STEP ONE
Watch the Video Above
STEP TWO
Do the Homework
STEP THREE
Leave a Comment Below!
Want to dig deeper? Get the All-Access Pass!
Workbook, 3 guidebooks, and lifetime access to the videos.
Watch the Video Above
Do the Homework
Leave a Comment Below!
Want to dig deeper? Get the All-Access Pass!
Workbook, 3 guidebooks, and lifetime access to the videos.
Another great video! I was just checking circulars this morning and found babanas highlighted as a “produce pick of the week” at Aldi, one of my favorite stores for produce. They were advertised at .59 per pound – but hey, they’ve been .49 per pound for quite some time now! Just because it’s highlighted, doesn’t mean it’s a good deal…
Thanks Carolyn! And you hit it right on the money – good catch on the circular!
I think if you look at the circular, I think the 59 cents was for organic bananas – just bought the regular bananas today at Aldi for 44 cents/lb. I’m guessing that prices vary depending on where you live (I’m in NC), but I know the bananas on sale this week were for organic.
I believe you’re right, Valerie. I work at an Aldi in NY, and the everyday price of regular bananas is 44¢/lb.
Thanks for such an informative video Judy. I particularly liked how you pointed out that all (or most) products will go on sale at half price, so wait for that. The exceptions I have noticed are in the supermarket’s set “everyday low price” which never go on sale. But then it is a matter of comparing across different stores for the lowest “low” price.
Thanks again for the great information freely shared. Great research!
Sorry, I meant to say thanks Tiffany. Whoops!
Thank you Tiffany,
I have just watched the 2 videos on Grocery store Boot Camp. They were wonderful. I have received your e-mails for awhile but have not really had the time to sit down and enjoy the knowledge you were sending. I did, however, watch these 2 videos with great interest and totally enjoyed them. They were packed with so much information I feel like I am ready to go shopping with new interest and lots more knowledge. I am almost excited to go shopping!!!
Please keep more videos coming. They are really helpful and I promise to read your e-mails thoroughly!
Judy Evans
Judy, your comment was such a blessing. More videos are on the way!
Thank you for your time, research, and desire to help us all SAVE! Some of your points, I already knew, but the ones I Didnt, we’re very eye opening! This site and what you’re doing is awesome!
Thank You! Donna
I have been overspending and I have spent much time looking for good deals. Now i am made better by your help.
Where to we go for paper items. Like towels and tissue rolls?
Thanks for all the tips. I recently saw a $10 for $10 on something I needed. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted though. I asked and you had to buy 10. I skipped it.
MAN… I have fallen for too many of these. 😒😒😒
Great information! I can’t wait for video #3!
I am extremely proud of myself after listening to this video. I already do most of those things. I will be looking closer at the 10 for 10 sales to see if the things I get are being marked up to make that type sale. Thank you so much for all this great information! I look forward to the next video, because I feel like it will help me the most.
Great info!
Thank you so much for this video series! I am a Weight Watcher, taking steps towards a whole food/real food/clean eating lifestyle. While my local options are somewhat limited, I am sourcing most of our food from online or CSA boxes or our own garden in the summer, with fewer and fewer trips to conventional grocery stores. I know that this type of food costs more item per item, but the health benefits are so obvious and compelling that I’m willing to pay what i have to, and doing the research to find the best prices for the foods we choose to eat.
Paying more for these foods has some surprising benefits, too — I am much more careful about using every last bit (not wasting the crumbs!), and about meal planning and not overeating. And whole foods are so much more satisfying than franken-foods!
I do enjoy your blog, and again thank you for this series!
You’re so welcome Susan!
Try warehouse stores like Sam’s or Costco or big-box stores like Walmart or Target. Be sure to compare number of sheets per roll.
These video’s are so right on. Grocery stores are so good at ripping customers off . Thanks for all the good tips
Thank you Tiffany, for sharing your wisdom
You’re welcome Nan!
Awesome. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
I have followed your journey for a few years now and am always impressed by how little you spend on groceries. I too have used and stopped using coupons. I do use price matching – where my favourite grocery store will match just about any advertised price, however since I rarely buy anything except tomatoes an beans in a box or can, there aen’t as many of those.
