How To Grocery Shop For FREE
I get asked all the time How To Grocery Shop For FREE, I mean why wouldn’t I? My site is called Grocery Shop For FREE, after all!
So, I am here to answer that question! I have many resources available to make it easy for you to shop for FREE :
Extreme couponing is an easy way to get a great deal and never pay full price again on your grocery bill or at your favorite stores for your favorite brands.
It’s one of the best ways not only to save a lot of money and get the best deals, but with the use of coupons, you can also make money on your everyday shopping trip to your local grocery store. You can even save on everyday items like toilet paper.
You may also like: Best Ways To Save Money On Groceries
If you end up with coupons on products, in your local newspaper, that you don’t use or from a particular store you don’t shop at, don’t throw them out.
It’s a good idea to still use these coupons and get the amazing deals and donate the food to a local food bank.
So, where to begin? To learn How To Grocery Shop For FREE first start with my eBook, and video entitled: Top 6 Ways To Begin Coupon Shopping, then move on down the line in the videos to: How To Organize Coupons and then What Do I Do With All These Coupons Now? Make sure you takes notes and write down any questions you may have and contact me for the answers:
You will also be able to make your own price book and use the printable pages I made and use the printable coupon grocery shopping list I made and watch the videos on both to be able to use them effectively! Before you know it you’ll be unstoppable!
For an extreme couponers tip: The right way to store all your different types of coupons such as paper coupons, catalina coupons, and manufacturer coupons, is in a coupon binder <— this is the one I use, make sure to get one big enough to fit the coupon inserts, too.
You can even store your coupon policies in them. Make sure you read the fine print to get all the great deals.
There are many different ways to get different types of coupons. Digital coupons or mobile coupons you can get on you your favorite grocery stores mobile app.
They also have many deals for FREE products there. Another great way to get your coupons is in the Sunday newspaper.
There are also many printable grocery coupons you can get online. You can sign up for the mailing list to your favorite stores to get FREE printable coupons and FREE online coupons.
You might also like: FREE Must Have Money Saving Apps
Your best bet to get additional savings and awesome deals is to use grocery store coupons on top of store sales and store deals from the weekly ads.
This is one of the best ways to get a better price. If your local store is sold out of the items you want, try and get rain checks so you can still get the lowest price when they restock.
Once you have all that down, then you can move on to shopping for FREE and then some by making money (with ECB’s & RR’s) at CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid!
To learn how to shop at CVS you can watch my video entitled: How To Shop And Save Money At CVS and for Walgreens: 5 Things You Should Know Before Shopping At Walgreens.
More Resources
- Printable price book sheets
- Printable coupon grocery shopping list
- How To Grocery Shop For FREE eBook
- Many instructional videos
You Might also like: How To Save Money When Shopping Online
Once you have learned How To Grocery Shop For FREE and learned how to shop at the drug stores, you will be a pro! You will wonder how you could have ever spent that much money at the store before!
ELMA says
I’m interested to join!
Mary Jane says
I live in California, Bay Area, I do not haveany stores that double coupons. Any other suggestions?
Dian says
@Mary Jane: Double and triple coupons are great, but, many areas don’t have them. In order to make the most of coupon shopping and get the best deals it’s all about matching a sale with coupons that you have.
Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid don’t double or triple either but they still have great deals and are often FREE deals!
Wlalmart is great place, too, when you find a great sale and you can match a coupon up.
What stores do you have in your area?
Thanks!
Dian
adrienne says
depending on the stopre you can stack a manafacture coupon with a store coupon. atr CVS you can use a CVS coiupon and anothetrf coupon for each item that is on the shelf
say you have a buy one get one free use that coupon with 2 more and that will bring the price way down,
Mary Jane says
Thanks for the quick reply :). The usual suspects,Safeway, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Lucky’s, Target, and Grocery Outlet
Dian says
@Mary Jane: I would call and see if they do double or triple. But, like I said, you can still do a great job with stores that don’t double or triple. You just need the right ingredients! Let me know what I can do to help!
Thanks!
