There are both Mexican and Asian stores in my area. When I shop there I usually get twice as much food for the money! It helps to be willing to try new things too.
My tip takes is a few steps that allow me to maintain my weekly shopping budget. I always check the pantry, check the store ad along with my coupon matchups and meal plan before heading out to the store. I find that a few extra minutes planning save me big $ at the store. I always walk in with my list and coupon matches in hand. I also keep a running total of the items I place in my cart so that I know if there is any room left in the bidget for stocking up on any unadvertised sales/ markdowns that we come across. Please throw my hat in the ring for the Safeway giftcard…this is one of my local stores.
Saryn
I save money by only shopping from my list, certain items at each store, and checking out my coupons and sale flyers in advance.
I save money by only shopping from my list, with certain items from each store and checking out my coupons and sales fliers before I shop.
My tip is go to the store with a meal plan and specific grocery list- and don’t buy anything not on your list! Also, use coupons!
This may sound like alot of work, but it only takes about a half-hour per week:
1. When the Safeway/Vons sale ad shows up in my mailbox on Tuesday, I circle the items I need for the week in bold, sharpee pen.
2. Then I go to the website http://www.hotcouponworld.com and check the Coupon Database for the products that I’ve circled. I also check for any extra products I need that weren’t in the ad.
3. The website tells me which Sunday paper the coupon is found in. I go to my coupon files (right next to my computer) and cut out the coupons I need. (All coupons stay in the whole sheet and are filed according to Sunday date; when people give me coupons I just add them into the correct file.)
4. Make a specific list and paper clip the coupons to the list. My list is good for the whole week (I menu plan).
5. Go shopping and manage to save a ton: the store has discounted the items for the week, plus I use coupons on top of that! (Sometimes I even get free stuff!)
Buy real food instead of processed. Like Michael Pollan says, if his grandmother wouldn’t recognize it, don’t buy it (easier said than done but worth working toward).
I always shop from the bulk bins when they are available. You can get huge savings on pasta, beans and cereal and only buy as much as you need. Also, although it is a small savings, bring your own bags for 5 cents off apiece at many stores.
My tip:
Try the generic. If you don’t like it, try the next cheapest brand up, until you find your ’sweet spot’. The cheapest isn’t always the best for you, but the name brand you’re used to isn’t always the best price for you.
WOW – I love your readers – and so glad Sarah mentioned bringing your own bags – I’m a bit forgetful, will put the bags in the car and forget to take them into the store – so then I put all my food back into the shopping cart and bag them when I get to the car :>)
Are you judging or Safeway? because if it’s Safeway, makes sense that all those who promoted use of store coupons, loss leaders, safeway site is to the benefit of Safeway (I even took notes for you: Karen, Keri, Angela all said store brand, Rachel, loss leaders, Lucia, on sale, Gigi, Ellen, GLM, Sara, all use the magic of the internet and Safeway’s site, Kate also says stock up on bargains, as does Mamadrums, Wendy, KarynV and Alyssa – now how on earth do you pick??
I have something Safeway won’t want to hear – when I lived in the States I went to Price Club, a warehouse, and got everything in bulk, then I’d go to Farmer’s Market for the rest of my produce (Price Club also had produce in bulk) – that’s somewhat close to Pam’s buying in ethnic stores – some products I’d go to a restaurant supplier for (also bulk).
But if it’s you who’s choosing I loved all the plan your meals, don’t waste food, cook from scratch, don’t shop when hungry, and leave kids/hubby at home – and for me personally, I loved the don’t buy meat – vegetables and grains and beans are sooooooooo much healthier (will save in medical costs in the long run) than meat and dairy and cost a lot less!!
I save money by share shopping with friends and family. We split the cost of items in bulk or that we only need small amounts of. It works well for us and helps reduce food waste.
Lots of good advice from readers. Thanks!
