shoppingonabudget

Although many Americans shop for groceries on a weekly basis, others shop only once a month. I am one of those shoppers. Once a month, I will have one big shopping trip. Throughout the month, we will have to pick up a few extras, such as milk or bread, but most items are bought on a monthly basis.

If you are considering making the switch to once a month grocery shopping, I have a few helpful tips.

1 – Shop at Multiple Retailers

Grocery stores and department stores, like Wal-Mart, are often located close to each other. This means that you can price compare and visit different stores, without having to spend too much money in gas.

To find the best deals, view weekly sales fliers ahead of time. Create a list for each store and what you intend to pickup.

2 – Use Thermal Shopping Bags

Thermal shopping bags, also commonly referred to as hot / cold bags can be a money saver. If you rely on once a month shopping, it is not uncommon for you to spend hours out and about. This is particularly true if you do visit multiple retailers. To keep your frozen foods frozen and your cold items cold, use reusable thermal shopping bags. They are available for sale in most grocery and department stores.

3 – Organize Your Coupons Ahead of Time

Once a month grocery shopping is nice, but it can be difficult with coupon use. If you collected coupons throughout the entire month, you may have up to a hundred grocery coupons. A coupon organizer can come in handy.

It is also important to review expiration dates. I have noticed that some manufacturers, like Proctor and Gamble, have coupons with short expiration dates. This means that the coupon may expire before I am able to go shopping.

4 – Pick Up Extras While Out Running Errands

As previously stated, there are some extras that I need to pickup throughout the month. Due to freshness, we often need milk and bread. Instead of making a special trip to buy these foods, buy them when you are out. Whether you are returning home from work or a doctor’s appointment, you can save yourself time and gas.

Do you want to save money on the cost of doing laundry? If so, checkout these moneysaving coupons. Some coupons are printable coupons and others are free coupons mailed to your home.

* These coupons were available as of September 17, 2008, their availability or value amount may change later on.

Free Coupons By Mail

Save $1 on Tide Total Care

Save $1 on Downy Total Care

Free Printable Coupons

Save $1 on All Small and Mighty

Save $1 on a Woolite Product – Link at Bottom

Are you looking for grocery coupons? Although your weekend newspaper is one of the best ways to get these coupons, you can also turn to the internet. In addition to online coupon websites, you can buy coupons on eBay.

When buying coupons on eBay, you aren’t necessarily paying for the coupons per say, but paying the person for the time to clip and sort them. This is something you will find outlined in most eBay auctions for coupons.

If you want to buy grocery coupons on eBay, it is wise that you thoroughly read through all information provided to you.

First and foremost, make sure the coupons are not expired. It is rare to find eBay auctions where all the expiration dates are listed, as 100s of coupons are available for sale. You should have a guarantee however that you are not buying expired coupons.

Next, make sure the coupons you are buying from eBay are coupons that you can use. Once again, since there are 100s of coupons available for sale, it is rare to find all coupons listed. You should at least be provided with categories, such as food, health and beauty, and pets.

Finally, be sure the shipping costs are affordable. Since grocery coupons are light and cheap to mail, you shouldn’t pay a lot in shipping costs. $1 to $2 is the average shipping price on eBay. In some cases, you may even find free shipping.

Since free product samples can save you money, by getting something for free and by trying a product before buying the full size version, I want to share a few free product sample offers with you.

I cannot guarantee you will actually receive the free product samples, but these are reputable companies. Next, these samples were found online on September 16, 2008. Due to the popularity of free samples and limited supply, their availability is subject to change at any moment.

Free Sample of Sunsilk Shampoo & Conditioner & $2 Coupon

Free Sample of Pantene Expressions

Free Sample of Head and Shoulders – Click on Samples Link at Top

Do you buy Betty Crocker products? If so, have you visited the Betty Crocker website? If not, you will want to do so. Why?

1 – To Save Money

The ability to save money with Betty Crocker coupons is, perhaps, the greatest reason why you should visit the website. Although what you find is likely to vary, there are coupons for many great products. As of September 15, 2008, there were coupons for General Mills cereals, cookie mixes, Bisquick, boxed potatoes and so much more. On average, coupons are valued at .50 to a $1.

2 – To Get Recipe Ideas

Not only can you find Better Crocker coupons, but you can also find recipes to accompany those products too! What could be better than that? Have you wanted to do something different with your chocolate chip cookies or even your cereal? If so, visit the website’s recipe center. You can search for recipes based on products, such as cereal brownie mix, or potatoes.