Dian
senafp says
Hi Dian, I came through Stockpiling Moms site and see you have many deals here especially grocery shop for free. I have never tried this myself since most of the coupons are on items I normally don’t buy, but I know it can be done. We are in the Tampabay area of Florida and one of our supermarkets, Publix, accepts other supermarkets coupons for an item you are purchasing. I don’t know if they still do, but I know they did accept them.
Dian says
@senafp: Welcome! Stores that accept competitor coupons are another way to get a great deal! Publix has a lot of great sales, too! Makes sure you check out the Store Deals on the menu bar at the top o the page – there you will find the Penny Pinching Bargain Bunch who find great deals and coupon match-ups each week for you!
Thanks!
Dian
lori says
my questions is ..since wal-mart has the price matching system with certain stores ,um will that work plus using coupons?
Dian says
@lori: Yes, you can use the price matching and coupons. That makes for some great deals, too!
Thanks!
Dian
Amanda McBrayer says
I am a cashier for Wal-Mart, so insider tip! YES!!!! I do it all the time! If I don’t ad match I can use my associate card for 10% off (that’s a perk for being a wal-mart employee then after piling on the coupons! I use the card 1st and the coupons after for example. But yes I override prices for customers all the time when they bring in the ad for me to see, then they use the coupons! But be sure you are getting the best price! Sometimes shopping dollar general has been my best bet. They will allow a manufacturer coupon and a Dollar General coupon for the same item to be used on the item! And I have overridden DG at Walmart!
Lisa G says
I am very interested in saving money when I shop. I use coupons when I can and sometimes get discouraged because I am a fulltime student, mom and I work fulltime and cant always find the time to shop for coupons. I am eager to learn how to shop for free especially seems how times are getting tough for my family and I. I live in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. We have Walmart, shopko, kmart, Market Place, and Walgreens in town we will soon have a Kohls, coming in March of this year.
Dian says
@Lisa G: Well, feel free to ask any questions and I will do my best to help you get going! Welcome and make sure to ask me anything!
Thanks!
Dian
amber says
Hey, I’m very new to couponing, I’ve been collecting coupons and have my notebook together but I’m still having trouble making it work. I am not sure how the coupon doubling works and though i’ve spent hours watching videos on the internet trying to learn but I guess I’m slow or someting because I don’t see alot of savings yet. I am using coupons every week but I don’t feel like I am getting the best deals. I know there is mone to be saved at kroger but I always leave disappointed at how much money is gone from my checking account when I leave. I need some guidance. I am tyring to start with learning Walgreens, CVS, and Kroger. What is the best advice you can give to a struggling newbie?
Dian says
@amber: Start with Kroger – once you have that going well then move onto the Drug Stores – they are a whole different ball game and will make it harder if you do them both at the same time and may even confuse you further.
Then read my Kroger shopping lists and use those.
It’s not all about using coupons – it’s all about using coupons on a rock bottom sale item and stockpiling while the price is so low so that you don’t need to buy it again until there is another great deal!
Here’s my Kroger list for this week of the FREE and under $1 stuff that is a good place to start your stockpiling:
https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/dians-shopping-lists/kroger-deals/
What area are you in?
I hope I can help!
Thanks!
Dian
amber says
Thanks for the advice. I think I will try that. I live in far western Ky. I also had a question about cvs extra care cards. I usually buy four gallons of milk a week and cvs will have sales $2.79 per gallon with a limit of two. The lady at the store told me the way to get more than two at the sale price was to sign up for another card in my husbands name or in my moms name, which I did and it works but I have to do separate transactions. I haven’t read where anyone else has multiple cvs cards. Is this right? It feels a little deceptive and I don’t want to be that way. I was also wondering about Super Value stores. We have a couple in our area and I haven’t seen any posts for this store. They seem to run good promotions but I do rely on the deals lists online to help me. Do you have any of these stores or know some of their partner stores? I am going to try to go to Kroger tomorrow using your store lists and I have the coupons for most of the deals listed, so I’ll ty to post and let you know how it goes.
Dian says
@amber: I have a couple of CVS cards. If that weren’t allowed they wouldn’t let you have more than 1 per address.., so they allow more than 1 per address, so it’s fine. in my opinion. I will look for Super Valu in your area for you so keep watching!
