20 ways to save on groceries

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.

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!...

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

Refills for Glade Candle Holders....

I also forgot to mention that I got some Refills for the Glade Candle Holder for $1 each.

The same coupons I used for the holders also said save $2 off any holder or any 2 refills

and they were on sale for $2 so I paid $2 for 2 packs!

So technically I just paid $1 for the refill and I got the holder for free!

What a great gift for christmas!! Just costing $1.00! It is hard to find a pretty card for

that much these days!! Yayyy go me! lol