I am tempted to take your bootcamp course but I have some dietary (for health reasons) restrictions that usually get the in the way of cutting costs like most people do – my family is both gluten free and we follow a low-carb-high-fat eating style. That means that many ‘cheap’ meals like pasta based ones or using root vegetables to fill out the meal don’t work for us.
Also – just a quick comment on gas points – in our area there is no such thing as cheapest gas – within less than a part of a penny all the gas stations charge the same. What we have done is use a credit card (which we pay off each month) for virtually all our expenses and this card gives us 2 cents of the price of gas plus points. We use the points to ‘purchase’ a 10 cents off discount card and get in effect 12 cents off each litre of gas we buy. Since the station is on our regular route we don’t go out of our way to get gas. You might say we are spending more (theoretically since we use a credit card) but we make a budget and stick to it even though we use a card. Maybe we could set a lower budget and that’s where your bootcamp comes in.
You’ve said that your strategies work for everyone – will it work within our restrictions?
Thank you for your kind words Miriam! To answer you question – YES! I’ve purposely designed this course to work within any restrictions: dietary, allergies, taste preferences, income, high cost of living… I wanted to make sure that everyone could benefit from this course, regardless of their circumstances. 🙂
Thank you! I want to share this with my adult children! I already move the sell price to look at the regular price. Some stores are tricky and I do avoid them I only shop there because it is close but mostly do without. I learned some things I wasn’t sure about and did question the sales. I live alone so now I don’t feel guilty about the big sales!
That’s so awesome Donna!
Hi Tiffany, I’ve enjoyed your first two videos, they have really made me think. However, I live in Northern Canada in a small town where there is only two grocery stores, so not much options. I’m thinking that the sales you said to avoid, and the items in the first video you said to avoid are probably the same up here too??? Or is there a bigger difference I should be watching for (other than price). Thanks!
Hi Chelsea! The ideas behind both videos are valid just about everywhere. Having limited options locally effects price foremost, so it’s worth shopping around and online for the best deals!
I’m in Canada, too, and find that some of these tips are good, but there’s a few that just don’t work here. One thing that I do is always do one big shop on the first Tuesday of the month, as that’s when the local stores have a Customer Appreciation Day and offer 15% off the total. I make a list, which is based on what we eat over the month, and 90% of the items are on that list. If I forget something, or someone tells me too late that I should have bought something, I evaluate whether we can do without it for the month or not. Also, the store I choose has a gas bar, and gives discount coupons for gas. When I’m really on the ball, I make sure to cut off the transaction when it reaches the maximum amount for a coupon, then start another transaction to get a second coupon. (So far the cashiers don’t care if I do that!)
I thought I was just being paranoid about Meijers putting the wrong item next to the sale sign, but I guess I wasn’t! It happens almost every single time. If there is a sale on say, shredded cheese, they ALWAYS have the wrong size right next to the sign. Sneaky, sneaky! Thanks too for the tip on the 10 for $10 items sometimes having the price increased. I didn’t know that!
Sneaky indeed! You’re welcome Rosanne!
Thank you for your videos. I have been discovering some of these tricks recently too. I saw buy one get one free on pork loin recently. Because I started keeping a list of prices with me while I shop I realized they doubled the price of the pork loin for the “sale” and I was able to avoid it.
Great job Megan! It’s crazy how easy it is to think you’re getting a good deal. This is why I do all the shopping in my house – otherwise, my husband would come home with every.single.buy1get1 in the store.
Thanks so much for the videos! I have watched them both and they are wonderful!
Thank you Cheryl!
Hi, I was always wondering what’s up with stores selling exact the same item for different prices. For example, 46 oz. can of Dole pineapple juice is 2.48 in Walmart, and 2.99 in Harris Teeter. A Dole brand whole pineapple is 2.48 in Walmart, 2.99 in Harris Teeter and 4.99 in Publix. All 3 stores are within 2 miles of my house, same brand, why prices so different? I also noticed that Whole Foods charges 0.70 cents more than Harris Teeter for Kings Arthur Flour. I started comparing prices for exactly the same items from different stores.
The only word that comes to mind is profit 🙂 Some stores are able to charge more, because some buyers will only shop at specific stores. Not to mention: brand recognition. Some may think the products that Whole Foods carry are of superior quality, whereas they are no different than what’s on the shelves at Walmart. It pays to watch your circulars and only buy what you need! Good eye Yuliya!
