I thought I'd write a little bit about easy ways to save on groceries without using coupons. Some of this will repeat things I've said before, but I think it always helps to hear it again.
Don't waste time or energy feeling guilty
This I think applies to lots of areas in our lives and I, well I'm a Virgo, I'm kind of a pro at the guilt stuff. I'll spend tons of my valuable time and energy worrying about stuff and not actually do anything productive about it. So, if saving money on groceries is one of the things that you feel guilty about not working toward - just don't.
Here's my suggestion: Instead of worrying for 2-3 minutes use that time to open your fridge and check your pantry and plan 2 or 3 meals using what you have right now, or check your produce and see what you should go ahead and use or chop up and throw in the freezer to keep it from going into your trashcan rather than in your body, or send a quick email to a company letting them know how much you like their product (ok that's technically couponing, but it's easy couponing).
Then you'll have spent your 2-3 minutes actively saving your grocery money and you get to feel good not guilty.
Stretch out your grocery trips by a day or two
If you go to the store every week and generally spend about the same amount every week, see if you can wait a couple of extra days. Again, use what you have - check your freezer and your pantry. Then, when you do go to the store, spend what you usually spend going weekly. I doubt you'll even feel deprived, and you'll have saved a percentage of your monthly spending. If you're feeling really brave, try to skip a whole week.
If there is just one day that you can shop and you need to shop weekly, try dropping your spending by $5. When you're comfortable with that, drop it by $5 more.
You don't have to shop more than one store, as long as you know your store.
Although you will save more money if you have the time/ability/inclination to shop more than one store, you don't have to do that to save. You have tons of ways to save when shopping one store.
-Pay attention to prices. Is there a snack that your family loves? If you need it today, check the various package sizes, buy the one that gives you the best per ounce price. Even better, pay attention to the sales cycles. When it goes on sale for a great price, buy an extra one, or if there's room in your budget that week, buy 5 extra. (Of course, if it's a snack they really love, you might want to hide the extra boxes and bring them out periodically.)
-The fact that you're going to need laundry detergent, toilet paper, soap, etc isn't a surprise or an emergency. Use the above pricing tip to know when to buy an extra or two of the items you know you'll need. Yes, you'd save more using coupons, but if you're saving off of the price you would normally spend, you're still saving.
-Lose brand loyalty. Try your store's brand on items. Many stores now have in-house organics lines. I've often found that I like the store brand better on some things. Again, pay attention to price per unit, to make sure that you're getting the best deal.
-Pay attention to your store's markdown areas. If you don't know where they are or if your store even does markdowns, then ask. Markdowns are usually done on soon to expire items, but often you'll find deals when your store is re-setting the aisles.
-If your store has a shopper's card, get it. You'll save on items in the store and will get on the mailing list for coupons.
-Pay attention to produce. Instead of absentmindedly chunking five apples into a bag, think about how many apples your family actually eats in a week. And I don't mean how many apples you dole out. When your kids have an apple, do they eat the whole thing? Or do they eat half of it and throw the rest away? Buy what you really think you'll eat and then portion it out effectively at home. If you run out before your next trip, it'll be ok. You'll just know to put one more apple in the bag next time.
-If your one store is a Costco, BJs, or Sam's - then look at what you can freeze as soon as you get home. Great deal on onions or bell peppers? Then take the time to chop some up, throw them in a ziploc ('cause you know you just bought 500 of them), and toss them in the freezer. Bust up big portions of things that can go stale (crackers, etc) into smaller portions, or even into snack size portions for the kids. Yes, it may take some time, but it also takes time to go back to the store 4 or 5 days before you really needed to.
Don't overfill your fridge
This is one that I've had to learn. I used to love looking at a stocked full fridge - oh, the choices! Of course, I'd throw away a good third of the the contents every week or so. Now, I like to keep our fridge only about a third to a half full. When I open the fridge, I can easily see what produce we have available, I know what leftovers we need to use up, and I actually had a spot to put said leftovers in. Also, I actually put together more varied meals. When there is an abundance of choices, I end up overwhelmed and reaching for the old standbys - and then I'm right back to throwing my grocery money into the trashcan.
Ok, I think I'll stop there. Hopefully at least some of it was new and helpful!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
this n that (and recipes!)
