Sorry it has been a while since I've posted anything. Life has been crazy busy! I'd like to discuss some easy ways to help you save money while making healthy choices. While extreme couponing is amazing, it is not always the most healthy foods. Plus, I'm not quite so extreme, but I do like a good deal. I have always been a price matcher and bargain hunter but have just recently started looking into couponing. So this is what works for me! Please feel free to share your tips as well. I'd love to learn more! So here it is-stretching your dollar: Not extreme couponing just a little couponing, price matching, and tips to help you start January saving money!
Number One: PLANNING
Going to the grocery store multiple times can cost you money. So the number one goal is to be prepared and plan. Look through your ads (all ads are online if they don't come to your house). Find what is on sale and look what you already have in your fridge. Then plan what you are going to make for the coming week. This can also help you so that you don't make unnecessary unhealthy purchases at the grocery store. Pinterest has some cute free printable meals planner and grocery lists to help you get organized.
Number Two: COUPONING BASICS- be familiar with where you can print coupons online. You will have to sort and clip coupons and sometimes the coupons are not the healthiest choices so you will have to be selective. But you can find lots of good deals, even if it is just on household products! Here are my favorite coupon websites: redplum.com, smartsource.com, coupons.com. If you shop at Smiths, you can just get online and clip coupons to your loyalty card. Then you just print a list of what you need to purchase to use the coupon! The Sunday newspaper is also a good source of coupons! If you really get into couponing, you are going to need a couponing folder or book. I found a little accordion folder at the DI for a dollar and I put some leftover scrapbook paper on it to make it cute!
Number Three: COMPARE and CONTRAST-This can save you a lot! Check the Unit Price to compare different brands and also different sizes (This is usually on the price bar code which is below the product you are buying, it is often per oz so you can actually compare without doing the math). You'd be surprised to find out that bigger isn’t always better:)
Number Four: BUY IN BULK- when you see a good deal in the ads buy more of it! Even though it will cost you more up front it can save you a lot in the future. If you don't know what a good price is for certain products visit: pinchingyourpennies.com or grocerysmarts.com to find list to help you know what good prices for product are in your area!
Number Five: Buy in SEASON- it is always cheaper to buy the fruits and vegetables that are in season. Plus your produce will taste a lot better. Watermelon in December is not good! You can find out seasonal produce in your area by just typing it in google. Take a look at this price comparison!
Price Comparison: Strawberries
Out of Season: $4.29
In-Season: $.99-2.00
Total Savings: $2.29-3.30
Number Six: Get your CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING-spice up your leftovers and
Remember that throwing food away is throwing your money away. Also have good rotation of foods. I have a specific shelf for leftovers so I don't forget about them. Remember that leftovers aren't good over 7 days, and we don't want any food poisoning. Also rotate your food storage so that nothing gets too old!
Number Seven:AVOID EATING OUT-All though eating out is convenient and fun. It can add up quickly so try only eating out once a week to save. When you do eat out….look for coupons. Try restaurants.com to get good deals. You can also dine early to get the lunch deals which are a lot cheaper. But remember that most restaurants don't cook healthy foods and their portion sizes are always off! Consider sharing a meal to help you get more accurate portion sizes!
Number Eight: BUDGET-Create a grocery budget and try to stick to it. Use mint.com to help you get you budgeting started. It's free and it is a great way to help you start budgeting with the new year around the corner!
Number Nine: Drink AGUA/WATER- buying soda or other drinks can add up quickly plus add calories. Even diet sodas should be avoided plus they add on extras costs. So drink water because it is cheap and good for you!
Number Ten: RANDON TIPS
Grow your own food
Don’t buy junk
Shop the perimeter of the store first. The perimeter tends to be healthier choices.
Avoid impulse shopping
Make a list and stick to it!
Eat before you go shopping
Shop alone (husbands and kids like goodies)
Take food with you when going out during lunch time and dinner time so you can avoid eating out.
Buy meats on discounts ( meat can be expensive) also consider using lean sources of protein like legumes to help you save money
Going to the grocery store multiple times can cost you money. So the number one goal is to be prepared and plan. Look through your ads (all ads are online if they don't come to your house). Find what is on sale and look what you already have in your fridge. Then plan what you are going to make for the coming week. This can also help you so that you don't make unnecessary unhealthy purchases at the grocery store. Pinterest has some cute free printable meals planner and grocery lists to help you get organized.
Number Two: COUPONING BASICS- be familiar with where you can print coupons online. You will have to sort and clip coupons and sometimes the coupons are not the healthiest choices so you will have to be selective. But you can find lots of good deals, even if it is just on household products! Here are my favorite coupon websites: redplum.com, smartsource.com, coupons.com. If you shop at Smiths, you can just get online and clip coupons to your loyalty card. Then you just print a list of what you need to purchase to use the coupon! The Sunday newspaper is also a good source of coupons! If you really get into couponing, you are going to need a couponing folder or book. I found a little accordion folder at the DI for a dollar and I put some leftover scrapbook paper on it to make it cute!
Number Three: COMPARE and CONTRAST-This can save you a lot! Check the Unit Price to compare different brands and also different sizes (This is usually on the price bar code which is below the product you are buying, it is often per oz so you can actually compare without doing the math). You'd be surprised to find out that bigger isn’t always better:)
Number Four: BUY IN BULK- when you see a good deal in the ads buy more of it! Even though it will cost you more up front it can save you a lot in the future. If you don't know what a good price is for certain products visit: pinchingyourpennies.com or grocerysmarts.com to find list to help you know what good prices for product are in your area!
Number Five: Buy in SEASON- it is always cheaper to buy the fruits and vegetables that are in season. Plus your produce will taste a lot better. Watermelon in December is not good! You can find out seasonal produce in your area by just typing it in google. Take a look at this price comparison!
Price Comparison: Strawberries
Out of Season: $4.29
In-Season: $.99-2.00
Total Savings: $2.29-3.30
Number Six: Get your CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING-spice up your leftovers and
Remember that throwing food away is throwing your money away. Also have good rotation of foods. I have a specific shelf for leftovers so I don't forget about them. Remember that leftovers aren't good over 7 days, and we don't want any food poisoning. Also rotate your food storage so that nothing gets too old!
Number Seven:AVOID EATING OUT-All though eating out is convenient and fun. It can add up quickly so try only eating out once a week to save. When you do eat out….look for coupons. Try restaurants.com to get good deals. You can also dine early to get the lunch deals which are a lot cheaper. But remember that most restaurants don't cook healthy foods and their portion sizes are always off! Consider sharing a meal to help you get more accurate portion sizes!
Number Eight: BUDGET-Create a grocery budget and try to stick to it. Use mint.com to help you get you budgeting started. It's free and it is a great way to help you start budgeting with the new year around the corner!
Number Nine: Drink AGUA/WATER- buying soda or other drinks can add up quickly plus add calories. Even diet sodas should be avoided plus they add on extras costs. So drink water because it is cheap and good for you!
Number Ten: RANDON TIPS
Grow your own food
Don’t buy junk
Shop the perimeter of the store first. The perimeter tends to be healthier choices.
Avoid impulse shopping
Make a list and stick to it!
Eat before you go shopping
Shop alone (husbands and kids like goodies)
Take food with you when going out during lunch time and dinner time so you can avoid eating out.
Buy meats on discounts ( meat can be expensive) also consider using lean sources of protein like legumes to help you save money