The Price is Right, Anyone?

So recently I went to BJs with my friend in NC, just to check things out (we don't have close in Richmond). As a dedicated member of SAMS and CostCo, I had to check out the competition, and I was pretty impressed. But she was AMAZED that I knew how much things cost off the top of my head. (The girls' shampoo costs $1.92 at Target but a 4-pack at BJs cost only $5.99 - I bought it). She asked me if I liked the game show The Price Is Right - and who doesn't like the longest running game show of all time?

Knowing how much things cost has always made sense to me. If you read my earlier post about chicken, you know fresh chicken is presented in a variety of ways. So think about all the different stores around you and by how much the prices vary (or maybe you haven't but you should). I am not saying compare whole chicken to cut up chicken to boneless/skinless chicken, though you could and will find that whole chickens are cheaper, but I digress...

First off always compare apples to apples - this means to compare price per pound or per ounce - sometimes though not often the smaller quantity is better deal. On each price sticker on the shelf of a store is a small box that lists the cost per unit. For items you buy regularly, record them and get to know where you need to buy what, and go there!

EXAMPLE: Organic Milk
CostCo 3-pack = $9.99
SAMS quart = $2.82
Kroger = $3.89
Target = $3.89
By my calculations, the best place to buy organic milk this week is SAMS - if you're a member of both - but if not, CostCo, by almost 55 cents, which is 15% higher (if I did my math right) at Target or Kroger. That adds up to hundreds of dollars per year, just with MILK!

Here's another example - bananas cost 60 cents per pound at Kroger, and 3 pounds are $1.29 at CostCo (roughly 8 bananas). You might tell me your family can't eat three pounds of bananas before they go bad. Well, there are two ways to look at it - if you have three or fewer bananas left, you can either toss them (therefore cost breaks even) or take 5 minutes (and yes, I mean FIVE) to make banana muffins using those black, mushy, squishy bananas. They taste delicious and you can whip them up while your kids set the table for you so you can have them for dessert after dinner - YUMMY!! And if you really can't spare 5 minutes for baking, just freeze them.

When I joined CostCo way back when, I took a pen and paper and marked down the price of all the meat and produce I knew I'd buy on a regular basis. I occasionally go to the grocery to pick up something Costco and SAMS don't carry (like flavored applesauce or Yoplait Whips, because we can't eat REGULAR yogurt like everyone else) and check out the prices. Sometimes sale prices or the clearance meat (I'll blog on this and the bananas later) is a better deal and you have to snap it up!

Anyway the lesson learned in this post is to chuck the idea you are saving time shopping in one place. Does ANY mom really go to the store only once per week? I'm NOT saying drive all over the place, but here's the trick:

• confirm prices of your consumable staples at all stores you frequent
• keep a running grocery list in 1 place (I email mine to myself) and divide it up by store
• visit that store ONLY as often as needed to reduce impulse buys
• go on a full tummy (to my car post for more on this)
• ALWAYS use your list and only stray from it if there's a super-good deal

Knowing the costs of what you consume makes you a better consumer. In the grand scheme, you wouldn't pay more money for a car just because it got free car washes every week - so don't make that mistake with your groceries.