I've been thinking lately that there are three different types of savers and spenders out there. Â Here are the types I've seen . . .
1. Â Folks who save 70-90% on their grocery bill by using coupons at the grocery store.Â
I would include my buddy Shannon in this group, and while I’ve been that girl before (and kind of miss her many days!), I wouldn’t put myself in that category right now. These are the people that never (ever) buy anything without a coupon or serious sale, spend a few hours each week reading frugal blogs, clipping coupons and organizing their grocery trips, and menu plan well so that they can use what’s in their pantry to maximize their savings.Â
2. Â People who are a little more subtle about their savings and save probably 50-70% on their grocery bill.Â
This is where I'm at right now, and where I've been for the last few years. People like me always (always) shop the sales ad, look over their store coupon matchups before shopping (sometimes using their mobile phone), and primarily print coupons from their computer without stressing over a coupon binder. Savings for them won't be over 90%, but they do save quite a bit without too much effort. (And, if you're one of those folks like me, you probably order many of your household products on sale at Amazon ~ have I mentioned grace lately? This is the grace I'm giving myself right now.) 😉
3. Â Others who really don't pay attention to how much they save.Â
These people go to the store because their pantry is empty, grab what they need (without considering the cost), and might feel pretty discouraged when they get home. (I tried just shopping this way at Walmart at the end of last year hoping to make life a little easier, but I was sick when I got home each week and realized how much money I was throwing away each time I shopped ~ I just can't do that!)
So, what kind of saver are you, and how do you want your budget to look in 2014? As I've shared before (over and over!), there is no other area in your family's budget that you have so much control over as you do grocery shopping, so this is a fantastic place to start.  I encourage you to decide TODAY how much you want to spend on groceries this month, and can't wait to see how we do this year together!  Leave a comment to share your goals too.
And one more thing ~ if you haven't gotten my free stock up price list I highly recommend checking it out so you can determine what your basic prices should look like before picking up groceries each week. That alone should help you get started!
New to budgeting and don't know where to begin? Here are a few posts to you get started:
- How Much Should A Family Spend On Groceries?
- Monthly Budget Planning: How Budgeting Looks In Our House
- Do You Budget For Car Expenses
- What My Five Year Old Taught Me About Money
- Don't Sacrifice What You Really Want For What You Want Right Now
- Budget Check Up Week One: Have You Determined Your 2013 Grocery Budget
- Are you on an all cash budget?
- How Does Your Grocery Budget Look?
- Are You Spending Within Your Budget?
- Save the Way You Can Save: Penny Pinching Is Not A Competition
- Are You Satisfied With Your Penny Pinching?
- You Do Have Time To Coupon (But You Don't Have To Do Everything. . .)
- Are Coupons For Everyone?
- How To Really Change Your Grocery Budget
Dody says
Since I started following PPP, I have been amazed at my savings. Week one I saved $78.00, week two $86.00 and week three, $94.00. Also, I found $88.67 on Missing Money. Happy Happy Happy. Love you guys.
Laurie says
LOVE that Dody! Amazing job ~ way to go! 🙂 Woohooo!
Brenda Yarber-Thompson says
Thanks for the information. As I am just beginning I'll start with number 2. Thanks for all your help. You saved me a great deal in December. May God Bless you and your family.