This is the type of book that I still buy in book form as opposed to downloading on my Kindle. I like to be able to easily reference specific parts if I need to, and I can do that easier with a book. I started reading it right away and basically finished all the parts that applied to me. I picked it up again last week and reread so that I could really get down to business.
A little background on me as a shopper: We are limited to just a few places to buy groceries here. I do most of our shopping at Walmart while watching MVP specials at Food Lion. I would love to regularly shop at the pretty, nearby Farm Fresh, but I know I'm getting the best prices at Walmart. I have been a member at Sam's before but didn't utilize it much since the closet one is about 40 minutes away. Ned recently switched their business membership there and added me, and we both agree we need to use it regularly. We are not in a house for buying in bulk right now which makes some of these deals a bit of a challenge.
Here's what I liked about the book:
1) I loved the idea of keeping a price list and have started working on one. Sometimes I see an MVP special for Food Lion and wonder if that is a better deal than Walmart. I've been writing Food Lion prices on my list and comparing while in Walmart and also using the Food Lion app on my phone. A price list will lessen some of the time I spend in "research."
2) The tips on stocking up were great too, especially the section on putting your freezer to use. I would love to be able to find great deals on meats and stock the freezer. I also need to do better about freezing portions of meals and leftovers. The book gave great advice on that, even down to what to freeze in. I'm looking forward to a seperate freezer at some point once we move.
3) The section on budgeting, determining your normal amount spent on food, and slowly increasing what you are able to save or stockpile was extremely useful.
4) The book listed several coupon websites to use that I have already printed from. I used to always clip coupons, but we no longer get the paper. I've been having my mom save her inserts for me.
I have always made a grocery list and a meal plan for the week, but the sections on both of those were very good too.
Here's what I need to work on:
1) She recommends meal planning based on what you have and what's on sale. That is a fantastic idea, but it's hard to do without a huge stockpile, and I don't ever forsee me having months worth of food in the house. I also have a tendency to want specific things during the week and may not be satisified with what's on sale. It is something to work towards though.
2) I am fairly brand loyal, and that is discouraged. I buy some generic things, but I'm far from 100%. There are some things that I purchase each week, and they aren't always readily available in a generic brand or a brand that's on sale. I'm even bad with sticking to brands of cleaning products, paper products, and laundry detergent. My main reasoning behind this is that I'm a creature of habit.
3) The couponing tips weren't hugely helpful to me. No stores around here double coupons, and I'm not going to buy multiple papers for the inserts. I also don't think it's feasable for me to only buy something when it's on sale and I have a coupon. I'm sure it's possible, it's just not something that's going to happen for me at this point in time.
Overall, I thought the book was filled with very useful tips and tricks. I may not be able to follow it completely or save as much money as some, but I think over time I will start saving some, which is always better than none! I did some stocking up over the weekend, and in addition to having nowhere to keep it, I went way over what I usually spend. That wouldn't have been bad had I been buying food for many meals as well, but I wasn't due to our Thanksgiving schedule. I did get good deals though, and the book says that spending a little more at the beginning can happen. Definitely pick up Saving Savvy if you're looking to be a little more efficient in the grocery store.
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