Comments on: 31 Days to a Better Grocery Budget: Shop at More Than One Store (Part 3) http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:12:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Lisa http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-331374 Lisa Sat, 27 Mar 2010 04:09:46 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-331374 On my Sam's renewal they offered me a $10 gift card. You can put a second person on your card, so I split the fee with a relative. (You just tell them their name at customer service or enter it online and they go to Sam's to pick up their card.) It was $35 - $10 gc = $25 and we split that. They usually have summer only memberships at a discount price too. Maybe you could look into one of those this summer? If you go to the samsclub.com site, click on "click and pull" pick the store closest to you, you can look at their prices online. My favorites there are trash bags, bastmati rice, canned fruit, alcohol swabs, frozen fruit for smoothies, cheeze-it snack sized bags, boxed juice, boxed chocolate milk and ham. (I have the meat dept slice the ham.) On my Sam’s renewal they offered me a $10 gift card. You can put a second person on your card, so I split the fee with a relative. (You just tell them their name at customer service or enter it online and they go to Sam’s to pick up their card.) It was $35 – $10 gc = $25 and we split that. They usually have summer only memberships at a discount price too. Maybe you could look into one of those this summer?
If you go to the samsclub.com site, click on “click and pull” pick the store closest to you, you can look at their prices online. My favorites there are trash bags, bastmati rice, canned fruit, alcohol swabs, frozen fruit for smoothies, cheeze-it snack sized bags, boxed juice, boxed chocolate milk and ham. (I have the meat dept slice the ham.)

]]> By: Becca http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-330905 Becca Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:22:03 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-330905 Oh, and i wanted to ask: you say you only go to Sam's Club once or twice a year. Do the savings still make the membership fee worth it? I have a few friends who are Costco members, and sometimes there are prices i'm really jealous of, but most of the time i feel i can find a better deal at Smart & Final (no memberships) and save that annual fee and space in my cupboards since S&F "bulk" is small in comparison. Oh, and i wanted to ask: you say you only go to Sam’s Club once or twice a year. Do the savings still make the membership fee worth it? I have a few friends who are Costco members, and sometimes there are prices i’m really jealous of, but most of the time i feel i can find a better deal at Smart & Final (no memberships) and save that annual fee and space in my cupboards since S&F “bulk” is small in comparison.

]]> By: Becca http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-330890 Becca Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:13:45 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-330890 I haven't used coupons in a while (save for a $6 off $30 total purchase at Fresh & Easy) because it seems they are always for the brand name products, but it's still cheaper to buy the store brand, even after the coupon. I don't know of any stores that double anymore, besides Ralphs, but that's only up to $1 (ie $0.55 off doubles to $1 off). I regularly shop at Walmart (bread - $2.07 for extra fiber whole grain, & non food items), Smart & Final, and Fresh & Easy. At first i thought Fresh & Easy was going to be pricier like Trader Joe's, but the prices are low, esp when they have a sale ($1.97/lb chicken breasts, 2/$3 half-gallon orange juice). For many items, they are on par with Smart & Final, but i don't have to buy in bulk. I love how simple, green, and "local" the store is. Also, i rarely buy fresh produce anymore because i always let it go bad. I buy a lot of frozen now: $1/lb and no more finding bags of brown juice in the produce drawers of the fridge. And with just two of us, I have to actively make sure we finish a gallon of milk before it goes bad. I'm happy to report that while looking back at a rough draft of a budget from six months ago, that I have brought my grocery spending down from $250/mo to $150/mo. It is still too high for two people, but i'm glad to know i've made such progress. It's encouraging, because i thought i was stagnant and that there was no hope. So i encourage people to keep some sort of record of past spending to compare and track savings. It really helps to keep from stressing, but i feel this is the only category i can control. I've virtually eliminated eating out and "fellowship food" (eating at church, after church, etc) has stayed the same. I haven’t used coupons in a while (save for a $6 off $30 total purchase at Fresh & Easy) because it seems they are always for the brand name products, but it’s still cheaper to buy the store brand, even after the coupon. I don’t know of any stores that double anymore, besides Ralphs, but that’s only up to $1 (ie $0.55 off doubles to $1 off).

