I recieved a free copy of womans day today and these top tips were in it.
20 ways to save on groceries
1) SHOP ALONE!
Too many hands make for long register receipts. Kids and husbands often coerce you into buying more than you want to, especially junk foods.
2) BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED!
Most people load up on tomatoes, zucchini and peppers, put then in the fridge and then forget about them. Plan menu's before you go, and buy only a few days worth of fruit and vegetables. You'll be suprised how much money you save wheny ou stop throwing stuff away
3) SUPERSIZE!
The best neat prices are on large cuts, so have the butcher cut a large roast into steaks, stew meat, and a small roast. Ground meat is usually cheaper in family-size packs; you can repackage and freeze it. Check the freezer section for large bags of poultry and seafood too.
4) DIY AND SAVE!
While the marinated roasta and chicken breasts in the meat department may look tasty, you pay a high price for all that liquid and seasoning. Instead, soak chicken breasts or inexpensive cuts of meat in lemon juice or Italian salad dressing for a few hours before cooking, or freeze in plastic freezer bags with some marinade. Instead of buying chicken nuggets, bread your own chicken strips to cook or freeze for later.
5) DONT OVER-PURCHASE!
Just because an item on sale will save you money doesnt make it worth buying dozens. Limit yourself to a reasonable number of boxes, bottles or cans of any one item in your pantry, fridge or freezer at a time. Many products expire before you'll ever you use them, and stores typically run sales on specific items periodically, so you can replenish later. A lot of people shop for a snowstorm when its really not necessary.
I DISAGREE WITH THE ABOVE!! IF YOU CAN STOCK UP ON ITEMS LIKE CANNED GOODS AND STUFF THAT YOU GET FREE OR VERY CHEAP I SAY GO AHEAD! AS LONG AS YOU KNOW YOUR GOING TO USE THEM BEFORE THEY EXPIRE I SAY GET AS MANY AS YOU CAN. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES I HAVE LIVED OF MY STOCKPILE FOR AT LEAST A MONTH!! ITS WORTH IT!
6) SAY SO LONG TO SNACK PACKS!
Single servings of cookies, chips, crackers, and juice may be very convenient, but they're no value on a volume basis. If you buy sandwich bags or use small containers to create your own snack packages, not only will you save money, but you'll also have more control over how much- and what- your kids eat.
7) WEIGH YOUR CHOICES!
When purchasing pre-bagged produce, such as apples, oranges, or potatoes, put several bags on the scale to find the heaviest. Sometimes they can vary by as much as a pound.
8) GO GENERIC!
In many cases, generic and store label food and household items are identical to or as good as name brand products. Cereals, crackers, chips, napkins and paper towels are usually dependable and cost 20 to 30 percent less; stick to name brands for ketchup and pasta sauce.
9) COMPARE COST PER POUND OR COST PER UNIT!
Be sure to check the unti cost. Sometimwa the 'economy' size isnt always the best bargain, especially when a smaller size is on sale.
10) MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE BUTCHER!
Ask him what day of the week and time they stock the "reduced for quick sale" area. You'll get substantial savings, sometimes $2 a pound or up to 50% off.
11) CHECK OUT THE CHICKS!
A roasting chicken is merely a large fryer, relabeled and sold at a higher price. Dont pay more for a different label; find the biggest fryer for roasting.
12) THINK AHEAD!
Proper preperation can turn would-be waste into a fresh new meal. If your family never finishes that last third of lasagna, for instance, cut out a third before serving and freeze it.
13) INVEST IN A SECOND FREEZER!
You'll save big on meat by stocking up on specials.
14) SHOP WITH LEFTOVERS IN MIND!
Some foods are perfect for an encore performance the following day, especially if you can present them differently.
15) LEARN WHEN TO LEAVE LEFTOVERS BEHIND
Not all meals are as appealing on day two, so dont buy more than you can eat in one sitting. For instance, fish or dressed salad just isnt good the next day, so buy and prepare just what you need.
16) COUNT ON DISCOUNT AND CLEARANCE STORES!
Merchants such as Ocean State Job Lot or Big Lots frequently offer cut price groceries and paper products.
17) VISIT PRICE CLUBS WITH A FRIEND!
Take a supply of boxes, bags, and resealable containers, and split purchases that you both want, especially items like fresh fruit and spices.
18) BUY THE WEDNESDAY PAPER!
Thats the day newspapers typically include a food section where supermarkets advertise sales.
19) CUT CORNERS ON CLIPPING COUPONS!
Check out websites that offer printable manufacturer coupons. (to find type "grocery coupons" into your search engine)
20)STOCK UP ON LOCAL, IN-SEASON FRUITS AND VEGGIES!
