Food Shopping Research Project

In January I heard about Jeff Yeager’s book, “The Ultimate Cheapskate’s Road Map to True Riches.” I bought – and enjoyed – the book. One of the things he suggested was shopping for some foods at the local dollar store.

This morning, Jeff was again on the Today Show, shopping at the dollar store in a segment about how to save money. This time I got inspired to take action. What else would the woman who invented the word, inspirACTion do?

My goal was to research how much, if any, money I could save at the dollar store. My local dollar store is less than one tenth of a mile from the turn off to the local supermarket chain, so there was no additional expenditure of gas money to get there and very little time expenditure.

Here, to save you the time of doing your own research are the results.

Dollar Store Shaw’s Supermarket

270 cup Folger’s Coffee $7.50 $8.49
1 lb. pckg Elbow Macaroni 0.85 1.19
14 oz. jar Mr. Peanut Peanuts 2.50 2.50
29 oz. can Fruit Cocktail 1.15 2.29
15 oz. can Hormel Chili 1.50 2.00
48 oz. bottle Sunny D Juice 1.00 2.39*
50 oz. Tide he Laundry Detergent 7.75 13.49
Lg. Campbell’s Chunky Soup 1.90 2.00
10 oz. box SunMaid Raisins 1.20 3.69
20 oz. Post Raisin Bran Cereal 2.65 3.19
2 lb. Long Grain Rice 1.00 2.00
10 oz. Kraft Mayonnaise 1.30 2.29
25 Green Tea bags 1.00 2.99
_________ _________
$29.80 $48.51

I was astounded at the difference in the cost – of virtually the same items.

(* I couldn’t find Sunny D brand at Shaw’s so compared an equivalent Juicy Juice brand)!

I made my first trip to the dollar store earlier this month to get some potting soil. I was in the midst of planting seeds so went to the closest store. There I found another great bargain. I bought seed packets for twenty cents a piece.

Similar packets at a well-known discount store cost me $1.50 per packet. The seeds have germinated exceptionally well – and were a great bargain!

Now I’m inspired to stop at the dollar store on my way to the supermarket. If there are items on my list available there, I’ll save some money!

My next research project: I’ve been tracking all my expenses since the first of January. I know exactly how much money I’ve spent on groceries this year.

I’m going to spend the next 3 months of the year implementing some changes in my grocery shopping habits. I will look first in the dollar store to see if I can find what I want there. I’m going to research a couple of coupon websites and start using coupons.

At the end of June, I’ll be able to calculate how much money I’ve saved. My commitment to you – and to me – is to put the money in a savings account and to report my results to you during early July.