FYI, Walmart is good at guerrilla marketing as in Walmart telling a company what price they will sell their product to Walmart at even if it is a loss for the company. The company then has the decision to lose money or not be put into one of the largest retailers. I remember reading about them doing this to vlasic years ago. Almost ruined the company.
Thank you for this information. I am going grocery shopping in a few days and will definitely use this information.
You’re welcome Sharon! Good luck and let me know what you save!
i feel great after seeing this 2nd video.i already knew most of the info. i ALWAYS figure out what deal is best and ifit’s something i wouldn’t usually buy i skip it. though some weeks i allow a few extras as a splurge
Good job Don!
I too have enjoyed your videos. I have for the most part bought my paper products else where. I did learn some new points so thank you
Thanks for the compliment Sharon! Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Tiffany! You have obviously put a lot of thought, time, and effort into these videos. I appreciate how easy they are to understand, and the printables are a great reminder. I am looking forward to the next video in the series, as you show us how to go on offense in the grocery store!
Woo hoo! You are so welcome Bronda! I’m glad that you find them helpful!
Great tips! I realize I need to be more skeptical and stick with my list- not “sales.” Thank for the information!
Let me know how it goes Monica!
Tiffany,
Another great video. You have clearly done your research. You are a shopping ninja! My hat is off to you!
The best compliment yet… “a ninja!” Thanks Hope!
Thank you for doing this series! With the price of everything so ridiculously high it might seem hard to reign in your grocery budget. I am constantly explaining the “Buy 10 for $10” to my mom. She automatically thinks you have to buy 10 to get the deal. I hate deals that play with math because it means I have to stand there longer and play with the math because sometimes like you said it’s really not the better deal. With my daughter off at college this year and moving into her own town home next school year I can see many weekends spent helping her to maximize her dollar to minimize her budget for food. She has always gone to the store with me and has watched my methods but with this video series I will have some back up to help me help her! As for the gas points….we usually do buy gas at our grocery store only because of the points and it usually makes them the cheapest gas in town! I wish they did more double and triple points though!
Rebecca, it sounds like you’ve already planted the seeds for your daughter to shop wisely! She will go great! And kudos to you on the gas points; that’s one part of the game I haven’t quite figured out yet.
To Rebecca
you can tell your Mom the only time she has to buy 10 for $ 10 is when its sase must buy 10 on the
the sale label
I shopped like you were with me today. Well, almost. I can’t say we are at the point of no convenience food. I did buy a few things that we use regularly that are convenience items, but I thought I did well. I used what I had to plan my dinners for the week and I stuck to my list. We have Wegman’s, which is new to us in MA. They do have very pricey and fancy prepared foods, but they also offer great bulk shopping prices like Costco would. I can already see how I can save money if I can make the time. Making the time to plan and shop as well as making dinner after working all day are my biggest worries!
Thanks for the tips.
Great job Christine! You can always pull me up on your phone when you shop. “I have your back!”
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks again for a great video.
Here in Australia the supermarkets use the same techniques as yours in America, but our food prices are higher than yours.
I,Ve been fooled by so many of the sales tricks they use, but I’ll be watching more closely from now on.
I look forward to the next video.
Thanks so much
Joanne scantlebury
Joanne, please let me know how it goes and good luck!
Great video! Thank you for sharing all the knowledge from your hard work! Meijer has buy 10 for $10 get 1 free often. Granted, it’s mostly junk food, but, I do agree, you have to know if $1 is a good deal for that item. Since our food budget is shrinking, I look forward to more videos.
Good eye Jolene! More videos are on the way!
I think something really important is that it takes TIME to save money on food. My husband is a complete foodie and is very good at spotting good buys. A recent example: Costco had a $8 off coupon for pork loins, big pork loins! He looked for the smallest package, which made it the best buy. The smallest one he could find was for around $11, which made it around $3 for a large pork loin. He sliced chop sized pieces and ran them through a tenderizer he bought at Cabela’s. We figured out that we were getting two nice sized pork loin chops for less than 25 cents a piece. He then packaged them in appropriate sizes and vacuum sealed them. I think we bought a total of 6, some were cut into fairly large roasts, all vacuum sealed and froze. Vacuum sealing really works. We ate 3 year old frozen steaks a month or so ago and they were still good.