Markets may import ou-of-season produce from outher countries, but the price usually reflects the airfare. If you're going to cook the items, then freezing in-season produce saves you money.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
20 ways to save on groceries
Sunday, November 30, 2008
My 1st trip for Kmart Super Doubles...
Well I went to kmart today to finally get my layaway out. I havent paid much attention to the super kmart doubles, but a dear coupon friend told me of some free stuff I could get if I did, so i decided to throw some coupons together and give it a try. I was very dissapointed as it was obvious another couponer had been around and cleared a lot of things. There was no single revlon eyeshadows (going to be free) or any revlon color nailpolish (not free but cheap), there was also no revlon tweezers or nail files (free after revlon beauty tool coupon). Someone had cleared out the endust (which I was really looking forward to getting to add to my christmas gift baskets) and there was several other stuff. Leave some for others! geez! But I did get a few stuff. It was not a super kmart so they didnt have a huge grocery section, which i hated as i was so looking forward to getting the free ronzoni and some cheap cascadian farms products. The cascadian farm fries would of been great to fill up my freezer! Ah well.... when we finally get a car in february, I will finally be free to go to any kmart I wish!! lol Here is what I got....
3 pledge were 50c each after $1.50 coupon doubled
3 Dove cream oil bodywash $1.79 after $1.50 coupon doubled (i really needed these)
4 4pks of olay soap bars free after $2 coupon doubled
4 Theraflu warming liquid $1.49 after $2 coupon doubled (great price for flu season!)
2 first aid cloth tape free after $1 coupon doubled
2 first aid non-stick pads free after $1 coupon doubled
2 tic-tac chill's after $1 coupon doubled
I think I did pretty good!
My favorite time of the year!
Its that time again! Christmas Time! I love this season, but it is very stressful! Every year I say Im going to start early and never do but I can say Im done by December 1st! Yayyy! I do have one gift to buy for my christmas work party but that maybe just a gift card so no big stress over that. I put up my tree the day before thanksgiving, heres some pics!...
My Fireplace...
These are all hubbys gifts! Thanks to after thanksgiving sales!
I always like my tree to be in front of the window!
So pretty lit up!
I choose the bow again this year, Im not a fan of a star or a angel, I cant never get it to look right! But I do collect angels lol
A close up of my tree skirt, I love the pattern! Me and my sister-in-law got the same one! lol we also have the same color-scheme for our tree's this year! lol Red & Gold is a classic combination!
Its finally here....
Ok so my birthday gift is finally here, my new freezer! Its a great size and perfect for my stockpile! Its going to be a great help, and I cant wait to shop the sales to fill it up! It looks empty right now! I have been focusing all my extra money on christmas.... Just thought you would like to see some pics!...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Cheap Stockpile Gift Basket
This is my SIL christmas basket...
She had already picked her items out of my stockpile for her basket as I told her I couldnt afford much for christmas...
I couldnt think of any idea's to jazz up the basket so i got creative!
Thought everybody would like to see the pic of her basket I made!
(the basket still has to be gift wrapped in cellophane and a pretty ribbon on top, it also has some stuff underneath the products on top!!)
Cheap Gift Idea for Glade Scented Oil Candle Holders
Ok, so I did the great deal at walmart for the glade scented oil holders only. I had the $2 blinkies and I got a few of the Glade Scented Holiday Candle Holders that were on sale for $2. I wanted to give these as little gifts for the rest of dh family (they usually dont exchange gifts).
So I managed to get the coupons out of the box when i got home, and went back to get more.
But I wanted to include some refills, even with the '$2.00 off 1 holder or 2 refills' coupons and the $2 sale at walmart, It was still coming out as $1 each plus tax....
That may sound cheap to many people but our budget is tight this year and less oop i can get is so helpful.
So I wanted to find a way to get just one candle on the holder and maybe put a coupon in each one so they can buy their own!
Here is how I did it, maybe I will help someone out!
I know dh family will appreciate these and I plan to give them to our mail lady, friends at work, etc.
The many candle holders that I just paid tax for.
The holiday holder with the candle inside.
The refills were $1 each.... I couldnt afford lots of them!
be carefull! and make sure you do it at the right place!
Use the coupon for the holder to get more! replace the candle
holder and remember your candle!! One refill pack has 3 candles
in each! The b2g1f coupon will be a great help as I couldnt
put the whole pack in there!
Make sure you just put little dots on the flaps so the end
has something to hold onto. Add bands carefully!
and dont get glue on your hands! lol
When glue is dry I plan to add one of those pretty mini bows
(maybe in silver) and some ribbon I can get at the dollar store.