I regularly shop at Walmart (bread – $2.07 for extra fiber whole grain, & non food items), Smart & Final, and Fresh & Easy. At first i thought Fresh & Easy was going to be pricier like Trader Joe’s, but the prices are low, esp when they have a sale ($1.97/lb chicken breasts, 2/$3 half-gallon orange juice). For many items, they are on par with Smart & Final, but i don’t have to buy in bulk. I love how simple, green, and “local” the store is.

Also, i rarely buy fresh produce anymore because i always let it go bad. I buy a lot of frozen now: $1/lb and no more finding bags of brown juice in the produce drawers of the fridge. And with just two of us, I have to actively make sure we finish a gallon of milk before it goes bad.

I’m happy to report that while looking back at a rough draft of a budget from six months ago, that I have brought my grocery spending down from $250/mo to $150/mo. It is still too high for two people, but i’m glad to know i’ve made such progress. It’s encouraging, because i thought i was stagnant and that there was no hope. So i encourage people to keep some sort of record of past spending to compare and track savings. It really helps to keep from stressing, but i feel this is the only category i can control. I’ve virtually eliminated eating out and “fellowship food” (eating at church, after church, etc) has stayed the same.

]]> By: Dana @ The Coupon Challenge http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-330772 Dana @ The Coupon Challenge Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:28:58 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-330772 <a href="#comment-329195" rel="nofollow">@Jenna</a>, I keep a list of what we're out of or running low on and hang it on the fridge. I add the items to my shopping list that I take to the store. I'm so forgetful that I'd never leave the store without a list! I also try to use a substitute if I've forgotten something. I know I'll be heading to a store for a sale in a few days, so unless it's milk, bread or another necessity I wait. @Jenna,
I keep a list of what we’re out of or running low on and hang it on the fridge. I add the items to my shopping list that I take to the store. I’m so forgetful that I’d never leave the store without a list! I also try to use a substitute if I’ve forgotten something. I know I’ll be heading to a store for a sale in a few days, so unless it’s milk, bread or another necessity I wait.

]]> By: Dana @ The Coupon Challenge http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-330739 Dana @ The Coupon Challenge Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:20:51 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-330739 The amount of time I spend a week and the number of stores I shop at varies depending the sales. I also spend approx. an hour a week clipping and sorting my coupons. I can't really count the time I spend getting ready for shopping because I pull out the coupons I plan to use at a store as I'm typing up the matchups. I'd guess about 3 hours a week on average. I've spent more time this week when you add in the extra Harris Teeter trips for the triple coupon event. I also like to utilize my childless times whenever possible. I went shopping at Target on a Friday night after putting the kids to bed. It was a nice change of pace to leisurely walk the aisles and not listen to kids asking “are we done yet?" The amount of time I spend a week and the number of stores I shop at varies depending the sales. I also spend approx. an hour a week clipping and sorting my coupons. I can’t really count the time I spend getting ready for shopping because I pull out the coupons I plan to use at a store as I’m typing up the matchups.

I’d guess about 3 hours a week on average. I’ve spent more time this week when you add in the extra Harris Teeter trips for the triple coupon event.

I also like to utilize my childless times whenever possible. I went shopping at Target on a Friday night after putting the kids to bed. It was a nice change of pace to leisurely walk the aisles and not listen to kids asking “are we done yet?”

]]> By: Kathy http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-330268 Kathy Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:56:27 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-330268 I spend about an hour a day looking for deals on the internet, reading my "mommy" newsletters and clipping coupons and gettting my shopping list together. I have a 23 month old at home and have been on this schedule of about an hour a day for about a year now. My husband takes her for an hour or I do my "coupon thing" while she is napping. You have to take advantage of every opportunity you have and steal whatever time you can find but I save on average 50% off my grocery bill each week because of my efforts. We used to spend about $120 a week on groceries before I started. My husband looks at his time with his daugher as a gift and enjoys her as he doesn't see her for long each day. I think you need to work together as a team to save money and to get out of debt. If you aren't willing to do things outside of your comfort zone then you won't be successful. I spend about an hour a day looking for deals on the internet, reading my “mommy” newsletters and clipping coupons and gettting my shopping list together. I have a 23 month old at home and have been on this schedule of about an hour a day for about a year now. My husband takes her for an hour or I do my “coupon thing” while she is napping. You have to take advantage of every opportunity you have and steal whatever time you can find but I save on average 50% off my grocery bill each week because of my efforts. We used to spend about $120 a week on groceries before I started. My husband looks at his time with his daugher as a gift and enjoys her as he doesn’t see her for long each day. I think you need to work together as a team to save money and to get out of debt. If you aren’t willing to do things outside of your comfort zone then you won’t be successful.

