I have always tried to be relatively thrifty. And I think I was pretty good at it with clothes and such. I always love when I go to check out and the cashier is surprised by how cheap something is or how low the total is... the best is when they double check to make sure they scanned everything, since they don't believe how little I'm paying for what I'm getting.
For example; the day after I had my ultrasound and found out that we're having a girl, I went shopping (of course) and I spent $53 including tax. And when I got home and showed Jason what I had purchased I realized that I had gotten 47 items of little girl clothing (in many different sizes) and a couple pairs of pants for Parker (making that and average price of $1.08 per item of clothing). My normal limit is that I won't pay more than $2.50 for a piece of kids clothing, and I had spent less than half of what I allow. I was proud of myself for getting a good deal, but then again I had always been pretty good at it.
What I was not good at was grocery shopping. Seriously, I always just bought whatever I saw or wanted. I often wanted to do better shopping, I wanted to spend less, but I just didn't really know how. My first problem was that I didn't know what a good deal was when grocery shopping- I would try to buy stuff that was marked as being on sale, but I didn't know if I was really getting a good price or not.
The last bank that I worked at before I had Parker was inside a grocery store, and we happened to be situated right next to the produce section. They would put up displays of produce on sale right in front of my desk. Customers would sometimes make comments to me like "Wow, that's a REALLY great price for asparagus." I would just smile and nod. I had no clue-- should asparagus be like 30 cents per pound or more like 3 bucks a pound???
I realized that I wasn't magically going to be able to tell a good deal on groceries when I saw them- so I had to put some work into it. I started keeping the grocery ads that I got, and I kept track of the lowest price I saw on anything. It may seems super nerdy- but I now have an Excel spreadsheet with TONS of items I buy at the grocery store, with prices next to them so I know whether any sale price is a good deal or not.
It took some time to figure this out, but on a recent shopping trip I went to check out and my total was $15.00 even. The cashier printed out the receipt and looked at the bottom where it showed how much I saved- I had saved $19.54, if those items had not been on sale I would have spent $35 instead of $15-- I was so happy- I felt so accomplished.
That may sound crazy, but it's true. It was depressing knowing that I was spending more than I needed to- and it felt good to save some money-- especially without having to change what we eat or buy- we still get the same stuff- just much, much cheaper.
Sorry if you're bored by this post, I know it seems so simple, but I struggled with it and I'm just so happy that I have finally made some progress.
11 comments:
I found that shopping for 2 weeks instead of 1 helps us to save. That way the deals can go farther.
I love thrifty posts. Where do you find cheap children's clothes? I have been looking at Goodwill, Other Mothers, etc., and I feel that they are all overpriced. I am also not willing to pay more than $2 or so for kids' clothes.
Good for you. I've heard of this thing called CouponSense online. Where it sends you coupons and tell ya where the bargains are that week. I had a friend stock up on groceries and only paid $15 bucks versus $70. And I mean if you're willing to run to another store, all that much more you'll save. (if the stores aren't too far apart and run up a gas bill)
I get the paper every Sunday and clip the coupons. Fry's does quadruple coupons right now, but Safeway always has double coupons. I save a ton of money!
Trying to save money while grocery shopping is still something I struggle with. I haven't figured out if going to the store every day just for the meals you will be making that day is cheaper, or if shopping for weeks at a time is cheaper. Thanks for sharing how you are saving money!
I think I'll have to try what you did...looking at all of the items you buy when they were at their cheapest and all of that. And of course coupons save a lot too so I need to use those more often.
I am totally with you on feeling good about saving money, I went to the store last night for just a couple of things and saved more than I spent. I feel so accomplished when I am able to save us money on things. Just wish I had more time to plan, I might be able to get an even better deal.
Knowing your sales is way better than coupons. The sales are usually for generic brands (it's all regulated by the FDA anyway, it has to be the same) and coupons are only good for name brand stuff. So you choose: $4 with a 50 cent coupon for General Mills or $2 for Great Value. You go Jenn!
Way to bargain shop Jenn! The less money you spend on FOOD at walmart, the mor you can spend on CRAFTS!! ;)
Gosh you must have had good parents to set that example for you, or maybe they were just cheap!
Ok, where did you find kids clothes that cheap???
Well first of all...how exciting to hear your having a girl, not sure if I had already heard that! I always do a menu for the whole month, so I can stock up on the sale items, and I go grocery shopping for 2 weeks at a time. It saves so much money! You can always ask Grandpa Langford and Grandpa Tieman how they do it...oh maybe you better not!
Love you guys!
Aunt Carol
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