Price Book: Best prices for food and non-food products

With the continuing rise in food and non-food prices, here is an updated Price Book listing the best "buy" prices for meat, produce, dairy, non-food and more.

Following is an updated Price Book (March 2022) with both the low price I usually wait for as an experienced shopper and couponer as well as the prices of the upper limits that new couponers should aim to stay at or under. The upper/high end prices are still good deals, they just aren’t as low as they go when the stars are aligned and the coupons match perfectly with the sales (which we all know doesn’t happen for every product every day).

As we have all seen, prices have increased everywhere. The good news is that I am still seeing my pre-pandemic buy prices for many products and there are still very competitive sale prices every week. Your willingness to shop the sales at more than one store can save you a good deal of money. Make sure you look at my weekly deal lists for the Triangle area grocery stores to find the best buys.

My suggestion is to stock up for 4-6 weeks worth of product when the prices hit the Low Prices listed for those items that are non-perishable or can be stored in the freezer. If you are running low on something and need it to complete the meal plan or you are just getting started, it’s fine to buy at the High End prices, but don’t stock up on too much. Save your stocking up for the Low End prices. Many of the prices for items (other than meat and produce) are found when a sale and coupon are combined.

I have received a number of questions from readers about whether the buy price changes as you become more proficient at couponing and as your stockpile increases. The answer is definitely YES! When I first started couponing, I was thrilled when I bought name brand toothpaste for .75 a tube. Now that I have been couponing for a while and have a number of tubes in my overstock, I generally wait until it is free after coupons and/or rewards. Sometimes, I even get paid to take it home with the combination of sales, coupons and drug store reward programs.

Please keep in mind that if you have allergy issues or special dietary needs (gluten-free, for instance), some of these prices will not apply because those products are generally going to be more expensive.

Try to stay at $1.50/lb or less for most produce. Ideally, look for produce sales that are $1.00/lb or less. All the area grocery stores often have carrots, apples, pears and oranges for $1 or less per pound on a regular basis. As a general rule, don’t buy packaged lettuce and spinach unless you want to spend more per pound than needed.

Here are some ideal buy prices for fruit and veggies. Keep in mind that when they are in season, you will find these prices more often. Sometimes you will even find them at lower prices. That might be a good time to buy in bulk and freeze the produce. It is often less expensive per pound to buy produce bagged in 3, 5 or 8 lb bags.

When produce is out of season and $50 per pound (ok, not really that high) I often buy frozen produce. When on sale with a coupon, I can often purchase 12 – 16 oz. of frozen veggies including broccoli, peas, corn, carrots and more for $1 or less. Keep in mind that organic produce will usually be much higher than the cost of the non-organic prices I have listed below.

Higher buy price: $1.25/lb.

Higher buy price: $2 per lb or less

Higher buy price: $0.59 each (Look for “ripe” bananas in the produce mark-down section for .25 - .35/lb)

Higher buy price: $1.99 per bunch or less

Higher buy price: $2.00

Higher buy price: $1.00/lb.

Higher buy price: $1.25/lb.

Higher buy price: $1.75 per bunch

Higher buy price: $1.25/lb.

Higher buy price: $.75 each

Higher buy price: $1.50 per lb

Higher buy price: $1.99 per bunch (Greens are usually much more expensive when pre-packaged)

Higher buy price: $1.50/lb.

Higher buy price: $1.50/lb.

Higher buy price: $1.00 each

Higher buy price: $1.50 each

Higher buy price: $2.00/bunch

Higher buy price: $1.25/lb.

Higher buy price: $2.50/lb.

Roma tomatoes are often less expensive than slicing tomatoes and can often be found for $99/lb or so.

Look for buy one get one free deals, family size packages and marked down meat to get the best buys. The prices below are sale and family size prices. Keep in mind that markdown prices can go even lower so check the markdown meat section at your stores when you shop. I recommend you use the meat that day or freeze it.

