It's a myth: Don't buy non-grocery items at the grocery store

Sometimes news websites or TV programs will run tips on how to save money at the store, and often one of them is that you shouldn't buy non-grocery items at the grocery store.  And it's true, if you wander down the toiletries or cleaning products aisle, the items at their full price are often ridiculously high.  But you certainly shouldn't make this a rule.  The grocery store runs sales on their non-grocery products just as much as on grocery items, and you can of course always use coupons, with the added benefit that the coupon will be doubled.

As an example, a couple of weeks ago Proctor and Gamble ran a sale on their products in conjunction with Kroger.  The items were on sale to begin with, but then if you bought $25 worth, you got $5 off.  I bought a box of diapers, a container of baby wipes, and Swiffer dry refills, with coupons for all of them.  I had $4 in coupons (counting the double bonus) so I got them all for $16, and the box of diapers alone is usually $19.  I had needed Swiffer refills for weeks but I was waiting for a coupon/combo sale and was glad it came along.  They put the box of refills on sale for $4 and I had a coupon that doubled to $1.  Typically you cannot find a box of Swiffer refills anywhere for $3.  The point is that the important thing is the price, and you never know where you'll get a good price for what.  Including buying grocery items at a drug store... which is another post. :)