Can’t wait to hear how you do at Kroger!
Happy Shopping
Thanks!
Dian
ANN says
HI, I’M NEW TO COUPONING AND HAVE BEEN CHECKING COUPONS AGAINST MEIJER’S SALE AD. WHEN THEY LIST A SALE ITEM AS BUY 2 ITEMS FOR $5 DO I HAVE TO BUY 2 ITEMS TO GET THE SALE PRICE? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!
Dian says
@ANN: No, you have to purchase whatever amount the coupon says. Like if the coupon said $2 off 2 you would have to buy 2.. Sometimes the stores do require you buy 2, but not usually.
Thanks
Dian
amber says
Hey Dian,
Went to Kroger this past week and I did come home with a lot of groceries for less than a hundred dollars, but I’m still a little disappointed at my lack of savings. I found the chekout to be the most frustrating. The sale prices and 10 fo 10 items don’t really show up until the end of the transaction and none of my ecoupons are taken off until the end either, so I find it hard to know what I’m really paying for some items. Then after the reciept is printed, I still have trouble knowing how much and item was. I am not trying to be whiny, but I am just not getting it. Is there any way you could maybe explain how the kroger receipt should be read, or am I just making this out to be harder than it is? I couldn’t help myself going to Walgreens and cvs, I am already addicted to the savings you can get there. My only issue with them really is that I live 30 minutes from the nearest town and I only go once a week, and by the time I get there to get my deals, the shelves are wiped clean. I mean I have had a raincheck for electrasol for like 6 weeks because I just can’t get there quick enough. Any advice for someone living out in the boonies like me?
Dian says
@amber: I know how much things will be before I go and then I just make sure it matches up when i check out. all discounts, coupons and everything are always taken at then end so that’s not gonna change.
You will get used to reading the receipts, sometimes i have trouble figuring out what something on the receipt is, try to match the price to an item and then it may be easier.
As far as CVS, I would call before driving thirty minutes to make sure what you need is in stock. Make a friend with an employee and ask them to put stuff back for you or make a special order and that will be held for you.
Hope that helps!
Dian
jenn says
Hello,
My jewel and dominicks (safeway) here in IL does not double coupons. Do you know of a website where I can find stores in my area that double coupons? Thanks! Great site!
Dian says
jenn » Have you looked in my store deals section, you may find some nearby that will work. If not let me know and I will help you look!
Thanks!
Dian
jenn says
Yes I did already, but unfortunately none of the other stores listed in I’LL are near me 🙁 do u know of any other place onliiine I can check? Just trying to get the best bang for my buck, thanks dian!
Dian says
Jenn,
I don’t right now, but, I will be looking. If I find a place I will add them to the Penny Pinching Bargain Bunch for you!
Thanks!
Dian
Lisa says
Hi dian
I have a question about a coupon. My coupon is buy two get one free and the store is doing a deal buy one get one free. Can I use the coupon and if so how will it work?
Thank You
Lisa
Dian says
Lisa » You would have to talk to your store on their policy – you may be able to get 3 and 2 be FREE or they may not let you use them together.
Hope that helps!
Dian
elizabeth says
HI dian i have a question about how to use the b1g1 free coupon i dont no how to use thoses coupon for examplo : i have one for buy one get one free up to 3.99 and went you pay you have to do like different transaction or how it work. tanks for you help………. att.lizzy
Dian says
elizabeth » It depends on the store you use it at, for instance at CVS if you have a B1G1 and the sale is also B1G1 you can get 2 FREE items with the coupon and the sale. Generally at Grocery Stores, though, if you have a B1G1 FREE Shampoo up to $3.99, you can get 2 shampoos and 1 of them will be FREE if it is $3.99 or less, if it is more then you will pay the difference.
Hope that makes sense!
Thanks!
Dian
Sandra says
Hi Dian, I do most of my grocery shopping @ Walmart and this one time I gathered all the coupons I collected from the internet, printed them out and got to the Walmart checkout with all my items. The cashier ran the items through and would not take any of my printout coupon. I was told that Walmart only accepts newspaper and the like types of coupons. “No Printouts”. Do you know of a website(s) that have coupons that come printed out and can be either torn apart by preferated lines or with scissors? I was so upset with that policy that I started to just not purchase anything. Another question, are there coupons out there for use that a household would actually need? Most of the coupons I see that are printed in bulk are for men’s items or items that I don’t need; like for a child. Thank you for your response.
