A key to saving at the grocery store is the ability to spot a good deal. But you can’t trust the weekly sales flyer to do it for you. Grocery stores often advertise items as being on sale when they really aren’t, and some sales are better than others. You have to know what a really good sale price is because that’s when you want to stock up.
If you know the rock-bottom prices for items that you regularly buy, you’ll be able to walk through the grocery store or scan a weekly sales flyer and know at a glance whether something is really a deal or is just being advertised as one.
I help you with that through Pocket Your Dollars’ weekly shopping lists, but sometimes there are items you need to buy that don’t make the list. What is a good price for those?
Let’s work together to compile a robust library of the maximum price we will pay for household and grocery products. Maximum price is calculated after sales and coupons. Note that your rock-bottom prices might differ depending on your brand loyalty and frequency with which you need to purchase these items.
Your turn: Where do you agree or disagree with this list? What should we add to it?
Produce
Fruit (except bananas). $1/lb
Meat
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast. $1.99/lb
Ground Beef (93% lean). $2.20/lb
Ground Turkey (97% lean). $1.87/lb
Ground Turkey (80% lean). $1.00/lb
Sirloin Steak. $3.99/lb
Whole Turkey Breast. $.99/lb
Dairy
Cheese. $1.25 for 8 ounces
Sour Cream. $.99 for 16 ounces
Yogurt (multi-pack). $1 (but I aim for free)
Yogurt (single cup). $.20/individual cup
Refrigerated
Biscuits/Rolls. $.25
Cookie Dough. $.50
Eggs. $1/dozen
English Muffins. $1.99
Frozen
Frozen Entrées (Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones). $1
Frozen Pizza. $2
Frozen Vegetables. $1 (but I aim for free)
Premium Ice Cream. $2 for 1.5 quarts
Groceries
Boxed Cereal. $1/box (but I aim for free)
Bread (we eat more expensive whole grain breads). $2.00/loaf
Broths. $.50/can
Cake Mixes/Frosting. $1 (but I aim for free)
Canned Soup. Free
Crackers. $1/box
Granola Bars. $.50/box
Hamburger Helper. $.50
Pasta. Free
Peanut Butter. $1/jar
Pop. $2 for 12 pack.
Salad Dressing. $.50
Snack Mix (Chex Mix, Cheerios Mix, etc.). $.25/bag
Spaghetti Sauce. $1.00/jar
Household
Air Fresheners. Free
Aluminum Foil. Free
Dish Soap. $.50
Laundry Detergent. $1.50/bottle (50+ loads)
Paper Plates/Cups. $.25/package
Toilet Paper. $.25/double roll
Personal Care
Body Wash/Soap. Free
Deodorant. $0.75
Diapers. $.07/diaper
Disposable Razors. $.25 each
Feminine Products. Free
Hair Stylers (hairspray, mousse, etc.). $1
Makeup. $1 (but I aim for free)
Medicines. Free
Shampoo/Conditioner. $1 (but I aim for free)
Toothbrushes/Toothpaste. Free
About Carrie Rocha
Are ziplock-style snack and freezer bags things that can be gotten for free? Is it best to wait for a sale and use a coupon or would this and things like aluminum foil be best to buy somewhere like CVS where you get money back on transactions?
Thanks!
Do you think these prices are still current? In my opinion, inflation seems to be kicking in.
Can you update some of the rock-bottom prices? I have not seen most of these prices on any of your deal lists in recent months. How do you get diapers for .07 or even .15 for the larger size?
I bought Huggies diapers off Amazon.com a few weeks ago for just over 0.07/diaper. (140 size 4 diapers for $10).
How?
1. Sign up for amazon mom (free 2 day shipping + discounts), its FREE
2. Sign up for subscribe and save. This with amazon mom gives you a 30% discount (just make sure you cancel it after you receive your shipment or they will send you diapers every month)
3. Baby Talk magazine (and maybe other places) have 20% and $10 off amazon.com diaper coupons (I used 2 20% coupons on my order). The magazine is FREE
A friend of mine got same box for only 2.99 (0.02/diaper) with a different coupon combo. Only bummer is amazon won’t take manufactures coupons. This is by far the best deal I’ve found on diapers, plus you don’t have to spend time/money on driving to the store!
