Cutting Edge: My Virtual Trip to the Grocery Store


Turkey Day is almost here and I decided to embark on a virtual trip to the grocery store. Let’s see how much money it would take to but together a Thanksgiving meal for six to eight people.

My first stop was couponmom.com. The site offers hundreds of dollars in free coupons. Registration is simple, just put in your home and email addresses. Sifting through all the product focused questions does get a little annoying, but once you’ve done that, it’s on to the savings.

I picked up a $.40 off coupon for any flavor box or pouch potatoes from Betty Crocker. I also picked up a $.50 off coupon for Green Giant frozen vegetables. The next on my cyber grocery trip was to the Shop Rite Web site. I found a circular for a local store. After some browsing I found an entire meal that would feed 8-10 people for $44.99. Though I didn’t set a budget, this is below my expected price which was about $80. The meal comes with:
– a fully cooked 10-12 lb turkey
– Mashed potatoes
– Whipped sweet potatoes
– Herb stuffing
– Creamed spinach
Total: 44.99
Here are the items I purchased separately
– Cool whip 1.29
– Friendly’s Ice Cream 1.99
– Apple pie 1.99
– Pumpkin Pie 2.49
– Coca-Cola brand 2 liter sodas 4 for $6
Total: $56.76

I didn’t need to use the coupons this time around, but they are good to have before going grocery shopping throughout the year. Something I hadn’t realized is that many grocery stores offer low price full Thanksgiving meals. Check your local grocers Web site before heading out.

Renita Burns is the editorial assistant at BlackEnterprise.com


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