Grocery shopping for large family- Costco or "regular" store

[mommyto4grits]

There are 6 of us, and no matter what I feel like I spend a ton on food. We average $650-$850 a month, depending on whether I did triple coupons (if available) or Costco/Sams that month.
I know people with a family half our size that spend the same amount, so that helps me not feel as "guilty", but I would love to cut costs a bit.
I do buy a lot of organic, we don't eat red meat but do eat chicken, turkey, not many convience foods but some. Tons of produce and not much junk. I cook every night, and 5 or 6 lunches a week also.

My question is, is it better to stock up and buy in bulk at Costco or Sam's Club, or spend the extra time with coupons and such at the regular grocery store?

[solinox]

Here is what I do to maximize my time and money:

1. I use e-Mealz (or previously MenuMailer) to help with meal planning. I have to double the recipes, but then we get some leftovers to eat, so it all works out. I may use a single menu for 1.5-2 weeks because of this.

2. I use the Grocery Game to buy stockpile items at the regular grocery store. I do not buy the paper and clip coupons from it anymore, as I felt the 2+ hours a week I spent clipping and organizing so I could find them later just wasn't worth my time, especially since most of the coupons were for limited quantities of items we don't normally buy. I will print coupons off the web for things that we really like and/or usually purchase, but mostly I use the Game List to buy large quantities of things really cheap. I'll buy things by the case when they go on the List.

3. I use Sam's (or Costco when we live near one) to supplement the stockpiling I do on the Grocery Game. Generally I find the prices go 1. grocery store, 2. Sam's/Costco, 3. List deals, in descending order, so I buy big boxes at Sam's when I run out of stockpile items (and then make a mental note to stockpile more next time!). Still, you can't stockpile milk and bread and eggs, and I can pay for my Sam's membership with those items alone, nevermind things like salt and vitamins that never seem to go on the Game List. Just stay out of the center aisles and don't buy everything you sample, and you'll be okay.

[mommyto4grits]

Thank you, I have never checked out The Grocery Game, although I know of a few people who do it. Going to check it out!

[annethcz]

My family is the same size as yours, and I do both. Last year we spent an average of $550/month on food to prepare/eat at home. Some items are cheaper at Costco, some are cheaper from the grocery store, and some things I buy direct from the farmer. This is where a price book or similar comes in handy, to keep track of prices at different stores. I generally do a big grocery shop once every two weeks, and I go to Costco AND the grocery store.

[alittlesandy]

Be sure to compare cost per unit. For example, refried beans will go on sale at the grocery store for 10 for $10, which is $1 a piece and pretty cheap. But an eight-pack at Costco is 6.58, which comes to less than $1 each. Cheese will go on sale at the grocery store and be cheaper per ounce than Costco. Huge bags of rice and pasta are cheaper at Costco, but I find that meat and vegetables are cheaper at the grocery store, WHEN they are on sale.

What works for me is to keep a price book. I shop at about 4-5 different stores, but they are all within a 10-mile radius. I think you have to take gas and travel-time into consideration as well.

[sunflower.mama]

Do both! BJs accepts manuf. coupons, as well as their own, and for that reason (among others, including the deli at BJs and the fact that they tend to stock a case of small containers of products, instead of a huge box of it) I changed from Costco to BJs.

[Nitenites]

I have a family of 6, and used to spend $650/month on groceries. Since I've gotten hard-core with couponing, I've gotten our monthly grocery bill down to $450/month. Because most warehouse stores don't accept coupons, I shop the regular stores and stockpile. I watch the per-unit prices, and I buy more than one Sunday paper every week. (My mom & neighbors also give me their inserts, after they've gone through them.)

It's a common misconception that coupons are only for convenience foods. I used to think that, too. But now I keep my eyes peeled for coupons for sour cream, cheese, oatmeal, peanut butter, salad, etc, because I know they're out there - I've seen them!

The best advice I can give you is to shop the sales! Look for the loss-leaders in stores, and when possible, pair them with coupons. When you find a good deal, stock up.