When I started my savings journey in 2009, I had no idea what I paid for anything at the grocery store. It’s not that hard, I just wasn’t paying attention. Ten years of looking at every price has really paid off…and I do mean “paid” as in saving lots of money. But how do you know what the best price is? You need a strategy!
Whether you shop at just one store and check their sales flyer each week OR shop 4 different stores for loss leaders like me, just paying attention to what the normal prices are will help you evaluate a sale price anywhere. You’ve got to overcome “thinking” something is a good price (see this post for the lowdown on bone-in chicken that sounds like a great deal) and “knowing.”
First, research regular grocery prices
Make that list of things you use all the time…maybe not every week but enough that it would help to know the price. Also, be honest with yourself about how many stores (and which ones) you do or are willing to shop. (I had to admit I’m simply not going into Walmart until I have to. But I will go to Sprouts, Aldi, Kroger AND Publix – my Kroger and Publix are almost next door so why wouldn’t I shop both for loss leaders?)
If you’re into spreadsheets, create a grid you can fill out. Plain paper and pencil work just as well. (Or take pics with your phone!) It’s actually best to do this research on an extra trip to the store if you can. Shopping at the same time is a great distraction (the blanks on my grid testify to that!)
Fill out every square you can, then go back and highlight the best price. Be sure you note the size or quantity for the price. They’ll definitely try to play “apples and oranges” and make you work to figure out the real price. You may find you need to evaluate based on price per ounce (particularly if you shop at Sam’s or Costco – see below).
Train yourself to optimize!
There are times I only need a couple of things at Aldi and am doing the rest of my shopping elsewhere. It’s really hard for me to pass up a sale price. BUT I’m training myself to acknowledge there are costs to gasoline and travel time as well. If it’s only a few cents for 1 or 2 items, it’s probably not worth it. Learn to adapt for the week. Of course, there are also things I’ll pay more for at one store simply because I like their version or it looks better (produce really varies by item and by store).
What’s the REAL price?
Our stores use 10/$10, 3/$5 and 4/$5 quite often as well as BOGO. Just memorize the first three by per item price.
- 10/$10 = $1 per item
- 3/$5 = $1.67 per item
- 4/$5 = $1.25 per item
For BOGOs, I look at what the original price was and divide that in half. (Be aware at Sprouts you MUST buy both items to get the sale price, but most other stores you can buy just one for half price.) If you find a BOGO on something that is already your lowest price, CELEBRATE cause that’s a super deal. But BOGOs on the more expensive things can sometimes come out better than your cheapest option as well.
If you’re shopping at a club…
When you shop at Sam’s or Costco, you’re usually buying in bulk so you may have to compare by cost per ounce. There are some things I can buy in bulk ‘cause I’ll use ’em (I found Costco’s Kirkland brand toilet paper was the best cost and product several years ago and yes, I figured the cost per square!!!). Some things I won’t…like a full pound of lettuce (have you seen how boxed lettuce expands?) It’s not a deal if what you buy goes bad. Be smart!
A little story about savings
I eat mostly Whole30 type meals and use Aidell’s Chicken Apple Sausage in a few recipes. They sell ‘em at Kroger and at Costco. Here’s how the cost breaks out.
- Kroger – 4 sausages at $5.99 (regular price) = $1.50 per sausage
- Kroger – normal sales price $5.49 = $1.37 per sausage
- Kroger – best sales price $4.99 = $1.25 per sausage
- Costco – 15 sausages at 13.99 (regular price) = $0.93 per sausage
- Costco sale I stumbled on recently $10.49 = $0.70 per sausage!!!!!
You can see why I bought another pack of these on sale even though I already had one at home…because I already knew it was a great deal even BEFORE the sale took the price lower still!
But even if I simply compared the regular prices between Kroger and Costco and used 8 sausages in Garlic Sausage and Summer Veggie Sauté (oh pooh this recipe has been taken down here) and Sweet Potato and Sausage Hash once a month (some of my favorite easy recipes!), I would save $54.72 per year without even counting tax. That’s worth it, my friends!
Every penny counts!
Even something as small as the price difference between bananas (at Aldi for 44c/# and Kroger for 49c/#) when I buy 4.5 pounds per week amounts to $11.70 over a year. It just pays to get in the mindset of buying where cheapest whenever possible.
For me, it’s become a game of wits. I hope you’ve learned even the small savings can add up over time. Add in sale prices and coupons now and then, and you really gain. Know your grocery prices, and you’re ready to “cash in!”
Check out these other resources to help you cook smarter!
