Buying While the Buying's Good

My summer shopping trips to the grocery store look somewhat different than those that occur during the school year. Since I have two lovely helpers assisting me, it is even more important that I prepare a list ahead of time and have my coupons organized and ready to use.

A great money-saving tip that I am still learning to maximize is to stock up when there are seasonal sales. I knew that with July 4th at hand, my Publix would most likely have fabulous sales on items like hot dogs, buns, ketchup, mustard, etc. They didn't disappoint me! I bought the items pictured below for $36.94 and saved $59.80.


We would all agree that the best deal is free - and that's what the mustard was. A Buy One, Get One Free sale made the cost of each bottle $.90. I had two $.50 off coupons which doubled to $1 off and one $.30 off coupon which doubled to $.60 off. Therefore, with overage, I got three bottles of mustard for 10 cents total! Lest you think that this mustard will go to waste, (especially since I already have two bottles in my pantry), it won't. I'm donating four bottles to our church for use during Vacation Bible School.

Soon I'll be planning ahead so that I can stock up on baking supplies during November and December. I remember noticing last year how butter, flour, sugar, etc. were at great prices during that time. Once fall arrives, I will search for coupons to match with the sale prices to get the items even more inexpensively. [Side note: I've heard that you can freeze butter; I haven't tried it, but let me know if it's worked for you.]

Once we're through shopping, my daughters get quite excited about moving to the checkout line and watching the monitor total our purchases. We all enjoy seeing what my total is before coupons, then watching it go down as the coupons are deducted. I'm sure the cashier and bagger are somehow hiding their smiles as my girls do a running commentary on this process. As this week's total climbed to over $60, my seven-year-old stated that when she grew up, she would never spend that much on groceries! She seemed to feel much better when my total dropped down into the thirties. It provides yet another opportunity for training, this time in the area of being a good steward!

Have you found any great Fourth of July sales? Let me know how you've been saving money lately!

Find more tips for saving money at Frugal Friday hosted by Life as Mom. See how others saved on their shopping trips this week at I Heart Publix.