Saving Money - A Different Approach

While I have not completely ditched my coupon usage, I have come to realize the only way I am going to really reap the benefits of using coupons is if I seek them out, plan my shopping trips accordingly and use them in abundance. In all honesty, I am not that invested; however, I will continue use coupons as I receive them in the mail and when I make trips to buy monthly household products.

As I got the mail on Monday, I came across the weekly circular from Win-Dixie (which is where I buy my weekly groceries). They don' typically issue coupons. They utilize a rewards card system, "fuel perks" discount and BOGO options. Although I receive it weekly, I have never really looked through the circular to check out the "deals" of the week because I am brand loyal and haven't been one to compare prices.



This is all about to change.

Since beginning this "new/life changing habits" journey, I have wanted to make some changes in my poor diet and Jim has needed to decrease sodium in his diet (for blood pressure purposes). Over the weekend we completed a full examination on what is really in our pantry/refrigerator and explored diet options that can meet both of our requirements. We were shocked that the things we were eating that we thought were healthy were not! Canned veggies. Frozen fish. Packaged tuna. Salad Dressings. Etc...All items high in sodium and not all that healthy. So we realized that we were going to have to eat fresh protein, fruits and veggies and cut out all processed foods in order to really make the changes we needed.

How are we going to make this happen while trying to utilize coupons, limit small/random trips to the grocery store, and save money?

The Epiphany - A new way to save: MEAL PLANNING! (bright idea, huh?)

This lead me to the idea of utilizing the weekly Win-Dixie circular to plan out our weekly, fresh, healthy meals. I am no longer going to focus on buying my typical brands, instead I am going to buy what is on sale according to my weekly meal plan.

Why have I never thought of this before?? Because I am lazy and routine and I wanted to be able to run into the grocery store each Sunday (shopping day) and make my typical route through the aisles and pick up the brands I love without looking at the nutrition label.

This approach to grocery shopping usually costs us about $200 a trip...PLUS the "mini" trips we make throughout the week because we are lacking ingredients to complete a meal.

This week I am armed and prepared with the items I selected from this weeks circular and our meal plan for the week. So the big question is...can we stick to this? Can I only buy what is on this list? Can we really stick to this meal plan or is a craving for something not on meal plan going to be our demise?


We shall see....