The Grocery Game – Part Two – First Shopping Trip

Here we are at the first shopping trip for The Grocery Game. I have NO manufacturer’s COUPONS because last Sunday was Easter and there were none in the paper. I printed off my Teri’s list from The Grocery Game website that highlights the specials at my local Kroger – in the Flower Mound Town Center strip mall. I am shopping without children today and have checked about 12 items on Teri’s list that I plan to purchase. Let’s go shopping! The Verdict? Totally worth it. I spent $36.40 on 17 items.   I saved 54% on things I would buy anyway with very little preparation and NO COUPONS! Post Shopping Reality Check: I was truly amazed by this trip. I started out to buy 12 items and then picked up 5 additional things because the sales were so good. I made a conscious effort to NOT purchase anything that we wouldn’t use. One of the concerns that I had (and one that a reader voiced in the comments last week) was that by using coupons I would end up with more unhealthy food…more prepared food. As you can see by my purchases, they were largely made in the produce aisle:

The one down side to this week’s trip was the meat. I purchased the family pack special on a cut of meat that I have never bought before. The first night we grilled two of the steaks and they were so tough they were almost inedible. I put the remaining two in a crock pot to see if that would work better. It did, but not better enough to purchase again. While in the store I was able to find 4 manufacturer’s coupons, 3 of which I used on this trip. My big find was the Teri’s list suggested in-store special of Thomas English Muffins and bagels. The English Muffins were buy one, get one free and the bagels were on special. When I looked at the bagel bag I noticed an additional coupon for $3 off any 3 Thomas products. When it was all said and done they were virtually free. Hopefully this Sunday’s paper will produce some helpful coupons and next week I am tackling the Highland Village Wal-Mart… Need to catch up?   This Reality Check Series starts here.