Bragging Rights!

Question: I began cutting coupons last year and would like to know your thoughts on where the best deals can be had. I feel as though Costco prices for household necessities (e.g. Toilet paper, paper towels, tide, diapers, wipes, etc.) are cheaper than purchasing those items the grocery store with coupons. What are your thoughts?

Answer: Be careful, be very careful of the warehouse clubs — better known as the $200 clubs. It is so easy to overspend on impulse items or double packs of stuff that will go bad before you can use it up. The only way to know “for sure” that you’re getting better prices is to do a cost comparison, item for item. We have found that sale prices at the grocery stores usually “beat the pants” off of the warehouse clubs. And if you have a coupon combined with a sale price — whew — you really win.

A few years ago we did a cost comparison of cereal, pasta, chocolate chips and ketchup. We found that the grocery store sale price on these items beat the warehouse price by between 20 to 31 percent.

Plus there’s no annual membership fee — which really does reduce your “savings.” If you stock up on sale priced items, you will rarely have to pay retail. Bottom line: Don’t “feel” like your getting the best price, do your research and KNOW that you’re getting a great deal. Then you have earned the right to brag about it.

12/18/2008 10:12 AM
Celeste wrote: Coupons seem to be a really popular suggestion, and I'm all about using them. But, the way I cook, my values relative to food, and the way my family eats tends to exclude the great savings that can be achieved using coupons. For instance, I don't buy very many processed foods, foods with white flour, foods with corn syrup, foods with sugar in the first three ingredients, and most everything I purchase is organic and as close to its original state as possible. Sadly, this is expensive. Many coupons are for things that are processed, pre-made, frozen, boxed, not organic, or generally far away from their natural state. I do not buy many snacks, or sweets. We eat mostly in accordance with the principles put forth in the Nourishing Traditions cookbook.

I clean mostly with vinegar and baking soda, so cleaning product coupons aren't for me. I use a value card. I shop at the natural foods store in town only for things I can get cheaper there, or for things I can't find at the main grocery. Some things I buy directly from farmers - meat and eggs.

I buy a lot of fresh produce, whole grains, and cook nearly everything from scratch. I'll make my own pasta, but not using white flour... using brown rice flour, which is much more expensive. I believe I'm doing the right thing in the food I choose to put on the table, but my food bill for 3 people is about $800 per month. About $20 a week of this goes toward building up emergency supplies, as I live in Southwestern Colorado where weather can get rough, and supply lines can shut down.

Everyone takes a lunch 9 out of 10 days, we eat out maybe 2 times a month. We're happy with this and have found that we prefer a good home cooked meal to eating out most of the time anyway. The only time we go out is when I'm overstretched, or exhausted. I try to plan ahead on meals so I can make good use of leftovers, etc.

I am at home full time, and love keeping our home and family centered and stable. There's very little chaos, homework gets done, etc. There are three of us, and we are in a 1 bedroom for the time being to save money. Because of that, we can put away about $600 a month in savings. I want to continue to stay home, as we all seem more balanced and happy and healthy, but things are tight. Cutting back on our food bill would help. I'd love to get it down to $500-600 and put more in savings.

Can you suggest other ways for me to save money on groceries? I really need help, but am not willing to compromise nutrition for price. 

1/9/2009 12:55 PM
America's Cheapest Family wrote:
Dear Celeste,
You are correct that eating foods that are more natural, organic and cooked from scratch do not lend themselves to using many coupons. Check your area to see if there are any food co-ops to join or farms that offer organic produce directly. Gardening is another option.

If you look at our newsletter back issues, you will find several that deal with saving on groceries and two specifically that deal with organics, Nov.-Dec. 2008 and Sept.-Oct 2008. When one item in the budget is non-negotiable, such as natural, organic food, you will have to find other areas of the budget to cut in order to increase your savings. Track your expenses for 30 days to see if there are areas you can decrease. If you don’t have a working budget, make sure you get on one. You can check out our book at your local library and other resources to help you. Best wishes.

12/18/2008 5:13 PM
Deb wrote: I agree, check prices, usually the meat Dept at Costco can beat other grocery stores, unless the product is on sale. Also, you can buy meat in bulk at Costco.