I recently found the Happy Foody blog and I have to say it's really inspiring. Sara is a vegan and eats a mainly raw food diet. I was a vegetarian for seven years, and while I don't have the desire to be totally meat free, I do tend to prepare primarily vegetarian meals when it's my turn to cook.
We eat lots of produce already, but I'm trying to get more (and more varied) into our diet. It's kind of hard on a limited budget, but definitely doable. I've written about this before, but here's how I do it:
1. Watch the ads for the loss leader organic produce
2. Shop Whole Foods - again, primarily buying what's in season and on sale
3. Stalk the Kroger markdown area - I end up with great deals on organic bananas, spinach, and salad mixes.
4. Use the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists for deciding on organic vs. non-organic
Our lunch today was so good, I wanted to share a couple of recipes. I saw this post over at Happy Foody and the sweet potatoes sounded awesome! I love sweet potatoes, but only ever eat them around the holidays and then, only when someone else has prepared them. I didn't realize how easy and fast they are - so forgive me if you've been making them forever. I kind of adapted a recipe from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything.
Easy Sweet Potatoes
about 2 lbs of sweet potatoes (I used one huge one) - cubed
about 2 Tbs of butter
about 2 Tbs of maple syrup (Ours is a mix of maple syrup and agave nectar - both from the bulk aisle at WF)
a little bit of salt, and pepper if you like
I threw all of the above in the pot with about a 1/2 cup of water. Heat it all up on medium until the water boils - then cover it and turn it down to a simmer. Stir it every five minutes or so until the potatoes are soft (or whatever level of tenderness you like) - takes about 20 minutes all together.
It made enough for everyone to have huge servings and I have some leftover that I'll be snacking on in a bit.
Last week I made up a big batch of beans in the slow cooker. Sort of recipe:
4 Bean Mess o' mess
1/2 cup pinto beans
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup kidney beans
1/2 cup adzuki beans (these are packed with protein, but we've discovered that we don't really care for them by themselves - they were great mixed in with the others, though.)
about a cup of chopped onion
about a cup of chopped red bell pepper
four strips of bacon (you could leave this out of course)
salt and pepper to taste
I rinsed all of the beans and picked them over, but I don't soak them before slow cooking. Throw all of the above in the slow cooker and then add enough water so that the water is about 2 inches over the beans. Cook on high for 6-8 hours (until the beans are soft). Keep an eye on the water level - you may need to add more. You could also add stock if you wanted, but I figured with the bacon it would be overkill.
We had beans and rice the other night, leftovers the next day, and I froze three 2-cup servings for later.
So, for lunch today the kids had cheese quesadillas, beans, and sweet potatoes. Derek and I had cheese, bean, and lettuce soft tacos with sweet potatoes on the side. It was so good!
I also wanted to share a link that Tara sent me. It's really the way we shop/cook/eat - I think she sums it up perfectly: Saving Money on Food (the No Compromise Way) - I've added her blog over in my blogroll, too. Check it out, if you get a chance!
We eat lots of produce already, but I'm trying to get more (and more varied) into our diet. It's kind of hard on a limited budget, but definitely doable. I've written about this before, but here's how I do it:
1. Watch the ads for the loss leader organic produce
2. Shop Whole Foods - again, primarily buying what's in season and on sale
3. Stalk the Kroger markdown area - I end up with great deals on organic bananas, spinach, and salad mixes.
4. Use the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists for deciding on organic vs. non-organic
Our lunch today was so good, I wanted to share a couple of recipes. I saw this post over at Happy Foody and the sweet potatoes sounded awesome! I love sweet potatoes, but only ever eat them around the holidays and then, only when someone else has prepared them. I didn't realize how easy and fast they are - so forgive me if you've been making them forever. I kind of adapted a recipe from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything.
Easy Sweet Potatoes
about 2 lbs of sweet potatoes (I used one huge one) - cubed
about 2 Tbs of butter
about 2 Tbs of maple syrup (Ours is a mix of maple syrup and agave nectar - both from the bulk aisle at WF)
a little bit of salt, and pepper if you like
I threw all of the above in the pot with about a 1/2 cup of water. Heat it all up on medium until the water boils - then cover it and turn it down to a simmer. Stir it every five minutes or so until the potatoes are soft (or whatever level of tenderness you like) - takes about 20 minutes all together.
