Deal Examples
Understanding deals is the key to maximizing your grocery savings. Here are some examples to help you get the hang of it.
Deal #1
Given Item: Arnold 12-Grain Bread Wal-Mart everyday price: $2.98 Publix everyday price: $4.49 Weekly consumption: 2 loaves On sale at Publix? Yes - BOGO Sale frequency: Approximately every four weeks Coupons? No (never) Do you have the necessary storage space? Yes Analysis Number of loaves to buy = enough to last four weeks or 2 loaves consumed/week x 4 weeks = 8 loaves Notes: 1. You'll have to freeze some of the loaves so they don't spoil. 2. If you don't have the space to store the frozen loaves, consider substituting another on-sale brand when you get low. Otherwise, you may have to buy some at full price (at your base price store) to tide you over between sales. The Math Wal-Mart cost: $2.98 x 8 = $23.84 Publix cost: ($4.49 x 8)/2 = $17.96 (four loaves are free) Saving: $23.84 - $17.96 = $5.88 Saving % over Wal-Mart: $5.98/$23.84 = 25.1% Yep, it's a deal! |
Deal
#2
Given Item: Campbell's Chunky Soups Wal-Mart everyday price: $1.50 Publix everyday price: $2.49 Weekly consumption: 2 cans On sale at Publix? Yes - BOGO Sale frequency: Approximately every four weeks, rotating with Progresso soups on the off cycle Coupons? Yes - save $1.00 on 3 (2 coupons) Do you have the necessary storage space? Yes Analysis Number of cans to buy = enough to last four weeks (you'll substitute Progresso soups when they come on sale and do the same type of deal) 2 cans consumed/week x 4 weeks = 8 cans The Math Wal-Mart cost: $1.50 x 8 = $12.00 Publix cost: ($2.49 x 8)/2 = $9.96 (four cans are free) Less coupons: $9.96 - $2.00 = $7.96 Saving: $12.00 - $7.96 = $4.04 Saving % over Wal-Mart: $4.04/$12.00 = 33.7% It's a deal! |
Deal
#3
Given Item: Garnier Fructis Shampoo Wal-Mart everyday price: $4.74 Publix everyday price: $5.49 Weekly consumption: 1/4 bottle On sale at Publix? Never On sale at Target? Seldom Sale frequency: Low Coupons? Yes - save $1.00 on 1 (2, near expiration) Do you have the necessary storage space? Yes Analysis Number of bottles to buy = 2 Notes: 1. Since the item does not go on sale at Publix, is seldom on sale at Target, and the coupons are about to expire, you should use both coupons. The Math Wal-Mart cost: $4.74 x 2 = $9.48 Publix cost: Not considered Less coupons: $9.48 - $2.00 = $7.48 Saving: $2.00 Saving %: $2.00/$9.48 = 22.0% You got a deal! Note: If this item had a higher sale frequency at Target and coupons for Fructis were recurring, you might only want to buy one bottle and wait for a sale to stock up. |
Deal
#4
Given Item: Smart Balance margarine Wal-Mart everyday price: $2.98 Publix everyday price: $3.59 Weekly consumption: 1/2 tub On sale at Publix? Yes - BOGO Sale frequency: Approximately every 13 weeks Coupons? Yes $1.00 off 1 (2 coupons) Do you have the necessary storage space? Yes Analysis Number of tubs to buy = enough to last from one sale to the next, or 13 weeks or 0.5 tub/week x 13 weeks = 6.5 = 6 tubs Notes: 1. If you don't have the space to store all of the tubs, consider substituting another on-sale brand. Otherwise, you may have to buy some at full price to tide you over. The Math Wal-Mart cost: $2.98 x 6 = $17.88 Publix cost: ($3.59 x 6)/2 = $10.77 (three tubs are free) Less coupons: $10.77 - 2.00 = $8.77 Saving: $17.88 - $8.77 = $9.11 Saving % over Wal-Mart: $9.11/$17.88 = 60.0% NEXT: Tracking Your Progress |