Getting Maximum Savings - Step 1

Before I get into too much, I want to take a few days to explain some ideas on getting maximum savings on groceries, health and beauty aids, cleaners, paper products, etc. Those of you who requested my little write-up will already know these steps, but for those who are new to the blog or who haven't seen the write-up yet, I really think these 3 steps are the basis to really saving money. The 3 steps are:

1. Watching for sales
2. Using coupons
3. Stocking up

I'm just going to start with the first one for this post, in order to keep things manageable.

So the first step is to shop the ads. Mostly we're talking Albertson's, Smith's, and the Associated Food Stores (such as Macey's, Kohler's, Dick's, etc.). The ads for Albertson's and Smith's run from Wednesdays to Tuesdays (at least here in Utah). You can get copies of the ad from your local Sunday newspaper or in the mail, I actually get mine on Tuesdays in a Red Plum Ad that comes in the mail.



If you don't live near a Smith's or Albertson's, then it might be difficult to get an ad delivered to you, but if nothing else, you can view the ads online. Here are the websites for the ones that I know are available online:

Albertson's: http://www.albertsons.com
Smith's: http://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com
Dick's: http://www.dicksmarket.com
Macey's: http://www.maceys.com

The rest of the Associated Stores are pretty hit and miss with their ads, I know that the Kohler's ad wasn't online last time I checked. On each of the sites, there will some kind of a link that says View Weekly Ad or Weekly Ad - something to that effect. Simply click on it and follow the steps either clicking on other links or entering your zip code and you should get to the ad to view.

By shopping the ads and buying things when they are on sale, you can save a bunch of money. In order to figure out if things on sale are a good deal or not and how to use the ads with coupons for even better savings, check back tomorrow to see the next post about using coupons!