Dian says
Sandra,
Your walMart cashier was incorrect. Their poliocy is to take internet printed coupons. You can read their entire policy AND print it out to have with you when you shop in case any more questions arise: https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/resources/store-coupon-policies/walmart-2/
Also, there are many coupons for things a family would need. I very rarely buy anything without a coupon for my family.
Let me know if I can answer any more questions!
Thanks!
Dian
elizabeth says
HI DIAN 🙂
IS ME AGAN THANK FOR YOUR TIME EN EXPLAIN BUT I HAVE ANOTHER Q. ABOUT COUPONS.WELL MY Q. IS KROGER HAS A DIGITAL COUPONS CAN I USE THOSE CUOPONS WITH THE MANUFACTURE’S COUPONS . …..TTHANK..SOO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME…..
Sabrina says
I use to use coupons all the time and then I got away from it all. Now, I am kicking myself in the rear end. I came across your website the other day and have been checking it out over the last few days.
I knew there were deals for Walgreens and CVS, I just didn’t know how to put it all together until I watched your videos! Thanks for posting the videos.
I do most of my shopping at HEB, where I live it is HEB or Walmart. I have HEB points card and try to use it every time I go in. I have gotten so many of their in store coupons, I can’t use them all LOL I have thought about stocking up so I can still use them, the only problem is like the sodas, I can get them cheaper at WalMart than I can at HEB.
What I like about HEB us they have their “meal combos” you buy something and get either one item or several items for free 🙂
Thanks again for having the website, I can make the most out of my local Walgreens and CVS LOL
Dian says
You’re very welcome and thanks for the kind words!
Dian
rosemary says
Hi there
I was wondering what you thought about these survey things that offer free gift cards? i seem to start them, then at the end they always ask for your debit card and u seem to always have to buy something.
What is your take on this?
Rosemary
Dian says
rosemary » I haven’t done many, but they are supposed to give you the FREE gift card…
Dian
rosemary says
Hi again,
it seems the only store i can find around here that doubles is scholaris in fernely nevada. the closest store to me is smiths, dollar tree. i was wondering if you could expand your list for my area. Im in dayton nevada. the closest big town would be carson city. they have a cvs, walmart, walgreen, target, grocery outlet which i cant find any coupons for that store. i am very new at this and im feelin frustrated because i cant seem to match things up to get things for free..please help
Dian says
rosemary » CVS, Walgreens, and Target run the same deals everywhere. So, any of the lists you see here for those stores will work.
WalMart stores are different even when they are right across the street from one another – so the best thing to do there is keep a price book so you know what sales are good at your store at any given time.
Don’t get discouraged you can coupon and do well anywhere, it just takes some time and knowing your stores and prices.
Let me know what else I can do for you!
\happy Shopping!
Dian
rosemary says
Okie Dokie,
So today I drove 45 min to fernley Nv to Scholaris because they double coupons. Well I made up my list before I went and I was going to score a ton for free. Apparently, if you have an item for 2.00 you cant get your 1.oo coupon doubled, cause that would make it free. Also, they gave me the 1 coupon per purchase speach. 1 coupon per visit they said, i tried to argue my point but she insisted that I could not check out more than once to use each coupon. Needless to say, 45 min drive for that was a nightmare. But here are the results from a walmart out there. I bought 72 items and my subtotal was $195.19. I paid $146.37. I feel thats ok for a first try? but I had a hard time finding anything for free. and struggled in the travel size eisle. but Im hopeful someday ill walk in and my coupons will match. i pray my groceries will get down to $40 a month. Im hopeful that day will be soon. Ill keep you posted on my efforts. OH ya Cvs. my new fav store.
Dian says
Rosemary,
I am sorry that happened to you. I know how frustrating it can be to go all that way and plan a trip andmit doesn’t work out!
Just stick with it, it will get better.
