To be a Fun, Cheap, or Free Queen means to find ways to be frugal in every aspect of your life. One major way I save money is with grocery shopping.
1. Become a crazy coupon lady
2. Buy off-brand products, and try to buy things that are on sale or shop at discounted stores
Each of these methods have benefits, but also have major downsides.
For example, while buying off-brand products is great, it doesn't often save you money when buying produce. And while most of the time off-brand products taste just as good as the name brand products, once in a while there is a taste difference. It's great to buy things that are on sale, but sometimes what is on sale at one store is not on sale at another store.
Likewise, in my opinion the downsides with couponing are...
- It takes a TON of time. To really save money you have to invest as many hours as a full or part-time job sometimes.
- You have to have multiple newspaper subscriptions to get enough coupons to make it worth it.
- Forces you to buy name-brand items.
- Saves you money mainly on pantry items, which are usually processed shelf foods.
- Can save you lots of money on the pantry items, but rarely (if ever) saves you anything on the healthy and fresh foods your family needs like produce, dairy, and grains.
- Takes a few months to work up to having a good supply, and has a learning curve that takes some getting used to.
- Often times you have to shop at multiple stores, multiple times a week to get the best deals.
My personal method of grocery shopping I like to call Deal-Shopping and Price-Matching.
What does that mean?
Deal-shopping is just as it sounds: shopping for deals! Most stores offer "loss-leaders" each week. Loss-leaders are items that are priced so low that the store actually loses a little money on it. It's worth it for them to get you into the store because you most likely will buy other items, often times at full-price. Deal-shopping is checking out the deals for that week in your local stores, stocking up on those loss-leader and sale items, and using them for upcoming meals or finding ways to save excess (like freezing it).
Price-matching is the icing on the cake! It's taking advantage of Wal Mart's price-match guarantee; if you find a cheaper price at another store, they will match it. No ad needed (most of the time). This allows you to take advantage of every store's loss-leader pricing, while only shopping a ONE store. Badda bing!
Don't have a Wal Mart close by? Try Target! A reader commented and mentioned that Target price-matches. I looked up their policy and it's true! (See HERE) My only concern is that they say it has to be an identical product, however, Target doesn't seem to carry nearly as many brands as Walmart. It's worth a shot though!
Keep in mind...you can still deal-shop and plan your meals around the sale items WITHOUT price-matching. However, if you do happen to have a Walmart within 30-45 minutes of you, the savings you get are worth the drive. Even if you only do one large shopping trip a month to cut down on the driving, it's worth it.
Keep in mind...you can still deal-shop and plan your meals around the sale items WITHOUT price-matching. However, if you do happen to have a Walmart within 30-45 minutes of you, the savings you get are worth the drive. Even if you only do one large shopping trip a month to cut down on the driving, it's worth it.
**Note: I will whole-heartedly admit that this might not save you as much money as extreme couponing does. However, it will save you lots of money, and is a great option for those, like myself, who feel that couponing is simply not for them and are looking for an alternative way to save money at the grocery store.
Here's how I do it:
Step 1: Make a plan
- First of all, you need a budget and a plan. See how I do my easy easy easy budgeting HERE (or watch the video below).
Once again, see the full post and explanation of how I track my grocery budget HERE (and see how much I spend on groceries)
Also, see how I fit buying bulk into that budget HERE
And see how we track ALL our budgets HERE
Watch the video below for why I shop with a credit card (or click HERE for the post with the video):
- I decide what to buy from Costco. I am a Costco shopper, especially for things that I always like to have on-hand like cleaning supplies, detergent, baking goods, etc. Their food is quality, and you really can save money there by buying bulk - especially if you shop with their coupon cycles. However, you can LOSE lots of money at Costco if you're not careful. Click HERE for my full Costco shopping explanation.
- I look through the ads, looking for the best prices on things.
- Don't get ads? Most stores have their weekly ads online, or contact the store and ask to get on their mailing list.
- Not sure what a good price is? You'll learn quickly. In the meantime just stick with the front and back pages of the ads. Loss leader items are nearly always on the front page.
