Sunday, November 7, 2010

How to save huge $$ on food staples...

I've had quite a few people ask me how I recently saved $200 at my grocery store (spent $51).  So here are my tips.
1.  Buy on sale, use a coupon, use the store discount card, AND use a rewards credit card to pay.
2.  Stock up on staples.  Soups always go on sale during this time of year plus they store long in the pantry.
3.  Check this website for an easy matched up list with coupons.  I use the Arizona forums.
4.  File, but don't cut every coupon.  I cut them out when I need them.  Use internet, manufacturer's, and store coupons if the store will except them.

Here's my scenario for my quick trip to Frys today where I spent $7.49 but "saved" $74.10:

2 - Cokes12 pk @ $3.67 = $7.34 (crud - I meant to get the 2 for $3 deal but the discount only applied if you spent $50 AFTER discounts...which obviously I didn't.  Note to self...read the fine print) *Returned these*.
20 - Campbells condensed soups @.99 = $19.80 (I use these in casseroles all the time throughout the year so my after coupons and discounts price at .24 each makes this a steal!)
5 - Campbells chunky soups @1.49 = $7.45 (after discounts and mfg coupons = .49 each)
6 - Campbells healthy soups @ 1.49 = $8.94 (after discounts and mfg coupons = .49 each)
2 - Tyson Anytizers @2.28 = $4.56 (after discounts and mfg coupons = .78 each)
2 - Stove Top Stuffing @ $1.25 = $2.50 (after target coupon = .50 each)
2 - Nestle Cocoa @.99 = $1.98 (no coupon but .49 each after discount)
3 - Rozini Garden Pasta @ 1.29 = $3.87 (after discount and coupons = -.21 money maker each)

Coupons Used (Total: - $22):
1 - fresh and easy competitor coupon for $5 off $20 found here = -$5
1 - target stove top coupon for .50 off 2 = -$.50
3 - mfg coupon .25 off 4 condensed soups = - $3 (frys all coupons are worth $1)
2 - internet coupon $1 off 4 condensed soups = -$2 (found at campbells.com)
1 - internet coupon $1.50 off 3 campbells chunky soups = -$1.50
3 - internet coupons for $1 off 2 campbells healthy select harvest soups = -$3
2 - internet coupons for .50 off campbells healthy chunky soups = -$2
3 - peelie coupons found next to the rozini pasta for $1 off $1 = -$3 (and yes...I only took what i needed)


Total $56.44
Minus $20 (buy 10 save $5 mega event x 4) = $36.44
Minus $22 coupons used below = $14.44 + .55 tax = $14.99 
Minus the return of the coke fiasco ($7.49) = $7.50 out of pocket for a savings of 90.6% Awesome!