Thursday thoughts: price book for new and experienced couponers

One of the questions I am asked frequently is how to determine the best prices for items we use often. Is $2.00 per pound a good price for chicken breast? What is a stock up price for paper towels? How much should I be paying for toothpaste?

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 .50 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. Often, I get paid to take it home with the combination of sales, coupons and drug store reward programs.

Following is an updated Price Book with both the low price I usually wait for as an experienced couponer (with a stockpile) as well as the prices of the upper limits that new couponers should aim to stay at or under if they don’t already have that stockpile going. 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).

My suggestion is to stock up for 3-5 weeks worth 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. Most of the prices for items (other than meat and produce) are found when a sale and coupon are combined.

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 have apples, pears and oranges for $1 or less per pound on a regular basis. Don’t buy packaged lettuce and spinach unless you want to spend much 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 1 lb. of frozen veggies including broccoli, peas, corn, carrots and more for less than $1.00 (often .50/lb or less with sales and coupons). Keep in mind that organic produce will usually be higher than the cost of the non-organic prices I have listed below.

Higher buy price: $1.25/lb.

Higher buy price: $2.50/lb.

Higher buy price: $1.25/lb.

Higher buy price: $1.25/lb.

Higher buy price: $.75 each

Higher buy price: $1.00/lb.

Higher buy price: $1.25/lb.

Higher buy price: $1.00 each

Higher buy price: $1.50 per bunch

Higher buy price: $1.50 each

Higher buy price: $1.75 per bunch or less

Roma tomatoes are often less expensive than slicing tomatoes. This is also a very easy fruit to grow, even if you put it on the porch in a container with 6 or more hours of sun per day. And really, what tastes better than a home grown cucumber and tomato sandwich?!

Higher buy price: $1.75 per lb or less (since it rarely gets this low, we generally don’t buy a lot of fresh asparagus)

Higher buy price: $2.25 per bunch

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: $.79/lb

Higher buy price: $1.00 per lb or less

Higher buy price: $2.25 per lb or less

Higher buy price: $2.50 per lb or less

Higher buy price: $2.75 per lb or less

The best price on turkeys is in November and December. I usually buy 1 or 2 extras to use throughout the year. Often, stores require an additional purchase of $20 - $25 to get the .29 - .39/lb price.

Again, the best price on turkey breast is in November and December. Stock up for the next 6 months when they hit .75 - $1.00/lb.

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

Higher buy price: $1.00 per lb

Higher buy price: $2.50 per lb

Higher buy price: $5.99 per lb

Higher buy price: $4.50 per lb

Higher buy price: $3.99 per lb

Higher buy price: $4.00 per lb at the deli (which doesn’t happen often so I don’t buy it often)

Higher buy price: $1.25 per dozen

Higher buy price: $.40 per lb

Yogurt 4-packs (like Activia, Danimals, etc) $1.00 or less with sale and coupon (often free to .50 with Harris Teeter Super Doubles)

Higher buy price: $1.50

Higher buy price: $1.25 per package

Higher buy price: $1.25 per lb

Higher buy price: $1.00

Higher buy price: $1.25 each

Higher buy price: $3.00 per gallon

Higher buy price: $2.00

Higher buy price: $2.00 per lb

Higher buy price: $1.00 or less

Higher buy price: $1.25

Frozen ravioli – look for BOGO sales making them around $2.50 per package

Frozen pierogies - $1.00/box on sale with coupon

Veggie burgers - $2.00 or less with sale and coupon is stock up price

Higher buy price: $2.50

Higher buy price: $.50 per lb

Higher buy price: $1.25 per jar

Higher buy price: $.40 each

Higher buy price: $.50

Higher buy price: $1.00 or less

Higher buy price: $1.00

Higher buy price: $1.00

Higher buy price: $1.00

Higher buy price: $1.50 per lb or less

Higher buy price: $1.00 per loaf

Higher buy price: $1.00 - $1.25

Higher buy price: $1.00 per box or less

Higher buy price: $1.50

Higher buy price: $1.25

Higher buy price: $1.00

Higher buy price: $2.00 - $2.50 (for name brand)

Higher buy price: $.50 per tube

Higher buy price: $.50 per toothbrush

Higher buy price: $1.00

Look for BOGO (buy one get one free) sales and couple with coupons. Lately, we have been buying name brand laundry detergent for $1 - $2 with the combination of sales and coupons. Brands that offer good sales and coupons include Gain, All, Era and Arm & Hammer.

Higher buy price: $1.75

Higher buy price: $4.00

Higher buy price: $4.00

Higher buy price: $6.50

Thanks to “raleighcitizenshipclasses” (who posts here on the blog regularly) who sent me a list of her stock up prices. She has been couponing for a while and most of her prices are on the low end of the prices listed above. She also emphasized that you don’t have to fill up the laundry detergent measuring cup all the way. I concur. For many of us frugal folks, we have found that our clothes are just as clean using only half the amount the laundry detergent folks would like us to think we need. She also pointed out that for some items, like diapers, it is best not to stock up on too many of the same size. Little ones tend to grow out of them and you don’t want to be stuck with a garage full of size 2 diapers when your growing baby is now in a size 3.

Please feel free to post any other prices for items not listed or your thoughts on those that are listed. If you have other categories you want me to address, just let me know. You can print out the list in a printer-friendly version by clicking the printer button at the bottom of the post. As I always say, it’s your money – spend it wisely!