Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Learn how to sniff out the best quality products with 10 simple tips. Smelling products before buying them can save you money and time.
There are ten reasons you should sniff certain products before buying them.
I’m sure you’ve never considered many of them, but they will benefit you greatly.
Discover the power of smelling before you buy products from the grocery store or Costco.
Let’s explore each of these ten everyday products.
Never Underestimate The Power Of Quality
To smell is a gift; we often shop with our eyes and nose because trying products first isn’t always an option.
For this reason, you’ll see customers hovering around the sample booth on the weekends when the aroma of food permeates the air.
Even displays of household products become attractive if customers see how products work.
Costco is another store that offers samples to customers, and the smell hits you the moment you walk into the store.
Scent Markers Throughout A Store
It’s not uncommon to find that a grocery store has artificial aroma sensors strategically placed around it to motivate shoppers to buy more.
These scent machines are far less expensive than hiring a sample company, and they work.
At Staples Canada a couple of years back, we could smell the aroma of delicious coffee throughout the store, and it caught us off guard.
It hit us hard as coffee lovers, and we wanted a coffee.
When we were checking out at the cashier, we asked the cashier if they sold coffee, and she said yes but that there was an aroma sensor on one of the main beams in the store.
She pointed to it, and we felt like we had just got Punked. (that means tricked into believing we smelled and wanted coffee)
Sniffing and smelling have the same meaning, and when it comes to product purchases, we should use our nose smells to guide our wallets.
Let’s forget about all the genius ways the stores are marketing the air sniff to capture customer attention and focus on our noses momentarily.
Smell or Price
What’s more critical, smell or price?
I asked this question last night on CBB Facebook;
Question: What is the main reason that you buy a product? Is it the smell or the price that Is most important?
If both are necessary, are you willing to pay more for the product?
Judy Finch Conte replied,
Both is a must. I will wait for a sale to stock up and I will even stock up if I’m already stocked up from the last sale.
CanadianBudgetBinder Judy Finch Conte stock up the stock up, lol.
So, if you find a brand that smells good, you’ll wait until a sale comes around and stock up; otherwise, you won’t buy it at the regular price.
Exactly except I need unscented products or stuff that smells like a pure citrus.
You wouldn’t believe how many “unscented” products still have a light perfume scent to them.
CanadianBudgetBinder: Judy Finch Conte, is that false advertising in your eyes?
Judy Finch Conte: Not really. It may not have perfume added but the other ingredients combined kind of make its own scent or it could be the smell of plastic.
Fair enough, I thought, and all the better reason to sniff what you buy if you can without opening a sealed or boxed product.
Many other fans chimed in with their reaction to the sniff test; surprisingly, many of them smell before they buy.
Others are hesitant or awkward as it’s not a practice you often see people do.
However, if a person does a sniff test on a product, it’s done quickly.
So, what products should you do the sniff test on before you buy?
I came up with ten products with the help of my fans and Mrs. CBB.
1. Sniff Produce
I don’t know about you, but adding sniff time to grocery shopping might cut into my lunch hour.
If you fail to take a moment to do so, you’ll likely end up with items you don’t want.
Every good chef who buys produce at the market or grocery store smells everything they purchase.
Why? It’s the difference between a ripe and sweet product and a complex and bland product.
You’ll know what I’m talking about if you’ve ever grown a garden or purchased organic fruits and vegetables from the farm.
Smelling what you eat is a good sign of what the fruit or vegetable will taste like.
A pineapple, when ripe, will be golden brown, and you should have a sweet smell from the bottom of the fruit.
If you don’t smell your fruit, it is either not ripe or will lack flavor.
The same goes for strawberries.
What you smell is what you will taste in your mouth.
Can we do that?
Taste what we smell.
We often drool when intoxicating smells permeate the store we love.
2. Sniff Coffee
To sniff coffee is a must for us, especially if we buy coffee beans, so we inhale the bag.
The aroma of coffee and coffee beans is so potent that your nose can smell it from a mile away unless it’s in a tin or vacuum-sealed package.
We do this because it gives us a sense of smell and possible flavor that the coffee will produce.
Just because a bag of coffee beans sounds alluring doesn’t mean it tastes the same.
3. Sniff Hygiene Products
I’m picky about the smell on my body, whether it’s deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, shaving cream, etc.
Although I cannot smell everything, I will check for testers or remove the lid to see if the product offers a scent, even if the product is unscented.
