I’ve been gearing up for my next grocery shopping trip for almost a week now. Apparently when I do something, I do it right and I make sure my goals are met. For a brief reminder, this is my game plan for going to the store this week to meet my requirement of only spending $250 on groceries per month.
1. Only bring $65 with me to the store(s) I go to this week.
2. Coupon clip and use them up!
3. Keep track of all spending in the month of February
4. Post my grocery shopping each week
Before I go grocery shopping, there is something you never see behind the scenes. I am a planner beyond belief. I meal plan like my life depended on it. I make sure I have everything I could ever need to make my life go smoothly in the week ahead. A few months ago Meg @ Running Foodie sent me an amazing master grocery shopping list that she uses while meal planning. This list has been a life saver. I have tweaked it to make it my own, of course, but the premise is still the same. If anyone else wants a copy as well, please let me know – I will ask Meg if she minds if I pass it along.
It is a Saturday morning/afternoon ritual that I go through my pantry, assess what I already have, and see what meals I can make for the upcoming week. I have four meals planned for this week – we have a busy night Wednesday, and I always plan for leftovers one night.
You might notice in parentheses by some items I have a different store written down. Let me explain – I usually go to 3-4 stores each weekend to make sure I get the best deals. It doesn’t take as long as you would think. All stores are within a short proximity to one another, and I stick to my list. I’m in and out of stores quickly, and probably can make it home in less than two hours if the stores aren’t busy. I’ll admit that Wal-Mart gives me the heebie jeebies, but it is the only place I can get the lunchmeat I like for the Husband (Hormel All Natural – no nitrates!) for the best price available ($2.50 a pack compared to $4.00 at Jewel Osco).
This week I am planning on going to the following stores:
1. Trader Joe’s
2. Dominick’s
3. Jewel
4. Aldi
5. Wal-Mart
It’s really not as crazy as it sounds, I promise. I always look at the weekly ads to make sure I get the best deals at certain stores. I usually do not go to Dominick’s, but I found some deals I really can’t pass up. When you sign up your savings card (read: my parents’ savings card – sorry mom, I’m taking advantage of you) you can get some really great coupons they automatically upload to your card. You don’t even need the card with you when you go; all you need is the phone number it is associated with.
I have also been finding great coupons like it’s my job. I think I spent a total of 1 hour yesterday finding the best possible coupons online and printing them out. I found some great ones, and I can tell I am going to get some great deals this week.
I was going to wait until the 1st of the month to go shopping, but the 31st will have to do. Since we are expecting the biggest snow storm Chicago has seen in years on Tuesday-Wednesday, I don’t think trekking out into the storm is worth it. I’ll be going to the store(s) Monday afternoon, and I can’t wait to show you what I buy and how much I spent.
I’m crossing my fingers I stay within my budget – hopefully all my hard work pays off!
Question: What is your strategy when you grocery shop each week? Do you meal plan and coupon clip? Do you think I can stay within my allotted budget?
{ 77 comments… read them below or add one }
i’d love that list!!! i am sooo bad at grocery shopping, i rarely budget for the week ahh
I need that grocery shopping list! Please. I’ve been thinking that I really need to make something like that.
I don’t clip coupons. I know, shame on me.
And we already know that I spend a lot on food each week (from my previous comment).
Walmart gives me the heebie jeebies too, but I go there because of the cheap prices. I just wish they carried more of the foods I buy.
No problem Emily – I’ll email Meg and post it tomorrow.
I would love to see that list as well. That is super amazing. I am a big planner as well, I need to be saving money and I always buy anything and everything when I go to the super market.
Wow, I’d love a copy of that grocery shopping list if Meg doesn’t mind sharing it! I do try to meal plan as best as I can but I don’t clip coupons. I think that I need to start…I spent way too much this week. I think meeting your budget will be hard but I think you can do it, you seem super prepared!! Good luck tomorrow
Thanks Lauren!
Looks like you have a great plan! And I need the sheet you use for shopping…it looks seriously amazing and would save me tons of time! So, if you were serious about sharing, I’d love it!
