How to Save w/o Dbl/triple Coupons, esp in Ca

[Whispered]

Hi, I'm having a really hard time, keeping my grocery bill down.
This is in Ca ...
No longer do our grocery stores, do DBl coupons and I realized, today, thats costing me a good extra 100 dollars, a month i was able to save.

Any suggestions? I did get burned out w/ 'Q'ing for awhile, but after looking at my savings log and realizing how much I saved.. i'm getting
back into it!! lol

I'm just frustrated on how to save better at the grocery stores, mainly.
I have not been to Costco yet and a new friend , does have a membership there, so I'm going to check it out.

I'm single, but still considering a small freezer, for my apt..
Of course, there is the BED, the laptop, to get first..

and the CVS deals haven't seen anything great or needed for awhile..
Maybe I'm in a slump!:shrug7:, which is probably true. I used to spend at least 4 hrs, on the net, a wk, finding the deals and haven't done that lately.. I read about the great deals people get and am AMAZED!!!
and happy for them I just want the same skills!!

After a yr, I'm still not where I want to be. I DO usually save at least half off my grocery bill, spend 60, save 30. (ok blush, i admit, last 2 trips, didn't even take my coupons w/ me! was in a rush)

Like the ? asked, how much can you get for 5 bucks, hmmmm

How do i get better? and note i'm on disability, so i really need to cut down. I'm stocked w/ a yrs of h/b items and thats pretty cool.
but otherwise, i'm really frustrated, that I can't seem to do as well, as other people. No Kmarts here, either or Walmarts super groceries.

plus, one major expense , can't get rid of, my cat is allergic to wheat and corn, so I spend.. faint 14 bucks, on a 3 .. yes Three lb bag of Paul Newman cat food.... but she's my baby and worth it.

ohh ps: I abhore, detest hate cooking!!! even the microwave takes too long :P .

Thks all
Blessings and Joy~

[jillynoodle]

first thing is i would write to the company on email and handwritten about your only being able to use their food and hopefully they send you coupons...even put up an iso for them on here, you never know...also my walmart is just the basic walmart with very little food but if my grocery store didnt double i would be getting more deals on what they had, maybe yours has some food you can take advantage of reading the walmart thread they have the cheapies for the month thread, go check it out and i totally understand being in a coupon slump, i couldnt imagine skipping cvs one week a couple months ago but latley i have skipped it for weeks at a time...nothing is really going on that i need so your not alone there, it happens...another idea is if you see in the coupon database that lets say you got a .75 cent coupon for something in the paper and other areas got 1.00 maybe post looking for a trade...i know i would much rather have .75 than 1.00 coupons and i would gladly trade...and whatever grocery stores in your area i would keep checking their forums...there has got to be half price sales and coupon matchups that will be good even with no doubles...i hope so at least....and everyone needs a break...sometimes take your break but i suggest still getting some papers every week even if they just sit there and hopefully a good sale will stir up the coupon gremlin again and you can start stocking up and having fun with it too

[anaj06]

Without doubles/triples, Wal-mart is probably where I would end up as well. Food Lion seems to do pretty good...on their sale items anyway.

[Maxie1101]

Hi Whispered, I'm in California too! I love jillynoodles' comments on handwriting a letter and trading for higher value coupons, great advice.

First off, what stores do you shop at? I think that would make it easier for others to offer advice. I shop at Safeway and find the best way to save is to stock up during their special promotions. I can usually save at least 75% during their promotions. I don't have a Wal-mart near me, so I don't know what kind of deals they have.

I would definitely suggest getting a small chest freezer. I've lived in apartments for the past 7 years and had a small chest freezer in an inconspicuous spot in my livingroom and it worked out great. Not loud and doesn't take up much space. I bought mine at either Costco or Sam's Club, and it was about $149-$199, but you can get much better deals on a used one on Craigslist if you spend some time looking. Mine measures about 2 1/2'H X 2 3/4'T X 2 1/4'D.

Costco is a great resource for those that don't won't to deal with coupons, but I've found MUCH better deals using coupons and store sales. Good luck!

[snafu4me]

rebates

[ishamarie]

I live in NorCal... and it is soooo expensive...sigh... the closest Walmart is 60 miles away... However that being said, my grocery bill is fairly low... I have a family of 5 with 2 fur-babies and my bill is usually $400-450 a month... I can get it to $250-300 if I try hard enough... but I do have an incredible stockpile already...

My suggestions are the same as others:

Write to companies.. keep a list of who sends you what and write them every six months....

Sign up for all the freebies, they often come up with coupons...

Not sure where you are, but get the biggest paper (the Sac Bee and Chronicle almost always have the Frees and high $ coupons) our local paper has crummy inserts...

Once a month I make a trip to Walmart (60 miles away)... I have to be super organized and I use a ton of coupons...

Safeway (if you have them) can be your friend.... They are pretty expensive for everyday shopping, but they have the best sales and promotions, you just have to be patient and organized.

CVS,,, get those free HBA stuff and roll the ECB's for food stuff... I admit that I buy stuff that I don't need because its a money maker... That extra money goes towards things that I can't get free or cheap... and I donate whatever thing I got free that I don't need...

I'm sure theres more, but thats what I can think of right now :)

Good luck... you can do it here in the LOND, it just harder :(

[Mothernature]

Lack of doubles do hurt. I've lived in LOND.

My stores double and we shelled out $500 on groceries last month.

Do you have a Target with food in your area? With all the store expansions, Targets in-store coupons with sales = really cheap groceries lately. Morningstar was $1 box, Kashi waffles were $.24, and Kashi bars were $.50/box. This is how I managed to spend $160 month w/o doubles.