Step five: The night before the big event

Welcome! You can get the complete text of all the latest articles at Lake Country Saver in your email by subscribing to my RSS feed. Your address will only be used for mailing you the articles, and each one will include a link so you can unsubscribe at any time. Thanks for visiting!

Today is the last day to get my act together before the big shopping day. There’s usually not a lot to do. I’ve already made my list, found my coupons, and coordinated as many sale items with those coupons as possible.

Tuesday night, I finalize a few things:

1. I print out my shopping list from Pick ‘n Save and stick it in my coupon organizer with the coupons I plan to use.
   
2. I make sure all of this week’s coupons and list are in the front slot of my coupon organizer.
3. I check what I’ve spent so far this month on groceries.
4. I add up what I think I’ll spend this week and compare the total to our monthly grocery budget.
5. If I have time, I search for extra coupons for items on my list. This morning I found some Stonyfield Farm coupons that will come in handy for extra savings on my milk.

Over the last eight months, I’ve learned a few things that keep shopping simple and smooth. Here is my best advice for enjoying your coupon-fueled trip:

• Don’t shop with your kids — or anyone else for that matter. You need to be focused, not refereeing mid-aisle bickering or socializing.
• Shop at night, preferably on Wednesdays, which is double coupon day at Pick ‘n Save. The evenings are always quiet and there are never crowds.
• Bring your reusable bags. Pick ‘n Save gives you a 5 cent refund for every Pick ‘n Save bag you use — but not bags from other stores. Note that this is a new policy. I still use other bags even though I don’t get a refund.
• Each time you choose an item from the shelf, pull out the corresponding coupon. This will save you time at the checkout, when the impatient bachelor behind you is tapping his toe as you dig through your bag for a lost coupon.
• Make sure the cashier scans the best FIVE coupons first. Pick ‘n Save allows you to double up to five coupons, up to $1 apiece, with a separate $25 purchase. Many cashiers don’t know that only five coupons can be doubled (and some don’t know that coupons over $1 aren’t doubled), and they will scan coupons willy nilly, which can cost you money.
• If a sale item is out of stock, get a rain check at the customer service counter. This coupon-like slip of paper allows you to purchase the sale item within the next two weeks at this week’s sale price. As you shop, keep track of what is out of stock and note the brand/manufacturer, price and size so you can expedite this process.
• Stick to your list. Deviate only when there’s a fantastic unadvertised sale on something you will use. This is why it’s important to bring all of your coupons with you — you never want to miss out on a good deal if there’s a secret special.
• Keep an eye out for tearpads, blinkies and wine tags. These in-store coupons, rebates and mailers help you save even more.
• Practice restraint. Please don’t clear out of the shelves (unless it’s the last few items) or gobble up all the in-store coupons. Just because we’re saving money doesn’t mean have to lose our manners.
• Review prices as you check out and look at your receipt before you leave. Make sure prices are accurate and you got all the savings you’re entitled to.
• Brag. Let someone (your husband, your mom, your best friend) know how much you saved. I even keep my receipts so I can keep track of prices and savings. It’s good incentive to keep it up!

Next up: The main event — Shopping!

Groceries and food prices | RSS 2.0 | Respond | Trackback |