Good luck with your shopping tomorrow….I’ve been trying to stick to 100/week for a family of 4 and only spent $95 this week. I was extremely proud of myself! I’ve tried to go for less, but that’s about as low as I’ve been successful with! I need to do better with clipping coupons…I’ve been lazy lately!
$100 is an awesome goal – go you!!
Um, is it bad that I also get the weather forecast by reading your blog?
I was totally tracking with your grocery plan (trust me, I also go to 3-5 stores per weekend…) until I saw that we have a big storm coming — eek!! Just checked weather.com and it looks like it’s going to be wicked cold at the same time… gotta love Chicago…
You have AWESOME budget ideas!!
What a genius idea with that list!
When I go to college I’ll have to be a little more conscious about my purchases, but until then my parents are footing the bill! Aka, organization is out the window:)
Would love if you would post that!!:)
Hey girlie, feel free to pass that list along! That list is the best. I didn’t use it this week and I forgot all kinds of stuff!
For those of you who are interested, here is the link to my original menu planning post!
Thanks so much Meg! I’ll be posting it tomorrow!
Yayyyy! Thank you so much for enlightening all of us, Megan!
I’d love a copy of the master plan shopping list/meal planner!!!
I love to clip coupons. I check out the brands that I buy online and see if they have a newsletter kind of thing. Sometimes they even send coupons. SCORE!!
I also go online to the stores I go to, and sometimes they even have coupons there. And then of course I clip the ones I get through the newspaper. 
You can do it!!!
I don’t coupon clip as much as I used to for grocery items, but that’s mostly because 75% of my shopping is done at TJ’s or is food that you never find coupons on. For when I go to Jewel or Dominick’s, though, I go online that day and see what deals are going on in each store beforehand.
Most of the stuff I buy is from TJ’s too, but the Husband’s food isn’t – so I clip coupons mainly for that reason!
You’re the one who finally inspired me to get my act together and start planning/saving! I went yesterday and was so proud of myself. I clipped as many coupons as possible! The only thing I had to keep reminding myself of was that just because I have a coupon, doesn’t mean I NEED what it’s for. There were a couple things that I didn’t need but had a coupon for, and allllmost wound up with it in my cart
I even loosely meal planned for the week! By loosely, I mean I wrote down about twenty recipes using relatively similar vegetables. :]
I’m excited for this storm!! Of course, now that I said that it will miss VT again :[
I’m so proud of you!!!
Holy crapola. Where has this list been all my life?!?!?
I n.e.e.d. to use this method, end of story!
I think that you will do fine. I have just recently started using coupons which helps alot. Good luck, can’t wait to hear how it goes
You’re so good at clipping coupons. I need to work on that! I did bring some to Costco with me today
Girl, I am with you! Planning to shop is almost as fun as actually shopping for food in my opinion. I need to check out this master grocery list. It sounds like something I would totally be into.
Holy crap, I wish I were as organized as you!
No joke, I have a master grocery list almost exactly like the one you got from Meg. It’s almost scary how a like they are. Gotta love planning ahead of time so the week goes smoothly. I think coupons are a great way to save money when grocery shopping on a budget!
Good luck! I try to stay disciplined when I grocery shop, but sometimes it’s just too hard. I recently discovered coupons, though- they’re awesome!
Great job girl, you’re super organized!! I’m trying to keep us on a grocery budget too, I meal plan, and check inventory of what we have each week. I never seem to have much success with coupons though, what websites did you like the most?
I honestly make my list, and then google coupons for those products!
Haha, that’s a good idea! I’ll try that.
I am a crappy budgeter and coupon cutter. My husband cuts coupons and I forget to bring them. I end up spending so much more money than I plan every single time. It’s definitely something I need to get better at. But for now, I’m focused on learning to cook and eat more real food. Once I’ve made a habit out of that, I’ll focus on doing it cheaper.
Haha! LISTS.