4. Sniff Fresh Bread
Fresh bread will smell like fresh bread, but day-old bread will smell like day-old bread.
The yeast in bread offers such a fantastic smell when baked that it’s hard not to imagine melted butter on a bun or stuffing bread with deli meats.
Try it next time you go to a bakery, and you’ll see what I mean, especially if you buy specialty bread with herbs and spices or sun-dried tomatoes.
Unfortunately, if you buy pre-packaged bread, you get what you get.
6. Sniff Smelly Stuff
Any shoppers who love scented candles, air fresheners, and incense likely can recall going in for the sniff test.
Almost every shopper will inevitably sniff a candle before buying it so that you will notice a scratch and sniff label or openings on the jar or lid.
Product smell is also a marketing ploy, so the product’s scent hits you as you stroll by.
You know, the same way you stop and glance into Bath and Body Works with a lust for a sniff.
Photo source: Bob Loblaw Law Blog
7. Sniff Perfume and Cologne Testers
Please smell the perfume you are buying, and if you can’t, leave it for someone else to buy.
Mrs. CBB used to sniff Beautiful perfume by Este Lauder whenever we went into Sears with a spray or two.
The perfume smelled horrific, and I hoped she would never buy it. I was honest with her.
We do the sniff test on each other. If we aren’t both attracted to the smell, why buy it?
I don’t want to scare my wife from coming close to me.
Have you ever noticed an influx of brand-new perfume and cologne bottles in Kijiji after Christmas?
Now you know why. Just because you like it, someone else might not.
8. Sniff Bulk Spices and Herbs
I will sniff spices when I can because if the aroma is intense, I’ll know whether it’s fresh.
You can’t always tell, depending on what you buy or if it’s pre-packaged, and you might struggle.
Some spices are very strong-smelling even in a package, so don’t be afraid to wave them in your face for a sniff.
The bulk spice section at the grocery store or bulk store is a great place to do the sniff test.
Old spices lack flavor and alter the expected taste a recipe should have.
9. Sniff Cleaning Products
I read online that a lady bought laundry soap that smelled like melons, and so did she for a month.
It may sound funny, but it can be depressing for someone when you only have limited funds, and buying another jug is not an option.
Most stores, though, will take opened products if you explain how horrible the taste or smell was as long as you provide a receipt within 30 days.
We purchased dish soap because we had a coupon, only to find out it did not smell very pleasant, but we used it because we had already bought it.
These days, we do the sniff test. Some mixed chemicals often change the product’s smell, or what you think a flower scent shouldn’t often end well with some products.
When Mrs. CBB was in the UK, she passed the sniff test walking down the cleaning products aisle at Tesco.
Our liquid fabric softener tends to be far more robust in the UK than in Canada.
Mrs. CBB was swept away by the smell of one of the softeners, bought two bottles to stuff in her suitcase, and brought them home.
We always laugh at some of the stuff she flew back to Canada and what the customer’s officers must have thought.
Remember that some people may be sensitive to smell, so they must know what they buy first.
Apart from scratch and sniff, opening bottles, and sniffing packaging, some manufacturers will offer a sample sniff stand attached to the shelf.
It would equal what you’d find in the beauty boutique at Shoppers Drug Mart when testing perfume and cologne.
The photo above depicts air freshener sniff testers at a grocery store.
10. Sniff Cheese
You either hate smelly cheese, or you love it.
If you’re not a fan of stinky cheese, you should probably buy your Cheese somewhere you can taste and smell.
Many local deli shops will do just that for their customers by offering a taste.
However, don’t expect them to hand over an entire brick of cheese for you to sniff.
That would be against health and safety standards.
There is no sense in bringing home expensive cheese you won’t eat because of the smell.
Pass the sniff test first, and you’ll be safe in the cheese department.
11. Sniff Fish
You’re in good hands if it smells like the Lake or Ocean.
If not, leave it alone if you can’t smell the fish you buy. I wouldn’t purchase it either.
Any fish in a can or pre-packaged is at your discretion when purchasing.
Sniff if you can sniff. Walk away if you can’t unless it doesn’t matter to you.
Some shoppers could care less.
12. Sniff Test Etiquette
Save yourself the financial loss of food waste or buying products you don’t like by sniffing what you put in your shopping cart.
Please don’t put the product so close to your nose that it touches it or stick your fingers to taste or try unless you’re buying it.
