Comments on: How I’m Battling Supermarket Sticker Shock http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/ Adventures in being sick, getting better, staying well, from the editors of Health.com Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:45:16 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jennifer Adames-Smit http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-3402 Jennifer Adames-Smit Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:49:54 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-3402 Bean and egg tacos baby - they are easy and cheap to make, and boy are they delicious! I have also become a fan of frozen vegetables, they are frozen as soon as they are picked and therefore retain their nutrients. Also, I have come to discover that intenational produce markets are cheaper than your chain grocer, and their produce is varied and beautiful. I know this has been said, but again, I plan a menu ahead of time, and stick to it, and whatever we have left over I either freeze or we eat it again for dinner. Another tip, is to keep your menu simple and always shop for produce that are in season! Bean and egg tacos baby – they are easy and cheap to make, and boy are they delicious! I have also become a fan of frozen vegetables, they are frozen as soon as they are picked and therefore retain their nutrients. Also, I have come to discover that intenational produce markets are cheaper than your chain grocer, and their produce is varied and beautiful. I know this has been said, but again, I plan a menu ahead of time, and stick to it, and whatever we have left over I either freeze or we eat it again for dinner. Another tip, is to keep your menu simple and always shop for produce that are in season!

]]> By: Shaun http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-404 Shaun Wed, 07 May 2008 18:36:29 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-404 I'm with you on beans; I've stocked up on dried versions of my favorites and plan to think ahead about meals instead of following my whims day to day. And -- the price of a baguette from my neighborhood's specialty grocery store seems ridiculously high lately -- over $3! (According to a recent NY Times article, the French are feeling the same pain...) I'm planning to start baking my own bread. I might even attempt Julia Child's recipe in Mastering The Art of French Cooking... I’m with you on beans; I’ve stocked up on dried versions of my favorites and plan to think ahead about meals instead of following my whims day to day. And — the price of a baguette from my neighborhood’s specialty grocery store seems ridiculously high lately — over $3! (According to a recent NY Times article, the French are feeling the same pain…) I’m planning to start baking my own bread. I might even attempt Julia Child’s recipe in Mastering The Art of French Cooking…

]]> By: Sean Kelley http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-405 Sean Kelley Fri, 02 May 2008 13:39:45 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-405 Hey Vivian, You're in charge of my grocery shopping from now on! That's great organization. Sean Hey Vivian,

You’re in charge of my grocery shopping from now on! That’s great organization.

Sean

]]> By: Lisa http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-406 Lisa Thu, 01 May 2008 06:52:06 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-406 I have a clipboard with built-in calculator, so can carry my shopping list, put the coupons I'll be using under the clip, and calculate the unit price to compare size/coupon/store brand pricing to chose the best deal. IF you have room to store a shelf-stable item, the biggest package may be best buy, but not always -- you have to do the math. For versatility, start with unflavored items (plain white rice for instance) so you season it to go with any dish. Rather than pre-seasoned mixes, which are always more expensive AND have excessive packaging. I like freeze dried herbs such as the Lite House brand (shelf stable and no waste, so worth the cost). I have a clipboard with built-in calculator, so can carry my shopping list, put the coupons I’ll be using under the clip, and calculate the unit price to compare size/coupon/store brand pricing to chose the best deal. IF you have room to store a shelf-stable item, the biggest package may be best buy, but not always — you have to do the math.

For versatility, start with unflavored items (plain white rice for instance) so you season it to go with any dish. Rather than pre-seasoned mixes, which are always more expensive AND have excessive packaging. I like freeze dried herbs such as the Lite House brand (shelf stable and no waste, so worth the cost).

]]> By: Vivian from Minnesota http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-407 Vivian from Minnesota Thu, 01 May 2008 04:24:17 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-407 Clipping coupons and taking advantage of sale price items available at stores in our area are a must for our household. We don't spend valuable gas money to drive to a store for just an item or two, even if they are on sale. We try to anticipate our needs ahead of time. We purchased a chest freezer and created a sizeable pantry. That enables us to buy + stock up on items when they're on sale at reasonable prices. When we are running low on a particular product, I add it to the shopping list that I created on my computer, using Excel. The 1st column includes mfg names and product descriptions, broken down by category. The categories I use are: dairy, veggies/fruits, canned foods, boxed/bagged foods, gen. household goods,frozen foods, breads/bakery,grooming products and RX items. The 2nd column indicates packaging (i.e.: 1/2 gal. ctn, 32 oz jar etc.) The 3rd column shows the quantity to buy (i.e.: buy 2 ctns, buy 3 jars etc.) The 4th column shows pricing (i.e.: buy 1/get 1 free; $1.99/jar etc.) The 5th column indicates 'mfg coupon' or 'store coupon.' We place the coupons for that shopping trip in an envelope & staple or paper clip it to the shopping list. (Why wait until you're at the store to search for appropriate coupons in a coupon container?) Today's shopping in that manner saved us 20% but sometimes it's MUCH MORE. We live in a metropolitan area where we have a variety of stores to select from. We determine which store we'll shop at this week, based on which store has the best values. We almost never pay full price for ANYTHING. If you use a coupon AND the item is marked down, you save so much more! It takes time but it's worth the effort! Clipping coupons and taking advantage of sale price items available at stores in our area are a must for our household.