It made enough for everyone to have huge servings and I have some leftover that I'll be snacking on in a bit.
Last week I made up a big batch of beans in the slow cooker. Sort of recipe:
4 Bean Mess o' mess
1/2 cup pinto beans
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup kidney beans
1/2 cup adzuki beans (these are packed with protein, but we've discovered that we don't really care for them by themselves - they were great mixed in with the others, though.)
about a cup of chopped onion
about a cup of chopped red bell pepper
four strips of bacon (you could leave this out of course)
salt and pepper to taste
I rinsed all of the beans and picked them over, but I don't soak them before slow cooking. Throw all of the above in the slow cooker and then add enough water so that the water is about 2 inches over the beans. Cook on high for 6-8 hours (until the beans are soft). Keep an eye on the water level - you may need to add more. You could also add stock if you wanted, but I figured with the bacon it would be overkill.
We had beans and rice the other night, leftovers the next day, and I froze three 2-cup servings for later.
So, for lunch today the kids had cheese quesadillas, beans, and sweet potatoes. Derek and I had cheese, bean, and lettuce soft tacos with sweet potatoes on the side. It was so good!
I also wanted to share a link that Tara sent me. It's really the way we shop/cook/eat - I think she sums it up perfectly: Saving Money on Food (the No Compromise Way) - I've added her blog over in my blogroll, too. Check it out, if you get a chance!
Friday, August 21, 2009
good read
This so sums up how I'm feeling lately: The beauty of forced frugality
This month has been such a challenge for us and next month looks to be tight as we climb out of August. Surprisingly, though, I've had lots of little moments of reflection and appreciation lately. A glass of iced tea, a wonderful meal that comes together out of bits and pieces, time spent with the kids playing in the sprinkler, and so many opportunities to see friends and family - money is just money, you know? Experience is the real deal.
So, go and check out the link, she says it way better than I can.
This month has been such a challenge for us and next month looks to be tight as we climb out of August. Surprisingly, though, I've had lots of little moments of reflection and appreciation lately. A glass of iced tea, a wonderful meal that comes together out of bits and pieces, time spent with the kids playing in the sprinkler, and so many opportunities to see friends and family - money is just money, you know? Experience is the real deal.
So, go and check out the link, she says it way better than I can.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Kettle Corn
I just made this recipe for the kids and I (me? myself?). You should too, but remember:
1. Let it cool - you will burn the %*&#* out of your mouth.
2. You will eat it all and not have a pretty picture for your blog.
Also of note, I went to Target and their only option for non-microwave popcorn was the ALMOST FIVE DOLLAR container of Orville Redenbacher's. Pinto beans were twice the price they are at Kroger. I about passed out in the store. So, we stopped at Kroger on the way home and bought popcorn, a cantaloupe, a bag of black beans, and a bag of pinto beans for what the popcorn and pintos alone would have cost at Target. Crazy.
1. Let it cool - you will burn the %*&#* out of your mouth.
2. You will eat it all and not have a pretty picture for your blog.
Also of note, I went to Target and their only option for non-microwave popcorn was the ALMOST FIVE DOLLAR container of Orville Redenbacher's. Pinto beans were twice the price they are at Kroger. I about passed out in the store. So, we stopped at Kroger on the way home and bought popcorn, a cantaloupe, a bag of black beans, and a bag of pinto beans for what the popcorn and pintos alone would have cost at Target. Crazy.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Free 2010 Calendar from Annie's Homegrown
Head to Annie's Homegrown to find out how to get your FREE 2010 calendar. mmmmm....cheddar bunnies.... Thanks, Tara!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Super doubles wrap-up
Ok, here's the breakdown:
Free after super-doubles:
6 - Buitoni pasta
6 - Wacky Mac pasta
6 - Skintimate shave gel
6 - Ken's Healthy Options salad dressings
3 - Playtex gloves
3 - Oxy pads (Did y'all see that thing on Oprah about using these to smooth your heels?)