One thing I like to do is a periodic fact finding mission when the store is least busy (I am a very early morning person, but I’m sure there are other times the store is quiet). Sip a cup of complimentary coffee or bring a cup from home. Cruise the aisles at leisure, check out items high and low, read labels, discover new products, visit with the butcher, baker and produce manager to learn what and when they mark down items and listen to their suggestions for best buys. This field trip could make the difference about when you shop (for markdowns) and items you will select when you are in a hurry.
Yes, count me in on the drawing… I love Safeway.
Agree with many of the answers we use a combination of tricks:
buy our beef in large sizes and have the butcher cut them for us (not only does it take me back to growing up in rural Lancaster County PA but we have a better “feeling” for the beef) We also get the pasture / non-feedlot beef.
shop on a full stomach and shop only the aisles you need.
Don’t be afraid to stop and compare products — proud of my daughter who lines them up and compares on a shelf. She usually ends up lecturing some unwary customers. She started doing this in college and hasn’t stopped.
Make everything you can from scratch, not only do you control the ingredients but there are plenty of recipes and shortcuts to find to make your own “mixes” and they’ll taste so much better.
And really, if you don’t know how to cook, invest in a good cooking class or get a friend who does to give you some tips. It will save you so much over the long run plus make you healthier. And it can be a fun family project.
My favourite is when the Safeway has buy one get on free specials. I use it to buy warehouse packs, repackage them and stock my freezer. I hope I win!
Never, never go to the store hungry.
I haven’t had a chance to read through all the tips yet, but these are fantastic.
My tip is something I am working on now: select and prepare a meal based on the store’s weekly loss leader. Whole chicken down to 69-cents per pound? Guess what you’re eating this week! It’s a fun way to try new recipes and ideas, too. Of course, keeping a price book (a la The Tightwad Gazette) is infinitely helpful in this regard.
I use most of the tips that have been mentioned,keeping an eye on the fridge to avoid waste, and before I go to the store I look up recipes I want to cook and make a list from that. I find it really helpful to do a big shopping trip at the beginning of the month, then pick up a few items as needed thereafter.
Great tips, everyone! My tip–Use the whole chicken; after baking, cut the meat off and serve, then save all bones etc and make your own stock. Stock freezes beautifully, so you can always have this frozen asset on hand.
Yup. Don’t shop when you’re hungry, or you risk blowing your budget and your diet.
I couldn’t agree more! The grocery store I go to less than half a mile from home, and on my way (walking) from the train station. It’s so tempting to just “pop in” for one little thing…that too often ends up being TEN little things. I try to avoid it by having a list and a meal plan.
I love my Safeway! I shop there even more now that my local store doubles coupons up to a dollar. This is because my money saving tip is to buy multiple items (with a coupon, of course) when they go on sale. My cupboards, freezer, and pantry are well-stocked due to this savvy shopping trick.
I go grocery shopping once a month since my husband likes to go with me (he is the big spender). If needed I stop by myself for absolute necessities. Train your family….once something is gone…you wait til the next shopping trip.
My best tip is when buying round steak in bulk for fajitas, beef stroganoff, etc., to ask the butcher to cut the large pieces into “fajita style.” There is no charge for this, and if cooking in bulk for freezing, it frees up a bunch of time that would be spent slicing through pounds of meat!
I also always bring my own bags!
Thanks for the contest, Katy!
In my area – far more urbanized – buying a quarter cow runs about $3.50 and up/lb processed. This is more than the cheap cuts, less than the expensive ones.
Never shop hungry is the first. Never take my husband is the second. (he wants chips and junk) I cook from scratch……..so much cheaper. Last……all these tips seem to be followed by all.
Don’t ya love it?
My favorite grocery money saving tip is to avoid grocery store shopping whenever possible. I buy the majority of my family’s food from a grocery co-op, farm-direct, dairy-direct, and from the farmer’s market. Staying out of the grocery store aisles with their multitude of temptations solely designed to make me slow down and spend more money saves me a lot! However, when I need to run out for a case of beer or some last-minute forgotten item, my neighborhood store is a Safeway, so a gift card wouldn’t go to waste on me!
I save money by buying minimally processed foods that are low on the food chain such as dried beans, rice, quinoa, and produce. Hopefully it will help me save on health bills down the road too!