]]> By: Jessica-MomForHim http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329291 Jessica-MomForHim Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:06:06 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329291 I pretty much do what Crystal does. I spend probably 45-60 minutes printing and clipping coupons each week, and then 90 minutes shopping (though I figure that even if I weren't clipping coupons, it would still take an hour, so I really only count that as 30 minutes extra to be saving more money). I do spend some extra time with my blog, though, in order to help streamline things for others. So I think telling people 2 hours a week is realistic. I pretty much do what Crystal does. I spend probably 45-60 minutes printing and clipping coupons each week, and then 90 minutes shopping (though I figure that even if I weren’t clipping coupons, it would still take an hour, so I really only count that as 30 minutes extra to be saving more money). I do spend some extra time with my blog, though, in order to help streamline things for others.

So I think telling people 2 hours a week is realistic.

]]> By: Amy http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329286 Amy Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:13:45 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329286 I had a sanity check this week before this post about my own coupon clipping. It's good to hear the pro's have those breaks as well. We never see posts about how much you spent on weeks where you are taking a break but those aren't nearly as fun to talk about! I often shop at 2 or three stores a week (Aldi, Kroger and sometimes a local store). Generally I shop from a menu plan which can be affected by the sales flyers. In our house it keeps us all more sane if the menu is planned for the week ahead of time and not on the day of or at 5pm! I have found it saves us lots of money if I buy everything for a menu instead of just sale items. My goal is to NOT go to the store to pick up just one thing to go with dinner. Most weeks we are pretty successful at that. Right now getting in and out of the car is a little more complicated because I hurt my foot so I will not run into one place for one thing! I didn't shop from a menu plan this last week and it's been a bit frustrating this week especially since my in-laws are coming tonight and I don't have dinner planned. I just remembered that I bought a bunch of pasta and sauce on sale this past week - I guess we are having Italian then! I even had picked up some salad that we haven't eaten yet. I'll make some bread today and we will be doing great! I had a sanity check this week before this post about my own coupon clipping. It’s good to hear the pro’s have those breaks as well. We never see posts about how much you spent on weeks where you are taking a break but those aren’t nearly as fun to talk about!

I often shop at 2 or three stores a week (Aldi, Kroger and sometimes a local store). Generally I shop from a menu plan which can be affected by the sales flyers. In our house it keeps us all more sane if the menu is planned for the week ahead of time and not on the day of or at 5pm! I have found it saves us lots of money if I buy everything for a menu instead of just sale items. My goal is to NOT go to the store to pick up just one thing to go with dinner. Most weeks we are pretty successful at that. Right now getting in and out of the car is a little more complicated because I hurt my foot so I will not run into one place for one thing!

I didn’t shop from a menu plan this last week and it’s been a bit frustrating this week especially since my in-laws are coming tonight and I don’t have dinner planned. I just remembered that I bought a bunch of pasta and sauce on sale this past week – I guess we are having Italian then! I even had picked up some salad that we haven’t eaten yet. I’ll make some bread today and we will be doing great!

]]> By: Beth Morrison http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329281 Beth Morrison Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:51:13 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329281 I usually spend about 2 hours a week, clipping and shopping. I, also, only go to maybe 2 stores in one week but follow the ads so I know where to shop that week. I have all our bathroom items stocked away and buy them when I can get for free or almost free. I, also cook my own meals and don't use many prepared items......that saves a ton of money! There are 4 of us and 2 are teen-age children that eat so much so this is how we do it. I actually keep track of how much I save in coupons each month and calculate for the year.......this year was almost 5000.00 for about 2 hours a week is not too shabby! I also give all the extra buy one get one free specials to my daughter who is at college. This is the easiest way to save money as you can do it whenever it is convenient for you!Thanks so much for this web-site.......it is so helpful. I usually spend about 2 hours a week, clipping and shopping. I, also, only go to maybe 2 stores in one week but follow the ads so I know where to shop that week. I have all our bathroom items stocked away and buy them when I can get for free or almost free. I, also cook my own meals and don’t use many prepared items……that saves a ton of money! There are 4 of us and 2 are teen-age children that eat so much so this is how we do it. I actually keep track of how much I save in coupons each month and calculate for the year…….this year was almost 5000.00 for about 2 hours a week is not too shabby! I also give all the extra buy one get one free specials to my daughter who is at college. This is the easiest way to save money as you can do it whenever it is convenient for you!Thanks so much for this web-site…….it is so helpful.