Most beauty shops offer sample bottles, including perfume, that you can sniff and test before buying.
Remember, customers will be eating what you touch.
Another good reason is that we should always WASH everything we purchase in the produce department or have picked by someone else.
A good vinegar, water spray, or bath is a great way to keep fresh, crisp, and clean produce.
10 Products You Should Sniff Test Before Buying
- Fresh Produce
- Coffee
- Hygiene products
- Fresh Bread
- Candles, Air Freshener, etc.
- Perfume
- Bulk Spices
- Cleaning Products
- Cheese
- Fish
Discussion Question: What products do you sniff before you buy?
Please share your comments below in the comment section.
MARCH – Week #3 of 4- Mar 20-26, 2017
2016 GROCERY BUDGET / STOCKPILE BUDGET AND US RESERVE:
•Total Grocery Budgeted For Year: $190.00 x 12 = $2,280.00 for 2 adults
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REMARKS FOR THE MONTH:
After a hefty $$ shop last Sunday in the US, that I am posting this week, we are just coasting along and eating from our pantry, fridge and freezers. We really don’t have any choice…I have everything fully loaded!
We have to have at least one NO SHOP WEEK on the Canadian side of the border in a month to make our budget work…this however is our second in a row! Yay us!
FYI, hubby had just left for the US when it started to snow here again. Is there actually going to be a spring this year? All the wet and miserable weather has us still in the mood for all things hot and my body is just aching. 🙁
REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
I have a real burning desire for some fresh salads BUT I am keeping myself in check by telling myself…next week. LOL
In the interim we have a couple of pounds of grape tomatoes, English cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, green cabbage, onions, potatoes, celery, shallots, green onions, red & yellow onions, carrots, assorted apples, lemons & limes in the fridge to work our way thru not to mention frozen spinach, peas, mixed vegetables and broccoli. I think we’ll survive the week, don’t you?
===============================================================================================
OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING:
OUR NEXT SHOP WILL BE GGC MARCH WEEK #4
===============================================================================================
OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING:
Walmart – Burlington
2 Ham Slices $5.98 ea
2 Turkey Slices $5.98 ea
2 – Hebrew kosher gluten free all beef hot dogs $10.98 ea
3 Corned Beef ($11.80+$11.52+$11.97) << Our annual Stock Up! 🙂
3 x 2-pack canned Chicken $3.98 ea
6 x 48 oz Campbell’s Tomato Juice $2.98 ea
• US Grocery OOP: $110.99
—————————————————————
Costco – Burlington
2 cases black olives (12 pack) @ $9.79 ea
1 case butter (4lbs) $10.49
2 x 2-pack Real Lemon Juice $5.49 ea
1 Tillamook cheese slices $9.69
1 x 2lb Pepper Jack Cheese $7.99
1 x 5lb Medium Cheese Block $15.99
• US Grocery OOP: $74.72
—————————————————–
Fred Meyers – Burlington
2 pkg onion buns (8) @ $1.25 ea
2 Peppermint Mocha Coffeemate Creamer @ $1.99 ea
• US Grocery OOP: $6.48
————————————————————————-
Franz Bakery Outlet – Bellingham
4 large loaves 100% WW Bread $5
1 pkg Hoagie Rolls(6) – ** FREE **
6 pkgs English Muffins (6) @ $0.88 ea
Less 10% Senior’s Discount
• US Grocery OOP: $9.25
===============================================================================================
2016 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year: $30.52
•Total Coupons/Rain Checks Used This Year: $0.00
•Total Price Match Savings Used This Year: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned This Year: 58 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year: 21 Air Miles
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year: 2,600 Points
•Total Optimum Points Earned This Year: 4,040 Points
===============================================================================================
• SUMMARY OF FUNDS Y-T-D:
$ 570.00 Grocery Budget JAN-MAR
$ 82.74 NET RESERVE DRAWS
($602.66) Actual Y-T-D CASH SPENT
$ 50.08 AVAILABLE Y-T-D GGC SPENDING NOT INCL RESERVES
• RESERVES Y-T-D:
$ 177.44 Re-Stocking Fund
$ 95.70 Holiday Season Fund + $160 RCSS POINTS + $10 Dream Air Miles.
$ 653.54 Summer Season Fund
$ 265.02 US Shopping Reserve
$ 0.00 Points Redeemed Reserve
OUR CURRENT TOTAL UNUSED RESERVES ARE $1,191.70. This means the $1,274.44 that we carried forward from 2016 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $293.29 that we have added in 2017, LESS $376.03 that we have drawn out for use in 2017.
