I have been working on a price book this week. This is a tried and true way of being sure you are getting the best deal on everything you buy for your family. I first heard of a price book when reading the Tightwad Gazettes back in the nineties. I have also seen this written about on many frugal blogs recently.
It drives me crazy when I see a sale going on and the store says its "a hot deal" and I wonder if its really that good of a price. So I'm trying to come up with my own version of a price book so that I can take advantage of sales when they are really a "sale" and not just the store's version of a hot deal! LOL
I decided to base my list on the layout of my coupon organizer. I've made a page for each category, such as "Paper Products". A more organized person, with more time than I have, would dedicate a page to each item. I figure that if I am going to use a coupon for an item on sale, this would be helpful.
I am also going to insert an index card into the pocket for each category with the best price I have found for basic items, such as toilet paper, soap, etc. So, if I'm in a store and see a sale I can pull out my coupon organizer and check to see if its REALLY a sale and if I have a coupon to go with it.
It helps to write these prices in pencil because you know its bound to change the way prices go up and down in our economy.
This price book will be a work in progress that I am doing in baby steps. To start with I am using recent grocery sales papers and recent receipts from my own purchases to jot down the best prices I see.
Do any of you have a price book? Or do you have a better memory than me and can remember what's a good price? LOL
7 comments:
No price book for me but I've always thought of trying it. I don't think I'm even organized enough to start one. :o)
Hi Debbie,
I don't have a price book but for me I haven't due to the up and down prices lately. I think it's a great idea though. Anything that saves someone money is a good thing!
I'm one of those people that remember prices in my head for some reason. Just don't ask me to remember names. :)
Price books are awesome! Although they take work, it is money saved in the long run. Your's looks great and I love your index card idea. I have tons of them around the house, so this would be a great way to put them to work for me. Thanks for the tip.
~Warm Cozy Blessings
P.S. I had that same Gooseberry Patch coupon organizer. I loved the artwork on it. Now my Mom has it.
strangly enough, I have a great memory for prices - I don't always know what day of the week it is, but I can tell you exactly what everything I bought this month cost.
This is a great idea, I jot down prices all the time in little note books that I stick in my purse. Not very organized, but I would like to do something similar to what you've done.
I think the index card is a great idea! I've used a note book in the past, but I've fallen away from it. I think the index cards take up less room and are easier to get to.
I've started a pricebook but I need to tweak the system a little. Love that Tightwad Gazette!
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