Im going to write 'Love Emma & Ken' on the corner with silver
marker....
Im sure they will appreciate my hard work.....
It may seem like a lot of work but worth the less oop!
with 20-30 of them Im glad I get to give this christmas to everbody
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Refills for Glade Candle Holders....
My freebie finds at Walmart 3
I found these great Halloween treat bags
for 10c each! I thought they were great for
my 2 nieces... Lauren who adores Hannah Montana
and my niece Sarah who loves Barbie for christmas!
And my sister Melissa who loves High School
Musical! The only way you can tell they are halloween
bags.... the barbie bag has a pumpkin on it!
And I know for sure Sarah will be too busy looking
at Barbie! A great alternative to a stocking as a
stocking costs at least $3-$5! this way they can
carry their goodies home!!
My freebie finds at Walmart 2
I found these Hannah Montana Candy Bracelets
on sale from the Halloween Section for 48c!!
I thought they were great for my nieces stocking stuffers
as they are huge Hannah Montana fans and they will
never bother to notice the pumpkin in the corner!!
I found these sprinkles in the Halloween marked
down section. They are still Harvest colors so are
perfect for the cupcakes I make for the children
at Thanksgiving! Just 25c each!
Got 9 Buddie Bars free (97c each) using the $3/3
Johnsons coupon and got 4 Wellpatch's (97c each )
free with the $1/1 any wellpatch!
My freebie finds at Walmart
This is the Glade Holiday Holder!
It includes the holder only! Great for christmas gifts!
I got 13 of these for free! I used 13 $2 coupons,
they were blinkies I found at Kroger! Free!!
To make the deal even sweeter.... there are coupons
inside each candle for $2 off any glade scented candle
holder!! I can get more for free and keep recieving
coupons!! Just make sure you take the coupon out carefull
so you can still use the candles for gifts!!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Best Kroger Trip Yet!
Well I had a great day at kroger today, i got 2 whole grocery carts full of grocerys and saved over $300.00 I did have a whole list of everything i got but explorer hates me and it wiped it all out!! but i will take pics of my stockpile!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Photo's from Kroger trip....
5 country bobs sauce I got for free
the 9 free dish scrubbers...
4 of the 8 bags of candy for $1 each...
and the 4 frosting and cake mix for brother-in-laws
birthday cake!
9 of the 10 propel i got for 19c each
and 1 box of the 10 pizza rolls i got for 30c each
and 1 of the 8 banquet meal we got for $1 each.
4 of the 5 brut deo I got for free
the 2 pert I got for free
the 8 free bags of Halls Cough Drops
the 4 packs of cottonelle....... I paid 50c each
the 2 glade scented oil....I paid $4.49 for both
and recieved $8.00 in coupons (actually only
recieved 1 for $4.00)
the 7 purex detergent....... I paid $1 each!
What would u spend it on....?
Well I havent blogged in a few days. Thought I would come and share a few words (for the very few who follow my blog)...Me and hubby were watching a program a few days back about people winning the lottery. It was telling the stories of some of the people who won the lottery and what they did with it. It got me thinking.... I truly believe I would not stop using coupons if i had the money to live comfortably. Its almost a way of life now! lol I cant imagine actually paying for shampoo! crazy! haha.... I would also like to start up a organization to help people in need of a car. We are currently without a car. Maybe february we will be financially able to get a car, It is so hard to be without one! we have to depend on people to take us places, and the times we do not, we walk and have many bags to carry from the grocery store. I wouldnt like to see anyone else in my situation. A car can be such a blessing for some people, with children a car is needed to take the children to the doctors, school, and many other places. Just a single couple like me and hubby are in need of a car, just to get around town and get grocerys and for hubby to maybe get a better job. If you have a car and have transport do not take it for granted! Be thankful! And if you are financially able to help another person who has a family and needs a car.... you will be blessed too!. It doesnt have to be a nice car, doesnt have to cost a lot... there are cars out there for $300-$400 that actually do work and will get around town!....well, we got the public transport to pick us up, and take us to the next town to go to kroger, Kroger is the only place I can get the fabulous deals to save me some money towards my car fund! lol Here is what we got! (note: the candy was supposed to be a deal: buy $15 get $5 off your next order, well the 2 for $4.00 candy was ringing up $1.47! so i didnt get my $15 worth like I planned, but still great price on candy!)
1st transaction:
Kroger Insulated Freezer Bag - $2.00 These things are great!