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Hi Mary,
I don’t know about now but Spring is officially in Ontario, finally. We’ve been wanting more salads lately as well and probably will do for the rest of the Spring and Summer months. WOW that’s lots of veggies to get though but you both love them so that shouldn’t be too hard.
Great deals on the bread PLUS free PLUS senior’s discount… awesome shop!
When you say ham slices how big are they? What does Pepper Jack taste like? Next time we go to Costco I’m going to see if they have this. I know you were in the USA but you never know.
The medium cheese block is a great price. What brand is it? I want to see if I can find this too.
Do they sell the Peppermint Mocha in Canada?
Well, that’s some fine shopping and I bet a long day for the two of you. I don’t mind grocery shopping though. You spent just over a typical month of your grocery budget in Canada in 1 shop. Ha! Good thing you save up for it. I always love reading your US shops. 🙂 You get ballot #10
Mr.CBB
Mr CBB…we had pea sized hail today! It’s supposed to be raining all the rest of the week too so it’s not nice weather here yet.
The ham slices are 28 oz or 794 g. The Pepper Jack is a Monterey Jack cheese (mild) with hot pepper bits in it…kind of like the Habanero mix we have here at home. The blocks of cheese we buy are all made by Tillamook…an Oregon cheese company. No, they don’t sell the Peppermint Mocha creamer in Canada. Did you like the price of the 5-6 lb corned beef briskets? We pay twice as much for half the amount here at home! 🙂
Yes we spent a lot on the US shop but it has been 4 months since we shopped south of the border. We’ll shop again in April & May but then not again until September, November and December.
Hi Mary,
Those are some decent sized ham slices. Yes I did like the price of the corned beef. I’ve always wanted to try one here. Mrs. CBB says she loves corned beef. Do you just put it in the crockpot?
There are lots of different ways to make it. Usually we just boil it with the seasoning packet but I plan to make a Slow Cooker Maple and Mustard version later in the week.
That’s what I was thinking about doing. I love using the crockpot although I’m not the best at it as I’m still learning. I love the idea of maple and mustard to. That would go nicely with the corned beef. I just need to find a good sale on one now.
Week 11 – Mar 17 – 23, 2017
Name Your Store: Wholesale Club
Total Coupons Used: $
Total Points =
Total Out Of Pocket: $85.75
Human
500 mL PC Parmesan = $9.77
NN Butter Popcorm = $1.49
2 NN Salted Butter = $5.94
4 L 2% Milk = $4.25
2 Kg NN Frozen Corn = $4.37
2 Kg NN Frozen Peas & Carrots = $4.37
Bananas – 1.195 Kg = $1.47
4 pack Chicken Breasts – 7.64 (30% pink sticker) = 5.35
4 pack Chicken Breasts – 7.64 (30% pink sticker) = 5.56
4.54 Kg Box diced chicken = $38.97
Butter Tarts – 4.47 (50% pink sticker) = $2.23
Carrot Muffins – 3.97 (50% pink sticker) = $1.98
Name Your Store: No Frills
Total Coupons Used: $
Total Points = 200
Total Out Of Pocket: $38.98
Human
Quaker Instant Oatmeal = $1.97
4 Unico Pasta = $4.00
4 – 450 g NN Marble Cheese – $4.97 (PM Valu-mart @ $3.99) = $15.96
2 Crescent Rolls = $2.00
2 Frozen Pizza = $6.00
Bananas – 1.260 Kg = $1.55
2 Schneider Weiners = $4.00
Old Mill Raisin Bread – $3.00 (50% pink sticker) = $1.50
Thomas Cinnamon Raisin Bread = $2.00
Name Your Store: Food Basics
Total Coupons Used: $
Total Points =
Total Out Of Pocket: $21.61
Human
Life Cereal = $1.97
2 Kg Sugar = $1.97
Honeycomb Cereal = $1.97
2 Honey Bunches of Oats = $3.94
2 Cases of Kraft Dinner = $11.76
Cats
No Shop
Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the 2 Adults ($1820.00, for the pay period – $70.00)
Total Human (Adults) this Week Period: $64.74
