Today is Wednesday.... that means the NEW Grocery Ads are out! Almost ALL the grocery stores run their weekly sales from Wed. to Tuesday (with the exception of Kroger, who does theirs from Sunday to Sunday - remember I live in the Southeast so your area MAY be slightly different)
This is the day that I look forward to almost as much as Sunday when the new coupons come out :-) I am going to try and break down the process of how I make my list to get the best deals on Food. (Getting the best deals on household and beauty items takes place on Sundays. That's a "whole nudda story")
First - Let's gather our materials
1) you got to actually GET your ads out of the mail box (or newspaper if you are on regular delivery)
* I have streamlined my preferred places to Bi-Lo, Publix and Kroger. I do not bother even looking at the "other" ads that come, because after lots of research I do not feel they offer the best deals for me. This is something you will have to determine for you and your family. I should also note that Food Lion does have lots of BOGO's BUT they do not offer double coupons OR preferred customer perks AND their prices ARE slightly higher then my Preferred Stores
2) Get 2 different color markers or pens
3) have your coupon folder/file/box/pile etc. handy
4) Comfy place to sit and save
There very first thing I do is take my pen and circle the items that jump out at me as I do a quick scan of the sales. The items that get a circle are the ones that are BOGO or stand out as a good price. * at this point I know by heart what is a Ok, Good or Great prices for the things I buy most often. When I first got started I would take a little note pad and write down the prices of Milk, OJ, TP, detergent etc. and at what stores. *
Then I take time and go back through the ads with the 2nd color pen. At this point I really consider what I NEED and IF I have a coupon for the item. If I have a Coupon then I put a big C on the item. If it is a great deal or I really NEED the item then I will put a star on the item. The 3rd consideration is IF it is BOGO and I don't have a coupon OR NEED the item, is it still a good deal @ 1/2 price? DO we USE the item, Can it be stock piled? ust because something is BOGO does not mean you should run out and buy it. You will get the BEST deals when it is BOGO AND you have a Coupon, If the store double the coupon it can be even a better deal!
Next I get out the coupons and gather them into a "store specific" pile. When I go to the store I take my circled ad with me with the coupons already separated. You could make a list, but I am a visual person and like to see the picture of what I am buying.
* this brings me to another side note. I use binder clips to keep my coupons secure while I am in the store (will have to post some pics to really show you what I am talking about)
NOW at this point I may or may NOT run to the stores to gather my deals. If it is a super deal and I know that the store will sell out then I am more likely to run right out and get the item. Otherwise it will depend on our family schedule as to when I get to the store, however I do make an effort to get there before the weekend. I never go to the grocery store on the weekends.. (85% of Americans do their grocery shopping on the weekends)
PLEASE NOTE that when it comes to getting the best deals on your household items I very OFTEN run right out on Sunday Mornings to get the deals , because they are such a good deal that others will be there in the AM to get them too and the store often runs out of the advertised items. In fact I have seen other "coupon clippers" with their binders and list searching for the same items that I am often enough that I've even become friendly with a few.
So GO GET your ads and coupons and start your savings!
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