A new strategy on saving money at the supermarket: buy only the stores own brand of each brand name Item I buy

[CTyankee]

The prices are shockingly high and our grocery bills are eye-openers.We've got to save more money. I already plan menus based on sale items and, of course, food we'll eat (we aren't too picky).

I'll report back on how I am doing.

If you have any tips, share them!

[no_hypocrisy]

1. And timing is everything.

Buy only when certain items are on sale and stock up if you can.

Example: At my store, spiral hams were $40 up to last week. Now they're $10. Expiration date is March 3 if you don't freeze. And you can use the ham bone for split pea and yellow split pea soups. Also at my store, young turkeys (no antibiotics and pasture-raised) were also $40. Now the store wants them off the shelves and they're going for $10-11. (I'm on my fourth turkey, no joke!)

[CTyankee]

3. No ham. Hubby is Jewish. And there is just us two. A small chicken would be fine. We could roast and cut in half.

I've cleared shelf space for soup when it's on sale for a lot less. That helps I have found. We can share a can of soup for lunch.

We love fresh fruit and sometimes in summer and fall we can get loads of it cheaper. The canned stuff is ok, as long as it's not in sugar syrup as hubby is diabetic.

I used to make a big pot of chicken and vegetable soup but my arthritic back won't let me stand too long. I do exercises I was taught in physical therapy to help that situation but not for standing as long as cooking that soup took!

We are both 85 and don't want to go into assisted living, but I have the feeling that won't last much longer...

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Got it. And you got my point about buying when something's on sale

in the supermarket. I have 3-4 circulars that are spread out like Napoleon's maps of Europe. I shop in a cherry-picking style, only the stuff on sale.

[CTyankee]

7. Do you go to several stores each week or just the one that has the best sales of stuff that you actually eat/use?

[no_hypocrisy]

18. Several stores. And to save on gas for driving, I have my lists ready

so if I'm near one particular store, I'll stop by and get the vittles. The trick is to be organized. Either enough cash or easy on the credit card. And to have everything ready to go. I also check online for these stores on Sunday to know what's a good buy. Then I have all week to get to the stores when I'm close enough to make it worth while.

[Ms. Toad]

15. If you can find an instant pot at goodwill, or some place second hand,

That will cut way down on how long you have to stand to make soup.

Chop the veggies, toss them in the pot, set it for the appropriate time and go back when it's all done.

[CTyankee]

17. we have a goodwill nearby. I'll take a look! Thanks for the tip!

[Ms. Toad]

19. I'm living without a kitchen right now -

It's amazing how useful the instant pot is.

I bought it at an outlet for about 50% because it had a ding in it. I had thought about it before, but couldn't really justify the cost. Now it's one of my most-used kitchen appliances.

[CTyankee]

22. We have a small kitchen and when I moved in I had to update everything! the former residents were hyper devout Jews who

cooked very simply and lived accordingly. When we moved in over 30 years ago I plugged in my toaster and coffee maker at the same time a blew a fuse! I couldn't believe the electric service was so basic! We called an electrician and immediately got the upgrade.

[Ms. Toad]

43. Once the remodel is finished,

We'll have multiple circuits for the kitchen. When we moved in about 35 years ago there was one that served both the basement and kitchen. The 220 line was wired in without a box (in the same cupboard where we stored our heavy cast iron skillets). We adjusted as much as we could without disturbing walls. But since we're remodeling the entire kitchen (from the 60s), it will have the proper number of circuits.

[CTyankee]

50. For years, I lugged around a heavy cast iron skillet for frying chicken. It was the only way you were supposed to fry

chicken when I was growing up in Texas. But I got tired of hauling the gdamn thing out to cook chicken, wash it by hand and dry it with a towel. That was a relief!

[blm]

47. I now make a smaller pot of soup.

It’s easier on me and I still have enough to last a couple days and some to freeze for another day.

[senseandsensibility]

52. My father is around your age

and he goes to lunch at his local Senior Center (taxpayer funded). Five days a week he gets a nutritious hot meal complete with soup (he's a soup fiend,lol) for whatever he's able to contribute. No one keeps track. It's been a godsend for him since my mom died. He counts on it for socializing too. Has a table with his buddies and they socialize outside the lunch time as well. Just a suggestion.

[badhair77]

2. I rarely pay full price for any food item unless it's milk,

which is price fixed by the state. I live by the sale flier. Sometimes I have to stop myself from taking advantage of a sale price. If it’s something I don’t need or if I don’t have freezer space I just cross it off my list. I take advantage of the store’s reward program, too. I know I get better prices by using the store’s app for ordering. I cook in bulk, too, and freeze most of the extras.

[CTyankee]

5. Yes, I get the rewards at my store, too. They have a circular that arrives at my door each Thursday or I can get online.

Sometimes my daughter orders for me for home delivery. I tip the delivery person $10 because there is no delivery charge.

[Meowmee]

4. Aldis, bjs, and costco

Are my main go tos, It’s still pretty expensive but a lot less than many other places. I try to buy when on sale and use the coupons. I discovered about 2-3 years ago the bulk commercial larger toilet papers rolls, and the folded paper towels are a lot less expensive plus we have cut back on use and I use more dish towels.Costco and bj are in bulk, although I buy their brands a lot I can buy other brands too. Stop and Shop is the worst but can be ok if something is on sale.

For things like yogurt I started making my own mostly. It saves a lot.

[CTyankee]

8. What bulk items I can carry are OK or if too much for me, I leave in the trunk of the car for later.

good idea about dishtowels. I have only one left and I should get more. I'm fine using them instead of paper towels.

[Meowmee]

9. There are the swedish dish towels too 😀

I bought some of those, but I mostly use them to wash dishes. But you can use them like paper towels too, although I haven’t tried it yet.

Also, you may be able to get bulk item things that you want delivered from places like Costco and BJ’s but it’ll cost for the shipping unless you order a lot. . I’m lucky that I can still easily get some somewhat larger items myself when I go there.

[JCMach1]

10. Bulk microfiber rags from TEMU

Are also a bargain for cleaning.

I also use ODOBAN gallon concentrate. Can replace multiple cleaning products.

Add in gallon vinegar and you don't need any other cleaning products.

+ Spray bottles

[flvegan]

21. Odoban is the best!

Just keep it away from your eyes.

[Meowmee]

27. Thanks I have never ordered anything from Temu.. I'm kind of suspicious of it.

Good to know it’s ok.

I use mostly vinegar and water in a spray bottle and other the cleaners I get them in bulk at BJ’s for things like toilet bowls and window cleaner, etc. I started doing that a long time ago because I don’t want my cats to be exposed to that on the floor etc. The vinegar and water works very well on the floors.

[JCMach1]

44. Odoban comes in gallon concentrate

It does so many things. Kills odor, disinfects.(I started using it during pandemic), cleans kitchen, cleans bathroom, can be used to clean glass and mirrors, and can even be used as odor killing fabric softener in washing machine (great for pet beddings).

Usually will run about $9.99 for gallon that will last months. Slash those cleaning products. And,.made in America.

[Meowmee]

45. Think I have heard of odoban before, and may have tried it

I think it has a smell or something which I cannot tolerate. I am very sensitive to fragrances and I’m asthmatic, etc. I prefer just to stick with the vinegar and water which is very cheap. The only other cleaners I really use are some soft scrub in the bathroom, which has real bleach, which is the only thing that works in my bathroom. And some window cleaner, which is the only thing that works for the windows.

It’s not so bad because I get them in bulk on sale at BJ’s and Costco, they usually last for over a year…. the vinegar is a huge bottle, now at Aldi‘s because it’s cheaper than that BJ’s in Costco and it lasts quite a while. We use that for cooking and cleaning . I also used to use it to kill weeds, although I don’t use it as much for that. It used to be really cheap at Costco and you could get several large bottles for next to nothing.

Leftover coffee grounds are good to throw in the garbage because they deodorize.

