Instead this is about finding the best prices for stuff in the grocery store. While at the store, comparing prices/quality between brands seems normal, but what about comparing store to store/time of year/etc? A few months ago, I found the suggestion to keep a Grocery Book (no source here, sorry) to track common items over a period of time to compare the price. One thing to keep in mind is the size of the item. For example, if a 15 oz can of diced tomatoes is $0.90 on sale, great! Buy it, right? But if a 28 oz can is $1.50, this one is the better deal, per ounce, assuming you can use that much in one dish, or don't mind saving some for later. Another thing to keep in mind is if you can use the larger items before they go bad. By tracking items for a few months, it's easier to see a pattern of what price is...right. It's a little tedious at first, but it does pay off. Here's an example (please excuse the formatting.):
Category Item Date Store Unit price Total
Produce Blackberries 1/3 Alb .165/oz 0.99
Blueberries 1/3 Alb .165/oz 0.99
1/26 Sunf 1.77/pint 1.77
Broccoli 10/27 Safe .88/lb 0.82
11/17 Fry 1.00/lb 0.85
11/30 Sunf 1.59/lb 0.95
1/5 Sunf 1.00/lb 0.63
3/2 Sunf .99/lb 0.65
Cabbage 11/30 Sunf 1.00/lb 1.16
1/26 Sunf .50/lb 0.89
3/9 Alb .39/lb 1.32
Carrots 11/13 Alb .59/lb 2.99
11/2 Alb .69/lb 0.69
1/20 Alb .60/lb 2.99
2/23 Fry .49/lb 2.49
Yet another thing to remember is what type of item. If the item is broccoli crowns vs. broccoli, stalk and all, there is usually a significant price difference. Is that too many things to keep in mind?
If you have any other helpful hints, please share. Otherwise, have your pets spayed or neutered. Or not.
I tend to buy a lot of stuff in bigger cans (because it's generally a little cheaper). Most things freeze well, so you can use half of the can in one recipe and freeze the rest for later! I usually do this with things like enchilada sauce.
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