Saving gas vs. saving food costs

[berry987]

I'm working very hard to save more money and today I am going to buy groceries. I have my meals all planned out, my lists made, but I'm trying to decide the best approach. We have a farmer's market about 25 minutes away - I'll save money on fruit/veggies there. I need some staples that are cheapest at Target, but Target is in the opposite direction of the farmer's market. Then there is the regular grocery store, which is close to my house, but costs more than both Target and the farmer's market (but I need to go there for some other things that I can't get at the other places). So now I'm driving all over town to save some money and get everything I need. It doesn't seem very efficient - I'm tempted to just go to my regular grovery store so I can save gas/time/energy, but that doesn't help the budget. UGH!

[BetsyS]

I try to plan some trips to coincide with other trips. It doesn't always work, but it's always the major plan. Do you do anything over on the side of town where Target is? That way, after doing whatever normal thing over there, you can swing by Target on the way home, instead of a special trip.

Like I said, it doesn't always work, but it's my plan.

Something else I do sometimes is alternate stores. One week, store A, one week store B. If I know that something is cheaper at store A, I buy at least enough to last 2 weeks (or until I'll get back to store A again). That way, it's still only one trip a week, but you do get the better deals at each store.

[annethcz]

I have a list on my fridge of how much it costs me to drive certain places. I know that my vehicle averages 23-25mpg. Using an estimate of $4.00/gallon and 23 mpg, I know that it costs me $8 for a round trip to the store 20 miles away. Then I just need to figure out if I will save $8 or more by going to the store 20 miles away vs. the store here in town. For me, it's usually worth it to drive farther, but sometimes it's not. Of course there are other considerations, such as quality of the items and whether you're buying local vs. non-local goods, and whether you can combine trips. But if you're looking at it from the perspective of straight dollars and cents, it isn't too hard to determine how much you're spending on gas to potentially save money on cheaper goods.

[wildmonkeys]

Do you have a frugal buddy to split any of this with? I have a neighbor who
I get great joy out of splitting Target, library, etc. trips with...If you could each touch base if heading to Target or ride to the Farmer's Market together or whatever you could probably do save gas and food money, you know?

[berry987]

Thanks for the great ideas. I ended up going to Target and the grocery store yesterday, but bought enough at Target to last a few weeks. I skipped the farmer's market this week, but will go next week. And I love the idea of buddy -- my sister would be good for that. I just need to be more organized and not run out of everything on the same day!

[happyhats]

My problem isn't the same as yours but I'm still in a similar vein. I really want to start buying more fresh, organic food locally. However, that's not really available in my town...I have to go out about sixty miles to do so. So far I've reconciled to only go out that way when I'm already going to my prenatal appointments since my doctor is about thirty or forty miles away. Sometimes I can't make it out there for time restraints, though, which means for the time being I'm having to buy the best I can in my town and then buy in bulk when I can get to co ops, etc.