Thursday Tips

When my husband and I first got married, I'll do "bulk" shopping.  Buy big, buy once - I figured if I just do one big trip a month, I'm saving on gas, and saving on having to make repeated trips to the grocery store.  I also used to have the mindset that I would only shop at ONE store because they HAD the best stuff.  However, as much as I tried to really plan out what I needed over the course of a month, I'd always miss SOMETHING, or SOMETHING would always come up unexpectedly.  I also came to realize that in terms of being responsible with my finances, my dedication/allegiance to just ONE store really wasn't helping. 

As our family grew, I came to realize that we simply didn't have the finances to put forward for an ENTIRE month of groceries.  I get paid once a month, and covered a bulk of our bill expenses.  My husband gets paid twice a month, which we rely on for living expenses.

For the past couple years, I started making a grocery list for multiple stores.  Each week, I make a list of what's on sale for the stores nearest to me (or I pass on my way going to and from work).  The goal is to plan your route so that you are not going too much out of your way than your regular traveling route. 

I often hit most stores I need to shop at one afternoon afterwork.  I'll plan out my route from work to home, trying to hit stores up as I come pass them.  That way I'm not making a special trip out. 

Because I go through the ads weekly, I get groceries weekly.  However, I spend a whole lot less than buying them once a month.  My typical goal for our family of 4 (soon to be 5 in July) is about $50 a week.  Now this is strictly food - no toiletries or diapers. 

My very supportive husband found this blog of me, and I'd like to pass on.  It goes through some benefits of shopping at multiple stores.  I hope it helps you guys out!  Click HERE for the blog.

Deals for 4/27 to 5/3

So I know I've really neglected this blog for a bit.  My goal is to post my weekly grocery list.  Every Wednesday I will post what the deals are for So. Cal. stores (zip 92504).  I hope it'll be beneficial to you as you plan your weekly grocery trips as well.

So below you will find deals that I will be scouring for coupons to stack up with to maximize my savings. 

Here is what is on my list this week.

Ralphs (4/27 - 5/3)

• Hass Avocadoes $1 ea.
• Kiwi 4/$1
• Tropical Mangos $1 ea.
• Pineapples 88c./lb
• Papaya 69c./lb

Fresh & Easy (4/26 - 5/3)

• Sweet Corn 3/$1
• Apple Juice $1.99
• 100% Juice Blends $1.99

Vons (4/27 - 5/3)

• Red Seedless Grapes 99c./lb (Wed-Sat)
• Kraft Salad Dressing 99c. (Wed-Sat)
• Barilla 88c. (Fri/Sat only)
• Lean Cuisine/Skinny Cow Deal - Buy $15 Get $5 (to use for next shopping trip)
• Lean Cuisine meals on sale 5/$11
• Skinny Cow $3.99
• Apple Juice $1.49 (Wed-Sat)
• Chicken of the Sea Tuna 88c. (Wed-Sat)
• Mission Tortillas 99c. (w/ store coupon)
• Safeway Salsa $1.79 (w/ store coupon)
• 2-Liter 7-Up 77c. (w/ store coupon)
• Pepsi Deal
• Buy 2 Fridge Mates Get 2 Free PLUS Free Tostitos

Food 4 Less (4/27 - 5/3)

• Sweet Corn 4/$1
• White onions 6lb/96c.
• Tropicana Fruit Punch $1
• Farmer John Turkey/Chicken Franks 98c.

Albertsons (4/27 - 5/3)

• Mangos 3/99c.
• Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce $1
• Cereal Deal - FREE Gallon of Milk when you buy 5 participating products (on sale 2/$5)
• Honey Nut Cheerios
• Cocoa Puffs
• Golden Grahams
• MultiGrain Cheerios
• Reese's Puffs
• Lucky Charms
• Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
• Nature Valley Granola Bars
• Pillsbury Toaster STrudel
• Yoplait Original or Light Multipack (4pk)

Maxi Foods (4/26 - 5/2)

• Bananas 37c./lb
• Brown onions 17c./lb
• Los Rube Tostadas 89c.
• Animal cookies 69c.
• Green onions 3/99c.
• Lemons 10/99c.

Stater Bros. (4/27 - 5/3)

• Strawberries 89c./ea (1lb pk)
• Minute Maid 99c./ea
• Stater Bros. yogurt 39c./ea.
• Ready Pac Garden Salad/Dining in Garden Supreme Salad 99c.
• Wishbone Dressing (8 oz.) 99c.