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Buying Groceries on a Budget: Valuable Tips to Prepare for the Shopping Trip

August 1, 2012 by Lisa Park + Leave a Comment

Before heading to the grocery story, make sure you are prepared and have completed the following items to ensure a smooth grocery shopping experience and to make sure you are getting the best deals.

1)  Deal and Coupon Sites
Take a few minutes on a regular basis to skim through the posts of 2-3 couponing and deal sites like Saving Cent by Cent. Throughout the week as you see deals, write them down on your shopping list, and print off the coupons you will need or use. Couponing and deal sites do most of the work for you and keep you informed about great deals and coupons. I suggest signing up to receive their e-mails so you can easily skim through and pick and choose what deals you have the time and energy to do.

For those of you in Utah, I post the best Grocery Deals to Price Match every week. I look at about 10 grocery stores in northern Utah and compile a list of the best deals for that week.

2)  Write Out a Shopping List
It’s important to write out a shopping list and take it with you to the store. You’ll be more productive at the store if your thoughts are organized and written on a grocery list. You will also be less likely to pick up extra items on a whim.

3)  Weekly Sales Fliers
The day before the shopping trip, look at the front and back of the grocery ads that come in the mail, mark the items on sale and the ones you can stack with coupons, and place them on the shopping list. The front page deals are called “loss-leaders,” which means the store actually loses money on the products. The stores are trying to “bait” you into shopping at their store.

Looking at the front and back pages will save you time by not browsing through the entire ad. But don’t always neglect to look through the full flier. Sometimes there are great deals hidden in the middle pages. And remember that just because something is listed in the sales flier doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a great deal. Over time, you’ll start learning what the rock-bottom prices are for items you buy and how often they go on sale.

4)  Plan Out Meals
Take 15-20 minutes to plan out your family meals for two weeks and incorporate what’s on sale into the meals. Planning meals will save your sanity and your budget.

If you don’t plan out your family meals, you are more likely to run to the store every few days, if not daily, to pick up items for dinner. The more you enter the store, the more likely you will add extra items to your shopping cart that you don’t need. This not only cuts down on your grocery budget, but you also pay full price for the items rather than picking them up when they are on sale.

Most everyone usually makes the same 7-10 meals once a month for their family. Watch for sales on those items to keep them stocked in the pantry. For example, when tortillas go on sale for $0.79 or less, I’ll buy 10 and freeze most of them. Another example is when I see broccoli on sale for $0.49 lb., I’ll buy a bunch, blanch it, and freeze some. Then I will add chicken broccoli casserole to our meal list.

5)  Check GrocerySmarts.com
Additionally, check GrocerySmarts.com. This is a great site that tells you which products are on sale for the week at almost all of your local grocery stores. It also tells you which coupons to use with sales to get the best deal. This is how I check deals for stores that I don’t receive their weekly ads in the mail. It also allows me to double check stores like Smith’s, Albertsons and Maceys to make sure I didn’t miss any good deals or coupons. If you live in the Utah area, check Rancho Market’s and Sprouts’ weekly ads to pick up or price match produce inexpensively.

6)  Organize Coupons
Once your shopping list is compiled with all of the deals, then pull out the coupons from your coupon binder to match up with the sales. Also check if there are any other coupons you want to be sure to use, such as high-value coupons or coupons for free items.

With the coupons that are about to expire, if it’s for a product that I am low on or really need, and the store brand isn’t cheaper, then I’ll use it. However, don’t use a coupon just because you have it. Remember to ask yourself, “Do I need this item? Will I be able to get it on sale in a month? and Will my family eat it?” Unless you were already planning to purchase the item, using the coupon just because it’s going to expire will not save you money.

Other Posts in the Buying Groceries on a Budget Series:
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: How to Determine a Budget
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Couponing Misconceptions
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Where to Find Coupons
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Organizing Coupons
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Find Sales & Stack Coupons
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Valuable Tips to Prepare for the Shopping Trip
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Tips During the Shopping Trip
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: 8 Additional Tips When Shopping at the Grocery Store
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Organization & Patience

Filed Under: Buying Groceries on a Budget, Money-Saving Tips

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Hello, I'm Lisa

I enjoy teaching people how to live frugally so they can live within their means while still enjoying and doing the things in life that matter most to them. I'm here sharing tips about budgeting, saving money, meal planning, simple recipes, and more.

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Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

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For those of you in Northern Utah, if any of you want to try the Staples boxes, use the code savingcent10 to get $10 off.

Also this month, the Food and Meat Co-op is featuring convenience foods and easy meal options such as chicken nuggets, corn dogs (regular and gluten free), restaurant-quality sweet and sour pork meal kits, and orange meal kits. It’s nice to have quick and easy meals on busy days!

The pickup day for orders is between March 23-25 depending on where you live in Northern Utah.

https://foodandmeatcoop.com/tooele
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Once you determine your goal, determine how much money to save each month, then break it down to how much to save per week. You may not be able to save $500 a month, but maybe you can save $200 a month. That means you would set aside $50 a week.

Some things you could do to save this money is don’t eat out, cut your grocery bill down, don’t go to the convenience store to grab a drink, or cut out subscription services.

It’s the small changes that make a difference over time.

For more tips, visit my website.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgeting #financialgoal #finances
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To make this meal even faster, prepare the ground beef in advance by cooking it earlier in the week. You can then put the cooked meat in the fridge or freezer and pull it out when you are ready to use it.

Click the link below for the recipe, or message me, and I'll send you the recipe.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2013/10/18/oven-baked-tacos/

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Use the link below or message me for the link to the Disneyland post.

