Grocery Budget up 300% - HELP!

[stacyloucks]

I've been couponing for a few years now and feel like I have (had) it down pretty well. We just moved from NV to Southern CA. I'm so lost!!

Bottom line is that my grocery bill is up 300% with NO stockpiling!! I really need some help here.

I shopped primarily at Kroger (Smiths) in NV because of price. They were also very coupon friendly, but no doubles. After I had a decent stockpile, I changed my couponing strategy a bit to save time. I'd pick 1 or 2 things that were a killer deal or free, buy a ton of coupons and then stock up big time on those couple items. I used coupons for almost everything, but I didn't make tons of trips to Wags, etc.


I went grocery shopping yesterday for the 4th time. Each time, I leave feeling sick and with only half of the items on my list. The prices are 50%+ higher, the coupon limits have me totally confused and I can't seem to figure out which store has the best overall pricing and best deals. For example - Smiths was my store for almost everything. I went to Albertsons and Von's for particular deals only and rarely.


I used a few coupons last night just to test what I thought was the policy. This was at Ralph's. I'm attaching the receipt because the coupon section doesn't make sense to me.

I was so excited to have doubles, but if I can only use 1 coupon, it doesn't work for me.


I'm obviouslly not "getting it" here and I need to get it SOON. My budget won't handle this for long.


I really need some specific advice on which stores, strategies, etc.


Oh yes and the CRV shock - yikes! Case of water marked up $1.70! 2 liter bottle of soda versus 12 pack cans - another lesson.

TIA for any help!

[Stacy]

Welcome to So Cal! Where abouts are you? I am in San Diego. Looking at your receipt, the second part was for one of the water coupons. Some Ralphs double only 1 like coupon or you can get lucky and find a Ralphs that will double all of them. My store used to double only 1 like coupon and so I stopped shopping there. I went about a week ago and found out they double all of them now. I am in San Diego county. As for why your receipt looks the way it does, I am not sure. But it does look like they only doubled the first like coupon.

It is expensive to live here and with stores not doubling or tripling, we pay more for groceries. I tend to go to Vons more, since it is right down the street from me, but I am starting to go to Albertson's and Ralphs a bit more now too. Check out the threads here for those stores. They will help you out. I also take the ads and compare them to the database here to find unknown deals. Sometimes I take 3-4 trips to Vons in a week to take advantage of the doubling. Wastes gas, but that is how I have to do it!

[CW&M Mom]

Taxes suck in California too..and are awesome in NV... One of the bonuses of gambling is it keeps the taxes down.

What other grocery stores are in your area. Can you do more basic shopping at walmart or a real low discount store if there is one in your area and do the ralphs/albertsons like stores for only the stuff that your getting for free or nearly free?

[stacyloucks]

Thanks and reps to you both!

I'm in Long Beach. I'd love to find a Ralphs that doubles all my coupons, but overall prices and lack of coupon limits is more important.

Does Von's or Pavillions double and do they limit the number of like coupons?

I also have Stater Brothers and Sprouts. I don't know anything about them.

Any opinion on which store has generally lower prices?

Does the Ralph's number of coupons doubled differ from store to store?

I do have a Super Walmart and a Super Target not to far away. I usually avoid Wal-mart if I can.

If I had a magic wand, I'd have a store with good over-all prices, unlimited number of coupons, coupon friendly and doubling would just be a bonus.

I left last night without half of the items on my list. It may seem silly to some people (probably not many on this board), but I just can't bring myself to pay certain prices no matter how badly I think we need it. $5 for a box of Chex cereal - oh h*## no. $2 for cottage cheese - nope. Drink more milk. Flavored coffee creamer for DH. $3.69 - not in this lifetime, use milk.

[lovemygirls]

I know how you feel. I live in N. CA and sometimes when I read a post on a deal someone has gotten I get really jealous. None of my stores around here double at all not even 1 coupon. The CRV is high as well . You will learn what a good deal is and find places to get them but it will take some time. Good luck to you

[434Teresa]

I dont live there but reading your post made me want to cry..I would be upset if my shopping jumped up 300% and i still did not have all my items on the list.

I hope you find a store that suits you better soon..

[jennsiss]

Hello, and welcome to Southern California. I live just a bridge away from you, in San Pedro. I completely understand what your saying about grocery prices here, it's outrageous!

I stopped shopping at Ralphs due to their strict couponing policy. They only double the first coupon, and you can only have three like coupons, making it difficult to stockpile. The few times I've stopped in there, I have used a couple of transactions to get the full benefit of the coupon.

I started shopping at a store called Food 4 Less in Torrance. They don't double coupons, but generally their prices are lower than Ralphs.

When the grocery store ads come out on Tuesday, I make a list according to the sales that match with the coupons I have available. I also shop at the grocery store in Target because they will stack a manufacturer coupon with a target store coupon.

The disadvantage is I find myself having to go to a couple of stores to complete my list, but they are close to eachother, and facilitate the greatest savings.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you need anything.

[mommaof2kiddos]

Wow, 300%?!? My budget wouldn't survive that either. I think it's great that your getting your game plan together though, finding a new way to coupon in a new state. I've lived in my area for so long that it's never really hit me just how different prices are in other states.

I try to avoid Walmart as much as possible too, so I feel ya there. Have you hunted for any Dollar Stores nearby? if you find one, maybe you'll be able to find some cheaper essentials there to help your budget. My local Dollar Tree often carries namebrand food, even breads, for just $1 - so without a coupon I get it pretty cheap. What about farmers markets for fruits/veggies? I am getting better at getting our produce local and cheaper by shopping roadside stands and farmers markets (as in REAL farmers markets, not the warehouse type stores like Whole Foods).

The sales probably go in cycles, is there a way you can check the older ads (are they on here?) so you can know when to expect your fav products to go on sale and be prepared. Best wishes on getting your overall bill down and learning how to stockpile in your new home!

[Stacy]

I don't know anything about Pavillions but Vons only doubles the 1st like coupon just like Ralphs. I think the doubling at Ralphs is a hit and miss. At one time, mine only doubled the first one and now they double them all. As far as Stater Bros., I miss that store. I used to live in San Bernardino and went there all the time. I think they are cheaper than Ralphs, Albertsons and Vons. They don't have them here where I live. I would definetly check into them if you can!!

Good luck!!

[Gardencook]

Don't know if I can be much help, but I do know how much higher prices are in California. One of my all-time great vacation shocks came years ago when I needed shoe polish. The same brand sold for $1 a jar here, so I picked up several in different colors. I didn't realize it was $3 a jar down there. When I questioned the price, the clerk got a big smile on his face and proudly annouced, "EVERYTHING is more expensive in California!"
Our community tends to be very coupon un-friendly. It takes a lot of extra time, but the best strategy I've found is to make rounds to many different stores at many different times of the day, even if it is only to check prices on items until you get your bearings.
Some stores will have really high prices on bread, but reasonable produce prices. Others will have great discount bins, that can be combined with coupons to bring prices down, others don't ever discount anything.
Also, you don't have a Grocery Outlet in Long Beach, but you might want to check one out when you are in neighboring cities. Prices on canned goods, dairy products, frozen foods and personal care items can be CONSIDERABLY less. It is a liquidator and won't accept coupons, but the savings are substantial enough that we usually stop when traveling and pick up stockpile items. If you live close enough, you might want to consider bringing an ice chest for some tempting refrigerated/frozen items.