Keep sharing your trips it helps encourage everyone.
Thanks,
Dian
rosemary says
Ok guys,
I just had my first free shopping trip at walmart. I got 18 bottles of body wash for free! I was so so excited.
I also shopped at Cvs and planned my trip out so i could use the ecbs to put towards my make-up purchase. I also got toothbrushes, mouthwash, paas, and candy all for free.
Thank you Dian, I am doing it. thank you for all your tips and guidance along the way. I am so excited! I want to tell all my friends. LOL
Dian says
rosemary » Yay!!! Great job!! I love to hear your success stories!! Sounds like you did awesome! Remember you can send in pics to share your story with everyone to help encourage everyone and I will post them!
Great Job!!
Thanks!
Dian
rosemary says
ok, i would love to, but how do i do that?
Dian says
rosemary » If you have pics you can send them to me at [email protected] and also write up what you bought and the coupons you used!
Thanks!
Dian
rosemary says
okie dokie,
i will work on that!
Meg says
Hi Dian, I am new to your site. I am very interested in joining and starting to save using coupons!!! How do I start?
Dian says
Meg » Hi and welcome! The first place I would start is to read my FREE eBook: https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/dians-ebook/
or watch my instructional videos: https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/dians-videos-2/ or both!
Then find your stores in the Penny Pinching Bargain Bunch: https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/penny-pinching-bargain-bunch/
so you can see what sales there are this week and what coupons to use for them!
Then feel free to ask me anything anytime!
Happy Shopping,
Dian
Carlene J says
Did awesome at walgreens got 7 tylenol heat packs and 4 toothbrushes for .18
Dian says
Awesome! Great Job!!!
Dian
rosemary says
Hello, hope you have had a wonderful week. I am still learning and progressing with my savings. but i am really struggling with orginization. I have a coupon binder, and it looks great, but when i get to the store with my list and my coupons, i am always dropping as i pull them out and i try to place them in a pocket on my binder so when i get to register i have them all. I just cant figure out how to make the pulling and putting away and checkout thing easier. How do you do it?
Dian says
rosemary » Well, I shove them in my pocket! lol Maybe it would be easier if you had a different place to put them when you pull them – a ziploc baggie or a pocket in your purse or your pants pocket 😉
Maybe that would make it easier. I know I would spill them if I were putting them in to a pocket in my binder.
Many times I pull them before I go to the store and have them in a baggie and then re-file the ones I don’t use.
Hope that helps!
Dian
Kimberly says
If an item is buy one get one free at the store my husband wants to know if we can use two coupons on each item possibly doubling the price and getting the one for free.
Dian says
If an item is on sale for Buy One Get One FREE, you can use a coupon on the one you have to purchase, but, not on the one that is FREE.
Some stores will allow a Buy One Get One FREE coupon to be used with a Buy One Get One FREE sale making both of them FREE, though!
Hope that helps!
Dian
Mildred says
Dian, I’m new also at this. I just quit my second job due to my doctor saying stress (working two full time jobs). Since I’ve been off I watched extreme couponing and I like to learn how to do couponing. TEACH ME HOW TO COUPON,PLEASE!!!!!
Deana says
I have used coupons for years. I have saved a little through time. But I could kick myself I used to deliver newspapers and could have as many coupons as I wanted. But now that I have cancer and can’t work, I can’t seem to get any coupons. I want to get started again and save some money. I have 2 teenage kids that is very active in school activities and these are not cheap. So if you can help me I would appreciate it. I do print off coupons off the internet it’s just some times they are ones I don’t need. How can you get coupons from the Sunday papers without spending to much money to get them?
Great site!!! I will tell my sister about this site. She lives over 200 miles away from me and she is couponing with her friends there. Thanks again!!!
Dian says
I can get them at the Dollar Tree each week for $1 each, or I can get them at CVS and Walgreens by using their RR’s or ECB’s.
Here are some other ways to get started:
https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/dians-videos-2/top-6-ways-to-begin-coupon-shopping/
Hope that helps!
Happy Shopping!
Dian
Julie says
Im comfused on how to read matchup on the net for coupon and flyers. Can someone explain how?
