With the economy the way that it is, it has become necessary for me to use a price book once again. When Amy Dacyzn began the Tightwad Gazette as a newsletter, I followed her in starting a price book and cutting corners wherever possible. After a while, I had the prices of most things memorized and need my price book less frequently and eventually gave it up altogether. Today, I made a new one. As you can see from the photos above, the front section has a small calculator, a necessary evil for middle-aged brains like mine, and a pocket divider labeled "Today." This pocket will hold the day's shopping list and any coupons I use. The subsequent sections of the notebook are divided by category, much like a coupon holder would. Each divider has a pocket for that category's coupons and each section holds a columned sheet for pricing. I decided to make a separate page for items that I purchase on a regular basis, like milk. Each sheet has the date purchased, the brand (if applicable), the store that the item where the item was purchased, the size (how many ounces, etc.), the unit price, the comparable generic price available at that store, if I had a coupon & the value of it, and the final price. It may seem like a lot of work or too much (or too little) detail, but these are the questions that run through my brain when determining whether or not something is a good deal. I think this or any other price book would be a good project for a lady in waiting or newly married. If you have a price book, please comment below how yours is different, as I'm always open to new ideas.
6 comments:
I love how you have your coupons right there with your price list, and I too love detail. I am going to have to look around to see what I can put together, thanks for the ideas.
Thank you so much for your kind comments. Yesterday, I found a post about price books which makes mine look antiquated. It even has a list of rock bottom prices (though not applicable for every area) so you can judge whether or not you're really getting a good deal. If you want to take a peek, that link is: http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/02/using-a-buy-price-list/
I love your price book. Where did you buy it? What size is it? Love the pocket that holds the calculator.
Also, can you give me some examples of the tabs you used?
Thank you for posting the pictures!
Julie
The book is a regular note book with pockets that can be purchased just about anywhere, including the dread WalMart.
My categories are divided up alphabetically much like a coupon holder and can easily be adapted to whatever you buy. Some of my categories are: baking, canned goods, cleaning, beauty, pet, frozen foods. I also have a few sections for non-grocery categories such as department store coupons and restaurants. It's definitely a work in progress for me.
So glad you liked it! :)
Hello there!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!
I love the price book!! I have one but haven't used it in a long time. I was just thinking today that I need to pull it out and update it!!
Have a blessed day!
If you do update your price book, please share :)
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