In fact, did you know that you can make tasty and healthier chocolate chip cookies with Curves cereal? You can!

Although I do usually cover ways to save money on groceries, I also try to focus on other aspects of shopping. After all, shopping on a budget involves more than the grocery store.

Whether you are looking for cheap clothes, movies, books, home décor, or toys, you may turn to eBay.com. eBay.com is a great place to find good deals online. Why? Because there are so many items and auctions for you to choose from. Although eBay.com is a great way to save money with shopping online, you need to proceed with caution, especially where the cost of shipping is concerned.

Always examine the cost of shipping when buying on eBay. Many eBay sellers are fair in their shipping costs, but others charge much more than needed. Most eBay sellers will outline the cost of shipping for you. Just make sure you are getting a fair rate. For example, a children’s purse that weighs less than one pound should not cost $5 or more to ship, unless you order express or priority shipping.

To make it easier for you to examine and compare shipping costs, perform a search for an item. Towards the top of all listings, you will see a “Customize View,” link. Click on that link and add shipping.

I, as well as many other shoppers, like to stock up when we see a good deal at the grocery store. Unfortunately, I am limited on freezer space. I was able to purchase a standalone shelf for boxed and canned goods, but my hands are tied with the freezer. Although I cannot buy a standalone freezer (from being a small apartment renter), you may be able to.

The Pros of Buying a Standalone Freezer

1 – You Can Stock up

This benefit is most commonly seen with meats. When fresh meat is one sale, you can save around .50 cents to $1 a pound or even more. That is a lot of savings that will significantly add up over time. A freezer allows you to store these items.

The Cons of Buying a Standalone Freezer

1 – Costs

If you are shopping on a budget, you may not have the money needed to buy a freezer. You can price compare to find the best deals. If you really feel like you are missing out, set aside a few dollars each week and you should be able to make the purchase in a few weeks or months.

2 – Space

As stated above, I am limited on space. If you have a large apartment or own your own home, you can make space. And, standalone freezers do come in a number of different sizes, which gives you a little bit of freedom.

Coupons are one of the best ways to save money on groceries. Their use alone allows you to save money, but there are more steps that you can take.

1 – Choose a Store with Great Prices

Whether you shop at a grocery store or a department store, like Wal-Mart, or even both, look for the best prices on everyday purchases. The less you have to pay for an item, the more you are able to save.

2 – Look for Sales

In addition to low prices everyday, finding sales can help you maximize your coupon use. By reviewing your stores’ weekly sales fliers, you can see which ones coincide their sales with weekly newspaper coupons.

3 – Properly Store Them

There is nothing worse than going to a grocery store and later realizing you left your coupons at home. For that reason, keep them together in either an envelope or coupon organizer. Then, leave in a prominent location, such as in your purse or by your car keys.

4 – Set Coupons Aside at the Store

I try to take two envelopes with me grocery shopping; one for the coupons I have and one for the coupons I will use. Whenever I pickup an item that I have a coupon for, I take that coupon and set in a separate envelope. This prevents me from overlooking it at the checkout.

I have said before that free product samples are a great way to save money on groceries. For starters, they are free. Secondly, they give you the opportunity to try a new product first. Should you not like the product in question, you did not waste money on the full-size.

Online, you can find a lot of free samples for many items. If you are looking for health and beauty products, I recommend visiting Dove’s website. There, you will find free samples offered almost all year round.

As of 9/10/08, there is a free sample available of two different types of Dove shampoos and conditioners. Also, under the heading of “Offers,” you will find coupons available for Dove products.

Health and beauty products are the products most commonly given away in free samples. Dove has these free samples available the most, but you can still visit the websites of your favorite product manufacturers. Even if you don’t find a free sample, you may find free beauty tips or moneysaving coupons.

On a personal note, I will occasionally buy canned vegetables. I like them as they are easy to cook; however, they can be costly.

One of the best ways to save money on canned vegetables is to buy the store brands. My local grocery store has cans of corn, green beans, and peas for about $1 each. I stock up when they have a sale, as the price is reduced to .50 cents each.

Another easy way to save money on groceries, namely canned vegetables, is to shop at the right store. If I don’t find a store brand on sale, I visit my local Dollar General or Wal-Mart.

If canned vegetables are too expensive for you, consider fresh or frozen. In fact, you may find the store brand frozen vegetables to be the best deal, as you get more.