Year-Round Food Savings

It’s no doubt everyone is trying to save money in all aspects of their lives nowadays. Being involved in cooking and always wanting to try new things in the kitchen can get expensive, especially on a college budget. So I am always trying to find the most economical way to do things, but yet comparable to high-end prices. I have become quite fond of Wal-Mart’s Great Value brand. I do most of my dry foods and dairy grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, and do produce and deli shopping at our other local grocer. When shopping at Wal-Mart, I’ve found I usually spend about $30 exactly on each trip without even calculating beforehand. Check out my last two trips (I usually make 2 a week to Wal-Mart, and 1 to another grocer):

$29.37

Great Value graham cracker, Great Value all-purpose flour, Great Value powdered sugar, Great Value cream cheese, 2 (14.5oz) cans of Great Value diced tomatoes with chilies, 1 can of Great Value stewed tomatoes, 15 oz whole mushrooms, 1 packet McCormick’s slow-cooker seasoning, 1 banana, bag of Fresh Express baby spinach, Great Value frozen  stir-fry vegetable mix, 1 box of original Boca burgers, 1 (4.5 oz) can Great Value diced chilies, and 1 carton of 2 1/2 dozen eggs.

$28.77

2 Great Value (2 liter) flavored sparkling water, 1 banana, 8th Continent Light Vanilla soymilk, 15 oz whole mushrooms, 1 bag of Great Value frozen broccoli, 1 large bag of Fresh Express lettuce, 2 cucumbers, 1 bag of Great Value brown sugar, 2 (8oz) Great Value cream cheese, small bag of Fisher diced walnuts, 64 oz Heinz ketchup, 1 container vanilla Yoplait yogurt, 1 large carton Great Value egg whites, jar of roasted red pepper, jar of Vlassic banana peppers, 1 pack of strawberry Orbit gum, 3 pack of mint Stride gum.

It’s also good to keep in mind that grocery stores change their sales routinely year round. Here’s how to shop by the month to get the most bang for your buck!

September

• Breakfast foods—hot/cold cereals, frozen breakfast pastries, pancake mix
• Labor Day staples like barbeque and party foods.

October

• Wine
• Pasta and frozen pizza
• Pet food, grooming supplies and toys

November

• Thanksgiving foods: turkey, stuffing mix, soups, cranberries, canned veggies, yams
• Baking goods including flour, baking soda, sugar, cake mixes, frosting, pie crust and frozen pies.

December

• Champagne
• Disposable containers, foil, wax paper, and plastic wrap

January

• Low-fat or low-carb items, including frozen meals, granola bars, diet soda
• Super Bowl favorites such as frozen appetizers, chips, dips, sodas
• Boxed teas and soups

February

• Canned foods, including soups, fruits and vegetables
• Medicines, cold remedies, and vitamins

March

• Peanut butter and other peanut products.
• Frozen meals, vegetables, and fruits.

April

• Soy products
• Hams and other Easter related foods

May

• Memorial Day staples, such as bbq foods, as well as paper plates, napkins, and cups.
• Post-Mother’s Day: kitchen appliances.

June

• Cheese, milk, cream, yogurt, and other dairy products.
• Seafood
• Ice cream products

July

• Hot dogs, frozen hamburger patties, ground meat for the Fourth of July, as well as condiments.
• School supplies

August

• Back-to-school lunch items
• Sunscreen and other lotions
• Tissues

 

Check this out!!

They are on store shelves NOW people..get some while you can!

 

How much do you typically spend on a groceries in a week?