When I first started couponing in 2008, I read a lot of books and blogs that offered frugal tips. One of the best tips was to create a price list, so I’d be aware of what a truly good deal actually was (often, it’s not what you think)!
A price list should be written out on paper and taken to the store with you. Eventually, I memorized my prices and now I just know instinctively what’s good.
It probably goes without saying, but my ideal price point on everything is FREE! With processed food and toiletries, that is doable. With real, fresh food like produce and meat, it becomes more challenging. Prices will vary, depending on which area of the country you’re located in. (I live in New England.)
In Part One, I will be discussing what I aim to pay for Fruits and Veggies.
My preference is for fresh produce that is in-season. During the winter, I will buy frozen if nothing in the store looks good—especially if I have a coupon. I don’t like any canned produce, but if I can find it for free, I always buy to donate.
Every week, I check my store flyers for loss leaders. I stock up on whatever is on sale. This allows me to eat a variety of food, but it’s never the same week-to-week. I share all of my best deals in Super Savings Saturday.
Bananas: I used to get these free with Target coupons, but they changed the coupon amount. An average price is $0.49/Lb. A rare, fantastic sale is $0.39/Lb. I buy extra and slice/freeze them for smoothies.
Watermelon: I love watermelon and buy whole, seedless ones as big as possible! $2.99 is rock-bottom, but $3.88 is more common.
Cantaloupe: I’ve seen them as low as $1.00 each, but I rarely buy them because they’re not my fav.
Berries: I love all berries and aim to pay $0.99 a package at a local produce store. At the grocery store, berries are always overpriced!
Grapes: I prefer red seedless at $0.99/Lb. Pay careful attention to packages. They are often mislabeled and have a bunch of spoiled fruit mixed in with the good ones.
Apricots: Always expensive, regardless of the season. If I do buy these, I look for dried and use a coupon.
Raisins: Larger packages are a much better value than the mini-boxes. Combine a Sun Maid coupon with a sale for the best deal. I paid $0.99 for a container in May.
Cranberries: The best sales are at Thanksgiving. Ocean Spray always puts out coupons and I can find them for $1.00-$1.50 a bag.
Mango: I don’t like these and never buy them, but I’ve seen them 4/$1.00 on sale.
Pears: I’ve seen these as low as $0.49/LB for Bartlett, but a typical sale is $0.99/Lb.
Pineapple: I buy whole pineapple whenever I can find them on sale for $1.50 each. I paid $0.77 with a Del Monte coupon in April.
Oranges: I can find these 5/$1.00 in the wintertime. They have a long shelf life, so I always stock up.
Grapefruit: 4/$1.00 in the wintertime is my stock up price.
Limes: Bags of limes can be found on sale 10/$1.00. A typical price is 3 or 4 for $1.00.
Lemons: Cheaper in the bag at $2.00, or if bought individually, I look for $0.33 each.
Stone Fruit (Peaches, Nectarines, Plums): The lowest price I saw all summer was $0.50/lb at a local produce store. The price at the grocery store was double, so it pays to look around at every store near you.
Apples: I prefer to buy these loose. Bagged apples are cheaper, but I find the quality isn’t as good. I like Jazz, Pink Lady, and Honey Crisp variety the best. I look for sales and when they reach $1.00/Lb or less, I buy a bunch.
Carrots: A typical price around here is $0.79/Lb. I’ve found a 3-Lb bag marked down to $0.99.
Potatoes: Buy in bulk. For a small family, a 10-Lb bag is manageable. Year-round, I can find them for $3.99, but they’re cheapest in November and December. Around Thanksgiving, I’ve seen bags for as little as $1.00. If you have a large family, go for the 50-Lb bags which can be only $20.00!
Eggplant: I look for these when they’re marked down at a local produce store. $0.99/Lb is a good price.
Peppers: I only buy these when I find them marked down, otherwise they’re wicked overpriced. I can usually find big packages discounted to a dollar.
String Beans: $0.99/Lb is a good price.
Tomatoes: I buy cherry tomatoes or on-the-vine tomatoes when I can find them on sale. Here are some that cost $0.88.
Lettuce: I buy Boston lettuce, Romaine, and bagged salad—sometimes for as little as $0.88/package.
Cucumbers: I’ve gotten these free at Target with coupons. Standard pricing is 2/$1.00.
Onions: $0.20/Lb for bags of yellow onions. I also like to splurge on Vidalia when I match a coupon with a sale (5-lb for $2.53!)
Broccoli: Anywhere from $0.99 on sale to $1.49 is common here. Buy extra to tide you over between sales. I buy crowns and use the stalks to make broccoli slaw.
Corn: The best sales are in the summer, starting with Memorial Day and ending around Labor Day. I’ve bought them 10/$1.77.
Asparagus: $0.99/Lb when I can find it.
Mushrooms: I’ve found them on sale for $0.88 a package.
In Part Two, we’ll be discussing meat, so stay tuned!
Do you have a Price List? If so, how do my prices compare to yours?
