I am disappointe that I did not attend your program that was staged at Woodley Park. It is hard for me to locate information on the world wide web. Anway, I would like to learn more about your business. Thanks so much Tom Masterson @ charlesstarret@lycos.com
I love the idea of the list…I have a grocery list in a spreadsheet app that I initially created as sort of an inventory tool, with all of the ingredients for our favorite recipes and such, so that I had a reference as I went through the pantry prior to shopping. I found that it helped especially in keeping from running out of non-perishable staples, (like table salt, flour) that you use often but don’t have to purchase on a weekly, or perhaps even monthly basis. A few years ago a family member got sick, and we needed to restructure our budget to compensate. That is when I started entering prices from my receipts to see if I really was managing to be a smart shopper and know a good price when I saw one. So, I really loved your idea and couldn’t wait to see what your list looked like. The list is great–but apparently prices vary a great deal from region to region. The veggies are about the only items that are on spot-as long as I shop at a fresh market that gets produce directly from the mid-state farmers via the auction market, and not a chain grocery store with wax-covered grapes from Chile. But-FL, like CA, is an agri-state for fruits & veggies. The meat prices, especially the chicken, are very low. The dairy is waayyyyy off—I haven’t seen a gallon of milk of any kind for $2.00 in years, let alone $1.50. $2.99-$3.49/gallon is a “good sale” milk price range for us…but, again, local supplies–there is no meat or dairy production of any consequence in our region. At least, I’m assuming that market geography & availability is what would create the big price gap. I wonder if there is some sort of documentation from the Dept. of Agriculture, or some related gov’t entity, that could provide median prices for food items by region? Thank you for the list. I started reading your site a few months ago and already I’ve made some changes and saved some money with your advice. I think that I will “borrow” your stock up price/regular price columns idea; add them to my list and continue entering prices from my receipts for comparison, and see if I can’t come up with a hi-low price range list that makes me a smarter shopper. Thanks again!
LA must be higher than NJ as well. For instance my target price for eggs in NJ is $.99/doz, cereal $1.00, bread $1.50, pasta $.75, flour $1.70, ground turkey $1.99, OJ $1.75/1/2 gal, deo $1.00, ice cream $2.75. I think the list is a good assortment of the basic items. How about shampoo at $.75/bottle. Thanks for the list!
Organic milk is $4.99 regular price and non-organic is $1.99 at many stores here in Seattle. Ice cream is typically on sale at $2.50 gallon for higher end brands. It looks like your stock up prices are pretty typical sale prices that you can find every week in Seattle.
I can also typically never pay for deodorant, drug store shampoo, razors or toothpaste by matching up coupons with drug store rebates and sales.
This list is a great idea though! I think every bargain shopper should have there own or at least track down a regional one.
Check with your grocery store on their “expired coupons” policy!
I’ve thrown away HUNDREDS in expired coupons, but I just found out (and verified with a store manager) that my local ShopRite in Linden, NJ will honor expired coupons for up to 6 months AFTER the expiration date!
The catch is that they will ONLY honor those coupons which are clipped from the newpaper inserts – NOT the ones you print from your computer (so if you don’t already have one, get a subscription to your Sunday paper…it’s WELL worth the $1.50-$2.00 a week!
What a nice – and financially cheery – surprise! In these tough economic times, we need all the help we can get!
July 29th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I am disappointe that I did not attend your program that was staged at Woodley Park. It is hard for me to locate information on the world wide web. Anway, I would like to learn more about your business. Thanks so much Tom Masterson @ charlesstarret@lycos.com
July 31st, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I love the idea of the list…I have a grocery list in a spreadsheet app that I initially created as sort of an inventory tool, with all of the ingredients for our favorite recipes and such, so that I had a reference as I went through the pantry prior to shopping. I found that it helped especially in keeping from running out of non-perishable staples, (like table salt, flour) that you use often but don’t have to purchase on a weekly, or perhaps even monthly basis. A few years ago a family member got sick, and we needed to restructure our budget to compensate. That is when I started entering prices from my receipts to see if I really was managing to be a smart shopper and know a good price when I saw one. So, I really loved your idea and couldn’t wait to see what your list looked like. The list is great–but apparently prices vary a great deal from region to region. The veggies are about the only items that are on spot-as long as I shop at a fresh market that gets produce directly from the mid-state farmers via the auction market, and not a chain grocery store with wax-covered grapes from Chile. But-FL, like CA, is an agri-state for fruits & veggies. The meat prices, especially the chicken, are very low. The dairy is waayyyyy off—I haven’t seen a gallon of milk of any kind for $2.00 in years, let alone $1.50. $2.99-$3.49/gallon is a “good sale” milk price range for us…but, again, local supplies–there is no meat or dairy production of any consequence in our region. At least, I’m assuming that market geography & availability is what would create the big price gap. I wonder if there is some sort of documentation from the Dept. of Agriculture, or some related gov’t entity, that could provide median prices for food items by region? Thank you for the list. I started reading your site a few months ago and already I’ve made some changes and saved some money with your advice. I think that I will “borrow” your stock up price/regular price columns idea; add them to my list and continue entering prices from my receipts for comparison, and see if I can’t come up with a hi-low price range list that makes me a smarter shopper. Thanks again!
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Thanks for this, I read your column in the Newark (NJ) Star Ledger and love all the tips you have. Thanks again,
Theresa
August 2nd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I live in a higher priced grocery market (Seattle) and these prices are much higher than my target prices. Would you say LA is significantly higher?
August 2nd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I guess so, from what you are saying. But I don’t buy groceries in Seattle. How much lower are your target prices for these items?
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:02 am
LA must be higher than NJ as well. For instance my target price for eggs in NJ is $.99/doz, cereal $1.00, bread $1.50, pasta $.75, flour $1.70, ground turkey $1.99, OJ $1.75/1/2 gal, deo $1.00, ice cream $2.75. I think the list is a good assortment of the basic items. How about shampoo at $.75/bottle. Thanks for the list!
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 am
Organic milk is $4.99 regular price and non-organic is $1.99 at many stores here in Seattle. Ice cream is typically on sale at $2.50 gallon for higher end brands. It looks like your stock up prices are pretty typical sale prices that you can find every week in Seattle.
I can also typically never pay for deodorant, drug store shampoo, razors or toothpaste by matching up coupons with drug store rebates and sales.
This list is a great idea though! I think every bargain shopper should have there own or at least track down a regional one.
Thanks for putting it together!
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
Check with your grocery store on their “expired coupons” policy!
I’ve thrown away HUNDREDS in expired coupons, but I just found out (and verified with a store manager) that my local ShopRite in Linden, NJ will honor expired coupons for up to 6 months AFTER the expiration date!
The catch is that they will ONLY honor those coupons which are clipped from the newpaper inserts – NOT the ones you print from your computer (so if you don’t already have one, get a subscription to your Sunday paper…it’s WELL worth the $1.50-$2.00 a week!
What a nice – and financially cheery – surprise! In these tough economic times, we need all the help we can get!
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
Nice! I’ll have to check the policies of my local grocers and drug stores. Thanks for the tip Ann.
August 7th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Wow, these prices ARE a lot lower than my targets. Good to know!
Leave a Reply