I found a word document that had a grocery planner and it was awesome! Since so much of my diet is produce I have a hard time finding good coupons I’d actually use! I did find cocount larabars on sale today!! (And I shopped at three stores today to find the deals I wanted…so there’s no shame in store hoppin!)
I just started out planning my meals to help curb my ever-rising cost of groceries! That list would be a life-saver! I hope you can share it!
Holy cow, I wish I was as organized as you! I never really plan out my meals for the week in advance because I’m always changing my mind about what I’m in the mood for eating. But that makes it hard to make recipes, since I don’t always have the ingredients that I need. I think I need you to be my grocery shopping/meal planning guru!
Great tips, thanks! I coupon clip allll the time! I also shop at different stores for the best prices. People may think it takes more time, but once you’ve got your price comparison’s down you are good to go! This post has me thinking I should start meal planning as well, I can only imagine it makes shopping easier and less time consuming!
I would loooove a copy of this list if she doesn’t mind sharing! You can do it! Can’t wait to see how you do.
Your gonna be a grocery shopping “rebel” I love it!
I have NO PLAN when it comes to me. I need one!
Thanks goodness for soups…always good when the veggies start to lose their lovin’ feelin.
I think that you will stay within your budget!!! I believe in you!
Jewel is such a great grocery store, make sure you bring your preferred card! LOL
I always do!!
I admire you Chelsey! I meal plan like it’s my job too but spend $20-$30 more than you are planning to. Good luck!
Look at those coupons! What are the best sites you found the coupons on? I find it hard to find coupons for all-natural and organic foods.
I just google the brands I want and go from there! I just cross my fingers I’ll find one!
For example, I’ve never used a coupon for Nasoya before, but I found that coupon when I googled “nasoya coupon”. Worked like a charm!
I always end up impulse buying but luckily since I’m new to having my own apartment thing I’m slowing seeing what I actually eat when I buy it and what I don’t and starting to buy accordingly! For example I have 5 boxes of crackers in my pantry. I don’t eat crackers. YOu are mazing planning everything out so well! I do try to check the ads online before I go to anticipate that at least.
I love this – my Husband is a big impulse buyer too!
Girl, you are SO organized I think you are going to do great!!! Again… if you want any more tips… just check out 100daysofrealfood(dot)com. She has really amazing advice!
Wow, there’s no way you’re going over the budget with that much planning! Gotta give you props for going to separate stores for the best deal. I get lazy and have knowingly paid more for something just so I don’t have to make another stop. I used to be a coupon junkie, but now I only use them here and there. I love getting those $1 off coupons for the Nasoya Tofu! I signed up for their tofu pledge too!
omg chicago traffic, all those stores, the snow…bless your heart!!! good luck!
This week I am planning on going to the following stores:
1. Trader Joe’s
2. Dominick’s
3. Jewel
4. Aldi
5. Wal-Mart
all that…just makes me nervous FOR you!! be glad you dont have a baby/kid in hand…lol
GIRL, you are my hero!! You are so so so good at that. I love how much you plan, you save SO MUCH THAT WAY!!! Billy, can’t see this post because he will think I am a bad wife!! I just make sure I only get the necessities which always include chocolate chips!! LOVE YA girl and have a good day at school tomorrow!
I am impressed that your are sticking to your grocery budget. That is something I really need to be doing but it seems so difficult to plan I typically just buy whatever i’m in the mood for which never works out . Trips to the store 4-5 times per week get waay too expensive .
Oh I am totally obsessed with grocery shopping. My friends make fun of me for being an 80 year old, but I just love it! I liked to plan out everything I need in advance too. I always have the intention of using coupons, but get so excited while shopping that I forget completely about them!
oh my gosh i am SO JEALOUS!! meal planning has turned out to be a fail for me because i never feel like the meal i have planned that night and then i just make something up…. hmm
SO jealous of your plan sheet though! that is legit!
Don’t worry – it will be shared tonight!!!
I meal plan but I don’t coupon clip. I would love to start and tried to figure out how to get coupons online but it didn’t work
Where did you try to go? I would suggest coupons.com, redplum.com, smartsource.com, or just google some different brands and sign up for their newsletters!
