WFMW: Grocery Shopping, Lists, Coupons, Sales

I visited a friend's blog in the last couple of weeks and she was having a hard time keeping up with her coupons in the store, partially due to all the kids being with her and her having to search for the coupons as she went. She was asking how others handled the situation. I shared what I did and I thought it might be helpful to others as well.

First, during the week, I have two grocery lists on the refrigerator. One for Food Lion and one for Sam's. As we run out of things each person in the house is responsible for writing it down on the list. That way, if there is something I don't use much, but my husband does, he will write it down and that ensures he gets replacement of that item. The kids do it too. Then on grocery day, I have a start on my list.

During the week, I keep an eye out for coupons. I keep the Food Lion flyer and any coupons I pull from the paper or off the internet in a spot on my desk. On grocery day, I sit down with my already started lists, the coupons of the week, my coupons that I have cut out in the past and not used and my Food Lion flyer.

First I go through the flyer, anything that is on sale that we like and will want in the week ahead goes on the list. Beside it goes a 's' for sale. That helps me remember in the store. Then I go through my coupons. Anything there that is something we need or I want to fix for the upcoming week is added to the list with a 'c' after it. Needless to say the ones that have 's' and 'c' are my favorites. Then if there is anything else I need or want, it goes on the bottom of the list.

I put my grocery list and the coupons together with a paper clip. Now I am ready to go to the store! I stick to the list and there isn't digging for coupons as the ones I want are already in hand.

That's what works for me! If you have tips you would like to share or if you want to read other great ideas, go check out this weeks Works For Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer!