Shopping List and Menu

This week, I am going to feed my family for an entire week for $76.93.  We are a family of four, with a 5 and 9 year old.

Remember, I always go through my kitchen and look to see what I need to use up before I make my shopping list.
Here is what I had left this week:
Stephenson On-Hand List

Then I check out the ads and coupons and match up any deal that I may need.
Comp & Coupon Deals
I am just starting to get a good coupon stash together, hopefully I can start using more coupons in the future.  As I build my binder, I will share the process with you!

Then I make a menu combining the items on those two lists.
Here is what we will be eating this week.
Stephenson Menu
 Please keep in mind, that if there are any leftovers we do try to eat them up for lunch or even dinner.  This often means that something I had planned for the week doesn't get eaten.  That meal is then stashed in the freezer or pantry and I will try and use it up the next week instead.

Here is what I bought and how much I paid.  I know I messed up on some items and didn't get the best deals, but that's ok.  I know that with practice, I will get better and better. Each week I am saving more and more!
Shopping Trip List & Prices

~Rebecca

How Rebecca Makes a Shopping List

Making a shopping list, and shopping strictly from that list is a sure-fire way to save some money on groceries.  I have several steps I go through each week to ensure I buy only what I need and to help me save money with sales and coupons.
This can be a time consuming process, so I spread out the work throughout the week and spend only the amount of time I can afford to spend. Some weeks, I just don't have much time and may have to skip a step or two. Doing any of these steps saves some money and is worth the trouble.

Step 1: Collect Ads and Coupons -  Newspapers, fliers, mailbox inserts, online. I stash them in a file folder until I am ready to scope them out.

Step 2: Make a Sales Comp. List - I scour my sales ads looking for things that are great deals, and things that I would buy.  I only write down items that fit both criteria.  I am not interested in things that I don't need.

Step 3: Make an On Hand List - This is where I look over my pantry, fridge, freezer and cabinets to see what I have stashed in there that needs to be used up.

Step 4: Make a Menu - Set out your comp. list and your on hand list.  Study both and make up some meals using items on both of these.

Step 5: Clip Coupons:  With your sales and menu items in mind, clip coupons that you may need.  If you need cereal and there is no sale, go ahead and grab all of your cereal coupons, you never know what you may find on sale that wasn't advertised.

Step 6: Make Your List - Look over your menu and list each and every item that you need.  Mark the items you will be using on your comp. list, so that they are easy to find while you are in the store.  Staple these two together.  You will need them both in the store.  I also paper clip my coupons to my lists as well, but for those of you who use a binder, you may just want to slip your lists in there.

 I always take my ads with me when I shop and when I am selecting items, I always check generic prices against my comp. list and coupons.  I want to be sure I am getting the best deal.  I also an lucky enough to have an Aldi store nearby.  That is always my first stop.  Most times their prices are already lower than sales prices.  Plus, they always have awesome produce sales. 

~Rebecca