An old high school friend brought by buckets of rabbit poo for our compost and we pulled several items out of our freezer in trade. One was a package of the pork. He could not believe how much we paid. We have never shopped for the week. We have always shopped to stock up which has saved us countless thousands over our 38 year marriage. Our very first purchase when we got married in 1978 was a chest freezer……even before a washer and dryer!
My husband also makes our bacon and sausage. It is his hobby and we always have lots to give away. After a long drought in California, we are looking forward to growing a garden this summer. We have not had one for over 4 years!
Good luck everyone…..going to make soup with veggies that need to be used. I am also on WW and it takes time to prep. You just have to accept it and find a way to enjoy it. One is to watch videos while working in the kitchen, like this one. I should say I have not done food for 35 years, have just started since retirement 7/8/16. My husband did it all starting in about year 3 of our 38 year marriage.
Yes, yes and yes! It does take time to save money. I relate it to “sweat equity” – like when you put the work into your house instead of hiring contractors to do it 🙂
Over the last few years I have become a “lazy shopper.” I’m sure this has cost us $! Your videos have helped me become re-energized and ready to jump back into the grocery saving game…and win big! The main thing I need to do is to plan meals. I have tried before but find myself too much of an emotional cook. Perhaps I have spaghetti planned for a certain night. When it comes time to begin the prep…I just may not feel like I want to eat spaghetti…much less cook it. So I shift gears and fix something entirely different that possible needs an item or two from the store! NOT GOOD! My goal is to do a week’s worth of meal plans and actually stick to them. Any tips offered would be welcomed!
Linda, I think we all struggle with not wanting to eat what we’ve planned! One thing you might do, is only cook family favorites on certain nights of the week…. or even completely eliminate meals that you are “iffy” about. You could also have a few backup meals always on hand that are easy and frugal.
One of our favorites is grilled cheese and tomato soup. We all love this meal in our household and it doesn’t take very long to make. We always get the kids involved and always keep these ingredients handy!
Eye opening!
Hi Tiffany,
I live in Australia so it’s always interesting to hear about other country’s shopping habits. It is now law that every price tag has the unit price listed (per item, per 100g, per 100mL, etc). I always use this to help me work out whether sales are worthwhile. I’ll sometimes buy a full priced item because it’s unit price is less that another item’s sale price. Having it all on the ticket saves so much time.
Sometimes I’ll change the menu to take advantage of a special, but I’ve never really considered if its actually a great deal or not. I’ll definitely watch out for the sales more often and critically analyse them.
While you might be jealous that we have unit pricing on all tickets, I’d love to pay only $1.25 for a dozen eggs!! We’re someone around $3.50 for the cheapest home brand cage eggs!!
Cant down load…and your video keeps stopping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
That’s crazy! Those sales are such gimmicks!
Are you taking into account the amount of money that you are spending on gas and ware and tare on your vehicle driving to all of thee other stores? This could cost you much more than you could actually save if you did purchase it at the first store. Big items like the mixer is a no brainer and I wouldn’t purchase it at a grocery store.
Hi Mary! I teach how to account for these things in the course itself. You’d be surprised how little you’re actually spending on gas when you drive, and how much you can save if you just visit ONE more store!
I am so naive — to me “sale” meant cheaper price. I have learned so much just watching Video #2. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and making it so easy to understand.
You’re so welcome Peggy! ♥
This is a great common ‘cents’ approach to grocery shopping. Something mothers used to teach their children, or that used to be covered in a home economics class. Its time it returned to the class room. There are too many families struggeling. Thank you for making it available to those who care and are looking for a better way to live.
I wholeheartedly agree Carla – thank you for the kind words!
What is the sales cycle? I’ve been trying to track them with my price book but I still can’t seem to figure out how often it takes for the best price. None of my regular weekly items seem to be on an advertised sale so I try to just look at every item each week and it’s getting to be quite a challenge. How long does that sale price typically last? I can’t find the trend for that either. I’ve seen a few items that seem to be on sale for a month or more but other items are on sale one week and back to a high price the next.
Thank you too for sharing your knowledge with us! Can’t wait for your next boot camp.
