My grocery bill is getting out of control and my second hasn't even started solids yet! I know some of it is because I try to give my son only organic diary and we also try not to eat High Fructose Corn Syrup, which means we sometimes have to buy organic (especially for my 2 y.o. snacks) to avoid it.
So here is my question, how do you save money on grocceries and where do you shop? I was watching the show on TLC about the woman with 8 kids and she only spends $150 a week, now she is not in Chicago, but I am spending close to (if not over) $200 a week!
Currently I buy my diapers online (although I don't think I am saving a lot that way), then I get groceries at Food 4 Less, and get what I can't get their and our meet at Jewel. I hate Jewel, its overpriced and never has what I want but its the closest store. I get my organic milk at TJ's (I have extensively researched that and it is currently the cheapest - we were doing Oberweiss) and the organics either come from TJ's or Wild Oats. Produce is another big expense so we try to get to the Farmer's Market or Jerry's (in Niles) otherwise I get it at the grocery store. I try to buy what's on sale and I cut coupons like a mad women (my MIL sends me her coupon flyer's too!)
Is there anything else I can do, or is this the "benefit" of living in Chicago?
I highly recommend Strack and Van Till over on Elston, where the old Cub Foods used to be. Stick to all the generics and specials and you can spend considerably less.
Stanleys Fruit Market is the best secret in town! It's at North and Elston and half the store is organic. Super cheap! I just bought organic raspberries there for $.79 each. The only caveat is that it is all very ripe. You have to eat it right away or else it goes bad. But, if you live downtown you could probably go there a lot. I've moved to the suburbs and still try to make it there a few times a month.
C.
I absolutely feel your pain! We (3 of us, lil one is almost 4), spend about $200 a month on groceries. I know it sounds little, but we always have everything that we need and some things that we want. I am a great shopper and always like getting the most bang for my buck. Here are a couple of tips 1.budget and stick to it by taking out cash instead of using credit or debit cards. Once you run out of $, you're out. I do groceries 2x a month, on each pay period ($100 ea time). 2.Shop around and save. whatever i need goes on a grocery list, then i shop the papers to see where i'm getting what. I shop at 3 sometimes 4 places. Food for less, just like you, Sam's club, Jewel and ocassinaly Berwyn Fruit Market. Sam's Club or Costco, are great places b/c they are such large quantities (ex. capri sun 4 pack $6, 36 eggs for $3, 48 hotdogs for $6, things like that). I purchase certain items @ certain stores only b/c i know that they are cheaper there. 3.Purchase what you NEED FIRST, then what you want SECOND. Very important. My son can go without his Yogo's for a couple of weeks just like we can go without a frozen pizza. And last but not least, 4. keep a grocery list and stick to it. I came across a pre-made grocery list from real simple magazine that has items listed in categories and xtra lines in each so i can write my own. If u'd like a copy, email me at ____@____.com and i will send it to you. Good luck and happy shopping!
I will add, we don't but organic, so our bill will be a little less then yours, and if you are in the city, your tax is higher then mine, that will affect the total somewhat.
Hi M.,
We too try to save money on grocery bills, but it can bre difficult. We moved here from southern CA and were shocked to see how expensive food is here! I don't know where in Chicago you are but right by us is a great place for produce called Produce World. It's in the plaza at Lawrence and Cumberland- across the street from the Jewel. We do all of our produce shopping there and since we are vegetarians, that meets most of our requirements. I currently spend about $80/week for our family of 3(little one is almost 4). For the other stuff, I try to split between places like Butera and Walmart (household items). As far as organic is concerned- we were totally in the same boat, but frankly, decided that since we're veg. it wasn't necessarily worth all the extra expense to always get organic. I do know there are a couple of brands of milk at Priduce World that are from farms trying to getthier organic status, but have not met the time requirements yet, so they can't label "organic" but for all intents and purposes are. The biggest key to saving money is shopping around. Another is planning menus- I'm not sure if you do that? I started doing this when I was much younger and could only afford about $100/ month for food and since then have gotten really good at it! We also stay totally away from covienence and packaged foods. I mean, I can certainly cut up some carrots in about 3 minutes rather than spend $2 more on a bag of pre-cut! It takes some time and planning of course, but it works for me.
ps- I have heard a place called Stanley's on Elston somewhere is really good for low price organic produce, but I've never been there so I can't give a 1st hand.
