Show Me the Money...

I have recently joined "The Grocery Game" after reading several blogs of friends that have joined and attested to saving money. I also have several friends that joined and proclaimed of it assistance to saving money on groceries.

I will try my best to explain how it works.

You subscribe to grocery store lists in your zip code for a fee that is paid every 8 weeks. These lists inform you of the week's sales and also let you know if there are coupons from your Sunday paper or on-line that will help you save even more. The lists are coded to let you know if the item is at a "rock bottom" price. It also codes items that are good to buy as "stock items" due to the great price...this keeps you from having to pay full price in the future.

I have been playing for the past 4 weeks as a trial for $1.00. I have greatly enjoyed the challenge and most of all..saving money. I subscribe to WalGreens, Rite-Aid, CVS and Kroger. I have found that I shop more at WalGreens and Kroger than CVS and Rite-Aid. So I may unsubscribe to those stores to lower my 8 week fee. The main attraction for me is being informed of the sale items and if there is a coupon when otherwise I wouldn't be aware. I have started to pick up a Sunday paper for the coupons and it's become my Sunday afternoon ritual to clip and then compare to my Grocery Game lists.

I have also been reviewing Brookshire's circular via their website. I have shopped there for several items at cheaper that I would normally have bought at Wal-Mart. (note--Brookshire's is not on my Grocery Game list, I have reviewed their sales on my own)

Here are few of my savings:
August 17th-
WalGreens...I bought $39.57 of groceries for $18.69.
Kroger...I bought $65.45 of groceries for $43.82.
Brookshire's...I bought $16.64 of groceries for $11. 91.
All together I bought $121.66 for $74.42 with a savings of $47.24

August 24th-
WalGreens...I bought $30.30 of groceries for $15.78
Kroger...I bought $24.62 of groceries for $14.67
Brookshires...I bought $37.88 of groceries for $22.83
All together I bought $92.80 of groceries for $53.28 with a savings of $37.52

Total savings for the past 2 weeks I bought $214. 46 of groceries for $127.70. Saving a grand total of $84.76

We had been spending about $200.00 every 2 weeks on groceries. As you can see, The Grocery Game helped us save on our groceries.

I hope to continue to learn more and become a better shopper...practice makes perfect. With my mother as a teacher when I was growing up and the help of The Grocery Game, I hope to get our groceries down by half.

Before children, JB and I used to shop all the different grocery stores for savings. But obviously with children (2 at once) time just hasn't allowed me to grab a circular from all the different stores. With The Grocery Game help, I have all the info in one place, I make my list, and then go shopping instead of heading to Wal-Mart thinking I'm getting the best deals. Now, don't get me wrong, I still have to go to Wal-Mart for some items that are a must and aren't on sale nor have a coupon. But for now, at least I know where the best deals are.

If you are interested in joining The Grocery Game, email me or leave a message. You can earn free weeks when you refer someone and they join.

Other ways we have cut back:
I haven't used our dryer in 2 months. I have been hanging our clothes on drying racks to dry. We haven't used our dishwasher as often, opting to hand wash dishes. We have oscillating fans in the den, our bedroom and the boys' room. I keep the fan in the den on during the day and only using the other 2 at night. I've kept our blinds closed to keep the direct sunlight out. I know we may look like recluses but it's helped keep the rooms cooler.

We aren't in any financial trouble and I refuse to become a "cheap person" we are just trying to be more frugal and diligent to save when possible.

I'm sure there are many other ways to save and I'm sure there are some readers who are doing more and better. I am still learning and hope with more practice, I will become a pro.

Until next time, Show Me the Money, HB