Grocery shopping / sales / cupons

[Weiser]

So, when you folks go do your grocery shopping, do you plan ahead, make lists and cut cupons? Do you wait for sales?

I'm trying to find ways to start saving money and one thing I realized is that I pretty much never look at prices when I buy my groceries. I just stick them in my basket and go on my way. But I've been thinking that I'm probably an idiot and paying way more than I really need to.

[Vautrin]

I am not too much of a shopper either.


But I do take note of prices, to ensure that I am not paying 40-50% over what I should pay. Sometimes the difference in quality between the extremely expensive brand and your brandless product is neglible. That is something you need to learn from experience, though. It is also dependent on your personal preference (how should a tomato taste?)

Most groceries are not something you can wait for till it is on offer in a sale.
Beer however, you can buy in advance, and that may save you a lot of money. Same with all other alcoholic beverages.

[Duke]

I only shop when I'm hungry for something in particular. If I do a big shop then I tend to buy things I'll never eat that go to waste.

[Luba]

When you are shopping, Weiser, it's a good idea to pick up Next week's flier. They are usually right by the shopping baskets by the door, or ask a cashier. That's a start.

[TKDLady]

I make a list and always buy more than what is on it. I don't cut coupons because I have some things I like to buy but there usually aren't coupons for them. More work than they are worth and I hate getting behind someone who has a fist full of coupons. They take twice as long to check out.

[Vautrin]

Never go shopping when you are hungry. You will buy more, including junk you don't need.

[TKDLady]

I second that!!!

[Luba]

Our local Save-On and Safeway stores have GREAT cashiers. If they see there is a couponed item, they will give the coupon price for it. I remember when I worked in Retail, we used to cut coupons from our fliers and do the same thing for our customers. Customers sure appreciated that and were very grateful!

[Vautrin]

Originally Posted by Luba

Our local Save-On and Safeway stores have GREAT cashiers. If they see there is a couponed item, they will give the coupon price for it. I remember when I worked in Retail, we used to cut coupons from our fliers and do the same thing for our customers. Customers sure appreciated that and were very grateful!

Same thing here. It just speeds up everything and ensures customers are less annoyed. A win-win situation.

[SundayGirl]

Originally Posted by Luba

When you are shopping, Weiser, it's a good idea to pick up Next week's flier. They are usually right by the shopping baskets by the door, or ask a cashier. That's a start.

I totally depend on those fliers. That way I can stock up when something's on sale.

Coupons are generally too much of a pain to deal with. I'll only use them if there's one I need in one of the fliers.

[PepsiChic]

weiser to see if your paying too much look at two different brands of the same product, not necessarily the cheapest one, just two different brands, and compare the price difference. even if its just a few cents, you do that with maybe 20 items and you find youve saved a fair bit.

[Fireblade]

It's almost always cheaper to buy in bulk, Weiser.. if you're really looking to save money I'd get a membership with Sam's Club [do you have those in canada?]

[Weiser]

I don't know if we have a Sam's club, but we do have Costco.

And while that is a nice idea - one of the bad things about having amazing public transportation is the amount of things you can carry with you :/