How to Use a Grocery Price Book

Creating, Planning, Updating and Grocery Shopping With a Price List

Oct 31, 2009 Barb Hacker

A price book is a reference guide to enable a grocery shopper to quickly compare prices of frequently purchased items at local stores.

A price book can save money on groceries and other necessities. A price book can be created in a spreadsheet program, like Microsoft Excel. Once it’s created, a price list becomes an easy-to-use tool to help plan for grocery shopping. Update the price book frequently and take it shopping to make the most of grocery shopping dollars.

Create a Price Book in Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is an excellent spreadsheet to use for a price book. In the left hand column, list each item that is routinely purchased. In subsequent columns, create a column for each store. Complete the price book by entering the price for each item at each store. This method allows for quick side by side comparisons of grocery prices.

Planning for Grocery Shopping Using a Price Book

After making a shopping list, consult the price book to determine which store has the best prices on the majority of items that need to be purchased. Compare regular store prices to advertised sale prices to see if the sale items are truly a good deal. Sometimes stores like Super Walmart, Sam’s Club or Aldi still have lower prices, even when sale prices at other grocery stores are considered.

Update the Price Book Frequently

Update the price book as frequently as possible. Updating the spreadsheet after each shopping trip will keep the price book current and help the shopper continue to get the best deals on groceries and other items.

When items are purchased at a sale price, note this in the spreadsheet. A store that typically has a sale price on a particular item will be likely to have the same sale at some point in the future. A price book can help the shopper discover the patterns to regular sales and allow the consumer to stock up at these times.

Shop With the Price Book

Add the price book to a coupon book to readily update the spreadsheet while shopping. Use the price book as a quick reference check to be sure the item being purchased is the best value. If it’s not, consider waiting until a trip can be made to a competing grocery store.

A calculator can be used to figure out sale prices, coupon prices and price per unit of sale to determine the best overall price on each item. Some people find it economical to shop at a few different stores each week or each month. Prepare specific shopping lists for each store, depending on where the best values are at the time.

A price book is a convenient tool for grocery shopping. Create one in a spreadsheet program, use it for planning shopping trips and update it frequently. Take the price book shopping and find the best deals on groceries and other necessities.

The copyright of the article How to Use a Grocery Price Book in Family Finances is owned by Barb Hacker. Permission to republish How to Use a Grocery Price Book in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Price Book Sample Page