Shopping Plan

I'm going to start something new this week - my shopping plan. I am not fortunate enough to live close enough to some of the stores that provide some really incredible free deals - the nearest CVS and Wal-Mart are about 10 miles away, in an area I don't like to shop, and it's not worth it to me to go down there. However, I do pretty well with Cub, SuperTarget, and Walgreens.

I am fortunate, however, in that I am very quick at math. Not only do I look for the savings given by sites such as The Coupon Mom and the Grocery Game (use cobberreb@yahoo.com as a referral if you choose to sign up please), but I can quickly make mental comparisons of the price per ounce with the final price, and the store brands such as Market Pantry at Target. I'm not opposed to store brands - I try them if they're cheaper than name brands, and sometimes they're just as good. Some brands do better than others, and some products work better than others. So, if I find something at Target that's cheaper than what I have marked for Walgreen's and Cub, I'll get it.

I've learned that the % savings at a store doesn't always reflect the savings. For example, Cub is shown on the Grocery Game list because of its deal on sweet corn (0.25/ear - 50% savings) - but SuperTarget comes in lower at .20/ear (and only 31% savings), with no coupon needed. The savings shows up better at Cub, even though the price is lower at SuperTarget. Kraft mayo shows up for Walgreens and Cub lists at the Grocery Game, but is even lower at SuperTarget. So if you sign up for the lists, remember that it pays to comparison shop between the stores!

This week:
Target - 12-pack of Charmin, 72-load Tide, Market Pantry oil and applesauce, sweet corn, Kraft mayo, Softsoap refill if cheaper than Walgreens (4.99)
Walgreens - Softsoap refill is cheaper than Target, Suavitel softener (2 bottles), Quilted Northern 12-pack, Geisha mushrooms (2 cans)
Cub - strawberries (2 lbs), Dole cole slaw, carrots (2 1-lb bags), Nutripals, Kraft dressing (2 bottles), Bush's beans, Pillsbury brownie mix, seasoned pork loin fillets (2 packages), David's bagels (3 packages), Cool Whip (2 packages), Budget Gourmet meals (5), Cub chocolate milk (2 half gallons), and Old Home yogurt quarts (2).

I should be able to get all of this for less than $80. Not a bad deal, when it includes 3.5 pounds of seasoned pork fillet meat.

I know I could be doing better than I am, though, especially after reading some of the other mom blogs. I welcome any and all suggestions, and I'll let you know what I'm planning to get each week!