Money-saving tips?

[Anonymous]

Hello- I'm trying to cut down on our almost $200 per week grocery bill, and am wondering what tips any of you might have. Here is what I do so far:

1. buy generic brand of most things where brand name doesn't matter (canned beans, salt, olive oil, etc)
2. buy veggies/fruits in season/on sale
3. buy organic fruits and veggies but only when its close to the same cost of non-organic
4. sometimes clip coupons but we don't get the paper or much mail so i on't always do this

Any other tips? If we're already spending $200 per week for a family of 3, I hate to think what the bill will be for a family of 4!

[Anonymous]

Sit down each week and make a menu of what you will be eating and only buy for that, breakfast lunch and dinner and stick to it. We cut our bill by at elast $100 by doing that. Coupons are great and who cares if people look at your funny or your friends frown upon them.

Also, ask yourself, do we relaly need this when it comes time for buying stuff that is not on the menu-it is so hard going down the ice cream aisle

[Anonymous]

I agree w/ PP, make a weekly menu and stick to buying those items on your menu and lunch/snack items you need for the week. I found that buying the store/generic brand is usually cheaper than buying name brand w/ a coupon. Or go to stores that double coupons. Do you have an Aldi grocery store nearby? They are really really cheap for staple items. Meats are cheap and usually pretty good. You have to "rent" a shopping cart so have a quarter (only) and shopping bags w/ you, bag yourself and buy bags if you don't have any. That's how they keep their prices low. I once bought fresh hotdog and hamburger buns for $.25 cents a package!!

[Anonymous]

Less meat, more whole grains and produce. Minimize snacks.

Make more stuff from scratch when possible (have the time, interest and talent).

instead of canned beans, dried beans (heard they are healthier anyhow).

If you are disciplined, buying meats when they are on sale in the big packages, then dividing up and freezing, can save you a lot of money. We are horrible about defrosting anything though, so this doesn't work for us.

Don't buy the single serve packages of stuff. More expensive, and not as good for the environment.

If find that eating leftovers for lunch is both tasty and fairly cost-effective.

When you make your weekly menu and grocery list, look at the store's sales circular for the week. Let that help you decide what to make. I know Safeway has their circular online, so you don't have to get the paper.

The crockpot is your friend. Cheaper cuts of meat generally need to cook low and slow to be tender. And it uses less energy than your oven and doesn't heat up the house as much.