]]> By: Chiara http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329235 Chiara Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:43:16 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329235 I try to clip on Sundays, and usually it takes me 20-30 minutes. I do spend more time in the stores though, about 2-3 hours per week, depending on how many stores I visit. I cycle the stores, on Sunday-Tuesday I can visit regular grocery stores but on Friday-Sunday, I visit Asian supermarkets (that's when the sales are scheduled). Wednesday is when I hit Henry's, a local indoor farmer's market :) I don't always go to all the stores in a week and I rely heavily on the sales flyers; if there's nothing on there that I need/want, then I don't go. :) Also, lists help a lot so I don't forgetting things and don't need to go to the store multiple times. I try to clip on Sundays, and usually it takes me 20-30 minutes. I do spend more time in the stores though, about 2-3 hours per week, depending on how many stores I visit. I cycle the stores, on Sunday-Tuesday I can visit regular grocery stores but on Friday-Sunday, I visit Asian supermarkets (that’s when the sales are scheduled). Wednesday is when I hit Henry’s, a local indoor farmer’s market :) I don’t always go to all the stores in a week and I rely heavily on the sales flyers; if there’s nothing on there that I need/want, then I don’t go. :) Also, lists help a lot so I don’t forgetting things and don’t need to go to the store multiple times.

]]> By: ViennaMom http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329202 ViennaMom Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:32:44 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329202 I'm trying to strike a balance between getting the best deals and not overdoing it. I'm a mom working full time, so I can really only do my shopping on the weekends when the stores are crazy. For that reason alone, I generally limit myself to one store/week, although for the last two weeks I've hit both Safeway and Giant - I think it's too much and is burning me out. I do make multiple trips to CVS to take advantage of ECB/coupon deals, but only because I have one right next to my office so it's a good break during the day. Thanks for the reminder that it's OK to miss deals - I need to get that through my head.... I’m trying to strike a balance between getting the best deals and not overdoing it. I’m a mom working full time, so I can really only do my shopping on the weekends when the stores are crazy. For that reason alone, I generally limit myself to one store/week, although for the last two weeks I’ve hit both Safeway and Giant – I think it’s too much and is burning me out. I do make multiple trips to CVS to take advantage of ECB/coupon deals, but only because I have one right next to my office so it’s a good break during the day. Thanks for the reminder that it’s OK to miss deals – I need to get that through my head….

]]> By: Linda http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329200 Linda Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:23:14 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329200 My Walgreens would not give rainchecks. My Walgreens would not give rainchecks.

]]> By: Jenna http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329195 Jenna Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:11:23 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329195 I have a question for anyone who can answer it. How can people manage only a couple of store runs a week? My family is always forgetting something, so we make several trips a week!! I have a question for anyone who can answer it. How can people manage only a couple of store runs a week? My family is always forgetting something, so we make several trips a week!!

]]> By: Kathy http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329190 Kathy Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:44:49 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329190 <a href="#comment-329073" rel="nofollow">@Meegan</a>, Thanks Meegan for the word on Dave's class. My husband and I are currently reading Total Money Makeover and are huge Dave fans. I would like to read his Financial Peace Revisited next. Maybe his class too. @Meegan, Thanks Meegan for the word on Dave’s class. My husband and I are currently reading Total Money Makeover and are huge Dave fans. I would like to read his Financial Peace Revisited next. Maybe his class too.

]]> By: Jess @ This Frugal Life http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329182 Jess @ This Frugal Life Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:24:41 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329182 <a href="#comment-328997" rel="nofollow">@Beth</a>, I agree with you on going early in the day. I also like to go in the evening around 8 or 9 when the store is also less crowded. Saves my sanity & I don't feel like I'm constantly in someones way as I search through my coupon binder. @Beth,

I agree with you on going early in the day. I also like to go in the evening around 8 or 9 when the store is also less crowded. Saves my sanity & I don’t feel like I’m constantly in someones way as I search through my coupon binder.