I usually only shop the perimeter for produce, dairy and meat. After that I shop the isle with baking goods, purchase my flour, sugar, etc. and make as much as possible from scratch. This allows me to avoid purchasing most boxed/packaged food and save money.
My favorite tip is to shop from the food bins at the store. I get my pasta, beans, cereal, kid snacks, baking items and more from them. The prices of these items are less expensive because there is no packaging and the quality the same.
When I’ve had to seriously economize, I would keep track of the prices (per ounce) of the items I regularly use in alphabetical order, peruse the advertising circulars very carefully to see which (if any) were on sale, stock up when they were, and basically feed my family on the bargains. Now with the internet it is easier to find recipes based upon ingredients you have on hand.
I’m with most everyone else: take stock of what you have; make a realistic menu plan based on the circular; make a list and stick to it; keep track of spending as you go. Once a week I set aside time to make healthy snack and dessert items for the week, so we’re not tempted to add “special treats” to the list.
By the way, this is the only blog I follow where I read all the comments with every post – so thanks, everyone!
One way to save, I’ve found is to not go shopping. Don’t go just out of habit or because you need a few things. Sometimes when I feel the need to go shopping, I look around and decide that I can probably get away without shopping for another week. Forces me to clean out the pantry and prevent more food waste.
It’s hugely important for me to go to the grocery store with a specific list of everything I need for the week’s meals. If I don’t have the list, it’s like I’m lost. I spend 3o minutes or so writing it up (and planning the meals), then go to the store with blinders. If it’s not on the list, it doesn’t get purchased.
I always make sure I’m not the least bit hungry when I go to the grocery store. I also always have a list that I have made after I go through what I have at home. I also don’t shop the whole store, just the aisles where there are items that I need on my list.
I stay familiar with my pantry and the normal cost of items I keep on hand. That way I know when and item is on sale and go ahead and purchase more. I also use the built-in calculator on my phone to calculate the price per unit.
All are great tips! I try to live by the motto of “people first, things second” so my grocery shopping does not involve driving all over town to get the lose leaders. I am fortunate enough to live less than a mile from our King Soopers (Safeway is 7 miles away) and each week I stock up on what the “bargains” are but I am also willing to spend a few more pennies for a few things because I have gotten to know the meat guy, the produce lady, the checkers etc. and they have made it a point to get to know me and my family and that relationship is priceless.
Great tips; I also try to find a store that consistently has good prices on what I need, but stay aware of the others’ strong points. My newest frugal grocery activity is an extension of the zero food waste goal. I include a bone tub in the freezer and make veggie stock on refrig. straighten day. Even tired lettuce and greens can join broccoli and asparagus trimmings and potato water to make a fine soup stock. I freeze it until I have enough to can or use in a project. Fat trimmings go out on the bulkhead for the birds.
I am a coupon lover. I really love the $10 off a $50 purchase coupon from Safeway, the coupons that you can load to your Safeway card online, and of course the double your manufacturer coupon that comes in the Safeway add each week. I also really like the rewards program at Fred Meyer. They send out great coupons to reward members.
I have also found that making a shopping list before you go is key!
Shop only AFTER you’ve recently eaten a good meal. Shopping on an empty stomach = extra purchases…esp. if you’ve got kids along!
Man, isn’t that the truth….lol
It isn’t drinks here, it is cereal. My husband is the Cookie Monster of the cereal world when he shops with me. There is no cereal, outside of Grape Nuts that passes his notice, and he seems to have the need to try each and every one!
We travel twice a month to shop on base, so I can’t leave him home. I usually leave him in the base exchange getting a haircut or visiting with buddies and race through the aisles as quickly as I can until I get past the cereal aisle
Funny, he is the exact opposite when it comes to toiletries. He would be happy to skip buying them altogether if he didn’t prefer to be clean from head to toe with clean teeth
Klara,
The winner is being chosen randomly.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
The Non-Consumer Advocate
In which case, should I be the lucky winner, use the email addy in this post. I check it far more often.
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