Saturday, November 10, 2007

The Importance of Organization

I was thinking the other day just how important it is to be organized before you go shopping. People always say not to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. I say don't go grocery shopping unless your organized!

The first thing I always do before I go shopping is start by doing a little homework. This doesn't have to take a lot of time. I take a few minutes to skim the grocery ad and check out what is on sale. I generally jot the things done that I want to buy. I also keep an ongoing list, when I am out of something I write it down so I remember to get it the next time I go.

I am a collector of coupons. I find them in the Sunday paper, print them online, sign up to have them mailed, etc.. Having your coupons organized and ready to go makes things so much easier for you when you are going shopping. I recommend using "The Couponizer" - google it, they are very inexpensive and well worth it.

By matching the coupons you have to the items on sale, you can end up with big savings. This is generally how I do my shopping every time I go. Plus it helps me to "mix things up a little" and buy a variety of things. Keep in mind, just because an item is 3/$5 (or $1.66 each) doesn't mean you have to buy 3 of them to get the sale price. (Check your grocery store to make sure, but many times this is the case). For example, on my last shopping trip Nestle Break and Bake cookies were 3/$6 or $2 each. I had a coupon for $1 off 1 package. I got the break and bake cookies for $1. Rinse and repeat and you've just shaved quite a bit off your grocery bill.

REPAEAT AFTER ME - YOU MUST GO TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH A LIST!!! May sound very basic and you could be thinking "I don't need a list, I have it all in my head". Try again my friend. The grocery store is made to suck you in, with many items to choose from that will catch your eye. Without a list, its very easy to get sidetracked and end up adding more items to your cart than your "mental list" calls for.

The last time I was at the grocery store my bill before my coupons was $72.70. Total after coupons $45.08.

How's that for organization!

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