I purchased everything pictured for $39. That is a 71% savings from the full retail price of $132. I bought 4 high-end frozen pizzas, 4 gallons of milk, 1 pot roast, 1 beef tenderloin, 6 Progresso soups, 6 Grands! biscuits, 2 olive oil, 3 multi-packs of yogurt, 1 jar of applesauce, bananas, nectarines, and 8 bags of frozen veggies.
How’d I do it? I bought everything here at Rainbow last Wednesday in four separate transactions (that means four separate receipts). I actually made two trips through the store, buying two transactions worth of stuff, dropping it in the car and then re-entering for two more. In each of those transactions I had the face value of five coupons doubled because the “shelf price” value of the groceries was $25 or more; shelf price is usually the full price as it is the highest price listed on the shelf’s label.
I used last week’s Rainbow shopping list with a few additions. I always check the comments on the shopping list before I go to the store to hear what other people have found throughout the week (if you get Pocket Your Dollars emailed to you, just click on the post’s title to get to the site):
Palermo Pizza. On an unadvertised sale “buy one, get one free” and used 2 $1/1 printable here
Motts Apple Sauce. Regular price is $1.89 and had $1/1 doubled that I printed awhile back on the Lunchbox Builders website (no longer available)
Meat. I love all $5.88 per pound of beef tenderloin and use it to “beef up” the value of a transaction so that it reaches the $25 threshold. Same thing with the pot roast.
Yogurt. It wasn’t on sale, but its full price of $2.59. I had $1/1 coupons doubled in value so I paid just $.59 for each multi-pack.
An aside, I spend about $10-12 on fresh produce at Aldi weekly and manage to a weekly budget of $50 or less for my family of four. In the last 3 months I have averaged $40 per week.
Your turn: How did you do on your most recent shopping trip?
About Carrie Rocha
Carrie, you are awesome! Thank you for all your work on this site! My cousin just moved into a new townhouse and I told her I’m going to get her a Sunday subscription to the Strib. She’s been wanting to come shopping with me on Wednesdays to learn how to save so much, and it’s all thanks to you!
wow so impressed — I really wish I could manage this… not near a rainbow. :(
Wow!! I saved 40% off my bill – thank you thank you thank you!! Someday…somehow…I hope to get to saving 70% like you – you are amazing Carrie! Thanks for all that you do!!
Sorry we keep missing each other at Rainbow – I LOVE this!!!! I am pushing your 70% – I did save about 62% on my groceries!! Thanks for the encouragement Carrie!
We saved 71% as well (at Pick N Save in Wisconsin–but your shopping list usually matches with our ads, so thanks)! We only did 2 transactions and spent $17 total. Bought lots of cereal and yogurt and used a few coupons I had for free items to get to the $25 total (they make nice “fillers”). This is the best I’ve done so far. I usually average about 52% savings so it was nice to see over 70%!
Carrie, I’m just curious if your weekly budget of $50 includes things like household products – paper, cleaning, etc. and baby items, or if these are separate categories for you?
Thanks, Candice
The $50 includes houshold products and diapers too. I exclude infant formula because we need a special more expensive kind and there aren’t many options for cost cutting there.
Just love that you are out there doing this. Last month each shopping trip I ended up paying way less and saving more. For example I would spend $19.00 but save $35.00. You have taught me so much and my family really appreciates it. Even the hubby is getting into the whole coupon thing and what we can and can’t afford. Thanks. Amy
Carrie, I read a tip from another mom who had her Dr. write a Rx for her baby’s formula, which saved her lots of $.
HTH
Claire