2 - Dannon Activia yogurt
2 - Dannon yogurt smoothies
2 - Reach flossers
1 - Dannon kids yogurt
1 - Kotex liners
1 - 4pk Energizer batteries - free after superdoubles and $1 ecoupon
1 - Tabasco sauce
1 - Wishbone Bountifuls salad dressing
Other super-double deals:
5 - Jennie-O Turkey Franks (4 pkgs at .19 ea, 1 at .40)
4 - Kellogg's Rice Krispies - .25 ea after superdoubles and $4 off wyb 4 deal
1 - El Monterey Tornadoes - .49 and will get a $2.49 rebate
1 - Wholly Salsa - .50
2 - Mission Tortillas - .79 ea
1 - Hellmann's mayo - $1.04 after super-doubles and .25 ecoupon
1 - Mt. Olive jalapenos - .79
1 - Sally Hansen nail polish - .09
1 - Kiwi heel savers - the tag said these were $1.99, so I thought they would be free. They actually rang up for $3.99, but I didn't catch that until later. I'm using them to repair a pair of boots that I love, so I'm just going to keep them. - $1.99
other stuff I bought:
1 - pkg hot dog buns - .88
2 - 8oz cheese - $1.00 ea
8 - fancy feast kitten food - .65 ea -Ted's really not doing well and this is the only food I can get him to eat. :(
Bought: 69 items
Spent: $17.21
Saved: $133.75
Savings of: 91.5%
unit cost per item: .25
and I'll get back $2.49 in rebates - I don't like to count future rebates in my total $ spent, though.
I bought produce on Friday with the rest of my giftcard that I won. I spent $12.23 that trip and saved $8.
So, my $30 giftcard netted me $171.75 worth of groceries!!!
Y'all know I ♥ coupons, right?
Free after super-doubles:
6 - Buitoni pasta
6 - Wacky Mac pasta
6 - Skintimate shave gel
6 - Ken's Healthy Options salad dressings
3 - Playtex gloves
3 - Oxy pads (Did y'all see that thing on Oprah about using these to smooth your heels?)
2 - Dannon Activia yogurt
2 - Dannon yogurt smoothies
2 - Reach flossers
1 - Dannon kids yogurt
1 - Kotex liners
1 - 4pk Energizer batteries - free after superdoubles and $1 ecoupon
1 - Tabasco sauce
1 - Wishbone Bountifuls salad dressing
Other super-double deals:
5 - Jennie-O Turkey Franks (4 pkgs at .19 ea, 1 at .40)
4 - Kellogg's Rice Krispies - .25 ea after superdoubles and $4 off wyb 4 deal
1 - El Monterey Tornadoes - .49 and will get a $2.49 rebate
1 - Wholly Salsa - .50
2 - Mission Tortillas - .79 ea
1 - Hellmann's mayo - $1.04 after super-doubles and .25 ecoupon
1 - Mt. Olive jalapenos - .79
1 - Sally Hansen nail polish - .09
1 - Kiwi heel savers - the tag said these were $1.99, so I thought they would be free. They actually rang up for $3.99, but I didn't catch that until later. I'm using them to repair a pair of boots that I love, so I'm just going to keep them. - $1.99
other stuff I bought:
1 - pkg hot dog buns - .88
2 - 8oz cheese - $1.00 ea
8 - fancy feast kitten food - .65 ea -Ted's really not doing well and this is the only food I can get him to eat. :(
Bought: 69 items
Spent: $17.21
Saved: $133.75
Savings of: 91.5%
unit cost per item: .25
and I'll get back $2.49 in rebates - I don't like to count future rebates in my total $ spent, though.
I bought produce on Friday with the rest of my giftcard that I won. I spent $12.23 that trip and saved $8.
So, my $30 giftcard netted me $171.75 worth of groceries!!!
Y'all know I ♥ coupons, right?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Super doubles - quick recap
I'm super tired, so I'll share details later. Until then:
6 trips/2 stores
spent: $17
saved: $133!!
My stores were very well stocked - only out of a couple of things. The staff did a great job and I'm sending an email to corporate tomorrow. I want to let them know how thankful I am for my little neighborhood store. They were awesome today!
Night y'all!
6 trips/2 stores
spent: $17
saved: $133!!
My stores were very well stocked - only out of a couple of things. The staff did a great job and I'm sending an email to corporate tomorrow. I want to let them know how thankful I am for my little neighborhood store. They were awesome today!
Night y'all!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Something cool
A couple of weeks ago, Jenny at Southern Savers, had a post about an upcoming sale at Kroger and offered a $30 giftcard giveaway. She had to pull the post, but went ahead with the giveaway and I WON!