This video was so insightful! I have definitely fallen for some of these!
Really interesting! I don’t normally buy based on sale prices unless I need the item anyway or they’re truly marked down from the original price and we eat it often. I have been collecting my receipts as I start your bootcamp course again (bought it in the fall but life got in the way) and I was really surprised to discover that Whole Foods in our area has some organic produce for much cheaper than our usual go-to grocery store, Giant Food. A bag of Romaine lettuce hearts is consistently half the price of what I pay for the same size bag at Giant!!! Too bad it’s a farther drive for us, but good to know whenever I’m in the vicinity of one. Another surprise: “Shop N Save”, formerly Food Lion, the breakfast sausage brand I buy is almost double the price there as what I would pay at Giant OR Whole Foods. So much for saving! Price comparison is fun, and surprising! 😉
Hello…I, too, was an expert coupon-er. I just don’t have the time, energy or patience for it any more. Just curious what you think of Buy One Get One Free deals. We often have them here at our stores. I understand many times the every day price is more but still with a BOGO it might make it cheaper than a discounted price elsewhere. I guess I need to do the math every time! What do you think of BOGO’s?
I had to laugh when you mentioned the buy 3 for one price. I live in New Mexico and they are not allowed to limit quantities. I love what you say because my husband and I have been doing many of the things you talked about. We are both Disabled Veterans and live on our pensions. I do use some coupons when I can get things with the coupons that are on sale. But we only get what we use.
I can’t wait for part 3 and 4.
Sincerely
Jackie S.
Super reminders. I feel like I often grocery shop with a “You say it’s on sale and I’ll buy it!” target on my forehead. I am on autopilot and zoom from one sale to another and end up with many items in my pantry that I never intended on buying. Last video I was thinking I was pretty smart now and won’t be buying paper products and cleaning supplies at the grocery store any more. Now I realize I have to go into the grocery store with my calculator ready and ignore those sales items that really are not a sale at all. I will be watching for those 50% off items from now on! Thanks for the info
Wow! I usually get suckered into these sales. Good to know!
I have been so naive and have fallen for every one of these. Thank you for debunking them!
I like the videos and information. But I would like the option to watch more than one video per day. I want to learn SOONER and do not want to wait to be sent the next video the next day. Maybe that is available and I missed it??
In the Buffalo / Niagara region, it is common to see buy 2 get 3 free sales. Most of the time, the cost per item is lower, but even if I buy 1 sale and my dad buys another and we split, we both end up throwing out more food than actually gets used! It sounds good, but who really will eat 5 packages of strawberries in a week or really needs 5 bags a chips from one shopping trip?
Thanks!
Thanks! Good information!
This is really helpful.
I have always left the stores feeling ripped off by these “sales” I went in to take advantage of! Now it makes more sense why…
your videos will not play
Well I know a lot of their tricks are garbage but some how fall for them anyway. I need to know the alternatives .. Like how do you make a good laundry soap. and good food choices.
Very informative. Super excited
Groceries saving is always been in top of my list and I had learned some of this tips trough the years. But some of the information you have given us I never consider before. You are helping us open our eyes. We need to be more aware of the fact that the grocery stores are not been nice to us by making things convenient or by making amazing deals to save us money. They look for ways to get the most benefit for them. And so should we.
Great info that most do not think about. I really enjoyed the % off info and workbook.
Truly makes sense on the buy on get one and the 3 for $ pricing. Thanks
Invaluable info. Thank you
My biggest struggle is feeling like I have to purchase more just in case. If I just stuck to the exact items I needed it I know this would keep my budget in check.
Sunni, This is my husband! If I ask him to get 1 can of olives, he buys 3, ‘just in case’. I think its a scarcity mindset, where you’re afraid you won’t have the resources to get it later, if you don’t buy it now. Something to ponder.
Fantastic information. I have fallen into the convenience of grocery store pick up at Walmart. I am wondering if I can do better by going back to doing it myself.
I save $ by shopping at Dollar Tree for certain items like, black pepper it is only a dollar, but the same oz for oz can at wal mart is$3.59 ,I also buy pickles, and cheese these items are $2.00 for pickles , and $1.79 for cheese block at wal mart. spices, pasta, and pasta sauce you can get cheaper at wal mart… I too use to coupon it has taken me a while to realize coupons make you spend more$$. especially if you only need 1, but you have to buy 3 to get the .35 cents off.
