Couponing Tips to Reduce Food Costs?

[LittleScholars]

I spend an absolute FORTUNE on food for my daycare kids. I offer lots of fresh fruit and veggies, but I don't think I'm unique in doing that. I think I'm a terrible deal-finder and couponer. I just found a groupon for the local Sunday paper so I can clip those coupons, but any tips on other ways to cut costs/increase profits?

Until this point I've been so focused on getting my business up and running that I haven't been super focused on profit; however, it is time to bring in some income now!

Thank you!

[Unregistered]

Probably soon someone will direct you to other threads with this topic.

My contribution is to ask if there is an Aldi's near you? I save about $100 a week that way.

[NeedaVaca]

Here is a thread I posted a while back, hope it helps!

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52976

[LittleScholars]

Here is a thread I posted a while back, hope it helps!

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52976

WOWWWWWW. This is amazing. Thank you so much. I cannot wait to get started with this!!!

And I DO have an Aldi near me. It is a bit of a hike, but I'm very open to that if it is worth it!

[Snowmom]

I shop local farmer's co-ops, markets and clubs.
The Fruit Club is one of my favorites. They have monthly pick ups around the mid-west. I buy tons and freeze portions. This week they're bringing cherries... so yummy!

http://thefruitclub.net

We also grow a lot of our own produce during the spring/summer.

I don't have patience to coupon. I wish I did.

[Unregistered]

WOWWWWWW. This is amazing. Thank you so much. I cannot wait to get started with this!!!

And I DO have an Aldi near me. It is a bit of a hike, but I'm very open to that if it is worth it!

I drive 30 minutes to get to Aldi's each week. It is SO worth it. I can't speak for every store, but around us they have many organic choices. I can often get avocados for between $.25- $.39, bananas are usually $.19 lb, huge bag of oranges for $2, etc.

[NeedaVaca]

WOWWWWWW. This is amazing. Thank you so much. I cannot wait to get started with this!!!

And I DO have an Aldi near me. It is a bit of a hike, but I'm very open to that if it is worth it!

Thanks! It's a pretty old thread but still relevant. Now most of the coupon match ups include ibotta or checkout 51 or other similar savings type programs. It's another way to save money and they almost always include these in match ups for the biggest savings you can get.

[LittleScholars]

I drive 30 minutes to get to Aldi's each week. It is SO worth it. I can't speak for every store, but around us they have many organic choices. I can often get avocados for between $.25- $.39, bananas are usually $.19 lb, huge bag of oranges for $2, etc.

Really!? I can't believe I'm just learning this. I'm also terrible about planning my menu before looking at ads, so I'll pay $3-4 for an avocado just because I planned it in a recipe. I can't wait to go this weekend! Thank you!

[LittleScholars]

Thanks! It's a pretty old thread but still relevant. Now most of the coupon match ups include ibotta or checkout 51 or other similar savings type programs. It's another way to save money and they almost always include these in match ups for the biggest savings you can get.

This in great. I've always wanted to get good at this, but starting seemed so overwhelming. I feel like I can do this after reading your post!

[LittleScholars]

I shop local farmer's co-ops, markets and clubs.
The Fruit Club is one of my favorites. They have monthly pick ups around the mid-west. I buy tons and freeze portions. This week they're bringing cherries... so yummy!

http://thefruitclub.net

We also grow a lot of our own produce during the spring/summer.

I don't have patience to coupon. I wish I did.

I aspire to be just like you! I promised myself that next year I'll grow produce. I feel like that's such a great hobby and way to save.

[Thriftylady]

I used to be a huge coupon person. I don't so much now, because they no longer double them in my area, and the time factor with all these kiddos! But the thing to remember with coupons is not to use one just because you have it. Usually the real and only savings is if you combine it with a good sale. UNLESS you are brand picky on something and will buy that item anyway.

I also use local farmers, farmers markets, etc and grow a little bit here at daycare.

[Snowmom]

I aspire to be just like you! I promised myself that next year I'll grow produce. I feel like that's such a great hobby and way to save.

Lol. I grew up with farmers, so it's second nature for me.

We've done strawberries, blueberries, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes and a variety of herbs so far this year. Someday I'll get up the nerve to start a pumpkin patch.

[KTsKids]

I drive 30 minutes to get to Aldi's each week. It is SO worth it. I can't speak for every store, but around us they have many organic choices. I can often get avocados for between $.25- $.39, bananas are usually $.19 lb, huge bag of oranges for $2, etc.

Aldi's is TOTALLY worth a drive! I drive past 6 other grocery stores to get to Aldi's but it cuts my bill nearly in half, without having to mess with coupons. Mine has especially good deals on produce, milk and cereal. I just got gallons of milk for .99! Just remember to bring bags (you have to bag your own groceries) and make sure you have a quarter for the shopping cart. You get the quarter back when you return the cart.

[Thriftylady]

Aldi's is TOTALLY worth a drive! I drive past 6 other grocery stores to get to Aldi's but it cuts my bill nearly in half, without having to mess with coupons. Mine has especially good deals on produce, milk and cereal. I just got gallons of milk for .99! Just remember to bring bags (you have to bag your own groceries) and make sure you have a quarter for the shopping cart. You get the quarter back when you return the cart.

I hate hearing about all your great produce. Our Aldi has crappy produce. I take the ad to Walmart to price match some of it. My son after he started working at the Walmart distribution center told me that at least in our area, Aldi buys all the produce that doesn't match the sweetness and freshness tests that WM does on them.

[Unregistered]

I hate hearing about all your great produce. Our Aldi has crappy produce. I take the ad to Walmart to price match some of it. My son after he started working at the Walmart distribution center told me that at least in our area, Aldi buys all the produce that doesn't match the sweetness and freshness tests that WM does on them.

Opposite problem here. Walmart produce is sooo bad. But both Aldi's and Walmart around here have limited produce. If I want, say, butternut squash, cherries, or something besides your very basic fruits and veggies, I need to go to our bigger, more expensive stores here.