I know that you have commented on meat prices going up, but are there others? When you have a chance, could you update this Rock Bottom Price list? It serves me and many others a lot!
Thank you so much!
COuln’t this be put in a print friendly document like the start tribune form is/was on this site?
Molly – Thanks for the suggestion! When we update this list (it’s on our list of things to do), we’ll keep that in mind.
I agree that the rock bottom price list needs to be updated. There are many items on there that I haven’t seen for that price in some time.
What is rock bottom for paper towels and how do you compare with different roll sizes? Thanks!
It has been a year since this list was created. Can you create an updated list, maybe one that can be downloaded to spreadsheet form for us to compare. Thanks! You are awesome!
If you’re looking for this list as a 1-pg, just cut & paste it into a 2-column WORD document w/ .25″ margins all around. It works perfectly. If I could, I’d post what I did for you but can’t post documents.
Paper towels?
Here’s a link to a Google Docs spreadsheet with the Rock Bottom Price List
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0AjzS1eq8y-9jdDgzQ3ZpS3REMmVQcWVzZkZjSkZYTEE&single=true&gid=0&output=html
To save a copy on your computer, scroll down to the bottom and click on “Edit This Page”(I made it so anyone can edit it), then click “File”, then “Download As” and then “Excel”.
Thank you Chris! I was just about to do the same thing with the list and am glad that I decided to read all the responses to see your list!!! You saved me some time so now I can get back to creating my grocery list for shopping today! I appreciate you sharing!
Thank you Chris!!!
thank you for making the spreadsheet Chris… I am going to taylor this list to the products that I buy the most.. I am new at being a strategic shopper so I am still learning but recently I got deodorant for about .25 so with a few minor adjustments this list is awesome…
My rock-bottom list is just beginning. But some items I have that you may want to add are:
Nondairy milk (soy, rice, etc) $1.50/half gallon
Bacon $1.75/lb
Potatoes $1.75/5lbs
What do you aim for on paper towels and kleenex/tissues?
I have gotten bacon a couples times for 1.99lb
This Sunday I will be able to get hot dogs for 29 cents a pack. Is that good? and Ranch dressing for .45 a bottle. What is a good price for ketchup?
Jamie, last summer you could get the larger bottles of Heinz ketchups for $1.00 at Target and Walmart. Ans who knows if we will see that again or not. It could be $1.50 the way prices have been going. I plan on holding off until July, maybe August. And when it does go down, stock up. Check the expiriation dates, it usually lasts a year so buy what you think you’ll use for the whole year if it’s a buck. Now that is a non-coupon price mind you. It does seem the odd brands usually have coupons, but kids can be particular on what they’ll eat.
I agree that the prices seem to be a bit out dated, as getting these target prices seems harder and harder. I wanted to know if an update was due out soon.
I as gas rises too going to Cub and Rainbow, for some, may not be a realtistic goal. Ideas on good prices when you can not double coupons?
ya cause we don’t have anywere close the doubles.
What would you consider a stock up price for bbq sauce and mustard?
BBQ sauce I can usually get free
Jamie, I stock up at $.99 or less….
I know we can get great deals on bags of “fun-size” candy after Halloween, but what’s a good price to look for before the Trick-or-Treaters get here?
Great list can you add what months of the year each item may be at the best price?
Does getting things for free require you to shop at places that double coupons? New at this so still learning how to get the best bang for the buck. Any tips are greatly appreciated.
I wish you had a rock bottom price for nuts….all kinds…at least the basic ones like almonds, peanuts, cashews etc…. They are a great healthy source of protein and you all sorts of meats listed…I would like to see your rock bottom price on nuts and legumes.
Thank you!!!