https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 08:27:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1292566 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 19:46:20 +0000 cmomma17 1292566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dojo: it's tedious :( I have read that it takes about six weeks to get going and benefit. That is because most stores have 6-8 week sales cycles. I've been tracking prices for 8 days and I'm sick of it :) but I know it will be worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1292521 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 19:27:00 +0000 dojo 1292521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: I would be interested! I could use some extra motivation and tips! </p> <p>Also I downloaded a couple apps to try on my iphone to start a price book but it seems you still have to log everything in manually... I would love a scanner option at least to get volume and product info then just fill in a price. </p> <p>For anyone who uses or has used a price book - how long before you were able to spot what a good price was or the sales cycles? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1290076 Wed, 18 Dec 2013 19:42:06 +0000 cmomma17 1290076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would anyone be interested in a (maybe monthly?) thread in the new year? We can state goals, track our progress, hold each other accountable, and share tips? What should I title it and when should we start?<br /> I'm bound and determined to save some money in 2014! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1289474 Wed, 18 Dec 2013 14:34:38 +0000 snowjewelz 1289474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am definitely in! I have been saying we need to save on groceries. I am able to save on all household (non food) items, because I buy them and I clip coupons and do all that good stuff and keep tabs on what I need to replenish so I am not buying random things,</p> <p>BUUUT when it comes to food, my husband is the one that cooks so he is the one that buys the groceries. I have only started this month to ask him to give me all the grocery receipts so I can actually figure out how much we're spending. But it's so hard this month because we've had company over so I'd have to deduct the things that we used for dinner parties. Maybe I'll start fresh in Jan.... </p> <p>I feel like for the two of us, excluding eating out, we probably are spending $200-$300. I'd like to get to a max of $200 if possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1286733 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 14:20:24 +0000 LuLu Mom 1286733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in! I have been working on this for a couple months but you can alway do better right? My big thing is shopping the sales, specifically meat. Our food budget goes to meat, my husband MUST have a meat with every meal or he considers it a "snack." </p> <p>I have stopped being picky about brands (for the most part) and will buy store brands when cheaper. ALTHOUGH still checking the name brand because sometimes the sale on that is cheaper! I grocery shop everything but meat at Target, so between the 5% with my Red card &amp; Cartwheel I save a nice chunk of change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1286637 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:33:28 +0000 KT326 1286637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This has been on my mind a lot too! We spend a ridiculous amount every month on groceries. I have two weeks off for Christmas and one of my tasks is to come up with a recipe book of things we eat regularly and create shopping lists for them. Then it would be just a matter of us picking meals for the week and I would have a grocery store list pretty much ready. I will probably use a three ring binder and page protectors. That way I can add recipes as needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1286626 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:29:57 +0000 cmomma17 1286626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: that's a neat link, thanks for sharing! I just wish she had shared the full details! what did she buy and eat? I know you can subscribe or whatever, but boo! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1286621 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:28:12 +0000 cmomma17 1286621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: if I went to the store without a list I'd come home with random stuff like 6 cucumbers and 4 boxes of muffins :) </p> <p>@luckypenny: I think it's good not to sacrifice those healthy foods! in the long term you are saving yourself money on healthcare costs by not getting sick! I could lower my spending drastically by eating only ramen noodles every day, but I never would. You could start tracking prices. Everything (even fruits, veggies, and organic stuff) goes on sale at some point! A price book would help you determine the lowest price/best deal on all the foods that are most important to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1286615 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:24:17 +0000 cmomma17 1286615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: Same here! Since having LO my time/effort/energy for grocery shopping and meal planning has gone WAY done. I'm going to try really hard to get back into it though because I feel like it's one of the few budget areas I can really control!</p> <p>@jhd: I'm glad you bumped this thread. I was feeling down about money again and like reducing our grocery spending was hopeless. I think I want to budget $590 for groceries in 2014, but set my goal of only spending $500. I need to keep my motivation up and get organized! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285769 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 09:03:25 +0000 Mamaof2 1285769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just thought I would share this site I found - its Wholesome Mommy - she did real meals on a food stamp budget!</p> <p><a href="http://wholesomemommy.com/category/wholesome-food/oh-snap-real-food-on-a-food-stamp-budget/" rel="nofollow">http://wholesomemommy.com/category/wholesome-food/oh-snap-real-food-on-a-food-stamp-budget/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285536 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 00:04:55 +0000 immabeetoo 1285536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: I should've specified; it's cheaper than store bought organic meat :) Which wasn't why we switched, but still a nice perk. Nowhere near cheaper than conventional/store brand meat!!</p> <p>@luckypenny: I hear you!! I posted a few things higher up that might apply. I also add grains in with meat - like amaranth in with tacos (and beans) or bulgur in a soup. It stretches it into at least one more portion on the cheap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285526 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 23:37:33 +0000 luckypenny 1285526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have such a hard time with this because I don't know how I can make it much cheaper without sacrificing things that are important to me - only organic milk, organic/grass-fed antibiotic/hormone free beef, organic dirty dozen fruit &amp; veggies, etc... :crying: I've tried cutting down the number of meals that include meat and adding pasta too. Sigh </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285516 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 23:25:04 +0000 808love 1285516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One thing that helped me is to NOT have a pre-determined list before going to the store...except the essentials-which we just mainly buy at Costco.. Then meal plan on the spot around what is on sale at the grocery store. They always have a couple fruits and a couple veggies on sale, one type of meat etc and they just rotate it. This is for people who don't like to study the ads. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285373 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 21:16:10 +0000 jhd 1285373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: was just looking back over the comments on this thread. I like your idea of cutting back your grocery budget little by little. I think that's definitely something that could help me over the long term. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285356 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 21:08:12 +0000 jhd 1285356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: yes you do. So I figure it up &amp; tell DH $x was household &amp; remainder was food. YNAB seriously is the best. DH enjoys budget stuff so I let him handle it but it's really very easy to use &amp; it has helped us so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285303 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 20:17:54 +0000 regberadaisy 1285303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: but you still have to tell YNAB what the separated total is, right? I'm thinking of starting YNAB so just trying to understand it more :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285298 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 20:15:02 +0000 jhd 1285298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: for a while if i bought household items i would have the cashier ring those items up in a separate transaction. now i just calculate those totals after the fact from the receipt total. (it helps if you try to group the food items all together and then the household items towards the beginning or end of the transactions, but sometimes cashiers ring things up in odd orders! ;) ) we use YNAB and you can split categories for a single transaction so i just tell DH "today's walmart trip was $47 but $17 was household" for example...or i write it on a post it note and stick it to the receipt for when he does the budget. sorry for the long answer. hope that makes sense! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285277 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 20:02:51 +0000 lindseykaye 1285277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the ideas on this thread!<br /> Since having LO our grocery spending has increased. Partly in the last few months as she's started eating her little share of "real food" and partly because I have not been nearly as diligent in meal planning, price comparison, and keeping up with our budget.<br /> I used to have a gorgeous spreadsheet with every item I purchased and the price, with running totals of my spending, $ and % saved through sales and coupons, amount remaining from the yearly budget, and totals for meat, pet food, paper goods, toiletries and health, etc. it wasn't hard to update, but I just have so much less time. I also have no access to printable coupons since changing jobs a few weeks ago so I am in need of a whole new strategy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285264 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:52:12 +0000 regberadaisy 1285264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: how do you separate it out? Do you spend time subtracting the household items? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285262 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:50:43 +0000 regberadaisy 1285262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: ha! I wished that was the case for us re meat. We plot a half a heritage pig with my ILs and it wasn't crazy but still not as cheap as store. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1285260 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:48:12 +0000 fairy 1285260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We spend an avg of $80 a week on groceries for 2 adults and a baby, and I still want to lower it! Going to be checking out Aldi to compare prices. I am also one who keeps a mental price book for the things I always get and refuse to but chicken breast and ground beef for over 1.99/lb. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1276597 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 13:34:57 +0000 plantains 1276597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am in, I need to reign our spending in big time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1275079 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:37:33 +0000 immabeetoo 1275079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: Honestly, I hear you on the time thing, and where I used to pore over ads, price match and compare between 3 stores, etc. now I shop my main grocery store, and price compare to Amazon. We try to do mainly whole foods, organic on what I think makes sense, which makes it hard because the "health market" side of our store doesn't follow a sale cycle. </p> <p>Other ideas -- my store will give a 10% discount if you buy a "unit's" worth (i.e. 6 things of yogurt). This makes sense for some things!</p> <p>We decided to only do local meat for non-monetary reasons, but turns out it's the same cost if not cheaper. Not sure if that's true, or true for you with the amount of meat you buy or don't buy for DH, but worth checking out. I used my first whole chicken (instead of just buying chicken breast) last month and it was easier than I thought it would be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1275056 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:27:48 +0000 cmomma17 1275056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: first of all, I looooove me some larabars! Good call on checking amazon for those! I haven't gotten as far as price checking yet, adjusting to motherhood has killed a lot of my budgeting skills but I want to get back into it!</p> <p>Address book is a great idea!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1275044 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:22:14 +0000 immabeetoo 1275044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: I didn't read the entire thread, but wanted to chime in that I've been working on a price book too. I bought a dollar store address book so I can look up by B- beans (etc.). Do you price check to Amazon? Their beans were half the price of any I could get at my local stores. I double check there for everything, I have 3 types of flour, 4 types of beans, larabars, our dog's food, and prunes/raisins for LO on subscribe &amp; save! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1274997 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:04:21 +0000 cmomma17 1274997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kimberlybee: a game or contest would be fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1274933 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 20:31:12 +0000 Kimberlybee 1274933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: I wish we could make a game out of it, like do a weekly grocery bill comparison and see who made it through the week with the lowest receipts added up. I go a few times a week for groceries depending on the week's meal plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1274916 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 20:24:28 +0000 jhd 1274916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in! Any tips you ladies have to share would be much appreciated! ;) I want to get better at saving money on groceries. </p> <p>I don't count things like toilet paper &amp; soap etc in our grocery budget. We have a separate line item in our budget for "household" that covers stuff like that. This helps me see what we are spending on food &amp; drinks only. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1274903 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 20:19:29 +0000 cmomma17 1274903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, I may have been exaggerating a bit on our increasing grocery costs, but I still think it's WAY too much for 2 people! (and we do NOT live in a big city).<br /> We spent:<br /> August $606.19<br /> September - $589.72<br /> October - $671.66<br /> November - $681.54<br /> December - $237.72 so far!</p> <p>I picked up a few things at the store on my way home from night and started tracking the prices for my price book! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lowering-grocery-costs/page/2#post-1274814 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 19:27:30 +0000 cmomma17 1274814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dojo: there are price book apps! I'm starting with good old fashioned and paper. But a digital solution would be great! </p>