- My best tip for learning your prices, though, is to create a price notebook. More on this below.
- Don't want to take time looking through ads? I like to use dealstomeals.com. She goes through the ads for you and labels the best deals for you, and you can create a shopping list directly from her list.
****NOTE****
I USED to scour the ads myself, until I discovered DealsToMeals! Oh man, what a life saver. She goes through all the stores (in your entire state), puts all the deals on her website, flags the "loss-leader" items and "stock-up worthy deals", and you can click on the item you want, add it to your shopping list, print out your list, take it to Walmart, and there you go. It's sooo easy. My grocery shopping prep is only 5-10 minutes now...TOTAL. The best part? The membership is only $4.95/month! I spend more than that on Frosties in a month...Another cool thing that she does is she creates an entire week's worth of meal plans for you each week using the items that are on sale...(whaaaaaaaat?! Is this lady serious?)...and she even includes a pre-made shopping list with all the ingredients you need for the recipes. I know I'm going on and on here, but honestly, my life has never been simpler. Go to Dealstomeals.com and check it out, she will be in all 50 states soon.
See all my big meal-planning tips with free printables included HERE.
Step 2: Get shopping!
If you DON'T have a Wal Mart close buy, choose the store with the best deals and do your shopping there. Try to center your meals around the loss-leader and sale items and you will save money, I promise!
If you DO have a Wal Mart nearby...PRICE-MATCH!
- I like to make a list of the items I need, the store they are from, and the sale price (or you can use deals to meals to make the list for you in about 5 seconds.) and use that as my shopping list.
- If you prefer to take the ads with you, simply circle the items you want so you can find them easily. It still helps to make a list so you don't miss anything. However, their policy says that you do NOT have to bring the ads with you to the store.
- Wal-mart will match store-brand to store-brand. So if Western Family milk is on sale, you can match the Great Value brand at Walmart. It doesn't explain this in detail in their policy, but I've asked multiple checkers and they all said that's how they do it. Each checker is different and their ad-match policy is a little ambiguous, so just be sure to ask them what they will allow. But you will find the best deals on the store-brand items most of the time.
- Make your shopping experience EASY. Bring a pack of post-its, or blank stickers or labels. I like to use those little circle yard sale stickers. As you add something to your cart, write the price-matched price on the sticker and stick it right on the product. That way your checker will know exactly what is being matched and what isn't, which reduces the chance of error AND makes your checker love you :). My recommendation? Do NOT use a sharpie to write the price on the product. If you write it, you're committed to it! I am known for putting things back once at the register, or deciding to pass on something if I am unable to price-match it for some reason. Don't commit to the product until you BUY it!
- Make sure the ounces match. If a 16oz box of pasta is on sale at one store, make sure you are grabbing a 16 ounce box at Wal Mart.
- Random shopping tip: I tend to start in the home goods section (soap, shampoo, kitchen items, etc.) and work my way around the store hitting the produce section last. That way it doesn't get smashed in the bottom of your cart.
- Get familiar with Walmart's Ad-Match policy before you go, just so you're clear on everything.
Step 3: Time to check out.
This can be nerve racking. Here are my tips for a smooth and easy checkout:
- Choose your checker wisely. I hate, hate, hate to say this...but I have found the most "easy-going" checker to be the youngest male possible. Second option, youngest female available. Third choice, just choose someone that looks friendly (literally look for someone smiling!) so you won't feel too intimidated when you're price matching!
- Be super friendly. Strike up a conversation. Ask them about themselves. Comment on the weather. Compliment their hair. It always helps when you are friendly, even if seemingly nothing comes from it.
- Be assertive; don't be timid! Here's what I do:
- I place my items on the belt and try to save my price-matching items for the end, if possible. I do this to make it easier on the checker (though, they all say it really makes no difference) but mainly so I can watch closely to make sure they get the pricing right.
