[LandR]

Hello Everyone! You have all taught me so much in the past few weeks! Thank you all!

Whenever budgeting and saving is discussed, a price comparison book is always mentioned. I have tried to start one several times, but it seems extremely tedious and time consuming and overwhelming to me. When I try to google for examples or ideas of how to organize it, NOTHING of use comes up.

I have pipe dreams about million dollar ideas of selling a computer program that would automatically catagorize your purchases by brand, size, price per ounce, where you bought it, etc. I had a great idea about a system that you could take in the store with you, with a little blackberry or some sort of handheld computer, and either a small price gun or a pen that would scan the UPC code. This could then be used to *quickly* calculate if the item is a good deal--- you could even figure in your coupons! I know it's possible to calculate and retain all this info in your head, or by hand, but I just think there must be an easier way! My DH insists that I would instantly be kicked out of the store with any UPC reading device. He's probably right! I know it's bad for stores to compare prices at other stores, but exactly why couldn't we, as consumers, openly and easily be able to do that?

I have tried to simplify a price book by starting an Excel file, however, the process of entering the information off of the receipts and then compiling the information of the brand and size and everything is still very tedious. I'm still not sure how to catagorize it and organize it.

Have ANY of you created a price comparison system of any kind? How do you do it? How do you organize it? How do you keep it up to date? How do you easily refer to it? Is there any software available for this sort of thing that I don't know about? I mean, there has to be some coupon programs out there--- what kind of program do sites like coupon mom use to match up the coupons to the sale ads? Certainly they don't do it by hand for the entire country????

Any insights or suggestions in this area would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!
-Lisa

[Trish]

Wow, that would certainly be a huge undertaking that would require regular upkeep. But OMG, it would be so valuable. I know Leo from DI was selling modified QueCats for awhile. I got one, could never figure out a good use for it and I tried it to someone. I'm sure there are others who got one from Leo too. Your husband is right, they probably would escort you out of the store but it is a great idea. Keep brainstorming.

[CoastieWife09]

I am going to bump this thread up!

I, too, am trying to figure out a way to best create and keep a price list. I am NOT good at remembering how much I paid for X at StoreA vs StoreB. Right now, I have an Excel spreadsheet and a stack of receipts taunting me.

My other problem is, the receipts don't always say the size/exact item I've purchased, and if I don't update right away, I might not have that information anymore.

I am very interested to see how others maintain and organize a price book!

[timswife]

AFC has shopping lists for every store's forum just like the site you mentioned (I'm not sure we actually can talk about other sites.) Here at AFC, the forum leaders do the match-ups (found on top of the stickies in each forum) by using the Coupon Database. You can find all qs out there by using the database. Members add everything they find from blinkies, tearpads to printables not only the qs found in the Sunday paper. As for a price book, I do not have one, but I just keep track of how cheap certain items go (the ones we can't live without.) Laura (aka foggy) has great ideas on couponing/"price book-ing." I do not know if there is a software out there though for it. Here's a link to Laura's thread: http://www.afullcup.com/forums/coupo...inder-how.html