Grocery Savings Tips

Our grocery budget it pretty tight so I try and maximize what I can get for the least amount of money.  I have a grocery secret.  Are you ready?... I LOVE the clearance sections!  Randalls, Target, CVS, etc.  What I love even more is being able to use a coupon on an item in the clearance section.  Last week I stopped by Target.  They had advertised a coupon for $10 off a $50 grocery purchase.  Any grocery purchase.  I loaded up my coupon binder and marched in to the store ready for the challenge.  I figured if I could find clearance food items, and use my manufacturers coupon AND get $10 off I would consider it a win!  Using my calculator on my phone, I began adding up my totals as I put items in my cart.  I put over $80 worth of food on the conveyor belt at the register.  After coupons, I only paid $30 out of pocket.  Score!  By stocking up on items I know we will use when they are at their rock bottom prices, I am able to save more money than buying the same items at their normal prices.  Just because an item is on the clearance rack doesn't mean it will expire soon.  Sometimes the packaging in changing, or the promotion is over so the store needs to clear the shelves quick.  I was able to score some granola bars just because they had a holiday package and that holiday was passed.  So, when you are out shopping don't ignore the clearance section!

Monday Meals

I used to know all the good spots to get grocery deals.  I had a routine and I liked it.  Now I am trying to set up a new routine and discover new grocery stores.  In our little town we have a HEB (a grocery store of course).  While its not bad, I am not excited about it.  Yesterday while in the next town over, I stopped at their HEB and was pleasantly surprised.  I went in for some Parmesan cheese so I could make a homemade fettuccine alfredo sauce.  I was only missing the parm cheese, and its a main ingredient.  Wanting to save time and gas, I wanted to get enough food for the week.  We had a pack of 6 chicken breasts for this week that I wanted to base our meals off.  Other than the pasta I had no plans for the rest of the week.  I ended up buying
-3 red onions
-2 avocados
-2 green peppers
-2 jars pizza sauce
-2 big bags of cheese
-2 jars of pickles
-2 packages of pizza mix
-2 jars bread crumbs
-1 jar parm cheese
-1 jar maple syrup
-1 jar salsa
-1 bottle italian dressing
-3 bags of Texas shaped chips
-1 box pancake mix
-2 packages bake at home Ciabatta rolls
all for $45

We cooked up the chicken and shredded it all.  This coming week we will have taco salad with chicken.  Ill make a bbq chicken pizza or two.  We made fettuccine alfredo last night and yum oh yum!  Hubby said the only thing he didn't like was the gritty texture of the Parmesan cheese.  Next time I might try flakes instead of grated but they were way more expensive.  We have plenty left over for lunch and maybe a 3rd meal.