What are your thoughts on Walmart Pick up? I know how much I’m spending before placing the order and not subjected to impulse buys. I do compare shop on the app. I enjoy not having to shop a several stores all over town.
again, such great tips! In a hurry I have fallen into the buying large quantities of soda when trying to drink less. LOL I am glad to know I do shop at Marshalls and Walmart already. Here in Texas my favorite grocery store is HEB but will not shop there as much. We don’t buy in large quantities but think I’m going to start. Looking forward to video 3.
I have seen all these grocery store tactics. You are on the money! Pun intended!
Thank you for all this wonderful information! My problem is overbuying produce. I see a ‘good deal’ and tend to overbuy!
Commenting on Video 2: Another great video that makes you think. Thank you for sharing. I will have more confidence now when I by-pass those so called sales and good deals. I remember my mother always saying that a person can go broke ‘saving’ money…..IF they buy things on sale they don’t need….and especially at the grocery store where it might not even be a good sale price!
Some of this I do but eye opening about the limits and the percent off. Had not considered that. Going to be more responsible and thoughtful. Since I have arthritis and going through the store is difficult at times, I find I spend less by ordering online and not entering the store. It does require some extra time and attention but it does get easier.
So far, I haven’t heard anything that it new to me. That’s not to say it isn’t good information … it is, but with basic math skills and some common sense (which you’ve explained nicely) these tips are starkly evident and simple to apply. I’m going to watch video #3 just to see if there’s something new.
Not necessarily true, I have been in stores that if you did not buy “10” you were charged full price for the ones you got!
Totally watching those 10 for $10 “deals” don’t have to buy that many for the deal – Whew!
I have noticed a 4 for $5 on single cans? But the 4-pack of those same cans is $3.99 – and people snatch of the 4 for $5 like it’s an amazing deal *SMH*
The information provided is helpful. Will certainly be using this advice to shop at the grocery store.
I will be now conscious and aware of what the supermarkets are doing to consumers and will not be trapped anymore thanks to your info !
I have been caught up in the “sales” before but try to make sure they are real deals before buying. I like taking advantage of the 4x or 10x deals on GC at grocery stores for gas rewards but only on visa GC’s or GC to stores or restaurants we are already planning to buy from that month.
More great tips! I love the way you explain this!
Hi Tiffany, *waving hi from Canada* I follow Imperfect Homemaker on IG & she suggested your series was worth a peek so here I am to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I appreciate your videos so much. You are articulating tips beautifully that I cannot do properly and my family needs them now since I am chronically ill & my husband and daughters do the food shopping. My not being able to shop or do much around the house right now makes me feel guilty. When I see $300 being spent in one shopping run, I feel even worse. I don’t want to complain that we didn’t need 6 boxes of crackers when my husband is so pleased that they were 2/$5. He is already doing so much.
I will be able to show the family your videos and I know that these tips will be remembered on the shopping runs to come. Plus there things I wouldn’t of even thought of.
I have noticed something recently that I thought I’d share with you too. The net bags of lemons, oranges and even onions & garlic (here in Quebec, Canada at least) are convenient but also coloured the same as the fruit/veg inside so you don’t see if one or two have spoiled. You just grab a bag & then it is too much trouble to take them back to the store once you open it at home. Even the coloured netting on the box of clementines hides how pale yellow they actually are, which can mean dry fruit which the family won’t want to eat.
Thank you ever so much for all your hard work. Have a good day. Sarah
I can’t find the resources. They were supposed to be in blue under the video but didn’t see them for the first video OR this one. Help?
Tiffany, most of the information so far in the classes I’ve taken has been things I do/ pay attention or pay attention to on the regular. Having 6 children to feed really forced me to come up with a system that “worked”. However, since I’m an empty nester now, except for the occasional grandchildren, my system has been overhauled again. I typically don’t watch sales because I only shop once a month (we live an hour drive from town) but hearing that some items can be found for 1/2 off was new to me. We hit 2 stores Costco and Walmart which have the best overall price and I shop online to make sure I get the best price on spices etc. I’m looking forward to the next class to see where I might gain more of an edge.
Thanks