[Virgle Kent]

Just went grocery shopping at Giant and even with that gay ass bonus card I only save $2 maybe $3 tops. Then it hit me they have these things called coupons. What I want to know is if anyone uses them when the shop on a regular basis?

At this point I don't mind cutting and clipping and walking in if it's stuff I already buy on the regular anyway. Steak, chicken, sides like mashed potatoes, potatoes, mac and cheese, frozen lasagne, milk etc etc etc. What I'm wondering if I'm missing out on saving tons of cash on this stuff simply by not using the coupon game or if I did go with coupons it wouldn't be worth the time and hustle to cut and save.

Anyone got good points?

[MikeCF]

I looked into it. Most of the coupons are for processed foods, cereals, etc.

If you eat a lot of nutra grain bars and similar food, then it's worth clipping them.

There's an online site. Coupon Suzy or something...

[Basil Ransom]

There's this coupon craze, 'extreme couponing,' where people get these crazy combos and get 90%+ off. Came across an interview of the pros... and they were fat sows. I'm sure the irony of trying to save money buying lots of food by using coupons, all while being obese, never crossed their minds.

The easiest thing to do is just to buy what's on sale. As soon as you walk into a supermarket, there'll be a stack of the ads in front, and just pick from what's on sale. If you're not picky about your cut of meat or your choice of produce, you can save 20-40%.

The stuff they buy with these extreme couponing tactics, like Mike said, is usually processed crap. If you compare it to basics like whole milk, cream, eggs, bacon, cheese, meat, rice, vegetables, nuts, fruit, fish... you won't be saving much. And if you are, it's going to come at the expense of eating a ton of sugar and refined carbs you wouldn't otherwise eat.

[Brian]

I shop at Giant a lot and its hit or miss w/their bonus card. some times i'll buy a whole bunch of stuff i need and stock up cheap, other times nothing i like will be on sale. never tried coupons though.

[WesternCancer]

Watch a few episodes of extreme couponing and you'll see the extent people go to. Just look for 2 for 1 deals or store deals that you can couple with a coupon in order to get max savings. Like MikeCF said most are for processed stuff still I'm sure there is something there you regularly eat you can save on.

Myself I try to shop at the same store every time and take a mental note of when things go on hella sale. The grocery store I shop at usually has deals on processed foods where its 4 for 5 dollar mac and cheese or something. I look for things like cans of tuna. Every month they have a deal where 4 cans of tuna are $4/5 when they're normally about $2 each. Again once a month frozen chicken breasts are on sale. 3kg for $20 (normally $40). For vegetables get stuff in season or look for the recurring sales there too.

I'm assuming these recurring sales are to just move stock so whenever you're in the store make sure to pay attention to when things are going on sale and plan accordingly. Coupons on top of this wouldn't hurt either.

[Enfant_Terrible]

I don't usually bother with coupons because the groceries that I go to have the stuff I buy on sale or are on specials. That or they have multiple options at different price points to choose from.

Fruits and veggies are generally cheap or reasonable, although I would like the prices to go down for organic (damn gov't subsidies).

Pasta and Rice, generally cheap.

Meat and fish is generally costly, I often buy what's on the specials.

Couponed stuff is usually overly processed or sugary stuff, basil's right.

I check out the grocery ads usually found near the entrance. I also pay attention to price/quality/choices of similar products sold at different stores so I get the most out of my money. For example, I can get better and reasonably priced beer at Trader Joe's than Ralph's. I shop Costco if I want something in bulk that will last me for a long while.

Also take into account when shopping for something: travel/driving distance--gas cost will add on top of your shopping cost.

[Chad Daring]

Check the Asian grocery stores, I know out in MD burbs north up 270 there's a lot of them and the prices are usually very good for a lot of the fresh produce and meats.

[Virgle Kent]

Man, thanks guys. Real talk I got a lot of info.. I'm going to try to look into the coupon game but try to double up on stuff that is already on sale and also check the grocery adds near the entrance of the store... didn't even think about that shit! Again thanks

[Caramel Communist]

CPG firms pay grocers to sell their crap at a loss. Why?

-Wall St values volume and growth in CPG business.
-Grocery Retailers use a term called "Loss Leader"...they sell a popular item at a loss and make up the revenue at the pharmacy, meat, liquor, meals to go...etc (ever wonder why the pharmacy is the further-est pt in stores? So you have a chance to see and buy crap you don't need and pay the ridiculous price for the medicine to treat the side affects from the crap you don't need)...
-Loyalty Programs help refine marketing, identify segments who buy their crap, and help make marketing more efficient (less costs)

So laugh loud when you see all these women walking into grocery stores thinking they are winning by buying processed food and detergent to wash an army....they are losing money in time wasted cutting out the coupons (8hrs or more a week to digest cancer)...

[Menace]

VK,

Since you're in the area...stop shopping at Giant. That place is a ripoff, with or without the bonus card. Check out H-mart (Korean grocery). Way way cheaper. It has a much less limited selection due to being stocked full of Korean products, but the staples (milk, eggs, meat, fruits) are cheaper here.

[Basil Ransom]

Yeah, check your neighborhood ethnic groceries. I went to one near my house, and some of its prices rivaled Costco's, and had a superior selection. Eg 5 lb sack of potatos at $.34 / lb vs a 10 lb sack at $.40/lb at Costco, I believe. Mainstream supermarkets generally have overpriced produce and spices. Plus it's nice to support an independent storeowner.

[Caligula]

(01-10-2012 01:11 PM)basilransom Wrote:  

Yeah, check your neighborhood ethnic groceries. I went to one near my house, and some of its prices rivaled Costco's, and had a superior selection. Eg 5 lb sack of potatos at $.34 / lb vs a 10 lb sack at $.40/lb at Costco, I believe. Mainstream supermarkets generally have overpriced produce and spices. Plus it's nice to support an independent storeowner.

I second this. In NYC I always try to do some shopping in Chinatown. Amazing stuff at great prices, even more useful if you learn a bit about Asian cooking.

[choichoi]

i recently found out that you could download coupons electronically to your Kroger Plus card. This helps since no one likes to hold onto coupon clippings. The coupons are there when you need them or until they expire.
Walmart still hasnt caught on but you can go onto the website and "clip" them to an e-doc that you can print later. For, the avg. Joe like myself, every dollar counts, except when I'm drunk

[Basil Ransom]

Here's another tip: Become fans of your local grocery stores on Facebook/Twitter.

I stopped by a local Whole Foods, and they had ground beef for the absurdly low price of $1.99 a pound. It's usually $7.99 a pound. That's a great price for even non-grass fed beef! Plus I got some grass fed beef fat for $1 a lb.

When you're getting custom orders, don't forget to tip the butcher after, get his name and introduce yourself. The last guy you want as an enemy is the man providing your meat. After I tipped my guy $5 on a $10 order, he gave me some intel about great deals and saving money. He told me to check the facebook page of the store, and lo and behold, the special is on there, plus a bunch of others.