The Grocery Game Guide, part 5: final thoughts.

Read part 1 here.
Read part 2 here.
Read part 3 here.
Read part 4 here.

Hmmm. If you’ve read my past four posts on the Grocery Game it sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? For me it’s worth it. I’ve reduced the amount of money we spend and increased the amount of food we buy. I’ve increased the variety of food we buy. I no longer struggle to come up for dinner ideas and leftover night has turned into a buffet. I love having a stocked freezer and pantry (it’s a good thing I have tall cabinets in my kitchen; I’m finally filling them up). I used to think that coupons were just for packaged stuff full of chemicals, but I’ve gotten a lot of good food too (can anyone say free whole wheat pasta?). And the Grocery Game has been a big help in showing me when to buy produce and meat at low prices. And I haven’t even covered the whole area of household cleaners and health & beauty items (that’s coming later).

As you get into your routine, you’ll spend less and less time on the organization. Also, as you build up your stockpile of items, you won’t need to shop for as much each week. The Grocery Game recommends playing for a full 12 weeks to see the benefits of shopping this way. After six weeks, I’m spending about the same as I used, but I’m getting so much more for the money. I do expect to see my weekly bill drop in the next month or two.

One more thing to consider: if you start stockpiling, you’ll need a place to store all your stuff. I’ve heard that some members use their initial savings to buy a deep freezer. I’d love to have one, but I truly have no place to put one. So I sometimes repackage freezer items to fit better in my side-by-side fridge. I’ve learned to cram quite a bit in there. Also, my kitchen cabinets go all the way to the ceiling so I have some extra space at the top that I’m using for the stockpile. I also have a closet that holds my washer and dryer and I store cleaning items in there. My bathroom closet holds personal care items. And my next step will probably be to clear out a shelf in the hall closet for additional storage. If you are lucky enough to have a big pantry, garage or basement you should be fine.

And last, a word of caution. These lists contain great deals every week, but resist the urge to buy just to buy. You’re only saving money if you buy the things your family uses. It’s okay to try new products, but don’t go overboard and buy a dozen of something that your family hasn’t tried yet. Buy one, then go stock up if it works for you. The lists give great information, but you need to make them work for your situation.

Do you have any other questions? Please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer them. I’m planning another post – on Walgreen’s – coming up next week.