We don’t spend valuable gas money to drive to a store for just an item or two, even if they are on sale. We try to anticipate our needs ahead of time.

We purchased a chest freezer and created a sizeable pantry. That enables us to buy + stock up on items when they’re on sale at reasonable prices.

When we are running low on a particular product, I add it to the shopping list that I created on my computer, using Excel.

The 1st column includes mfg names and product descriptions, broken down by category.

The categories I use are: dairy, veggies/fruits, canned foods, boxed/bagged foods, gen. household goods,frozen foods, breads/bakery,grooming products and RX items.

The 2nd column indicates packaging (i.e.: 1/2 gal. ctn, 32 oz jar etc.)

The 3rd column shows the quantity to buy (i.e.: buy 2 ctns, buy 3 jars etc.)

The 4th column shows pricing (i.e.: buy 1/get 1 free; $1.99/jar etc.)

The 5th column indicates ‘mfg coupon’ or ’store coupon.’

We place the coupons for that shopping trip in an envelope & staple or paper clip it to the shopping list. (Why wait until you’re at the store to search for appropriate coupons in a coupon container?)

Today’s shopping in that manner saved us 20% but sometimes it’s MUCH MORE.

We live in a metropolitan area where we have a variety of stores to select from. We determine which store we’ll shop at this week, based on which store has the best values.

We almost never pay full price for ANYTHING.

If you use a coupon AND the item is marked down, you save so much more! It takes time but it’s worth the effort!

]]> By: fraser http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-408 fraser Thu, 01 May 2008 01:36:52 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-408 I'm shopping in the local discount grocery for canned items, staples, and local produce before moving on to the upscale chain grocer. Savings can be 25%! I’m shopping in the local discount grocery for canned items, staples, and local produce before moving on to the upscale chain grocer. Savings can be 25%!

]]> By: Lainey http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-409 Lainey Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:51:54 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-409 I've switch some of the brands I use to get the buy one get one free products. Store brands do save me money and I use my coupons also. Sometimes you can get some good buys at the drugstore and if you have a coupon, I've saved even more. My drugstore will print out a savings coupon of either $2-$5 dollars, this helps also in purchasing over the counter items. I’ve switch some of the brands I use to get the buy one get one free products. Store brands do save me money and I use my coupons also. Sometimes you can get some good buys at the drugstore and if you have a coupon, I’ve saved even more. My drugstore will print out a savings coupon of either $2-$5 dollars, this helps also in purchasing over the counter items.

]]> By: Tracy H. http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-410 Tracy H. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:49:39 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-410 Besides using coupons - only for products I really need - I have a 3 step system that cuts down on waste. 1-I try to use up whatever I have in my freezer or cupboard first to put meals together, rather than heading out to buy more ingredients. 2- Before going shopping I organize my cupboard/frige/freezer to see what I have on hand so I don't buy duplicates/triplicates of items already on-hand, so I just buy what I need to fill in. 3 -When my fridge is pretty empty then I buy for just 3-4 meals ahead. If I buy too much at one time, we don't always manage to eat everything up before it spoils. So far I haven't given up on quality products or gourmet products that we really enjoy ... but at least I don't throw good food out anymore. Besides using coupons – only for products I really need – I have a 3 step system that cuts down on waste.
1-I try to use up whatever I have in my freezer or cupboard first to put meals together, rather than heading out to buy more ingredients. 2- Before going shopping I organize my cupboard/frige/freezer to see what I have on hand so I don’t buy duplicates/triplicates of items already on-hand, so I just buy what I need to fill in.
3 -When my fridge is pretty empty then I buy for just 3-4 meals ahead. If I buy too much at one time, we don’t always manage to eat everything up before it spoils.
So far I haven’t given up on quality products or gourmet products that we really enjoy … but at least I don’t throw good food out anymore.

]]> By: Barb http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-411 Barb Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:36:08 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-411 I'm certainly drinking cheaper wine these days! I’m certainly drinking cheaper wine these days!

]]> By: corley edwards http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/04/30/dek-a-health-co/#comment-412 corley edwards Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:27:46 +0000 http://localhost/wp/poked/?p=235#comment-412 I save money at the supermarket by prepackaging my own convenience mixes, such as pancake, waffles, muffins, etc. I started this to avoid as many additives as I could, but found that it also saves money. I save money at the supermarket by prepackaging my own convenience mixes, such as pancake, waffles, muffins, etc. I started this to avoid as many additives as I could, but found that it also saves money.

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