As an at home dad, where are you finding the best deals for shopping? Are you guys looking online? Coupon clipping? Newspaper ads? With 3 kids and one income, it's hard to get all the things we need as a family (food, sporting equipment, school supplies, entertainment, clothes, etc.), so I'm just trying to figure out what other like minded father's are doing to keep the bank account healthy while still getting the thing you need. Any suggestions would be awesome!
Shopping and more
Shopping
One of the big things I've noticed is how cyclical all the sales are. There are certain staples that I find myself buying regularly. I notice that many of them are on sale every few weeks. On non-perishables I try to stock up on enough to get me through to the next sale. It also helps that I have a chest freezer downstairs along with a couple of large storage cabinets. I used to clip a lot of coupons. But I don't get the paper anymore so I don't have as many coupons. Most of the stores around me used to double or sometimes triple coupons but they've slowly phased that out recently.
I haven't tried it yet myself but the Amazon Subscribe and Save plan saves you 15% and you get free shipping. http://www.amazon.com/gp/subscribe-and-save/details/index.html/ref=rcxsubs_dp_more
One of the other things that has been vital to me is looking at each monthly bill and seeing if it's really necessary or if it can be reduced at all. There are tons of on-line articles about just calling your cable company to "see what they can do." Just tell them you're looking to keep your bill under X amount of dollars each month. And threaten to switch to satellite or cancel it altogether. But don't make an empty threat. Be prepared to switch if they don't budge.
We have Netflix, do we need HBO? We had the 3-at-a-time plan on Netflix, 2-at-a-time is enough. We switched to Verizon FIOS when it came to the area because it was cheaper. We use Vonage for our home phone, and if I pay for it a year at a time I get 2 months free. When you look at some of these types of expenses as a yearly cost it hits you how much of your income is going out. You've got to ask if it's really worth it.
shopping pt.2
Hey Mattb5,
great reply. sounds like you got it down to a T. I've also noticed that most stores are cutting down on how many coupons they're accepting. I too have been trying to cut down on the things we have. I mean, I go through the house every morning after the kids are at school and the wife is at work and turn off all the lights. I've also been cutting back on watering the lawn. instead of 5 days a week (for 3 minutes), I've gone down to 3 days a week (for 2 minutes). My lawn looks like crap but it's ok, the green is in my pocket....not my lawn.
The family has become fans of eating mac 'n cheese, top ramen, rice, pasta, and tuna. those are great supplies to have around to last a while. I'm particular to ramen with an egg. mmmmm....so good. I'll have to put the recipe on here when I have a chance.
I keep trying to find other ways to save money, regardless of what it is. I keep an eye out for "Kids eat FREE", those are always good.
Like you said, it's all about budgeting and sticking to your guns about it.
What are the other dads doing?
-Hubby
Supermarket Cards
I would suggest getting a free card (not a credit card) to become members at your grocery.
It saves you from having to hunt for, then clip, keep track of, then remember to bring coupons. Atleast our grocery anyway, has them programmed in to honor upon swiping and scan. Great for late night SWAT commando grocery runs.
Card member only sale pricing on select items, need I say more? Go for it, it adds up after time!
Really healthy stuff is $$$$
I got quite into coupons, since our local ShopRite will double most of them. After My cancer diagnosis, I realized just how many of the coupons each week are for packaged, processed stuff I don't eat anymore. Now the bulk of my diet is organic plant material, which is is rarely on sale and never involves coupons. Too bad, since this kind of eating, if expanded to a national scale, would pretty much "fix" health care.
Before this radical change, I did have a subscription to the www.thegrocerygame.com, which seemed like a useful system if you put in a little effort.
That Homeschooling Dad
Buy out of season
Personally, I like Target for good deals for OK quality on clothes. I often buy clothes a season ahead. So, by the end of June you can find lots of clearance of clothes for next summer in the next size. Don't overstock, in case they overgrow the size, but I have found it rarely happens. Even regular price at Target seems reasonable in most cases. I don't like Walmart or Old Navy due to lessor quality. One washing and it is all shrunk. Old Navy is good for jeans only.
Groceries are much about what is on sale... Buy what you need (milk, cereal, beer, etc.), but also some things you know you will use in the short term that are on sale. Example: Noodles 4 boxes for $$... saving several dollars. I mean you can never have too many noodles. We also have a discount grocery store near us. It is about 10-20% cheaper than chain grocery stores. They are a bit more chaotic, but my grocery bill is ALWAYS much less than at the "other" store.
Those are my only useful suggestions that I can think of right now.
Costco and such
I invested in a vacuum sealer (Amazon or Costo) so I can buy in bulk and save for later. This is great for the blocks of cheese or large packs of lunch meat at the bulk stores. Since I can't use it all before it goes bad, I section it up, seal, and freeze.
Also, we do most of our non-food item shopping on Amazon. No tax (in Chicago tax is 10.25%!!!!!!) and free shipping when you spend more than $25 (most of the time). Ethnic food markets are great places for produce too. I can buy 5 times as much produce at the local ethnic market than at Wholefoods or other less expensive grocers. Only draw back is sometimes the produce is ripe and you need to eat quickly or you have to pick through to find the good stuff.
RE: school supplies, again Costco or JoAnn Fabric (suprisingly).
Although it sounds stupid, we try to maximize cash rewards on credit cards (and pay them off EVERY month). We know one card gives 3% on certain areas while another card gives such and such on other purchases. We got over $500 back last year. The executive membership at Costco definitely pays for itself.
What about online shopping?
I was doing some online research when I came across this blog. Would you prefer online shopping to store shopping if you could get the same prices? What is most important when you look for non-perishable goods?
I am considering the start of an online retail store that is specifically tailored to SAHDs. I would like to know what you think about the idea. Would you shop at an online store that was designed to fit your particular needs? Do you feel like it would be more convenient for you if your shopping needs were delivered to your door? Or would you prefer spend the time to go to Target or Costco to touch and feel the goods prior to purchasing them?
Reply to Doug
Hi Doug,
I do most of my shopping online anyways unless it's to support or local mom and pop shops. One of the main reasons as I said above is to avoid the outlandish taxes we have in Chicago.
That being said, I'll shop where ever I can find the lowest prices per unit (such as diapers, wipes). Costco is also great because of their no (or hardly any) restrictions return policy.
Joined: 2009-07-14
Dad Points: 41