Left for the Month: $63.49
Total Human (Adults) to Date: $2295.83
Total Grocery Budget for the 3 Cats ($364, for the pay period – $14.00)
Total Cats this Week Period: $
Total Cats to Date: $54.16
Total Grocery Budget for Stockpile ($507.69)
Total Stockpile this Week Period: $27.72
Total Stockpile to Date: $103.84
Total Grocery Budget for the Personal Hygiene ($182)
Total Personal Hygiene this Week Period: $5.64
Total Personal Hygiene to Date: $73.92
Total Grocery Budget for Meat ($499.98)
Total Meat this Week Period: $53.88
Total Meat to Date: $188.47
Total Coupons Used this Week Period: $
Total Coupons Used To Date: $11.99
Total Grocery Savings for this Week Period: $10.40
Total Grocery Savings to Date: $45.46
Total Price Match for this Week Period: $3.92
Total Price Match to Date: $13.35
Total PC Points Received this Week Period: 200
Total PC Rewards Points Used this Week Period:
Total PC Rewards To Date: 4,333
Overview: The pink stickers got me this week. There was extras that was not part of the grocery list that ended up in the cart but even with those extra purchases, I went over budget slightly. The difference won’t be hard to make up in my next pay
Hey Dee,
The pink stickers attacked you this week haha… I know how that feels. You didn’t do too bad though. I see they offer 50% off bread at your store and 30% off everything else. It’s still a deal I wouldn’t pass by especially the meat. You’ll easily make this up considering most of your shops haven’t been big at all the past months. What do you make with the crescent rolls? Keep at it. You’re doing SO well. You get ballot #11. Mr.CBB
The last thing that my daughter made with crescent rolls was mini pigs in a blanket but we have used them when making cheeseburger cups as well. Neither are not on the menu this coming week but could well end up the following week. I’m doing okay with my grocery budget but definitely not like last year. I’m definitely looking at the pink stickers this year and that seems to be offsetting the price matching so I think it will all come out the same by the time the year is over.
Hmm, I wonder if our son would eat the cheeseburger cups. Are you finding it tough to get bargains like you did last year?
If your son likes sloppy joes and cheese, then he should like Cheeseburger Cups. You can play with the ingredients for the sloppy joes, cheese and even the “cup” to make it fun for him.
Not sure if it’s the bargains that’s harder to find or if my tastes are changing. You gave me the idea of tracking my grocery savings which include pink stickers. I’m finding more pink stickers this year than in the past but then I’m also looking for them, where I really wasn’t before.
This year, I’m finding that I’m spending most of my grocery budget whereas last year, I had a few weeks where I had leftover $ and therefore could put that on my debt.
little late posting my shop…
March – 2nd week
Name Your Store ie: Superstore
Total Out Of Pocket: $225.30
Jasmine Rice, bag – $8.99
Whiskas Cat Treats 2@2.99 – $5.98
NN Peanut Butter 2@3.49 – $6.98
PC Smoked Oysters 2@1.99 – $3.98
NN Chips 2 for – $3.00
Tostitos – $2.99
Aylmer Tomatoe Soup 4@.49 – $1.96
Cashmere TP 12dr – $4.99
Royal tissues, – $9.99
Hellmans May 2@3.49 – $6.98
Farmers Mil 2L x2- $11.58
NN Fries – $3.99
Silk Coconut Milk – $3.99
NN Potatoe 15lb – $2.77
Raw Dog Food – $17.10
Snack Food – chicken wings – $11.49 hubby grabbed this. I didn’t look at the price
Sugar – $2.99
Pancake Syrup – $2.19
NN Frozen Waffles – $3.99
Cumin (spice) – $1.99
Sushi Pack – $3.99
NN Ceasar Salad Dressing – $1.50
NN French Dressing – $1.50
Goldfish Crackers 4@1.99 – $7.96
NN Luncheon Meats – $2.29
PC Condensed Milk – $2.99
NN Kethcup – $0.99 (should have bought a few of these!!)