Higher buy price: $4.99 per lb or less

Higher buy price: $4.99 per lb or less

Higher buy price: $6.99 per lb

Higher buy price: $3.99 per lb

Ground beef is usually cheaper when sold in bulk (often 3 lb containers). Obviously, you will pay more for 93% lean (usually around $4 - $5/lb)

Higher buy price: $.99/lb

Higher buy price: $1.50/lb

Higher buy price: $1.50 per lb or less

Higher buy price: $2.25 per lb or less

Higher buy price: $2.99 per lb

Higher buy price: $3.49 per lb

Higher buy price: $3.99 per lb

Higher buy price: $9.99 per lb

(Certain types of fish are usually less expensive like Tilapia and Catfish which you can find for around $4.99-$6.99/lb. Some fish is much more expensive like Wild Alaskan Salmon, Wild Caught Cod, Wild Caught Mahi Mahi and more. They are running around $8.99 - 12.99/lb in March 2022. You'll find that frozen fish is often a much better price than fresh seafood. )

Higher buy price: $7.99 per lb

Lower buy price: $.40 - .50/lb - usually this price is only found around Thanksgiving so buy an extra one for the freezer at this price, if you have the room.

Higher buy price: $.99 per lb or less

The best price on turkeys is in November and December.

Again, the best price on turkey breast is in November and December. Stock up for the next few months when they hit $1 - $1.25/lb.

Higher buy price: $2.50 per lb

Higher buy price: $2.50 per package

Higher buy price: $1.75

When grocery stores offer their store brand cheese BOGO (or during the Harris Teeter Buy 2 Get 3 Free promo), it usually makes the price $1.50 or less per 8 oz package, which is a good price. Cheese freezes well in the package so stock up when it's $1.35 or less per 8 oz.

Higher buy price: $2.00 per package (look for BOGO sales on store brand or name brand with a coupon.)

Higher buy price: $2

During the pandemic, cream cheese has been hard to find at times and is often more expensive than in the past. I have found good prices and stock at my local ALDI and Walmart in the last few weeks.

Higher buy price: $2.00 each

During the pandemic, cream cheese has been hard to find at times and is often more expensive than in the past. I have found good prices and stock at my local ALDI and Walmart in the last few weeks.

Higher buy price: $1.25 per dozen

Higher buy price: $3

Look for BOGO sales, especially on store brands for good ice cream deals.

Higher buy price: $1.25 or less

Higher buy price: $3.25 per gallon

Higher buy price: $2.50 per gallon

Higher buy price: $2.50

Higher buy price: $4.50

Higher buy price: $1.50

Higher buy price: $1.50

Higher buy price: $1.75

Higher buy price: $.50 each

Higher buy price: $2 per loaf or less

Higher buy price: $1.75 per loaf

Higher buy price: $2 per box or less

There are many good cereal deals during August and September during back to school sales. Cereal is usually in date for many months so stock up when your favorite hits a low price. Look for store brand BOGO sales and check out the regular every day cereal prices at ALDI, Lidl and Wegmans.

Higher buy price: $2

Higher buy price: $1.50 - $2 per box

Higher buy price: $2 per box

Higher buy price: $1.25 each

Higher buy price: $2 or less

Higher buy price: $2.50

Higher buy price: $1.00

Higher buy price: $3

Higher buy price: $1.25 per lb

Higher buy price: $1.50 per jar

Higher buy price: $1.50

Higher buy price: $2

Higher buy price: $1.50

Higher buy price: $3 - $3.50 (for name brand)

Higher buy price: $3 a six pack

Higher buy price: $5.00

Higher buy price: $2.00

Higher buy price: $8.00 after sales

Higher buy price: $1.25

Look for BOGO (buy one get one free) sales and couple with coupons. Brands that often offer good sales and coupons include Purex, All, Xtra and Arm & Hammer.

Higher buy price: $5.00

Higher buy price: $1.50

Higher buy price: $1.25

Higher buy price: $1.50

Higher buy price: $1.50

As I always say, it’s your money – spend it wisely!