Kroger Insulated Freezer Bag - $2.00
Kroger Insulated Freezer Bag - $2.00
Glade Scented Oil Warmer - $4.49
Glade Scented Oil Warmer - $4.49
3 musketeers fun size bag candy - $1.47
3 musketeers fun size bag candy - $1.47
M&M's fun size bag candy - $1.47
M&M's fun size bag candy - $1.47
Milky Way fun size bag candy - $1.47
Milky Way fun size bag candy - $1.47
Snickers fun size bag candy - $1.47
Snickers fun size bag candy - $1.47
(1) B1G1F Glade scented oil warmer coupon - -$4.49
(4) $1.00 off 2 fun size candy - -$4.00
tax - $1.41
balance - $19.66
recieved - 1 $4 catalina for glade (should of got 2)
2nd transaction:
10 15ct totino's pizza rolls - $1 each (had raincheck from last week)
8 banquet dinners - $1 each - $8.00 (no coupons but great price)
10 bottles propel flavored water - $1.19 each
2 pert plus shampoo - $2 each
8 bags off Hall's cough drops - $1 each
9 scotch brite dish scrubbers - $1 each
5 brut deo - $1 each
2 Mount Olives Pickles - $2.50 each
1 betty crocker cake mix - $1 each
5 country bob sauce - $2.99 each
4 4packs cottonelle toilet paper - 99c each
4 pillsbury frosting - $1.32 each (thought these were bc so i had no coupons)
4 bottles of purex laundry detergent - $1.99 each
10 35c off 1 pizza roll coupons - doubled to 70c x 10 = $7.00
10 50c off 1 propel coupons - doubled to $1 x 10 = $10.00
2 $2 off 1 pert plus coupons - $2 x 2 = $4.00
8 50c off 1 halls cough drop coupons - doubled to $1 x 8 = $8.00
9 50c off 1 scotch brite coupons - doubled to $1 x 9 = $9.00
5 $1 off 1 any brut - $1 x 5 = $5.00
2 55c off 1 mount olive products - 55c x 2 = $1.10
5 free country bobs - $2.99 x 5 = $14.95
4 25c off 1 cottonelle - doubled to 50c x 4 = $2.00
4 50c off 1 purex - doubled to $1.00 x 4 = $4.00
5 $4 oyno catalina's (from glade deals) = $20.00
tax - $3.31
balance - $13.31
total savings 92% - $118.28!! wooohoo! lol
3rd transaction:
3 purex detergent - $1.99 each (hubby got 3 more as it was limit 4)
3 50c coupons off 1 doubled to $1 = -$3.00
tax $0.31
balance - $3.28
total savings 75% - $9.00
I think I did great!
I will add pictures later!.....
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Bad Day, But also a Good Day.........
Okay well I made a grocery shopping trip today, me and my husband. I had everything planned out. We went to cvs and got the excedrin deal, luckily I had picked up some $2.00 coupons off excedrin express gels the week before at kroger. There was also $2.00 off back and body in last sundays inserts.
Cvs had their excedrin express gels 20ct for $1.99! Free Excedrin!!
Heres my Bill:
2 Excedrin Back and Body 24ct - $1.99
9 Excedrin Express Gels 20ct - $1.99
1 Energy Fuel Multipack - $9.99
We was looking for the cvs brand energy shots they had on sale for 4/$10 last week but they seemed to not have any in the store even at regular price
11 $2.00 coupons
subtotal- $9.88
tax- $2.23
Total - $12.11
Great for 11 boxes of excedrin and if we didnt get the energy shots it would have been about $2 or $3!
Okay so then we went to Kroger, This is were my day went kinda bad.... I had plans to go get the Glade Scented oil warmers. I had buy 1 get 1 free coupons and they were priced $4.49. So two for $4.49 is a great price for two! But to sweeten the deal, you recieved a $4 catalina for every one glade you bought so I make money from it. Well I had 6 b1g1f coupons so that means 12 warmers....they only had 6 of the warmers at $4.49,So I got the last 6, I got 3 glade scented oil nightlight's at $6.99 and 3 Glade scented oil Fan's for $7.99. So I didnt get to make much money but I did get the warmers for free!....
6 Glade scented oil warmer - $4.49 each
3 Glade scented oil nightlight - $6.99 each
3 Glade scented oil fan holder - $7.99 each
B1g1f coupon - $4.49
B1g1f coupon - $4.49
B1g1f coupon - $4.49
B1g1f coupon - $6.99
B1G1f coupon - $7.99
tax- $5.03
total- $48.06
recieved catalina's - $48.00
cost- $0.06c!!
So I went back and got my grocerys they was out of the pizza rolls, so I got a rain check (they were $1 each and I had 35c coupon, doubled to 70c, pizza rolls for 30c!).