NN Tuna 3 for – $3.99
Miniwheats, family pack – $8.98
Ritz Bits 2 for – $5.00
PC Keefir 2@3.79 – $7.58
Protein Powder – $23.99
Oranges – $5.73
Mushrooms – $2.86
Peppers – $2.18
Ground Beef – $5.05
Independent
Total Spent $77.93
NN Canned Beans 4 for – $5.00
NN Parmesan Cheese – $4.99
NN Tomatoe Paste – $1.99
NN Oregano – $2.79
NN Pasta Sauce x2- $4.18
PC Oysters – $2.00
PC Mussels – $2.00
NN Chips – 2@1.79 – $3.58
Gluten Free Lasagna Noodles – $3.99
PC Tortillas – 2 for – $5.00
Graves Apple Juice 4 for – $5.40
Glad Freezer Bags – $2.99
Post Shreddies – $3.49
NN Fires – $4.00
Ginger Root – $0.70
PC Cheese Blocks x2 – $10.98
Friskies Can Cat Food x 4 – $3.16
PC Salsa – $2.49
4L Milk – $6.99 yikes, this is what happens when I run out and go to the local store vs superstore, +1.50
Walmart
Total Spent $17.87
Chicken Legs pk 4 – $3.66
Carrots – $1.97
Bag Spinach – $2.27
Fudge Cake – $5.00 (daughter’s request ugh!)
Sweet Potatoe – $2.26
Tomatoe – $.88
Banannas – $1.16
Onion – $0.57
Fresh Cut Meats
Total Spent – $83.69
Pork($5.49/kg) – $9.22
Ground Beef (6.55/kg) – $40.;32
Dog Food ($7.49 kg)- $6.32
Beef Stir fry strips ($16.99 kg)- $5.15 ,– yikes, note to self, buy steak and cut up if cheaper
Blade Roast ($13.21 kg) – 9.14
Carvers Choice Bacon 3@1.97 (375kg) – $5.91
Bananna – $2.27
Cherry Tomatoes – $0.97
Wraps – $4.39
Bulk Barb
Total spent – $14.68
Arrowroot Powder – $2.88
GF baking flour – $6.81
Parsle7 – $0.47
Rosemary – $1.40
Thyne – $1.25
Eucalytus Mint Tea – $1.83 impulse buy!
Mini grater – $1.99 impulse buy!
Points Overview
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $700.00
Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $ 683.06 (overspent last month)
Total Gift Cards used to date: $0
Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $0
Total Rewards Points used to date: $0
PC Points Plus Earned to date: 62,125 (added 33,175 since last report)
Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP) to date $ <– not sure yet, can’t get logged in to my account
Coupon Apps (add any other apps you use to save money)
Checkout51 to date: $15.75 (no change)
Save.ca to date: $1.39
Caddle to date: $11.35 (+2.75)
Lyoness to date: $12.94
GROCERY SHOP THIS WEEK (add any other sections you need to show expenses and savings)
Stockpile budget 2017 ($25.00):$0
Stockpile budget used to date: $0
Total coupons used this week: $0
Total coupons used to date: $3.67
Total in-store discounts this week:$44.34
Total in-store discounts to date: $70.59
Total spent this week: $419.47
Total over/Under spend this shop: $7.53 (that’s what I have left to the end of the month…yeah…will be over )
Total over/Under spend for the month: $7.53
Total left to spend for the month: $7.53
Total Spent To Date 2017: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $1409.41
Weekly Overview (your final thoughts): Went completely off track the second part of the month…just got whatever was needed, wasn’t paying close attention, ran out of money, had to use other money. Blah!
Hi MaryAnn,
Sorry about the late moderation but I’ve been ill the past few days and still am.
I have some questions and I apologize if you’ve already told me or mentioned about it before.
How many people are you feeding in the family? Adults, Kids?
Is anyone on a special diet?
So, your monthly budget for food is $700 and you over-spent by $683.06 in February? Hm, we’ve got some work to do, hehe!!
Yes always look at the prices of beef especially pre-cut meat. You already knew that though. 🙂 The little grater we have as well and keep it in a jar with nutmeg and have used it many times.
What would you say is your BIGGEST downfall when it comes to sticking to your monthly grocery budget?
It’s great that you are working to get it under control. All the extra money you can keep back can go towards other areas of your budget, savings or investments.
You get ballot #14.
Mr.CBB 🙂 We’ll get there.
Should this be updated? Total Spent To Date 2017: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $1409.41
What is this as I’ve never heard of it? Lyoness to date: $12.94
What account are you talking about for The Scanning Code Of Practice?
