I am another one that does not shop with a list. I pore over the ads (we have a Walgreen's and a small grocery store) and match up coupons to what is on sale. When I go to the stores I buy those items first and then check to see if there are any unadvertised bargains. Most of my grocery shopping is done at Super Walmart and I buy whatever is on clearance or special markdown. Last week I spent $40 on cheese but I got most of it for just over a dollar a pound. I also check for meat that has been marked down and buy up what we like. I will then freeze it or cook it up before freezing it. I also buy only the produce on a really good deal- with the exception of green apples and bananas (we always have those in the house). The kids usually go shopping with me and we make a game out of who can find the best deal. They know how to spot the sale items and do not ask to buy things. They get excited when they see how much money we save.
I just make a list of what we need and then go to the store. I don't do store adds or coupons. I seemed to get alot of what we didn't need when I did that. I wish we had a discount store...maybe Aldi is one? But that isn't very close and for the price to drive their it's better to run to Meijer or Wal.
