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Becomming an expert bargain shopper requires time, organization and the desire to reduce your grocery budget. Speaking of which, what is a reasonable grocery budget? For my family (of three), our budget is $400 per month, or $100 per week. This includes groceries and household items (diapers, shampoo, toothpaste, etc). A few years ago, it was nothing for my family to make the weekly Walmart trip and put $150 on the debit card. We didn’t have a list, didn’t have a budget – and by the end of the month, I’d go back, total up all the purchases and cringe! Now that we have a budget, we tell our money what to do, not let our money happen to us.

That leads us to Tip #1: Make a grocery budget and stick to it! If you’re not sure what a reasonable amount it, start next month and keep a running total of all your purchases. This should give you a good idea. Strive to reduce that amount – start small, say $20 per month. Easier said than done? Next week, we’ll take a look specific ways to reduce that budget.

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Three circulars—Smart Source (SS), Red Plum (RP), and Proctor & Gamble (PG) are available most Saturdays in the Hastings Tribune and other area newspapers. For internet printables (IP), click on the corresponding link. Have other questions regarding my lingo? Click here

Dole Premium Bananas $0.19/lb.

Johnsonville Fresh Brats & Italian Sausage $2.99 ea.
$1.00/2 (1.17 SS) = $1.99 ea.

Del Monte Fruit Naturals (8 oz.) 10/$10.00
$1.00/3 IP here = $0.66 ea.

Kraft Mac N’ Cheese (7.25 oz.) $0.66 ea.
B3G1 (12.13 SS) = $0.49 ea.

Tyson Any’tizers (10-12 oz.) $2.89 ea.
$0.55 box (1.24 SS) or $1.00 bag (1.24 SS) = $1.89 – $1.34 ea.

Claussen Pickles (20-32 oz.) $2.49 ea.
$1.00 IP here = $1.49 ea.

Johnsonville Brats (14-16 oz.) $2.49 ea.
$1.00/2 (1.17 SS) = $1.99 ea.

Bar S Sliced Bacon (16 oz.) $2.49 ea.
$1.00/2 IP here = $1.99 ea.

Jimmy Dean Sausage $2.69 ea.
$1.00 (11.1 RP) = $1.69 ea.

Nabisco Snack Crackers (6 oz.) $1.96 ea.
$1.00/2 (12.13 SS) or $1.00 (1.24 SS) = $0.96 – $1.46 ea.

Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Novelties (6-8 pack) $2.99 ea.
$1.50 IP here = $1.49 ea.

Hamburger Helper (4.7 – 6.4 oz.) $0.99 ea.
$0.75/3 (1.3 SS) = $0.74 ea.

Post Cereal 3/$5.00
$2 IP here (for Raisin Bran) = FREE!

Mission Fat Free Taco Tortillas (10 ct.) $1.99 ea.
$0.75/1 (1.10 SS) = $1.24 ea.

Cambells Select Harvest or Chunky Soup $1.25 ea.
$0.50/2 (1.3 SS) or $1.00/4 (1.24 SS) or $1.50/3 IP here = $0.75 – $1.00 ea.

Jolly Time Microwave Popcorn (2-3 ct) $1.39 ea.
$0.50 (1.10 SS) = $0.89 ea.

Welch’s Concord Grape Jelly or Jam (22-32 oz.) $1.79 ea.
$0.55 (1.3 SS) = $1.24 ea.

Birds Eye Vegetables $0.89 ea.
$0.35 (1.10 SS) = $0.54 ea.

Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta $0.99 ea.
$0.75/ (12.6 SS) = $0.24 ea.

Philadelphia Cream Cheese (8 oz.) $1.29 ea.
$1.00/4 IP here = $1.04 ea.

Roberts Chocolate or Strawberry Milk (1/2 gallon) $1.49 ea.
$0.50 (10.18 SS) = $0.99 ea.

Egg-land’s Best Cage Free Large Eggs (dozen) $1.39
$0.35 (11.1 SS) = $1.04 per dozen

Farmland Pork Sausage Links or Roll $1.19 ea.
$1.00/2 (12.13 SS) = $0.69 after coupon

Farmland Smoked Sausage Rope (10-16 oz.) $2.99 ea.
$1.00/2 (11.15 SS or 1.10 SS) = $2.49 ea.

Dawn Dish Soap (10.3 – 12.6 oz.) $0.99
$0.25 (12.27 P&G) or $0.50 (1.17 P&G) = $0.49 – $0.74 ea.

Nabisco Cheese Nips $0.99 ea.
$1.00 (1.24 SS) or $2.00/2 IP here = FREE

*Remember, Sunmart doubles all coupons valued up to $0.99. For example, a $0.50 Q doubles to $1.00 off

Tony’s Crisp Pizza $1.00 ea.
$0.50 (12.13 SS)* = FREE!

Uncle Ben’s Country Inn Rice (6 oz) $1.00 ea.
$1.00/2 (1.3 RP) = $0.50 ea.

Bounty Basic Paper Towels (single roll) $1.00 ea.
$0.35 (12.27 P&G)* = $0.30 ea.

Our Family Ground Coffee (34.5 oz) $5.00 ea.
$2.00 IP here = $3.00 ea.

Red Baron Singles, Microwave, French Bread $2.77 ea.
$0.75 (1.17 SS) = $1.27 ea.

Our Family Crinkle Cut Fries (5 lb bag) $4.00 ea.
$1.50 here = $2.50 ea.

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Please Note: I do my best to match up deals and coupons but obviously I do not do all the deals myself. If you find one does not work—or better yet, find others—please leave a note in the comments section!

About the author: Renee Thomsen

Renee traded in her Louis Vuitton for a coupon binder after the birth of her son in 2007. Looking to save a few bucks on diapers, she found herself fully immersed in the wild world of couponing. Around that time, Renee discovered Dave Ramsey, a personal finance guru, and thus began her quest to find financial peace. Along with her husband, Renee is working towards becoming debt-free, one money-saving coupon at a time.