* I remember now I tried that for cat urine because one of my cats had a pee problem. And it didn’t work and it irritated my asthma too, however I found something at that time called Scoe which I still use. This is the only probiotic odor eliminator I have ever found that actually works. It’s not cheap, but I highly recommend it. I buy a gallon of that every year and a half or so and dilute it in a spray bottle for cleaning up things like vomit, etc., or poop accidents. It’s also very good to spray in the garbage can to help eliminate odors when you change a bag.

[CTyankee]

12. We don't have those big box stores near us so the gas I would use getting to one kinda negates the savings.

I have a neighbor who might want to share a ride to one of them but he lives alone and doesn't shop much anyway.

[Ms. Toad]

16. Costco prices aren't really much cheaper than anywhere else -

aside from a few items. Aldis is significantly cheaper, and BJs in the middle.

[PortTack]

11. That's fine...do understand thou if you are shopping at a democratic unfriendly store, the store makes more money

On their own brands

[CTyankee]

13. which ones are they?

[yellowdogintexas]

31. I stock up on canned items at Costco. I can just stack them up.

chicken broth, black beans, diced tomatoes, Ro-Tel, and Kirkland canned chicken breast. I use the chicken breast to make soup, enchiladas, chicken and dumplings, chicken salad. We also get the giant twin pack of Jif peanut butter, walnuts

We buy gasoline there too. I like that bonus that comes in February.

[MagickMuffin]

14. My depression parents ate a lot of dried pinto beans and cornbread

When they were first starting out. Still a good way to stock up on food that can last awhile.

I’ve also been seeing a lot of recipes for desserts that can use applesauce and other substitutions for eggs.

[CTyankee]

20. Pinto beans sound good! I'll look up a recipe.

[MagickMuffin]

23. One rule of thumb, do not salt them until they're fully cooked

Or the will be tough, also old beans can cause tough beans.

Plus beans and corn make a full protein.

[CTyankee]

24. thanks for the tip. I wouldn't have known that.

Here is one thing I do: I buy the stores own brand of whatever I can. Stop and Shop has its own brand of ibuprofin, which saves lots of money over the name brands.

The only thing is toilet paper. Hubby hates using the store brand and you end up using more anyway cuz it's all one ply.

[yellowdogintexas]

38. LOL sometimes the store brand will get you

One time I bought the store brand of V-8. It was awful; basically green pepper juice with enough tomato juice to make it look like V-8

[yellowdogintexas]

32. also if the beans are old, you should soak them.

Bring them to a boil in a large pan, turn heat down and cover. Soak an hour or so.

[zeusdogmom]

53. This is where the Instant Pot is really handy

After a good overnight soak, the Instant Pot has the beans tender in about an hour.

[yellowdogintexas]

30. beans and cornbread are the best

I grew up eating Great Northern beans and pinto beans with cornbread. I do a pot of beans at least every other week

We have curried lentils often. I have been stocking up on beans

[RockRaven]

25. This tip may not be useful for everyone, but in my area there are a number of

Asian and Latino markets which have better prices and/or quality (for some things, not necessarily everything) than the Albertsons and Kroger chains' stores. So if there are nearby international/ethnic grocery stores, they might be worth a look. Depends on one's eating and cooking habits too.

[yellowdogintexas]

34. I buy all my rice and some dried beans at the local Asian market.

They carry the super good rice my daughter's mother in law uses. It has a drawing of a red antelope on the bag.

[AZJonnie]

39. This is especially true if you want Asian or Latino 'things'

Last night I needed oyster sauce for some Thai Basil noodles I was making so ran out locally and a small bottle of Lee Kum Kim premium was like $6.99 at Safeway. At the Asian store $6.99 buys you a bottle twice as big of the same stuff. Sadly the huge International Market in Mesa AZ just closed. I *loved* that place. But there's still others.

Their produce sections are usually cheaper too ... though not always as fresh at the ones near me vs Safeway.

[RhapsodyFav]

26. Try to cook from scratch as much as possible.

Oatmeal. Fairly inexpensive. Use it to bulk up meatloaf. Filling for breakfast and makes hearty cookies.
Beans and Lentils. Sub lentils for ground beef. Cook in beef broth for the flavor. Lentil tacos are great.
Chicken quarters and buying whole chickens to break down yourself. You can get three meals or more depending on your family size. Even a Costco roasted chicken you can save the carcass to make the broth. Go to the stores and look for the sell buy dates. Usually you can find mark downs the day of or day before for much lower price.