Dian says
Julie,
You can read my ebook or watch my videos to learn how. I explain it all in those!
Hope That Helps!
Dian
Julie says
hi i was woundering if on the match up for a store that doubles coupons, does that price included double?
Dian says
Julie,
Yes, if that store in that particular area doubles then the match ups are the pricing after the doubles!
Thanks!
Dian
MILDRED says
DIAN, I HAVE COUPONS FOR DIAL BODY WASH $2 OFF, 5 COUPONS. KROGERS HAS A SALE THIS WEEK BUY 10 ITEMS GET $3 OFF. SHOULD I GET ALL FIVE THAT COST ME ONLY $4.95 OR IS THERE A METHOD FOR FREE WITH MY COUPON? ALSO I HAVE PICKED FIVE MORE ITEMS. HELP!!!!
Dian says
MILDRED » ThT sounds like a good deal!
MILDRED says
DIAN, I WENT OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME TO COUPON SHOP AND FIRST STOP WAS DOLLAR STORE TIC TACS 75CENTS COUPONS AND SALE PRICE 65 CENTS. HAD 5 COUPONS STORE OWED ME 20 CENTS. THEN I WENT CVS RECEIPT SAVE 71% I WOULD HAVE SAVED MORE BUT I FAILED TO READ LIMIT ON SALE PAPER ,THATS MY LOST. GOOD NEWS I LEFT WITH $16 EXTRA BUCKS. WALGREENS SAVED 61%. KROGERS SPENT $64.41 AFTER COUPONS OUT OF POCKET $14.40. I THINK I DID OK, HOPE TO BETTER. YOUR E BOOK IS WONDERFUL. IM LEARNING SLOWLY BECAUSE I WORK FULL TIME. ONE INCOME IN THIS HOME FOR THREE. MY GRANDCHILD, HUSBAND (UNABLE TO WORK MEDICAL PROBLEM),AND ME. I NEED ALL THE COUPON TIPS AND HELP ,SO IM READING YOUR SITE DAILY. THANKS :):):)
Dian says
MILDRED » great trip! Way to go! thanks for sharing!
sameen says
Dian,
you are truely inspiring. I’m extremely new to the coupon system. Like many others I made my first tiny blunders already frustrating my husband with the coupon system. Trying to save $.50 on an expensive brand still kept my groccery bills high compared to a bill i make otherwise when i buy Great Value products:/ I wanted to ask you, which stores do the doubling? I have HEB, Walmart, Walgreen and CVS nearby that i go to often. I’m desperate to make some savings since i dont have a job, this is one of the ways i can help in the meantime. 🙁
Dian says
sameen » Thank you so much for the kind words!
None of the stores you mentioned double coupons. Around me Albertson’s and Safeway double coupons.
I hope that helps!
Dian
Karen Kochenburger says
The hardest thing to me is when you are all ready with your list and you know you have some awesome deals! Then to find out the shelf has been cleared of that product. You take time to go in several times and the product is not in stock. At walmart the product is not on sale but the coupon has an expiration. So by the time the coupon expired it is too late. Do you struggle with this? I am in Orlando, Fl. and our prices are very high too. We do not get very many FREE deals because of the high prices. We do not double ever. The best thing we have is at publix, they do a lot of BOGO and I can use a coupon on each item and then use like a Target competitor coupon on each item so we can stack. Publix also offers alot of coupons too to stack on top of manufacturer. Even with this, we get very few FREE deals. What advice can you offer? I just found your site and I am ususally on the www.iheartpublix.com site religiously. Now I will read yours front to back!
Dian says
Karen Kochenburger » You know it’s funny, I grew up in Florida in Jacksonville. And we didn’t shop at Publix, it was too expensive! So, now it’s funny to hear people say that Publix is the best buy! I would still say that Walmart is your best bet. Maybe see if you can find out what days they stock the shelves so that you can maybe be able best people to the punch. With price matching and overage that you can get on some deals at Walmart, I think it’s still better than stores that don’t double. However, like you said and I’ve heard, Publix seems to be a great place to shop, too!
I hope that helps! Glad to have you here, happy that you enjoy the site thanks!
