Friday, February 09, 2007

Frugal Friday (Finally!) Feed Your Family


The Pantry Principle

It's really simple. The best way to save on the food budget, while getting the products that you love, is to bulk buy when they are on sale. In order to do that successfully, you need a place to store these foods. I have 3 shelves (one is pictured below).




Each week I happen to pass the grocery store that I frequent on the day that the sales start (Wednesday here). I run in and grab a circular. I almost *never* deviate from this by buying anything at all that day, even though I'm there. I don't need to! I've got plenty of food at home. (If I didn't go by the store I would look up the sales online. Our store has their weekly sales paper online. I would not make a special trip.)

I bring the paper home and look up the sales. When I find things that I use that are on sale, I check my supply and see if I need any of that item and if so, how many I can reasonably buy and store.

Our store has "buy one get one free" (B1G1F) sales (frequently) on different products each week. I'm at the point now with the stockpile that I have at home, that I almost never pay over ½ price for many of the foods we eat.

It sure makes for a funny looking shopping cart. This week (when I go on Monday) my cart will contain:

  • Red Seedless grapes, 1.29lb, regularly 2.99lb. I'll buy a couple of lbs.

  • Potatoes, 10 lbs for $5 (appr. 2.50 off)

  • Baby carrots, 2 lbs for $2.50 (.50 off)

  • Cabbage (not on sale)

  • Mayfield Ice Cream B1G1F, I'll buy 4, get 4 free (this is my family's favorite brand)

  • Bryan Deli Meat B1G1F, I'll buy one pack, get one free

  • Oscar Meyer Bologna B1G1F, I'll buy 2, get 2 free

  • Kellogg's Cereal, B1G1F, I'll buy several, depending on the price. I don't like paying over $1.50 a box for cereal. So whatever they have for around $3.

  • Duncan Heinz Brownie Mix, B1G1F, I have room for 6 or so boxes. I still have 2 left from the last sale.

  • Clorox Bleach, .50 off

  • And they have their 2L cokes on sale for .89, so I may buy a few of those as special treats (we *rarely* drink soda here)
(They also have lots of red meat on sale and even boneless, skinless chicken breasts (B1G1F), but I have lots of meat tucked away in my freezer from previous sales. )

Don't worry, we're not going to eat sandwich meat and ice cream all this week. There is *tons* of food in the house. This is just what I happen to need to stock up on this week from the sale paper and it should be well under $60 for all of it.

I'd love to hear how others save grocery money.

For more Frugal Fridays ideas visit Crystal's Blog

11 comments:

Lady Why said...

That is one organized pantry!!

My name is Michelle. said...

You're very sweet. But I only showed one shelf for a reason.

;)

I'm in the process of reorganizing the other two.

Martha A. said...

That is pretty much what I do too, you do not have to spend much weekly when you have a stocked pantry!
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Martha

Dee said...

I'm in awe, but you made that sound so simple. I need a pantry tho. I appreciate your tips, thanks!
Deana

My name is Michelle. said...

Absolutely! And you don't have to run out for last minute items to cook with if you keep your pantry stocked with the necessities. Which saves in gas (and frustration!).

My name is Michelle. said...

Awww Dee, thank you! But no awe necessary. I just can't stand paying full price for things so I had to work around that. Before we had the pantry, my kitchen cabinets were majorly PACKED.

And your family is beautiful. You must be so proud!

Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads said...

I love to stock up on items. It's killing me right now not to stock up on things (we're moving). I hate not having lots of stuff on hand. I can't wait to have well stocked shelves again. lol!

Chrissy said...

I keep pretty well stocked, but I just don't have a lot of space. We're working on that though ;0)

Catherine at Frugal Homemaker Plus said...

Great job! I wish my pantry were that organized...

To save more, pair coupons up with the super sale items! I've been able to get many items free or for pennies that way.

Anonymous said...

Terrific help, Michelle ;)! Thanks. Eileen @ http://halfwayhome.wordpress.com

My name is Michelle. said...

DDWife, I so hear you. When you have something like a move in your future, you can eat from the pantry for almost ever. :D It helps to save money for the move and *then* think of all the fun you'll have restocking!

Chrissy, you should have seen my kitchen cabinets before we got the pantry done. It was pretty bad. I really understand about space. Especially as I do not like clutter.

FrugalHomemaker, you are *so* right. I'm probably the worst coupon clipper in the world. I wish there was some secret to organizing them!

Eileen, you're so sweet. As "together" as you are, I'm sure you have your frugal secrets too!