Yesterday was a late day at the lab for me, but I absolutly HAD to get to the grocery store, fridge and cupboards were getting pretty bare, and I was down to eating frozen chicken patties and tater tots (not a horrible meal, but I usually do much better). I've been reading the couponing guides and forums on here and I've been itching to try some stuff, but I need to plan the time and not start 30 minutes before I have to head out to the store, including making my list. All the same, with a quick look at internet printable coupons, I found 2 bucks worth of usable ones, and I have about another dollars worth of recycling (I live in NY, I can't believe you get money for doing something I've been taught to do all my life. I know you pay the deposit up front, but to me thats just rolled into the price of the item).
There are two main grocery chains in my area that I've found (outside of the warehouse stores), Price Chopper and Hannaford. PC is cheaper, but Hannaford is fresher and has more selection. Price Chopper also has a discount membership card, as far as I know, Hannaford doesn't. The solution: buy almost everything at PC, stuff I can't find there, or stuff I want fresh (produce, eggs, meat). The PC stuff isn't horrible, but it usually goes bad before I have a chance to use it.
My roommate tagged along, so I spent more time shopping than I wanted to, but I stuck to my list, came in under my 60 a week limit, and saved $13 with coupons and member discounts. Hannaford had a special on split chicken breasts only .99 a pound, I couldn't believe it as I was used to paying about $3.00 a pound for the boneless skinned breasts. I figure I learn to skin and bone it myself, I save that much more money. It doesn't matter much if they get mangled as most of the time I cut them up anyway for the dishes I use them in.