Getting Started- Inventory & Spreadsheet

Progress goals for this week:

1) MAKE AN INVENTORY LIST

I am working on compiling an 'inventory' of STAPLE items my family uses on a weekly/monthly basis. I'm not focusing on the extras we buy every once in awhile, but yet the things that get us through week after week. Once these staple items hit their lowest price in the 6 to 8 week sale cycle I will know how much to stockpile to get us through until the next sale. An inventory might sound silly and overboard to some, but it makes perfect sense to me now that I am trying to save money. It is important to look at your household as a 'business' that you are trying to manage. Businesses must take inventory to survive, and I think the same principle could prove very helpful in running a smooth, money saving household.

2) CREATE PRICE LIST SPREADSHEET

I have never been a 'student' of prices. Therefore, it is hard for me starting this journey, because I honestly don't know what a good deal is. I am starting to realize you can't depend on the little yellow sale stickers at Kroger to guide you to a good deal, because they can many times be misleading. You have to take control and learn prices yourself. Therefore, I am starting a spreadsheet of 'buy-it prices' so that I will never have to question again what a good deal is. I hope to share my spreadsheet in the future to help any other newbies that might find my site.

For now, my spreadsheet includes the item name, regular price, sale price, coupons used, final price with coupons, store bought at, and date. If I find a better price in the cycle (which I know I will, considering I am just guessing on best prices) I change the info on the item. I hope after keeping this spreadsheet for a few months I will start to see a cycle to the savings.