You’ll notice that some foods come in and out of rotation while some are constant staples. There are a few reasons for this. First and foremost, I shop on the sale cycle. What that means is that I try to stock up on things when they’re on sale and not purchase them at other times unless there is an absolute necessity. This week I did a big cereal stock up. Even though I’m trying not to stock up in preparation for the move, I could not resist getting four boxes of cereal and free milk for what it would normally cost to get two. Sorry I’m not sorry!
Another thing you’ll see me buy a lot of is salad dressing. With in-store sales and coupons, I can often get our preferred salad dressing for $1.50. They normally run $3.59. Sometimes they’re part of a promotion like “Buy 5, Save $5” and then I’ll buy as many as I need to complete the promotion. Shopping on the sale cycle can be hard at first, because you’re buying things you don’t need in the moment and it seems like a misconceived use of funds. You get to the cash register and your total is more than you expect and it’s like “Why did I spend so much of my budget on salad dressing? What even is my life?” But! Then you’ve got salad dressing all year (or months, if you’re part of the B family). And every time you run out of salad dressing, you do not have to schlep to the store and pay double the price.
The cool thing about buying on the sale cycle is that after a few shopping trips, it becomes second nature. And pretty soon you won’t remember what it was like to spend more money than you needed to on your favorite products. Consider this conversation at the B home.
* * *
MR. B: We haven’t had jambalaya in a while.
ME: I know. It’s a bummer.
MR. B: Jambalaya is delicious.
ME: It is.
MR. B: When can we have some?
ME: When sausage stops being so expensive.
MR. B: Is sausage expensive?
ME: Yes. On the sale cycle, I can get a pound for $2.50. Currently, it’s $3.59 a pound. And I cannot, in good conscience pay a dollar more. I will not do it! Please do not ask me! I can not go against my savings beliefs! I will not!
MR. B: Jambalaya can wait.
* * *
So my advice is two fold. Try stocking up on sale cycles and marry a man who gets you. ;)
- Aged Gouda-$5.09.
- Bananas, 2.47 lb-$1.36.
- Heritage Farm Chicken Breasts, 5.32 lbs-$10.59.
- Heritage Farm Chicken Thighs, 11.31 lbs -$9.96. On sale for .88 a pound.
- Honey Bunches of Oats (4)-$7. In-store sale 4 for $8, stacked with a *Digital Coupon* for $1 off of 2 boxes.
- Kroger Milk, Gallon-$0. Free when you purchase 4 boxes of cereal! Which I did!
- Kroger Canned Tomatoes (3)-$1.47.
- Kroger Pasta (2)-$1.76.
- Mangoes (4)-$3.96.
- London Broil, 2.13 lb-$9.60.
- Roma Tomatoes, 1.66 lb-$1.64.
- Romaine Lettuce, .89 lb-$1.15.
- Strawberries, 2 lbs-$3.34. On sale for $1.66 a pound and I didn’t even know what to do with myself.
- *Digital Coupon* for an extra 200 Fuel Points.
- Apps I’ll Submit to: Fetch Rewards, Ibotta (.25 off Any Item)
Total Budget: $117.75
Total Spent: $56.92
Total Saved: $20.40
Rolled Over to Disney Fund: $60.83
Are you a sale cycle shopper? What about a big cereal fan? Is your significant other as patient at Mr. B when it comes to grocery related melodrama? Shout it out in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!