Well I went to get the johnsons baby oil, and the cashier said I was not allowed to have the $1.89 baby oil with the $3 off 3 johnsons as it was a trial size! It so was not, and I was due to get the $1 catalina for those too. I got the 4oz baby powder and i was not able to use the Johnson's $1 coupon with those as the cashier said it was a trial. It so was not!! well, anyways, here is what I got finally after her taking 6 baby powders off and 3 baby oil's off my bill...
6 armour sizzle and serve pork links - $1.00 each
6 green giant vegetables - $1.00 each (in all the fuss I forgot to give her the coupons for these but they would of been 50c with a 25c coupon doubled)
6 Celestial Tea - $1.00 each
1 4pk Cottonelle - 99c
2 Halls cough drops - $1.00 each
2 Land O Lakes butter - $1.00 each
1 Sunny Delight OJ - $1.00 (also forgot this coupon!)
5 Country Bobs Sauce - $2.99
1 Febreeze noticeables - $6.99
2 20z cokes - $1.49 each
Blue Plate Mayonaise - $3.69
6 armour sizzle and serve - 35c coupons doubled to 70c coupons
6 Celestial Tea - $1 coupons
1 cottonelle - 50c Esaver coupon loaded onto Kroger Card
2 Halls cough drops - 35c coupons doubled to 70c coupons
2 Land O Lakes Butter - 55c coupons
5 country bobs sauce - Free coupons ($2.99 each)
1 Febreeze noticeable - $5 Esaver coupon loaded onto Kroger Card
(I had a $5 coupon also to get overage on this as the coupon on the kroger card is classed as a store coupon... but cashier would not allow it as I would get the item for free... yeah!...anyways it ending up costing me $1.99)
5 $4 catalinas (from glade deal) - $20
tax - $2.00
total - $3.94
recieved - $3 in catalinas for the 3 baby oils she took off my bill! lol
so In kroger, total, I spent - $52.00
and have $31.00 in catalina's off my next order left!
$21.00 for all that isnt too bad.
So we get home and I read my emails.... got more comments from my walmart deal....
heres the story... there were Mr Clean bottles or liquid and the sprays for $2.50 in walmart. They had free magic erasers attached to them. I was told that it is perfectly fine to use the B1G1F coupon and the 50c coupon for both items. The coupon states that you buy one you get one free, it does not state that you cant use a coupon on the bought item. So people are saying you need both products to use the buy one get one free coupon. This I know... I also know that many many people have used these coupons this way. If they scrutinized every single wording on the coupon, we ALL would never get the deals we are getting.... I got told that 'if the store is dumb enough to let you do it'........ why would they be dumb? doesnt the b1g1f coupon ask for the price of the free item? yes so doesnt that mean it is for the free item? yes... anyways, the cashier stopped and read the coupon, she was a experienced cashier! she said it was fine. Im just fed up and aggrivated with people who will sit there and tell you that you are breaking the rules, knowing the situation with coupons anyway. If i was using a copy of a valid coupon, a counterfit coupon, or a expired coupon, or not buying the specified size and product then I would understand.... It almost makes me want to stop using coupons altogether...........
Sunday, October 12, 2008
new crockpot/slowcooker
Ok well I havent blogged for a few days... I have been very busy with my new job. But I ventured into the next town and tried out kroger a few days ago. I searched the threads on hcw as to what you could get for free or close to it, so I had my coupons ready, and was ready to go!. So me and my niece were going, well the night before I got sick with a terrible cold, a public bus service was to pick us up at 10am, I had only got to sleep at 6am, I couldnt breathe all night! So, needless to say.... we was late so we had to rush out..... we got there and I could hardly find anything that I had planned.... But I did get the free cottonelle with the 50c coupon.... and some ronzoni smart taste pasta for 33c....maybe luck next time!!!
Well on a good note, I did get a great deal on a crockpot yesterday... I was needng one, I already had a small one that i bought after thanksgiving last year... but that wasnt big enough.... this was a south beach portable one that was on rollback for $17.88 which was a great price!!!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
a good mail day today....
I had a pretty good mail day today... got 2 free coupons for buddig lunchmeat, but the best one was 25 free coupons for country bobs all purpose sauce! yayyyy! Apart from that i havent done anything much....
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Wednesday Oct 1st.........
Monday, September 29, 2008
Ingles Trip - 9/29
What I got in the mail today.... Sept.29th
Sunday, September 28, 2008
I Love Autumn!
My trip for today!
How does a couponer eat?
Blue Plate mayo - $1.68 (with coupon)