There are many recipes for depression era tips and trick that seem to be coming back. Glad I was brought up cooking poor and know how.

I don't think I actually knew you could buy hamburger buns at the store till I was 12 or 13.

[SheltieLover]

28. I shop almost exclusively at Aldi

Except for chicken.

Save hundreds per week!

[tavernier]

41. Yup, me too.

And their store brand products are all really good including the wines. Their winking owl wines are very nice

[Phoenix61]

29. I'm a solo cooker but I think this would apply to a couple.

I make regular size batches of food and freeze in solo size portions. Meatloaf, chili, sliced baked chicken, sweet potatoes.. Anything you can buy as a frozen meal you can make and freeze.

[kelly1mm]

33. I do this mainly but for mayonnaise it's Hellmanns/Best Foods only. And Miracle Whip is made by the devil. nt

[yellowdogintexas]

35. yes, it is. My mom was on team Miracle Whip. I hated it

I use Helllman's but in a pinch I will get Kraft

Have not tried Duke's though

[kelly1mm]

37. Fun fact: Hellmanns (Eastern US) and Best Foods (Western US) are the same company/product. nt

[yellowdogintexas]

54. Hellman's in Texas; at least in DFW area nt

[tavernier]

42. Duke's tastes old to me.

Hellman or Kraft. But Aldi store brand is great.
Miracle Whip? Disgusting. Can’t say here what it tastes like because I will get that gag reflex thinking about it.

[MustLoveBeagles]

36. We try to buy generic on most items

Even though we can afford the name brands. We're both frugal by nature. Though I've had to buy a new wardrobe a couple times this last year due to my Ozempic weight loss.

[HappyH]

40. Check your stores policy on overcharges

Our local supermarket refunds your money and you keep the item if you catch an overcharge. For some reason, the meat and produce departments are not real fast entering the sale prices into the store’s computer. Free bacon is the best!

[Retrograde]

46. Don't be "Penny wise, pound foolish"

It doesn't matter how much cheaper something is if you can't use it. I'm a Costco member, and shop there every other month or so. There are some things that look like a bargain - like large cuts of meat or packages of vegetables - but if you have a small household you may not be able to use it all before it starts to go bad. It's great for canned goods, cooking oils, vinegar, condiments, dried items, etc., though, if you have the space to store them. There are two other drawbacks to Costco: it seems that every time I find something I like they discontinue it. And their stock can vary by store. I'm equidistant between two Costco stores: one, in a neighborhood with a large Mexican population, is a good place for canned refried beans and chiles. Another, in a neighborhood with a lot of Chinese immigrants, carries more East Asian foods. (A friend in an area with a large Indian population says the Costco near her carries a lot of Indian foods and spices)

Learn to use as much of what you buy that you can - especially meats. Bones and small scraps can be used to make stocks and soups (I second the recommendation above to find an InstantPot or slow cooker). Small pieces of meat can be used in tacos, pasta sauces, soup, ramen, omelets, stir-fries.

[ventuckian]

48. Own brand grocery

I work dairy for Albertsons/Vons. It is true that our own brands are less expensive but the irony is that our highest gross come from those products. We make more from a case of freezer bags then we do best food mayo. Also keep in mind that our biggest increase in eggs prices was our own brand while using the excuse of egg supplies when the real shortage with us was name brand eggs like Vital Farms, Egglands, Happy, etc. Our own brand did go back down a $1 with regular 12 and 18.

[CTyankee]

49. I had stopped buying eggs a while back as we never eat them. Hubby doesn't have breakfast and I eat only cereal for

breakfast. I don't really even cook any more except a couple of dishes, like sausage and peppers, that I make because hubby likes it.

[Sequoia]

51. Goodwill and Dollar Tree

Are the stores for me and has been for a long time. 100% cotton clothes at Goodwill, and kitchen items. Cleaning products, cat treats, paper products, toys, school supplies at Dollar store just to name a few.