I like being able to see my total before checking out at Peapod.com. I know that's saved me $ and kept me within my budget before. Also, I'm saving a ton by using Fuzzi Bunz (Fuzzibunz.com) instead of disposables. My 8 month old is still wearing Mediums with room to grow, and we've only spent around $400 on diapers to date. He still wears disposables from time to time when we go out or travel, but we have absolutely saved a ton going this route and we've never had diaper rash! Good luck!!
We probably spend about $100/week, live in the city, and have one 12-month old child who mostly eats table food. Our bills are creeping up a bit, too, but $100/week isn't too bad. We could probably save more if we really tried. Like you, we try and mostly eat organic and/or local foods. I know our lifestyle isn't for everyone, but here's what we do for shopping:
Diapers - we use cloth diapers and wash our own.
Milk - from Whole Foods (same price as TJs and their organic practices are more sustainable, I read).
Yogurt - I usually make my own plain whole milk yogurt and mix frozen fruit puree with it. Otherwise from Whole Foods or Trader Joes.
Produce - either from www.freshpicks.com (local), farmers market (in season), or from our local produce market (Stanleys). The produce market is definitely the cheapest of these three options and is MUCH cheaper than Jewel/Dominicks/Whole Foods. But you frequently need to eat the produce quickly because it's really ripe. Which is why it's cheap. There's probably a similar market near you - look for the one all the hispanic folks shop at. Jerry's may be just such a place.
Bread, coffee - Whole Foods
Nuts, dried fruit, frozen stuff, crackers, and some prepared foods (not many) - Trader Joes
We don't drink any soda and don't drink much juice. We're mostly vegetarian so we infrequently eat meat (maybe 1-2x/month during grilling season and much less often in the winter). I usually cook a real meal each night and eat leftovers for lunch.
For produce we try and eat what's local and in season, with a few staples (like bananas) thrown in.
Do you have a Super Target nearby? I get my organic milk and other general dairy there because it's actually a little less expensive than TJs. Also, if there is an Aldi nearby you can find some stuff really cheap there. Pasta, frozen meats, canned goods, bread, those types of things. I get our organic produce at Stanely's Fruits and Veggies on North and Elston, though it's convenient for me because it's right next to work. IT's a whole lot cheaper than anywhere else and I pretty much only buy what's there on a weekly basis and skip it if it's not.
TJs is one of those places where you have to be careful what you buy. Some things are very good prices and some are overpriced (like their produce). Dried fruits, nuts, Luna bars (for me), frozen veggies, some of their cheeses, milk, eggs, canned goods I get there. Other stuff I definitely skip. I really try to avoid Wild Oats - it's way too overpriced. I think Dominicks has a much better selection of Organics and other better for you foods than Jewel at basically the same prices.
I spend about $100/week on food for our family of 3 (almost 4).
I'd echo the vote for Stanley's -- we buy most of our produce there. I've also had good luck at some of the ethnic grocery stores.
re: grocery sales, Chicago TRibune has a database of all the grocery store ads http://www.shoplocal.com/chicagotribune/ -- you can do a search for diapers and it'll pull up where they're on sale. It also includes stores like Target, etc.
They also have an area where you can download and print coupons (not necc the same ones that are in the Sunday paper) http://www.chicagotribune.com/shopping/coupons/chi-coupon....
For produce - check out Stanley's fruit and vegetable market on North and Elston. It's got a large organic section and the prices are always right. I always come out of there with all the produce I need for a week for about no more than $25. I also like Trader Joe's over Jewels for prices and quality. I only go to Jewel's / DOminicks / Whole Foods for things I can't find at Trader Joes... like canned tomatoes, variety of fish/meat, variety of cereal. Otherwise everything else you can pretty much find at TJs.
When your little one starts solids consider making her food. That will help the costs a bit and save on trash as well. Super Baby Food is a very helpful book.
Trader Joe's is pretty inexpensive as well and would be worth looking into. Also buying in bulk can help so look into costco and Sam's for meats/chicken. We tend to buy organic for our son but not for us because it is SO expensive.
I feel your pain - coming from Florida the grocery prices up here are shocking. I buy organic milk at target - the store brand is cheapest. We also shop a lot at Costco and just stock up for the month. You might also want to try Peapod.com - they are a grocery delivery service - you can use coupons with them and new customers get, I think, 5 dollars off their first 5 orders. The more you spend the cheaper the delivery fee is. I feel their prices are very reasonable and definitely worth looking in to.
