[aims]

Hi, I have browsed this site for awhile now but never posted. I have been looking around but I am still confused. We spend a lot of money on groceries every week. We shop at the commissary. I was hoping somebody could tell me how I should go about saving money there. I will sign up for the paper and get coupons. I am not sure what else though. How do you all save so much? We spend probably about 140 a week on groceries and this is by saving money shopping at the commissary.

[rntg83]

I am not an expert, but if you buy things when they are on sale, and have a coupon too, that is when you hit the jackpot. I don't know if the commissary has sales or not. Some stores have double coupons. Like this week, Martins, a has "dollar doubles" that is only a special they have every now and then. Maybe someone else can give you some hints.

[JavaMomma]

stock pile. Even the commisary has events where they promote certain items really cheap. Then if you know you will use that item and would pay full price later on, buy several. This is really great if you have a coupon with that item.

I agree, watch the local grocery store sales. They will have some good deals and if they double coupons it can really be a good deal, more than likely cheaper than the commisary. For example my Kroger had Luzianne tea for $1.50 a box. But they double coupons up to 60 cents. That made my tea bags 30 cents a box. I bought 6 (that is how many coupons I had). I use tea every night for supper so I knew I would use 6

[NoahsMomma]

pm'd ya!

[Susuz]

Give us an idea of what you spend money on the most...how many of you are there in your family?
What I suggest if figure out what you buy each month, (example milk 2/week x 4 weeks), and then watch the boards for the sales and coupons. Figure out the products that you are brand loyal to (Only eat a certain cereal for example) and the ones you don't mind trying new things.
If there is a coupon for something you use alot of (like canned goods, shampoo, etc) then buy more than one copy of the paper that week, trade or buy equal to the number of items you use in a month. Take the extra coupons (Q's) that you don't use and hop on a coupon train! They are a great way to get different coupons that come out in other areas of the country.
Here it is harder to find Q's for meat, produce so I save the most on dairy, canned, cereal. Once you get a hang of the basics then trade for more Q's.

[mpayne]

I will bump the Tips for New Couponers thread for you. There's a lot of ways to save - just read around here at AFC and you will be cutting your bill in half the first week, and a lot more as you go!

[bellasmama]

We do have a commissary thread! Check there for deals others have gotten. Also check out your commissary's lot sales to buy bulk of the stuff you use most. The commissaries are also pretty friendly about coupons, so make sure you are taking full advantage of that. Feel free to pm me if you have any specific questions. I spend about $70 a week at the commissary, but I get SOOO much for that! Good luck!

[aims]

Hi NoahsMomma, I tried PM'ing you back but it would not let me. I will after I get my count up.

[aims]

Susuz, we are a family of 3. My husband eat a lot though. . I feel like 140 a week is crazy for us but I have no clue how to save more. A lot of the main things we buy is 1% milk, bread, eggs, cheese, ground turkey, lots of fruits and vegetables, and then the things for our main meals like: spaghetti, meatloaf, chicken (we eat a lot of chicken) etc. We do have some cheaper meals as well. I guess I am confused at where to get all of these coupons at. Do you just print them off? Do places give you a hard time for that? I wouldn't mind shopping at other places too.

[MaxxMe]

What I do is check my store ads the day they begin. If there are great BOGO deals that have coupons out for the item, I'll order them off ebay or a clipping service, and people trade them here as well. Joining a coupon train is a great way to get more coupons as well!

Bogo deals work great with coupons!

[danielephant]

grocery stores sales and double coupons is how we do it...stock up on stuff you find cheap anyways ( like pasta--at times you can get it free) and then you wont have to buy it for a long time! very nice this is my favorite part...also if you have a cvs close this is my new fav. thing to do! check out the CVS forum!

[therbel]

Try emailing the companies of the brands you use the most and asking for them!!! You will be surprised what you get!
Also since summer is almost here, try going to farmers markets, I find awsome deals on fresh fruits and veggies!