Before you head out to stock up on weekend groceries, read this first! Please don’t spend another dollar without making a list and clipping those coupons….a little effort for a lot of cash left in your wallet.  As a SAHM of three, I figure if I’m not making money, I absolutely must spend my time saving it.

I thought I’d let you in on the websites I visit every week without fail before I even make my lists.  For coupon and sale matchups with your favorite grocer, try these:

Hot Coupon World
Visit forums, go to grocery stores, find your store, and look for the weekly posts.

Becentsable
This network of money-saving blogs may have an even more complete sale and coupon match-up listing for your favorite grocery store.

Also, try these shopping tips:

1. Jot down the list according to the store layout…for example, I have produce at the top of the list, frozen foods at the bottom, and everything else in the middle as I come to them in the store.
2. Rather than trying to clip coupons and always wondering which to clip or toss, keep coupon booklets stacked in chronological order.  I have a large folder of SmartSource booklets, one of Red Plums, and one of P&G.  The websites indicate which date and source to check for each coupon- easy, peasy!
3. Check the sale paper for your store.  I try to cap produce spending at no more than $1.50 a pound.  Meats usually have to be close to half-price before I’ll scoop them up in multiples to cook or freeze for later.  Some stores also include coupons in their sale paper, which you may be able to stack (which means to use with a manufacturer coupon for awesome savings.)
4. Consider leaving the rest of the family at home.  I’ve even gone right after early bedtimes when needed.  It will help you focus and therefore breeze through the store.
5. Don’t always stick to the list.  Look for blinkie coupons hanging from displays, carry a calculator, shop the reduced produce, meats, and other half-price racks and carts.

Please do tell!  What are your grocery shopping savings tips?

For more thrifty tips, you simply must see

Top Five Ways Growing Families Save Money

and

Five More Ways Families Can Save Money