I did my price book through Microsoft Excel. My columns included:
Items-then under items I list them like this (Ice Cream (Breyers 1/2gal.)) Catagorizing the items like this lets me know all the specifics to compare with fliers and coupons.
Then Store-listing all the stores I shop at (Food Lion, Winn Dixie, Kroger)
Under each store I list the price for each item.
This lets me know who has the best price, therefore where will my coupon save me the most and if I get a flier I know if I'm really getting a deal. Also, I can tell what I'm going to spend before I ever leave the house.
It is time consuming setting up a price book for the first time, but once you have it started you can add all new items from your receipts within just a few minutes to maintain it.
I use microsoft excel because with a push of a button I can alphabetize my entire list after adding new entries to the bottom. This makes it easier to find the items when shopping day rolls around. Then I print the list. I don't usually, but I can take my list with me to the store to see if their so called deals are really deals (this helps when I don't receive a flier to view at home).
Oh yea, when I make a grocery list I write the price I know the product to be plus my coupon discount (if applicable) and when I'm at the store I can tell at a glance if I will save more getting a different brand. This saves me time a the grocery store.
I hope this makes sense and saves other 'frugals' money and time on shopping day
