How do you prepare for your grocery shopping?

Question

-Do you reference a supermarket catalogue?
-Do you look at various retailers’ catalogues before shopping to determine where to shop?
-Do you take your catalogues with you when shopping as reference?
-Do you single out catalogue products that are on special?
-Do you collect coupons to redeem in the supermarket?
-What else?

Answer 1

To save time and money, I keep routines:
1. multiple store shopping to save money but keep quality - buy fresh food at local grocer, buy non-perishable or expensive items in super center and Costco, oriental food at oriental store.
2. No coupon clipping since it's time consuming, and it doesn't save much if you have picky eater (ex. my 4 yrs old son...) Instead, I purchase grocery alternately in two grocery stores with my grocery saving card to get the specific coupons when they compete.
3. I do use catalogues weekly (PDF file). I check the catalogues (grocery store website) for sale items and make shopping list on-line ( http://www.grocerysurf.com ) since it keeps track of my purchase and give me reminders.
4. Things to take with me -
Cellphone (to access my shopping list)
Store saving card
Credit card
kids
Platic bags (store offers discount if you bring your own bags)

Answer 2

As I am currently of the double income no kids variety my grocery shopping is very disorganised. I don’t go regularly, I don’t check catalogues and I just grab what I think I might need. As a consequence I often end up with too much of one thing and not enough of another! I don't collect coupons but I probably should because I know I could spend less than I do.

My mother really had it down pat when I was a kid though, she always knew exactly what was on special before we got to the supermarket and still does, normally because she keeps an eye out for catalogues in the mail.
She tends to stick with the one supermarket as it is closest to where she and Dad live. She writes lists, plans all her meals in advance and always has every ingredient to hand when she needs it!

Answer 3

I keep a running grocery list. If I run out of something, it gets added to the list. I shop about 4-5 times a week. Every morning I check the list and make another one of things I need that day and cross them off the master list. The other stuff can wait. If there's a sale or if I have coupons that are about to expire, then I'll buy stuff that I don't need that day, but were on the waiting list. Then I make a mini-list on a post-it note on my wallet and head out the door! And I don't impulse shop, I only buy what's on the post-it note.

It really helps to keep food costs down.

Answer 4

I generally go to two different markets, one that does a lot of advertising, where I like their meats and deli better, and another that does not advertise a lot, but has better selection and prices on fresh produce, and most other things.
I go through the one's weekly flyer and see what's on sale, and make a list.
I then plan my weekly menu around those items.
If either store has a great sale on things that are not perishable, but that I use, I try to stock up.
I will only use coupons if they are for things that I normally buy, I won't typically use them just to use them.
The market that does a lot of advertising gives out coupons books that are simply for an amount off total purchase, and I like those.
I don't usually take the flyer with me, to shop, as long as I have made my list!
I hope this helps!!!

Answer 5

I generally don't look at the sale papers first. I sit down and go through my cookbooks and plan out the meals for the next two weeks, make a list of items I need, categorize them on my list, search through my coupon organizer, then take off to the store.

Answer 6

I read the grocery ads in the Sunday paper to see what's on sale.
Then I make a list based on my needs and interesting items on sale.
I flip through my coupon box.
Then I go shopping.
I try not to buy things that I don't need just b/c they are on sale. I wind up not eating it and that makes me mad. I like to consume as little as possible and stick to needs v/s wants.

Answer 7

Sometimes I make a list but that's it. I shop at stores that have good meat and produce. Sales arent' really relevant unless I happen to notice something I use alot is on sale.

Answer 8

Fruit is somewhat stable to have obtainable for snacking. As a procedures is a meal...Stouffers nutrition are great. you are able to feed the full kinfolk, you basically would desire to place it interior the oven. I additionally choose to purchase block cheese to snack on...shrink it into sticks. Dill dip and broccoli are different regulars. yet another stable meal is a rotisserie hen (all waiting to consume!) and pulled off the bones for tacos, salads, sandwiches....something! Rotisserie chickens are the maximum effective nutrition ever!

Answer 9

I don't really do any of that, I just go where the wind takes me! And get whatever I think I need!

Answer 10

#1: usually i walk around the stores.. in ALL the ayle.. (duno how to spell) and see if i nid anything.. if i do i just put it in the trolley..

#2: i just write down wat i want..