]]> By: Andrea http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329168 Andrea Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:56:37 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329168 <a href="#comment-329066" rel="nofollow">@sara</a>, Was clipping away on American Idol. :-) @sara,

Was clipping away on American Idol. :-)

]]> By: Patti http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329152 Patti Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:50:43 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329152 <a href="#comment-329039" rel="nofollow">@Andrea</a>, You can also ask for rainchecks for items if they are gone... I just found out at CVS that you can get the item later for the advertised price AND the ECBs. I didn't know I would still get the ECBs later. Ask at Walgreens what their policy is. @Andrea, You can also ask for rainchecks for items if they are gone… I just found out at CVS that you can get the item later for the advertised price AND the ECBs. I didn’t know I would still get the ECBs later. Ask at Walgreens what their policy is.

]]> By: Vicki http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329127 Vicki Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:16:19 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329127 I often wondered about going to multiple stores to save on deals with the price of gas. I live in the country where it takes 30 min. to get anywhere. I have four kids taking piano in town, so I have 2hours to do my shopping. (with three little ones in tow) My son drove to piano the other day and had hit the trip meter so he knew how many miles he had driven. When I got back from my shopping he looked at the meter and said "You only went 6 miles?" I had been to my three major stores, but could have gone to 8 total stores within those 6 miles. That made me very excited to think that my time was well spent saving money at multiple stores, saving on gas, and getting my exercise running in and out of them.:) I often wondered about going to multiple stores to save on deals with the price of gas. I live in the country where it takes 30 min. to get anywhere. I have four kids taking piano in town, so I have 2hours to do my shopping. (with three little ones in tow) My son drove to piano the other day and had hit the trip meter so he knew how many miles he had driven. When I got back from my shopping he looked at the meter and said “You only went 6 miles?” I had been to my three major stores, but could have gone to 8 total stores within those 6 miles. That made me very excited to think that my time was well spent saving money at multiple stores, saving on gas, and getting my exercise running in and out of them.:)

]]> By: Cathy http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329115 Cathy Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:40:57 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329115 Do you have any ideas specifically for those of us in areas that don't have many stores? We literally have no big chains aside from Wal-mart/Sam's at which to purchase groceries. We have Country Mart, an Oklahoma small chain that rarely has good prices on anything, the military commissary (where we do most of our shopping, at decent prices, but not the really low ones you seem to find), and a Save-a-Lot in a bad part of town. I buy a few items at the health food store simply because of their health value, but it's quite expensive and not a money saving place. Do you have any ideas specifically for those of us in areas that don’t have many stores? We literally have no big chains aside from Wal-mart/Sam’s at which to purchase groceries. We have Country Mart, an Oklahoma small chain that rarely has good prices on anything, the military commissary (where we do most of our shopping, at decent prices, but not the really low ones you seem to find), and a Save-a-Lot in a bad part of town. I buy a few items at the health food store simply because of their health value, but it’s quite expensive and not a money saving place.

]]> By: GrowingRaw http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/31-days-to-a-better-grocery-budget-shop-at-more-than-one-store-part-3.html/comment-page-1#comment-329106 GrowingRaw Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:26:02 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.com/?p=11953#comment-329106 We don't have the coupon thing in Australia, so that saves me lots of time :) I do a bulk shop at Aldi's once a month and then top up on fruit and bread weekly from local village stores. Since I started reading moneysavingmom I have been checking out the catalogues for other supermarkets, but even their specials prices don't beat Aldi's around here. So I spend about 2 hours at Aldi's once a month (counting travel time) and half an hour each week topping up. However, I should factor in that one of our main money-saving strategies is growing our own veggies. It's Autumn here and during this season we're self-sufficient vegetable-wise. It's an enjoyable activity that has many more benefits than simply saving money, but apart from the considerable effort it took us to get set up and hit maintenance mode, my partner and I would spend 4-5 hours a week gardening. (Combined, not each.) We don’t have the coupon thing in Australia, so that saves me lots of time :) I do a bulk shop at Aldi’s once a month and then top up on fruit and bread weekly from local village stores. Since I started reading moneysavingmom I have been checking out the catalogues for other supermarkets, but even their specials prices don’t beat Aldi’s around here. So I spend about 2 hours at Aldi’s once a month (counting travel time) and half an hour each week topping up.

However, I should factor in that one of our main money-saving strategies is growing our own veggies. It’s Autumn here and during this season we’re self-sufficient vegetable-wise. It’s an enjoyable activity that has many more benefits than simply saving money, but apart from the considerable effort it took us to get set up and hit maintenance mode, my partner and I would spend 4-5 hours a week gardening. (Combined, not each.)

]]>