Thrifty Thinking: Sonja’s List of Grocery Prices to Meet or Beat
When you are at the grocery store, do you buy whatever you need or want without any regard to the prices of the items? In general are you aware of the prices for the same item at different stores? My friend had an idea for me to write post about target grocery prices we want to aim to meet or beat.
So, I challenge you, if you don’t already know, to really get to know the target grocery prices of the items you buy most. All of these prices I have listed below are approximate and come from Snohomish County, WA, reflecting prices that I have seen in the last 6 months. I HARDLY EVER need to buy above these given prices.
Grocery Prices to Meet or Beat
Baking & Bulk Section Almonds, Whole Raw $3.98/lb. (Occasionally I see them for $2.99/lb. at Fred Meyer, and then I stock up or get it at Costco for $3.33/lb.)
Baking Soda $0.52/lb.
Bread $1.25/loaf w/o high fructose corn syrup (I have bought 1 loaf in the last 2 years, so we really don’t buy it often)
Cashews, Pieces Raw $7/lb. (Trader Joe’s has the best regular prices I’ve seen, I think $5.99/lb.)
Coconut, Unsweetened $2.74/lb.
Cranberries, Dried $3.67/lb. (get it at Costco)
Dates, Whole, Pitted $2.40/lb.!! (if you don’t have a WinCo in your area, aim for under $5 like Trader Joe’s)
Flax Seed $0.80/lb.
Flour, White Unbl $0.31/lb.
Flour, Whole Wheat Unbl $0.45/lb.
Honey $13/6 lbs. at Costco or BUY LOCAL and pay more!
Oat Bran $1.02/lb.
Oats, Old Fashioned $0.60/lb.
Oats, Steel Cut $0.68/lb.
Peanuts, Dry Roasted $2.88/lb.
Pecan Halves $10/lb. (get it at Costco)
Salt, Sea $0.26/lb.
Sugar, Brown $0.69/lb.
Sugar, Organic Cane $1.36/lb.
Tortillas $1.99/10 ct. package (I like Trader Joe’s)
Walnuts $5.98/lb. (I aim for $4/lb. which you may see around the holidays)
Wheat Bran $0.39/lb.
Wheat Germ $0.76/lb.
Dairy/Meat
Beef, Ground Lean 20 Percent Fat $2.50/lb.
Butter $2/ lb. (buy and freeze around the holidays)
Cheese, Med Cheddar $4.98/32 oz. (or better)
Chicken, Fresh Jumbo Thighs or Drumsticks $0.99/lb. (buy these in the BBQ season and freeze)
Chicken, Whole Fryers $0.89/lb. (I aim for $0.79/lb.)
Cream Cheese $1/8 oz. (I stock up and freeze during the holidays)
Eggs, Large $1.50/dozen
Ham All Natural Deli No Nitrates $3.98-5/lb.
Ham $0.99/lb. (freeze around Christmas and Easter)
Milk $2.50/gallon
Pork Ribs $1.99/lb.
Shrimp/Prawns $3.99/lb.
Steaks, NY Boneless $4.98/lb.
Turkey $0.99/lb. or WAY better around Thanksgiving and Christmas
Yogurt $2.50/32 oz. container
Yogurt $0.50/6oz.
Fruit and Veggies
Apples $0.98/lb. Even last week they were $0.48/lb. at WinCo though!!!
Asparagus $2.50 (the prices have been going down now, so for this February time less than $1.98/lb.)
Avocado, Hass $1 (we have been seeing them for a lot less lately like $0.78 ea)
Bananas $0.60/lb
Beans, Green $1.98/lb
Bell Pepper, Green $1 (we have been seeing them for a lot less lately like $0.58 ea)
Bell Pepper, Red $1 (we have been seeing them for a lot less lately like $0.68 ea)
Blueberries $2.98/18 oz. (depends on the time of year)
Broccoli $1-$1.50lb. depending on the week (we have been seeing them for a lot less lately like $0.78/lb.)
