Why I'm Doing This

I have come across MANY blogs and websites as well as television shows about how to get the very best prices on items and stock up on those items and nothing else. Yes, it's great to get the best deal out there and get as many as you can of a product when it is at a great price, but what about the things that a family needs that you can't always stockpile? How do you get the good deals, stay within a budget and feed your family well? Can it be done? I think so. I think it can actually be easy if you know what to do and what to look for. I've been working on this for awhile now. I don't need to reveal my family budget to help others stay within a budget. Some weeks I may spend a little more than other weeks. The weeks that I don't use my whole budget go towards the next weeks food budget to make up the different. The weeks that the grocery stores are having a great deal, I often do go over budget because the next week I won't have to buy things that I stocked up on the week before.


SO, WHERE TO BEGIN:


Know Your Grocery Stores


In Kentucky (where I reside), there are two main grocery store chains, besides Walmart and Target. They are Kroger and Meijer. There are things that I do go to Walmart for as well as Target. But I like the rewards that come from shopping at Kroger and Meijer too. Yes, Walmart will price match, but Kroger and Meijer both have digital coupons to help lower my bill as well as gas rewards at Kroger and cash off shopping trips at Meijer. It's best to find out what your grocery stores offer as a perk and then use every penny to the best of your ability.


Both Meijer and Kroger give digital coupons off not only name brand items, but store brand items, so if the sales are on store brand products, I can use my digital coupons as well and make the prices even lower. I DON'T GET A LOT FOR FREE.


Yes, sometimes I get something for free or near free, but not always. Coupons aren't for the weird. They do take a little bit of time and energy, but if you're on a tight budget, isn't it worth a little time and energy to get great deals and maybe feed your family a little better? Isn't it also worth being able to not always have to say no, you can't afford it because you know you have a coupon and are getting a great deal? My kids now ask if something is on sale and we have a coupon for it because they know that's the only way it will end up in our cart. They get some great treats that way though. Things that I wouldn't ever think of buying otherwise because I couldn't afford it. I hated always saying no, don't you? We don't have to if we make a little time and put in a little effort to make coupons and sales work for us.