Dian
Karen Kochenburger says
Walmart is cheaper unless it is a BOGO with coupon at publix. Walmart is my go to when I need something that is not on sale. For example. Doritos are $2.58 at walmart. Publix is BOGO $3.99. But the scenario is better on something with a coupon like, a $1.00 off 2 or even $1 off one. Plus, competitor coupons that Walmart will not take. That is why I go to publix and shop only BOGO super deals, which means their lowest prices with coupons. I am really going to try and do price matching other deals that I find at other stores. THANKS for your quick response!
Dian says
Karen Kochenburger » You’re very welcome! Let me know if you ever have any questions!
Dian
Natalee says
I cant seem to find an answer for my question anywhere no matter who I ask. I usually just get a reply saying well we do the coupon matching for you so you dont have to! But half the time the matching list isnt up before I go to the store so Im on my own. And when the matching list is up nothing on it seems to work for my local store bcuz of price differences or different sales. So my question is, For items not posted in a weekly ad how do you know the price of the item before you go into the store?
For example this week our local Albertsons is FINALLY doubling coupons! Yay, They rarely do! So I have a coupon for 50cents off of yogurt which will double to 1.00, but how do I know the price of the yogurt BEFORE coupons if its not in the weekly ad? I would like to see how much that 1.00 off will actually be cutting the price down to!
Thanks in advance
Dian says
Natalee » Well, that is a great question!
The best way to get the best idea of what an item costs if it’s not in the ad, is to have a price book.
The stores don’t generally list their current prices online, and if it’s not in the ad, then the only way other than to call and ask per item, or go and look, is to have a price book that will help you determine what the price should be.
I made a video and also price book printable pages you can use to get started: https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/resources-2/
You want to keep a price book for all the stores you shop at regularly, and you want to do it over a 6 – 8 week period – so that you can see the highs and lows of each product and you’ll begin to see a pattern and you will know about when that product will be at it’s lowest every 6-8 week period.
I hope that helps!
Feel free to ask me anything else!
Dian
Natalee says
Fantastic!! thanks so much!!
Dian says
Natalee » You’re very welcome!
Dian
Simona says
Hi there.
I been trying to coupon for the past month, and somehow I don’t get the prices down more than 30 % if that much.
The only stores in my area are HEB , Walmart & Walgreens. (Pet’s Mart)
Not a big selcetion… tell me about it.
If I travel about 20 miles, I have a K-Mart and a Target.
Any advice.
I am reading online , make it studying, but nobody doubles and the last 3 times I went to HEB they were so unfriendly and downright mean when I inquired about the $10 off catalina did not print.
Either I was yold I must not have qualified for it …. which is not true. The town I worked in, printed out just fine for the the EXACT items, or I am told the catalina machines are broken …. maybe they are just turned off?
Any advice ?
Dian says
Simona » I am sorry you are having such trouble. It can be frustrating sometimes, just getting started.
If a catalina doesn’t print, call the catalina company – they will get it for you.
I don’t go many places that double anymore, since Kroger here quit and Albertson’s is so far away, and well, don’t get me started about Tom Thumb 😉
But, I take all the stores ads and choose what i am going to buy and buy it all at Walmart – with their price match policy it makes it very easy.
You have to have a stockpile, so that when you shoping you are shopping the sales, not for what you need! That’s what will get you, if you are shopping for what you NEED, you will pay more. Buy as much as you need t get you through 6- 8 weeks when something is on sale and then watch the sales and coupons and don’t purchase it again until it is at it’s rock bottom price WITH a coupon.
But, in order to do that you have to first build up a stockpile.
I hope that helps!
Make sure you read my eBook and watch my videos for any help you might need, and of course I am here to answer questions, too!
Thanks!
Dian
cynthia says
i use coupons, and im pretty good at reducing my grocery bill, just yesterday i reduced my bill from $175.00 down to $119.00 but what i cant seem to figure out is how to shop for absolutely free. that has been my desire but in ny state its really hard to do.
Dian says
cynthia » Well, it depends on the sale, the coupons, the store, alot of factors. But, it can be done. Stick with it, watch my site because I post any FREE deals I find to help, too!
Thanks!