Cantaloupe $0.98/lb
Carrots, Baby $1/lb
Cauliflower $1-$1.50lb. depending on the week (we have been seeing them for a lot less lately like $0.78/lb.)
Celery $0.58/lb
Cucumbers $0.75 ea.?? not sure about. Can you help me with a price here?
Grapes, Red or Green Seedless $1.98/lb depending on time of year
Kiwi $1.38/1 lb. bag
Lemon $0.28 ea.
Lettuce, Romaine Hearts $2/3 Ct. Package
Lime $0.28 ea.
Onion, Red $0.58/lb
Onion, Yellow $0.46/lb
Oranges $0.98/lb. (depending on the time of year you can get them closer to $0.70/lb.)
Potatoes $2.48/10 lb. bag
Pears, Bartlett $0.98/lb.
Pineapple $2.98 ea (depending on the time of year you can get them a lot cheaper)
Salad Green, Organic $4/16 oz. (get it at Costco)
Spinach $1.78/10 oz. bag
Strawberries $2.48/lb. (depending on the time of year you can get them a lot cheaper, and then my target price will move to $1/lb.)
Tomatoes, any type $1/lb. (sometimes you can get them close to $0.88/lb.)
Zucchini Squash $0.68/lb.!!
Other Grocery Items
Beans, Refried $0.78/16 oz. can
Beans, Kidney, Black, Red, Chickpeas $0.50/16 oz. can (stocking up at Fred Meyer)
BBQ Sauce (no HFCS!) $0.98/18 oz. Cereal $2/box
Juice Concentrate $1.18/12oz. can
Pasta, Farmhouse All Natural boxed $0.88/box
Spaghetti Sauce $1.25/24 oz. GLASS JAR
Spaghetti Sauce $0.79/24 oz. CAN
Salsa $3.98/67 oz.
Have you seen lower prices than these? Please let us know where! What is a good price for cucumbers? Did we miss something major? We’d love you to share and for us to learn from you!!
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Shared at Thrifty Thursdays.
Jenn @ The Purposeful Mom says
Wow, $2.50 for a gallon of milk? That would be a dream come true where I live! 🙂 You really get a good price on bread too. For bread without HFCS, I can’t find it for lower than $2.50. (I try to make my own bread as much as possible but it doesn’t always happen.) Your list is very helpful! Thanks for linking up at Thrifty Thursday too :0)
Sonja says
You are welcome. Thanks for visiting!
Anna @ Feminine Adventures says
What a great list! I have a mental list (though I probably should write it out) and it does make such a difference. Sometimes an item will be different sizes at two different stores and knowing the best price per pound can save a bundle!
(Oh, and $2.50 for a gallon of milk?! That’s wonderful!)
Sonja says
Thanks! Hope this helps!!
Anna @ Feminine Adventures says
Thanks for linking it up at our Thrifty Thursday linkup. 🙂
Sonja says
You are welcome!
Sonja says
Big THANK YOU Keri, for sharing those awesome prices!! Honestly when I go to Trader Joe’s (which I love), I have ignored the produce area and shop the inside aisle, since I really don’t do that elsewhere. I will totally check out their produce now, since those prices are totally comparable to sale prices at traditional grocery stores.
Keri says
I actually save a lot of money by shopping at Trader Joe’s since we try to eat mostly organic foods. Eating organically doesn’t have to cost a ton more when you make most foods from scratch!
Organic Bagged Apples= 3lb bag $2.49 Organic Bagged Pears= 3lb bag $2.49 Organic Bagged Kiwi= 8 count $1.99 Organic Carrots= 1lb bag $0.79 Organic Bagged Romaine Lettuce= 3 count $2.29 Organic Bagged Spinach= 6oz $1.99 Organic Bananas= $0.29 a piece Organic Raw Almonds= 12oz $5.49 Organic Coconut Oil= 16oz $5.99 Organic Avocados= 4 count $3.49
Keri says
Okay so I meant to write that those 3 pound bags were actually 2 pound bags. Which does make a difference! Sorry for the confusion!
Sonja says
I still think that those are good “fallback” prices if you can’t find anything better that week. Thanks for the info!