Post your recommendations for keeping grocery costs under control.

[hlthe2b]

7. Pick 3-4 stores/grocery warehouses or big box stores you like to shop, start digital shopping lists

or a "favorite" list or whatever they let you do online. Every week check the items you know you need or routinely buy and list which store has the best prices for each, especially the volatile priced items (milk and eggs right now). Know that with most grocery chains, Wednesday is the magic day when they update their specials, coupons, etc. So, check your list Wednesday or go Tuesday if there were bargains that are likely not to be repeated the next week.

I can usually get the best prices on everything on my list by shopping no more than two stores. If there is one item that is greatly cheaper at a store not close to me, I calculate the gas differential before deciding it is worth it. While online "clip" all pertinent digital coupons. You DO NOT want to wait to do that in the store using the app, believe me. Between lousy internet to really poor search features on those apps, it is not feasible. I don't impulse shop ANYTHING unless it is on sale.

Yes, I am frugal because I really don't like overpaying and I tend to eat/cook fairly simple items that OUGHT to be economical. So, that tends to make it a challenge. I make two gallons of yogurt each week and filter one to make Greek yogurt. The quality of milk differs but yogurt is pretty forgivable. So, I'm not about to pay gas-like prices for a gallon of locally-produced milk when taking a few minutes to check out each store's online pricing can save me $2 or more per gallon.

And if you think that is obsessive, you should see the tricks I take when not in traffic to get my gas mileage up to 56 mph (combined city-interstate).