AND, I just received it in the mail - just in time for Super Doubles tomorrow!!
I'm so excited! Thank you Jenny and thank you Kroger!
AND, I just received it in the mail - just in time for Super Doubles tomorrow!!
I'm so excited! Thank you Jenny and thank you Kroger!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
it's really true - Super Doubles for sure!
Ok, just saw the ad and it's really really real. I'm going to be clipping like a mad woman and gone all day Saturday. I've already arranged for my sister to come over and entertain the children - thanks S!!
If you haven't checked it out yet, the lovely members of HCW have assembled a google doc of freebies and deals for Sat - complete with insert dates and printable links.
If you haven't checked it out yet, the lovely members of HCW have assembled a google doc of freebies and deals for Sat - complete with insert dates and printable links.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Texas - Kroger - 8/15 only - Super Doubles!!
Alright y'all, I never thought I'd see this happen. At Kroger in Texas on Saturday, 8/15 all coupons .40-$1 will double!!
Details: Kroger will double Manufacturer's "Cents Off" coupons valued between $0.40 and $1.00. Kroger will continue to triple Manufacturer's "Cents Off" coupons valued up to $0.39. Coupons greater than $1.00 will be redeemed at face value. Valid with Plus Card. Limit 1 like coupon per transaction. No cash back. Manufacturer's coupons issued in store do not apply. See store for details.
Check out Jane4girls for more info and here for a list of possible freebies.
Details: Kroger will double Manufacturer's "Cents Off" coupons valued between $0.40 and $1.00. Kroger will continue to triple Manufacturer's "Cents Off" coupons valued up to $0.39. Coupons greater than $1.00 will be redeemed at face value. Valid with Plus Card. Limit 1 like coupon per transaction. No cash back. Manufacturer's coupons issued in store do not apply. See store for details.
Check out Jane4girls for more info and here for a list of possible freebies.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Free Freshberry Frozen Yogurt - Dallas - Today
Freshberry Frozen Yogurt is celebrating the grand opening of their Dallas store.
All day Thursday, Aug 6 you can get a Free small yogurt cup with one topping (Dallas location only)!
8084 Park Lane Suite B141
Dallas, TX 75231
Located on Central Expressway and Park in the Park Lane Development, across from North Park Mall. Near the Dick's Sporting Goods, beneath the Apartment tower.
Also, 10% of their first week's sales will be donated to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
Thanks, Tara!
All day Thursday, Aug 6 you can get a Free small yogurt cup with one topping (Dallas location only)!
8084 Park Lane Suite B141
Dallas, TX 75231
Located on Central Expressway and Park in the Park Lane Development, across from North Park Mall. Near the Dick's Sporting Goods, beneath the Apartment tower.
Also, 10% of their first week's sales will be donated to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
Thanks, Tara!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The importance of the EF
Emergency Fund 101
We severely depleted our EF over the first few months of 2009 (plumbing fun, etc). Instead of buckling down and re-filling it like we should have, we just continued following our regular budget. And then July happened. Ugh. Lesson learned.
Ted to the vet. Electric bill $140 higher than the previous month. AC went out (which may explain the higher electric bill) to the tune of $340.
So, this month is super, super tight. We're hanging in there, selling stuff on ebay and I may do a garage sale.
It's a big red arrow pointing to the need for the $1000 Emergency Fund. All of this month's extra, unexpected expenses could have been covered with that amount.
We're going to get through this month, pay everything, and then it's Operation Emergency Fund. I'll track our progress here. Care to join me?
We severely depleted our EF over the first few months of 2009 (plumbing fun, etc). Instead of buckling down and re-filling it like we should have, we just continued following our regular budget. And then July happened. Ugh. Lesson learned.
Ted to the vet. Electric bill $140 higher than the previous month. AC went out (which may explain the higher electric bill) to the tune of $340.
So, this month is super, super tight. We're hanging in there, selling stuff on ebay and I may do a garage sale.
It's a big red arrow pointing to the need for the $1000 Emergency Fund. All of this month's extra, unexpected expenses could have been covered with that amount.
We're going to get through this month, pay everything, and then it's Operation Emergency Fund. I'll track our progress here. Care to join me?
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