Getting started

I, like many of you have seen the tv shows and read the blogs on extreme couponing. But, lets be truthful with managing a household of 6 and everything that it entails and going to school part time, I do not have the time to spend hours a day looking for coupons.

I'll be honest, I did give it a try once upon a time ago, and it was a lot of work to save a few dollars each week. Then, sadly I found out that none of the stores in my area double coupons, so I was never going to see the extreme savings that I saw on tv. As I flip through the channels I come across those shows at times and watch, but I have yet to see someone save a great deal of money on the essentials that are consumed in my household.

I have been a stay home mom going on two years, it is the best and most exhausting job that I have ever encountered and I love it. I have learned a few tricks that I would like to share, now it is not foul prof and I am always looking for new suggestions on how to save at the grocery store.

Also, I would like you keep in mind that my weekly budget for a family of 6 is $120. From time to time I do go over my budget.

Here are my tips:

1) Set a day to go shopping
2) Check your mail for the weekly circular, my come in on Tuesday
3) Look at what you already have in the house and make a note of things that you need
4) Sit down with your ads and make your grocery list
5) Sign up for the store promotion cards, if you haven't already done so

I was hoping that I would be able to share with you my grocery list from last week, but I was unable to find it so it is safe to assume that it was tossed.

Here is a picture of what I did buy last week:

Grand total was $86.17

Now you have to keep in mind that I had a couple of weeks ago stocked up meats and milk, so that is why you do not see those items pictured here.

I always go to 3 stores:
1st stop Grocery Outlet
2nd stop Safeway
3rd stop Lucky's

I know what some of you might be thinking, " I can't believe you go to Grocery Outlet!" But they have the best prices on fruits and veggies, I usually put aside $20 to $25 to spend here.

Last week I bought 2 bags of Gala apples, cherries and two 3 lb. bags of bananas. Also on my list to buy, as requested by my husband, was a Stouffers Lasagna, and as I was heading to the register I passed the frozen section and spotted the lasagna for $12.99 and at the other stores they can cost up to $4 dollars more. This trip I did go over my $25 limit, but that was due to the lasagna.

At Safeway, I stocked up on tomato sauce, coffee, frozen pizza, eggos, ice cream, chorizo, jalepeno peppers, and blueberry and chocolate chip muffins. Here I spent $35

Lastly, at Lucky's I purchased my remaining items, syrup, cereal, chips, juice, sausage, green beans, etc. and spent $22

What I am planning to do with this blog is to take you step by step into my world of grocery shopping. I hope that I am able to help you stay on budget, and like I have said I am always looking for grocery saving tips.