- Now, many Walmart checkers are trained to say "Do you have any ad-matching today?" before they even ring you up. If they don't, I say, "I have a bunch of price-matching. Should I just put it all at the end?" They usually will say it doesn't matter, so the real purpose is to prep them that it's coming (just in case you get a cranky checker).
- When it's time for a price-matched item all you have to say is, "This is $0.49 at Smiths"..."These are $1.00/lb at Safeway..." You don't technically have to show them an ad, all you have to do is name the price. This is where the stickers come in handy, because they can ring you up just as quickly as they would otherwise by glancing at the price you wrote on the sticker.
- It never hurts to ask. Ever.
- I mentioned to a friend one day in passing that I price-matched a 10lb bag of potatoes for $1. My friend was at Wal Mart one day, remembered my awesome price-matching deal, and simply mentioned to the cashier, "My friend got this bag at a different store for $1" (she didn't even know which store I price-matched from!). The checker gave her the $1 price, no questions asked. Never hurts to ask. Ever.
- A different friend of mine found an amazing deal on diapers at Fred Meyer. Utah doesn't have Fred Meyers, but we printed out the ad (from online), took it to Wal Mart, had to fight for it a little, but got the deal. Never hurts to ask. Ever.
- Before I knew their policy, I tried price-matching 9lb of oranges for $0.99, but Wal Mart only sold their oranges priced per each. They weren't going to let me match them, but I said, "I didn't know that was your policy. Will you just let me do it this one time, please?" And they let me. Never hurts to ask. Ever.
- Got coupons? Use them!
- If you are a couponer, this is the best way to save the ULTIMATE amount of money. Price match, THEN apply the coupon. You'll get even more savings that way!
Problem Solving
It's rare that you should run into any problems. But if you do, here's what I suggest:
They say you have to have the ad with you:
That's baloney. They say directly on their national advertising "Price-match guarantee...no ad needed." See their official policy HERE. If they say "You have to have the ads", say "Not according to your policy, so I didn't bring them. Sorry. Now, this is $0.49 at Smiths this week..." and move on. Be bold, be assertive. If they hassle you more, ask for a manager, or simply get out of line and go to a new checker. But fight back, the customer is always right!
They won't let you price-match something:
This happens occasionally.
- If oranges are on sale at a different store for $0.33/lb but they are $0.50 each at Wal Mart, they won't let you price-match that. You can only price-match the oranges at Wal Mart if they are also sold by the pound.
If they challenge price-matching something that you feel should be price-matched, simply ask for a manager. Fight for what's yours! (In a firm, but KIND way, of course :))
Other concerns:
"What if they don't believe me?" "What if they get mad that I don't have the ads?" "What if I hold up the line and make people mad?" "What if they don't let me price-match this?"
My answer to all those concerns and more?
.....SO WHAT?!
- Don't feel bad about getting a good deal. I promise, Wal Mart is NOT losing money by doing this.
- Don't feel bad about holding up the line. Be courteous first and foremost, but take your time; don't rush. If it takes 5 or 10 minutes longer to check out, people can move to a different line if they are in a rush. Be courteous and let someone ahead of you that only has 2 or 3 items, but otherwise, that's the name of the game. You have every right to price-match and check out just like everyone else.
- Don't be afraid to question the checker or ask for a manager if they try to stop you from matching something. They won't be offended or lose sleep over it, I promise. They are just trying to do their job, so certainly be kind and respect that, but also fight for what is rightfully yours.
- Don't get discouraged. First of all, this is way easier than it sounds in this post, I promise. You just need to try it. However, if your shopping trip doesn't go as planned for whatever reason, contact me and I'll help you through it the next time. :) (see below)
And there you have it! It's so easy, and you save so much money! Check out THESE posts for examples on how I (and others) have saved tons of money by price-matching, and THESE for deal shopping.
I also found THIS great article with 50 easy ways to save money on groceries, check it out.
I also found THIS great article with 50 easy ways to save money on groceries, check it out.
Here's a great question I got recently:
Good luck, and enjoy the savings!