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The link to the recipe is below or message me and I'll send you the recipe.

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Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

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For those of you in Northern Utah, if any of you want to try the Staples boxes, use the code savingcent10 to get $10 off.

Also this month, the Food and Meat Co-op is featuring convenience foods and easy meal options such as chicken nuggets, corn dogs (regular and gluten free), restaurant-quality sweet and sour pork meal kits, and orange meal kits. It’s nice to have quick and easy meals on busy days!

The pickup day for orders is between March 23-25 depending on where you live in Northern Utah.

https://foodandmeatcoop.com/tooele
Are you wanting to get out of debt or save up a do Are you wanting to get out of debt or save up a down payment for a home? Do you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck or save for a big family vacation? Determine what is motivating you to set some financial goals.

Once you determine your goal, determine how much money to save each month, then break it down to how much to save per week. You may not be able to save $500 a month, but maybe you can save $200 a month. That means you would set aside $50 a week.

Some things you could do to save this money is don’t eat out, cut your grocery bill down, don’t go to the convenience store to grab a drink, or cut out subscription services.

It’s the small changes that make a difference over time.

For more tips, visit my website.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgeting #financialgoal #finances
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To make this meal even faster, prepare the ground beef in advance by cooking it earlier in the week. You can then put the cooked meat in the fridge or freezer and pull it out when you are ready to use it.

Click the link below for the recipe, or message me, and I'll send you the recipe.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2013/10/18/oven-baked-tacos/

#tacos #bakedtacos #ovenbakedtacos #easydinneridea #easymealideas #easymealidea #easydinners #easymeals
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I share tips of where to purchase tickets, how to use Genie+, where to find hotels in Anaheim, how to save money on food, and more. Plus, I’m sharing tips how to plan out your days, and I share Disneyland and California Adventure itinerary ideas.

Use the link below or message me for the link to the Disneyland post.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2023/02/12/how-to-go-to-disneyland-on-a-budget/

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I've tried a bunch of French dip Sandwiches, and this recipe is by far my favorite. My family also loves this meal.

The link to the recipe is below or message me and I'll send you the recipe.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2015/05/29/best-slow-cooker-french-dip-sandwiches/

#frenchdip #frenchdipsandwich #easydinnerideas #easymeal #easydinners #easymeals
If you want a fun treat for St. Patrick's Day, mak If you want a fun treat for St. Patrick's Day, make these yummy green cookies. They are really easy to make!

Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2018/03/09/st-patricks-day-cookies/

#stpatricksdaycookies #stpatricksday #greencookies #greentreats #stpatricks #stpatrickscookies
I recently picked up the 31-pound Mixed Staples bo I recently picked up the 31-pound Mixed Staples box from the Food and Meat Co-op. I love the high-quality variety of meats and that it’s prepackaged and ready to go straight into the freezer.

For those of you in Northern Utah, if any of you want to try the Staples boxes, use the code savingcent10 to get $10 off.

Also this month, the Food and Meat Co-op is featuring convenience foods and easy meal options such as chicken nuggets, corn dogs (regular and gluten free), restaurant-quality sweet and sour pork meal kits, and orange meal kits. It’s nice to have quick and easy meals on busy days!

The pickup day for orders is between March 23-25 depending on where you live in Northern Utah.

https://foodandmeatcoop.com/tooele
Are you wanting to get out of debt or save up a do Are you wanting to get out of debt or save up a down payment for a home? Do you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck or save for a big family vacation? Determine what is motivating you to set some financial goals.

Once you determine your goal, determine how much money to save each month, then break it down to how much to save per week. You may not be able to save $500 a month, but maybe you can save $200 a month. That means you would set aside $50 a week.

Some things you could do to save this money is don’t eat out, cut your grocery bill down, don’t go to the convenience store to grab a drink, or cut out subscription services.

It’s the small changes that make a difference over time.

For more tips, visit my website.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgeting #financialgoal #finances
We are having these Oven Baked Tacos this week for We are having these Oven Baked Tacos this week for dinner. It's an easy meal to make!

To make this meal even faster, prepare the ground beef in advance by cooking it earlier in the week. You can then put the cooked meat in the fridge or freezer and pull it out when you are ready to use it.

Click the link below for the recipe, or message me, and I'll send you the recipe.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2013/10/18/oven-baked-tacos/

#tacos #bakedtacos #ovenbakedtacos #easydinneridea #easymealideas #easymealidea #easydinners #easymeals
If you have always wanted to go to Disneyland, or If you have always wanted to go to Disneyland, or if you have plans to travel there in the near future, check out these tips on how to go to Disneyland on a budget.

I share tips of where to purchase tickets, how to use Genie+, where to find hotels in Anaheim, how to save money on food, and more. Plus, I’m sharing tips how to plan out your days, and I share Disneyland and California Adventure itinerary ideas.

Use the link below or message me for the link to the Disneyland post.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2023/02/12/how-to-go-to-disneyland-on-a-budget/

#disneyland #disneylandtips #disneylandtipsandtricks #californiaadventure #californiaadventuretips #disneylandbudget #budgetdisneyland #savemoneyondisneyland
These slow cooker French Dip Sandwiches are on my These slow cooker French Dip Sandwiches are on my meal plan for this week. And it's so easy to make! You just need 10 minutes to put it together in the morning. Then let it cook all day.

I've tried a bunch of French dip Sandwiches, and this recipe is by far my favorite. My family also loves this meal.

The link to the recipe is below or message me and I'll send you the recipe.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2015/05/29/best-slow-cooker-french-dip-sandwiches/

#frenchdip #frenchdipsandwich #easydinnerideas #easymeal #easydinners #easymeals

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