Download a free grocery price book printable template, so you can get on your way to big grocery savings!
W ow! What a difference a year makes!
Over the past year, we have saved a total of $5,616 on groceries, just by making a few simple changes. And more importantly, we are now debt free!
If you asked me a year ago, I would not have thought it was possible.
And just in case, you’re thinking it’s all cupcakes and daisies over here, but it wouldn’t work in your real life, let me tell you, this has notbeen an easy year.
We had a baby, we moved, I started a new business, I’ve been struggling with some health issues, and somehow I think I wrote a couple bookstoo.
There was really no margin for big changes or any extra time or energy this year. Yet, this really simple system of saving money on groceries allowed me to cut our grocery budget in half while still feeding my family mostly natural, organically grown, and grass fed foods.
Today, I’m just bursting to share one key ingredient to cutting our grocery budget so drastically: theGrocery Price List.
When people ask me how to save money on groceries, they’re often wondering what they need to buy. “I’m going to need some frugal recipes,” they say, expecting that they’re going to have to drastically change the way their family eats in order to save money.
Not surprisingly then, 35 Cheap and Healthy Recipes is one of the most visited posts here at GrowingSlower.
However, you can save a lot of money on the foods your family already enjoys eating. I find that this is a much more sustainable money saving system long term, and it will be much more popular with your kids and spouse too! You won’t be telling them, “sorry guys, it’s beans for breakfast, again!”
Here’s how to do it…
How to Save with the Grocery Price BookPrintable
First, download the free printable Grocery Price List.
Click here to download myfree Grocery Price Book printable.
The grocery price list is also sometimes called a grocery price book, but that makes it sound way more complicated than it actually is. I have designed this price list it so it fits on two sides of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. Just be sure to print double sided. That way you don’t have more than one page to juggle while you’re shopping.
Step 1: Stores
Across the top, list the five stores or food sources where you normally shop or where you would like to do your cost comparison. Don’t worry, you won’t have to go to all of them every week!
After using a grocery price list for almost a year now, I’ve learned that the best way to consistently save money on the foods I buy most often is to stay out of the grocery store! I’ll be sharing muchmore on all that in myGrocery Savings Made Simplecourse. (Registration is open now.)
Step 2: Foods & Units
Next list the foods your family eats most often for each of the categories (meat, diary, grains and beans, vegetables, fruit, spices, household, and other).
In my experience, it’s pointless to save money on foods that your family doesn’t like to eat. The food will end up going bad before it gets eaten, and you’ll have wasted more money than if you just stuck with your normal diet.
Instead, try to stick with mostly foods your family loves, and just stick an extra-frugal meal in once in a while if you want. You really will save more money that way.
On my price list, I try to list foods in alphabetical order as much as possible, so they’re easy to find later. However, you don’t necessarily have to worry about this when you’re just getting started. You can make a prettier ‘final’ copy later if you really want.
For each food, list what units you’ll be using to compare prices. For instance, produce is most often measured in pounds, although some foods like kale may be priced per bunch, or per piece like Corn or Garlic. Whatever units you use, be consistent across the row for all of your stores.
Step 3: Price
As you shop at each store, note the prices for the items on your price list. You’ll soon have a complete price list that will help you compare prices and save money on the grocery items you buy the most. If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to snag your free printable grocery price list and start saving!
Share your best grocery savings tip in the comments!
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