#4 – Mar 20 – 26
Yearly Grocery Budget for 2 Adults – $3300 or $275/mth (Includes Stockpile Budget)
• Store: Walmart
• Total Coupons Used: $ 0
• Total Out Of Pocket: $ 93.38
• Bananas – $0.56/lb – $3.63
• Dasani Water Drops $2.97 x 3 = $8.91
• Milk 4L – $4.27
• Evaporated Milk – 6 x $1.00 = $6.00
• Tortilla Chips – 2/$5.00
• Jello Pudding – 2 x $1.26 = $2.52
• Betty Crocker Cake Mix – 2/$3.00
• Betty Crocker Icing – 2/$3.00 – (Hubby’s Birthday Cake)
• Armstrong Cheese – 3 x $3.97= $11.91
• Soya Sauce – $1.88
• Spinach – $2.27
• Eggs – 6 x $1.97 = $11.82
• 2% Milk – $4.27
• Margarine – $3.77
• Walmart All Purpose Flour – $6.97
• Ground Beef – $2.97/lb = $13.13
• Mini Donuts – $0.50 (50% off instore discount)-lunches
• Coffee Cake – $3.00 (50% off instore discount) – divided into 20 servings for Hubby’s lunches
• Store: Zehrs
• Total Coupons Used: $ 0
• Total Out of Pocket: $30.11
• Russet Potatoes – 10lb for $2.50 = $5.00
• Apples – NN imperfects – 6 lbs for $5.99 = $5.99
• Lantic Sugar – 4 x $1.77 = $7.08
• “Free From” Sausages – Italian & Bangers – 500g x 4 x $2.99 = $11.96 (50% off instore discount)
• Store: Valumart
• Total Coupons Used: $0
• Total Out of Pocket: $26.37
• Store Made Pizza – $9.99
• Eggs – 4 x $1.97 = $7.88
• Bananas – .$0.79/lb = $4.62
• NN Potato Chips – 4 x $0.97 = $3.88
• Points Overview
• Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $ 275.00
• Total Grocery Budget with any carry-overs $ 275.00
• Total Gift Cards used to date: $ 0
• Total Rewards Points redeemed this week: $ 0
• Total Rewards Points used to date: $ 0
• Total PC Points year to date: 140,516
• PC Points Plus Earned to date: 1,006,126
• Scanning Code of Practice (SCOP)to date $ 2.37
Coupon Apps
• Checkout51 to date: $12.25
GROCERY SHOP THIS WEEK
• Total coupons used this week: $0
• Total coupons used to date: $0
• Total in-store discounts this week:$15.50
• Total in-store discounts to date: $26.48
• Total spent this week: $149.86
• Total spent month to date: $265.21
• Total over/Under spend this shop: $
• Total over/Under spend for the month: under
• Total left to spend for the month: $9.79
• Total reserve: Jan $103.53 + Feb $53.99 + Mar $9.79
• Total Spent To Date 2017: (Includes stockpile budget) Jan $171.47 + Feb $221.01 + Mar $265.21
• Savings to the end of March 2017 over same period 2016: $846.62
Weekly Overview:
Our March goal was to limit ourselves to one more shop for perishables only, but we ran short on a few things. We also took advantage of sales and came across some too-good-to-pass-up instore discounts. Only $9.97 left for March but we should be fine until April. The sugar is stockpile. The meats and potatoes are cooked, divided and in the freezer so the portions should last well into April.
We are on track to save $1000 over last year’s grocery bill by the end of April. I’ve been putting the savings aside to put down on our mortgage as soon as we reach that milestone. I’m including this goal with our grocery shop post to help hold us accountable. I’m a little worried we’ll find something we’ll convince ourselves we absolutely “need” to spend that money on before it makes it to the mortgage.
Hi Libby,
What an awesome goal!! You’re gonna do it. I hope you let me share your story on the blog after. I love when I read personal challenges like this. I know what you feel like when there’s not much left in the monthly budget but then all these amazing deals pop up. It has always been a tough call for us an in part why were are continuing the grocery game challenge.
You mentioned that you cooked the meat and potatoes and they are in the freezer now. Do you always prep meals and freeze? I’m sure it saves time. If you want to pay your mortgage down faster don’t let anything get in the way. I don’t know if you read our story but we paid our mortgage in 5 years… lots of sacrifice but 3 years mortgage and debt free is still amazing. You can do it!!! Do you both eat lots of eggs? We buy lots too so I’m just wondering.
Is this what you currently have in PC Points or what you’ve earned since you started collecting them? PC Points Plus Earned to date: 1,006,126 >> nice!!
Keep it up!!
You get ballot #15.
Mr.CBB
Hi Libby,
You WON the grocery game for March. Could you email for your prize info please. Thanks Mr.CBB canadianbudgetbinder@yahoo.ca