Hi Jordan! First I have to say I love this post... I read it and have been price matching ever since and saving a little more each time. I do have a question that I was wondering if you could clarify for me... if you can't, that is fine too since I wasn't exactly sure what this manager was trying to say. Here's my scenario from my local WalMart last week:
A local grocer had Miracle Whip 30 oz jars BOGO Free. In doing my other shopping, I decided to pick these up from WalMart instead of the local store. The ad specifically stated "save $4.99", which is in line with WM's ad match policy. My WM sells this product for $2.98 each. The customer service manager that was called over during my check-out said that I would get these as BOGO Free but would scan them at the price of the other store. When I asked for more clarification, this manager started mumbling and playing around with the computer and never did give me a good answer. I then just asked her to remove the items from my receipt and didn't purchase them.
Do you know if this manager would have scanned one of these items up at $4.99 and the second would have been free... or would they have scanned both in at $2.98 then given me a discount of $4.99 off the total? Like I said, I never did understand what this manager was trying to say, so I'm not sure what their "correct" way of handling this would be. I plan to call my local store and ask for clarification so that I know how to handle this the next time I go in, but thought I would run it past you too. Thanks in advance if you are able to answer this at all. -Chriss
A local grocer had Miracle Whip 30 oz jars BOGO Free. In doing my other shopping, I decided to pick these up from WalMart instead of the local store. The ad specifically stated "save $4.99", which is in line with WM's ad match policy. My WM sells this product for $2.98 each. The customer service manager that was called over during my check-out said that I would get these as BOGO Free but would scan them at the price of the other store. When I asked for more clarification, this manager started mumbling and playing around with the computer and never did give me a good answer. I then just asked her to remove the items from my receipt and didn't purchase them.
Do you know if this manager would have scanned one of these items up at $4.99 and the second would have been free... or would they have scanned both in at $2.98 then given me a discount of $4.99 off the total? Like I said, I never did understand what this manager was trying to say, so I'm not sure what their "correct" way of handling this would be. I plan to call my local store and ask for clarification so that I know how to handle this the next time I go in, but thought I would run it past you too. Thanks in advance if you are able to answer this at all. -Chriss
Chriss - First of all, I'm so happy that you've been price matching, I hope it's been saving you tons! As for your question...all I have to say is, EVERY WALMART IS DIFFERENT, and more importantly, every checker is different. I know that shouldn't be the case, but it is. There is a Neighborhood Walmart by me that is super super super laid back. They will let me price-match anything, and I mean anything. They say outright "we are really flexible here so it's no problem" when I ask them about something that I figure they won't match for whatever reason. That being said, there are likewise Walmarts that are much stricter and don't love price-matching as much, or simply do things differently. So if you end up having a weird experience then try again. Don't let one certain checker or store keep you from price-matching. It's their POLICY; it's a huge part of their business model. They make plenty of money from price-matching items, otherwise they wouldn't do it! Ok, now that that is out of the way...
In this case, it seems like the other store jacked up their price to $4.99/jar and was selling them BOGO, making them $2.50/jar, which is $0.48 less. They should've given you the jar for $2.50 each.
Here's another thing I've learned...
Price-matching takes some quick (and sometimes complicated) mental math...which some checkers are not comfortable doing. I know that I personally am TERRIBLE at mental math. Here's what I recommend: keep a calculator (you should have one on your phone) handy and do that math for them. Just say, "Smiths has these for BOGO at $4.99, so I did the math and it looks like it should be price-matched at 2 jars for $4.99 making them $2.50 each, does that sound right?"
Always ask them to verify, but do the math for them. You will have much more luck in getting correct price-matching. Also, buy some of those blank round garage sale stickers and stick the price-matched price to your items to keep things easier for you and the checker.
So, try again! Don't let that stop you, and yes, you should've been able to match that just fine. :)
Jordan
Good luck, and enjoy the savings!
**Note: I respect anyone who choose to coupon! I think it's a great way to save money, and I understand that it's a hobby for some people, and I know plenty of people who really enjoy it. My method is built to support couponers, but also to create an option for those, like myself, who choose not to coupon.