Dian
brenda says
Hi Dian
I am a Grandmother raising some of my Grandchildren and added a neice this past year all together we now have four children. My Husband works and has a descent income, but we are now spending up to 250.00 or more for groceries every payday and it is beginning to break the bank if you know what I mean. I am very interested in FREE GROCERIES, but I don’t have a lot of time to get coupons together, lol I barely have time to get on the computer. I guess I’m asking where in the heck should I start, We shop mainly at Wal-Mart but we have giant eagle, aldis, and save a lot too. We are from a small town in Ohio and drive about half an hour to get to the stores so we only go about every 2 weeks to shop. If I could get free groceries maybe we could take our kids on a vacation this summer. Thank you for any advice you can give me.
Dian says
brenda » Hi and welcome!
What i suggest is for you to either watch my videos that explain it all or read my eBook, whichever you prefer, and then ask any questions you have. and I will be happy to answer them!
It takes some time to get started but, once you do it’s fun and you find the time. Also, what a gift to give the kids – teaching them how to save too and being responsible with their budgets when they get older!
They can help you sort, cut, and file coupons. I have 4 kids and they have always helped me by doing that and even shopping when they got older!
Please let me know if you have any questions! Happy Shopping!
Dian
melanie wall says
I have been trying to learn how to coupon now for awhile. I am truly struggling to figure out what I am doing. I went from being a single person on mky own to being with someone with 4 children so now I am buying for 6 and need to learn how to save quickly. I only work part-time as I am in school full time so so money is very tight for me. How do I do it
Dian says
melanie wall » Well the best thing I can tell you is to watch my videos and/or read my eBook and then ask me any specific questions you have. That way we can streamline your learning and get it done fast!
Hope that helps!
Dian
Robert says
Dian,,
Did you know that your other site is blocked with security thing?
You might have to unblock to get your traffic backup.
Dian says
Robert » Which one? Grocery Shop For FREE At The Mart?
Vicki says
I’m new at this so please bear with me. In our the area of our state we don’t have any Krogers but there are some in our state about 5 hours away. We have lots of Walmart so my question is can I use Krogers (or any other grocery) coupons from anywhere in state or out at any Walmart?
Thanks.
Dian says
Vicki » Hi and welcome!
Kroger doesn’t really have “Kroger coupons” Most coupons are made and distributed by the manufacturer of the specific product you are purchasing. Target & Walgreens have “Store coupons” that you can use at their stores.
Walmart doesn’t take competitor coupons – even though they say they do – what they actually do is Ad Match.
Say a local store has an ad that says Avocados for $.25 – then Walmart will match that. If Walgreens has Suave Shampoo in their ad for $3 and then they have a coupon in their ad that makes it $2 – then Walmart will take the AD final price and you will pay that. THAT’S what THEY call taking competitor coupons…
Confusing I know – I hope that helps!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thanks!
Dian
Lauren Rowland says
I can’t wait to get started!!!
Lauren Rowland says
I’ve always wanted to learn how to do this
cheri says
Hello Dian,
I know alot of the coupons that link to like facebook and what not have a limit of how many times you can print a coupon. Any tips on getting around that or just use a different computer?
cheri
Dian says
Cheri,
I use another computer or even another Facebook account.
I can have Hubby and the kids print from theirs.
I hope that helps!
Dian
Robin says
New
Alma Darden says
Love the dallor tree.
Dian says
Alma,
Me too!
Dian
Gwen says
sign me up
Alma Darden says
I like free items.
kelly says
how can I learn this? 🙂
Dian says
Kelly,
This should help:
I have a FREE eBook that explains:
https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/dians-ebook/
I have FREE Videos that explain, too:
https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/dians-videos-2/
I also have a How To Coupon Section:
https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/category/how-to-coupon/
As well as a Couponing Question & Answers section:
https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/category/couponing-questions-answers/
How To Read A Coupon Matchup:
https://www.groceryshopforfree.com/read-coupon-matchups/
I am also always around to help! Feel free to email me and ask me anything:
[email protected]
Dian
dana says
this is a LOT more difficult when you live in the boonies and your local grocery stores don’t take on-line coupons.