Okay today, in part two we will talk about "How to Eat Better and Spend Less."  This sounds like my kinda talking.  Let's begin:

1. Make a price list ~ keep track of prices on the items you buy most frequently, then set a goal to only buy those items when they are at their cheapest.

My example - last night I purchased 4-8oz cans of hunt's tomato sauce at Walgreens.  They were 5/1.00 which would be 32 oz for $.80 which is less than the average 29oz can of WM brand for $.79.  However, my cheap price was $.20 because I used two coupons that were $.30 off 2 = $.60 off the $.80 costing only $.20.  Whoo! 320z of tomato sauce for $.20, now thats my kinda shopping.

2. Don't buy everything at one store ~ prices very greatly from store to store. Go to differnt stores to buy only their sale items.

Now I only do this sparingly, since it can become costly in our day of high price gas to go to more than one store.  However, due to the fact that one store is near my place of work; WM is not far from my home and the other 2 stores are within a 1mile of my home; for me going to different stores can mean huge savings with not alot of outgoing expense for gas.

3. Shop at the dollar store ~ for spices, dressings, over-the-counter meds, shampoo and conditioner.

I do this mainly for the spices at the moment.  The other items are purchased at the grocery store because I use coupons.  I shop at Big Lots for my spices and they cost me $.48 each for an average size of 1.98 - 3.5ozs.  I stock up for about $10.00 and it last apprx. 6 months.  Now when I grow my own herb garden, this will decrease.

4. Don't assume that bulk is cheaper ~ compare cost by the ounce or pound.

See above example on tomato sauce.  However, I do buy most of my items in bulk in the store brand when I can't find a good deal for smaller sizes.

5. Only use coupons if you can double them or get the name brands for next to nothing ~ in most cases you can make the item from scratch or get a generic brand for less.

Okay, I don't agree with the first part especially since now we only have one store that doubles and only on the first coupon.  You must be savvy with using coupons just as you are with using your cash.  I view coupons as additional cash that I wouldn't normally have and try to use it as often as I can ~ case in point the above example.  The other part of this story is I purchase several other items with the sauce (pantyliners, bobby pins, and deodorant) last night.  This is what we did:

Walgreen's store coupons

Bobby pins - 2/1.00

Right Guide - 2/3.00

Tomato Sauce - 5/1.00

Carefree liners - $.79

Manufacturer's coupons

Right Guide - $.75 off (used 2) $1.50 svgs

Tomato Sauce - $.30 off/2 (used 2) $.60 svgs

Carefree liners - $1.00 off/2 (used 1) $1.00 svgs

Original price before coupons $17.15 after all coupons ~ $4.79.  Cool huh!  At least, I think so.  Now when I don't use coupons, I always buy generic and look forward to growing and canning my own so as to spend less at the store.

6. When using coupons its not how much you save but how much you spend ~ the same is true with sales.  You don't save anything by buying something you could do without just because you have coupon and its on sale.

This is very true, unless you are shopping to be a blessing to another.  Like for a neighbor, your local food pantry or a homeless or women's shelter.   Then you weigh the advantage very carefully.  Recently, I implemented a separate budget category for these purchases.

7. Never shop hungry ~ you bet, not good at all.

8. Buy the smallest packages of meats like chicken, turkey and pork chops for cooking and small fruits ~ they weigh less, so they cost less.

Sound theory, I think.  Last night I purchased smaller packages of ground beef that were reduce because of quantity.  I paid only $1.09 per lb.  However, I purchase 3 packages of 2lbs each since I use it in various recipes by browning then freezing in 1/2lb - 1lb packaging.  I also had a coupon for a $1.00 off that was doubled when I purchase the beef & A1's Marinade Sauce.  So, here is what I spent one package of beef $2.69 and 1 A1 Sauce $2.99, used two $1.00 coupons (one for each) that was doubled.  Total cost $1.78 plus tax. ;)

9. Don't buy fruit in bulk ~ if you can't eat it all, it goes to waste and you lose money.

Tried this theory last night when buying reduced bananas.  Our Homeland usually has bags of bananas that are marked at $.25 per lb and I usually buy 2 bags since it usually is the price of what I would normally buy.  However, lately they have been going bad.  So, I only bought 1 bag last night using discipline not to buy more since they were not quite ripe yet.  I'll keep you posted on how I do.

Okay that's all for now, there were a few more, but I thought these were the most helpful.  You can read more about how I learned to use coupons from the book below.  Check your local library to see if they have it and you could also visit Ellie Kay website at this link.

Hope you found some of this helpful.  Have an awesome week!