I am always striving to save money on groceries. A price book is a tool that helps me accomplish that.
Why Use A Price Book
A price book allows you to do price comparisons on an item and to note the sales cycle so you can purchase the item at its lowest price. It will also let you evaluate unadvertised sales in the store to see whether an item is really on sale or not. For example, cereal was on sale in my area. In one particular store I noticed a yellow sticker (indicating a sale price) on cereal that we buy. It was on sale but only one cent cheaper than its regular price!
The best way to start is to write a list of about ten items that you regularly buy and start tracking their prices when you are at the grocery store. Then, when you are looking through the flyers planning your menu for the week, you will start to notice when items are at a great stock-up price.
My Price Book
I use a 3-ring binder divided by categories. I keep track of produce (such as apples, raspberries, grapes and asparagus), dairy items (such as milk, yogurt and sour cream), meat (such as chicken breasts, ground beef and bacon), pantry items (such as juice, ketchup, cereal and pasta), household items (such as toilet paper, dish soap and batteries) and personal care items (such as shampoo, razors, mouthwash and toothpaste).
This is a gradual process. Write down prices from your receipts, sales flyers or just jot down a few prices of items when you are grocery shopping. When you find a good deal, buy enough to last you until the next great sale.
Keep your price list updated regularly and use it to help you save money on your groceries.
Free printable Price Book
I have wanted to keep a price book for such a long time. Never sure why I didn’t start one. I can never remember what I pay for something, so I am not always sure I get a good deal or not! Thanks for sharing the printable. I found you from the Monday Madness link party! Now following you on FB and Pinterest!
Thanks so much for visiting Cynthia! I hope my printable helps you.
This is brilliant Debbie! I was only thinking today that I should keep a book or something to keep track of prices when grocery shopping – I alternative between 2 stores and some items are cheaper at one store, so it would be good to take note and stock up rather than buying the more expensive product at the other store. Thank you for the printable, that will be handy!!
You are so welcome Kyra! I hope it helps you.
Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness 🙂 I just don’t know how to use a price book! That sounds bad but do you carry it with you to the supermarket and just have it out or do you leave it at home? This sounds really dumb! I must be having one of those days!
Sharon, that doesn’t sound dumb. I started by taking a notepad to the store with me and writing down prices of items that we regularly bought. I did this every time I went grocery shopping, whether or not I was purchasing the item. This lets you see the sales cycle for those items (generally between 6 – 12 weeks). Buy the item as needed, but the next time you see a great sale, you estimate how many of that item you will use until the item goes on sale again. I started by following between 5 – 10 items that we used and buying an extra one or two when it went on sale. Now I know when a great sale is on and will stock up with more (depending on how much room there is in the budget). I need to update my price book, so I will be taking my binder into the store with me and as I go up and down the aisles, I will write down a few prices (depending on how much time I have). Start small and do what you can!
Great idea!! How often we think we are getting a deal and we are only saving that penny! Thank you for sharing this on the Art of Home-Making Mondays!
What a great idea, we have often talked about doing something like this but it just seemed so huge a task but you have really made it so easy to start. Thank you for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
What a great idea. If only I had time to focus on it…sigh. One of these days I will try it for sure. Thank you for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things, hope to see you again next week. Happy Easter!
Baby steps Jas! Happy Easter to you and your family too.
I’ve never used a price book, but it sounds like a great idea! Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend? I hope you will join us again this Monday!
Good morning! This post has been *featured* today at the Art of Home-Making Mondays! Thank you so much for sharing with us 🙂 Our new link up is up and running and we would love to have you join in again this week!
Thanks so much Jes!
I haven’t used a price book, but it does sound like a good idea. Thx!
This would be such a great price saving tool. I have started one a couple of times but never continue with it. I need to try harder.
Thanks for the mind niggle again.