I'm often asked for the best way to save money on produce and meat each week. One way to save consistently is pretty simple - STICK TO THE SALES. Not just any sales, of course, but the best "loss leader" prices on fresh foods (loss leaders are those front-page items advertised to lead you into the store).
Some Examples
When I find boneless, skinless chicken breast for $1.49 per pound, I buy 10 or 20 pounds, portion and prepare it for meals, and freeze for future use. When lean ground beef is $1.59 per pound, we buy 10 pounds, mix burgers and meatballs and freeze. If you're not excited about buying larger amounts and freezing them, don't worry. Simply sit down at the beginning of the week and take a look at the best prices around town - then plan your weekly menu around those items.
The Benefits
- Spend less.
By purchasing when prices are lowest, you're saving the most you possibly can on these items. If you can plan your meals around the best sales at your store(s), you'll avoid a last-minute trip to the store for dinner ingredients (as well as that extra expense).
- Enjoy variety.
When you focus on sale fruits and vegetables, you can dig your family back out of the produce routine you may have unknowningly fell into. Heather commented, "After a few weeks I noticed that I was coming home with a much bigger variety of fresh fruits & vegetables. By checking the sale list, I realized we could have fresh kiwis or kale for the same price as the boring apples & baby carrots I previously kept bringing home."
How do you know a "best price" when you see one? Based on an excellent suggestion by Amy on the MMS Facebook Fan Page, Stacey and I have been working on a list of best prices for meats and produce in the Macomb area. For now, it's titled the "Macomb Fresh Food Price Chart" (though I'm open to your creative name ideas!). I've included basic items that are usually advertised on sale and listed 3 prices for each - an average regular price, an average sale price and a BEST PRICE (which I've tracked with the store name and date of the most recent lowest price - you'll notice that produce is always priced lowest when it's in-season). While this list is nothing fancy, it should help you to recognize a good price when you see one!
I hope that the Fresh Food Price Chart is a helpful tool for you - and I'm eager to hear what you think!
What a great resource! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Thank you so much for sharing. Rita
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I was looking for. I noticed as I am getting older, I am having a harder time keeping all the prices in my head. I was planning on starting a price book but have not had the time yet. And here you go doing what I was wishing for. Thank you so very much and keep up the great work. This unemployed family appreciates your work a whole bunch!!!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking of creating something like this for myself. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! As a new couponer, I still don't have a great idea when a meat/produce is the lowest price to stock up... This will help me out a great deal! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteYou're wonderful, thank you soooo much for this!!
ReplyDeleteI did a similar comparison on my most common purchased grocery items. I compared Kroger to Walmart and Walmart won hands down on almost every item. In fact, at Walmart I could buy a name brand product for less than Kroger's store brand product in a lot of cases. I realize I must take into consideration that Walmart does not double coupons. I made a chart and have not had a chance to compare with Meijer yet.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a great resource -- thank you!
ReplyDelete