What a fabulous grocery list! i’d love to use one just like it to help plan the meals/ingredients for the week..and I love the idea of putting the stores in parentheses so you know what to get at what store! That is my kind of shopping! I love being organized to make the long lines at the Grocery store easier and more efficient
250 is so impressive! I allot 400 each month but know I went over once again. I need to come up with some better strategies for February. I’m kind of nervous to add up my recipts for January tonight!
Good luck with the shopping and the storm! I’m in Michigan and we are supposed to get 10-15″ of snow over the next few days, pretty much the same storm as you. Yippee.
I spend Friday nights meal planning, coupon clipping and grocery list making…my coolness factor just went way up… and then we go shopping on Saturday. I managed to only spend $85 on groceries this week, but saved $44!!!!! I have no idea how it happened, but I was happy!
My coolness factor is also affected by this.
This makes me feel so bad about my own grocery list, haha. I’m HORRIBLE at shopping on a budget!! One word of warning though- I’ve found that two of my local grocery stores won’t take coupons printed from the internet, so you might want to ask around and figure out which stores you can use them in!
I’d love to see that grocery shopping list! I am so bad at planning but you’re inspiring me
goodluck sticking to your budget! I’m absolutley terrible! We usually spend ~100/week in food…ug.
Hi, Chelsey!
I’ve only been following your blog for a bit, but I really like it already.
I love how organized you are when you go grocery shopping. My mom is the exact same way, and it’s rubbed off. I carry my coupon keeper with pride and even saved close to $20 in coupons during my last grocery store trip.
Alysha @ Shesontherun.com
Hmmm, I like the sound of those coupons! I think they must be much bigger over there than they are here, which is a shame. I’d be cutting and keeping like there was no tomorrow if I had the chance!
I do get a 5% discount at one supermarket through a work scheme by pre-loading a gift card which really helps in that I load it as soon as I get paid and then I’m sorted – or that’s the theory
I think your meal and shopping planning sounds like a great idea; much better than my “buy and hope for the best” approach!
I think your planning will definitely pay off and it sounds like a great plan! Hope your survive the storm okay!
I am so glad I stumbled your blog. My husband and I have set a goal to only spend $250/month on groceries as well, but I almost always fail because I don’t PLAN well. You’ve inspired me to get my crap together and do better. I’m also glad to know that $250 is reasonable for a grocery budget for two:) Thanks!
No problem Kristy! Glad I could help!
Disclosure: I didn’t read all the comments; someone else may have said this.
re: “3. Keep track of all spending in the month of February”
MINT!
Mint is free online budgeting and financial tracking software, recently acquired by Intuit (makers of Quicken and TurboTax) that I just love.
errr..link no worky.
Maybe this one will?
I did clip coupons and match deals like nobody’s business.
Then my husband took a new job, and is only home two weekends a month. I naturally thought this would make my grocery bill lower, not really. I keep impulse buying new products I want to try. However, since it’s a new month, and I have new ink cartridges, it’s coupon time again.
One of the mom’s at my school runs a coupon/sale matching website. Honestly, a few minutes spent there saves so much each week.
Thanks for motivating me again to save the money.
Good luck with your grocery store challenge. I am doing a $500 challenge for February ($300 grocery/$200 restaurant). Everyone at my house is sick and my husband thinks we can put the chicken noodle soup fixins in the “sick” budget instead of the grocery budget, haha. No – $300 only!
That grocery list is great – I plug my list into my phone, but the print out list would fulfill my type A tendencies better
So I’ve been reading your blog for forever now and I have been reading all your grocery posts via your post this morning. I struggle with meal planning and having a solid grocery list. Is there anyway I can get that awesome grocery list?? THANKS!!
never mind I found it on week 3!! Thanks again for sharing all of this (even if I’m reading it WAY later than it was originally uploaded) its a ton of great information!
Can you please send me a link to get the meal planner you are using? I’m recently married and this seems like it will be a great tool to use! Thanks
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