The cheapest stores around me in Herndon, VA are Food Lion and Trader Joe's. We also go to Wal mart for bigger missions where we need paper towels and toilet paper.

I live in PG County and find the stores/prices here to be way cheaper than in Bethesda, where I go often.

We have more low-end stores. I love them

Aldi, PriceRite, and Latin American stores like Bestway, Grandmart, and Foodway.

I get a lot at Costco. And we shop at a great little co-op called Glut.

Our grocery budget for food only (meaning not counting toilet paper, etc) is $650 a month for an omnivorous family of 4.

Shoppers in Alexandria is the cheapest I've found. I feel like my professional colleagues look down on the store and perhaps on me by extension but it's so much cheaper than Giant and its ilk that I can't stay away.

Try to get large containers of things (e.g. 2 lb yogurt containers instead of individual Yoplaits for your kids) and buying cheaper items (I find premade frozen foods like TV dinners or even premade refrigerated foods like ravioli can add up quick vs buying dry beans and rice that you can make in large portions then freeze in individual serving sizes). That's why I find Trader Joe's expensive--so many delicious premade foods and the cost adds up.

For spices and lentils, never buy at regular stores. Indian grocery stores have these items at a fraction of the price. I like Ginger and Spice in Annandale and Patel Bros in Fairfax.

Meal planning is also key as every additional trip to the grocery store will mean additional impulse purchases. I generally write up a menu for the week and shop for it so I know I have everything I need to cook all week.

Anonymous wrote:Costco.

Not the OP. I thought about joining Costco, especially when the Wheaton store opened, but decided against it. My husband has hoarding tendencies, especially with food. We had a Sam's membership for a year and it was ridiculous. He'd buy a flat of the giant boxes of mashed potatoes for example. We used up A box in a year.

The best thing that ever happened was our basement flooded. Once we got the insurance money, I made sure that our remodel didn't have a ton of space for him to fill back up with crap.

I buy as much as I can at target and take advantage of coupons. I also buy generic brand foods/household goods

Costco.

Anonymous wrote:Before you go back to the store again, eat everything in the cabinets. You would be amazed how much food you already have in your home and how many meals you can get out of the food. I used to be you and be at the store all the time. Half of the purchases were impulse and ended up half eaten anyway.

Second that! Sometimes I do "no grocery shopping" week. Only go to store when we're out of milk, meat, or fresh fruits/veggies. Buy only stuff we cannot live without or if it's free/almost free with coupons.
I cook with what I have in fridge/freezer/pantry. I was surprised for how long we can survive without going to store.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:O.P. here.

So, I went to Wegman's this afternoon. Earlier in this thread I posted per pound prices for bananas at several different grocery stores that I shopped at in the past month. I was hoping to get a great deal at Wegman's, based on your suggestions. Well, Wegman's came in at 49 cents a pound. No deal to be found there, as far as bananas go!

Also, I bought trail mix by the lb for the first time in a long time, per someone's suggestion. No savings there. In fact, I paid 75 cents more for the same amount, same type of trail mix that I had bought in a package from Giant. I was also a bit grossed out by the dirty scoop. The handle was brown and sticky. It was obvious that it had never been cleaned. The quest for cheap groceries continues...

The Wegman's near me has good prices on produce and meat. What I really find saves me money is their store brand instead of name brand stuff. Their stuff tends to be really good (odd exception: canned green beans) while the prices are low. Their ice cream is better, and cheaper, than any name brand. Milk costs less, and I'm always pleased with the overall quality of their groceries.

I also love that I can pick up really nice food there too. I like to have a good cheese around, or grab fresh seafood. Their employees are helpful too. It's the best of all worlds for my family.

I'm the pp that drives to the Germantown Wegmans from Bethesda. You bring up an excellent point about the store brand stuff. I'm only brand loyal on a few items; most things I buy whatever is cheapest. I end up buying a lot of Wegmans store brand items, and so far, so good. My favorite is definitely the pasta sauce. It's so good and not super acidic like some brands. And at .99 a jar you cant beat the price.

Which green beans didnt you like? Was it regular or French Cut?

Anonymous wrote:I used to think that Giant was the best value, but no longer. On "value" items, they're a few cents more than Safeway and certainly more expensive than Walmart and Aldi. I tried the big new Giant in upper NW, which is supposed to have more of a selection, and was decidedly unimpressed. On higher value items, including organics, they seem more expensive than even Whole Foods. The meat and fish didn't look that good. If Giant is in a grocery niche, it seems to be eroding on both ends.

What can be expected, moreover? It may be a brand new Giant, but alas, it's still a Giant. Good for paper products and junk food cravings, but the meat, fish and vegetables don't exactly seem fresh. And speaking of meat, it's like that old expression about putting lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

Before you go back to the store again, eat everything in the cabinets. You would be amazed how much food you already have in your home and how many meals you can get out of the food. I used to be you and be at the store all the time. Half of the purchases were impulse and ended up half eaten anyway.

Anonymous wrote:O.P. here.

So, I went to Wegman's this afternoon. Earlier in this thread I posted per pound prices for bananas at several different grocery stores that I shopped at in the past month. I was hoping to get a great deal at Wegman's, based on your suggestions. Well, Wegman's came in at 49 cents a pound. No deal to be found there, as far as bananas go!

Also, I bought trail mix by the lb for the first time in a long time, per someone's suggestion. No savings there. In fact, I paid 75 cents more for the same amount, same type of trail mix that I had bought in a package from Giant. I was also a bit grossed out by the dirty scoop. The handle was brown and sticky. It was obvious that it had never been cleaned. The quest for cheap groceries continues...

The Wegman's near me has good prices on produce and meat. What I really find saves me money is their store brand instead of name brand stuff. Their stuff tends to be really good (odd exception: canned green beans) while the prices are low. Their ice cream is better, and cheaper, than any name brand. Milk costs less, and I'm always pleased with the overall quality of their groceries.

I also love that I can pick up really nice food there too. I like to have a good cheese around, or grab fresh seafood. Their employees are helpful too. It's the best of all worlds for my family.

Anonymous wrote:FYI a new Aldi is coming to Alexandria! Seminary Plaza on Kenmore.

Really??? Is this in the spot where the old Magurders was located? I had not heard about this.

I know they are putting one in Springfield.

Anonymous wrote:How come no one has mentioned Walmart? They are the cheapest place in town!!

Because Walmart. Ewwww.