Well I have to start by saying Thank Goodness for Health Insurance!
As was 2008, February 2009 is the month of plague in our house. And I'm a big fan of Lysol spray and Clorox wipes, so it has to come from somewhere else - plus they rarely get the same things... Lily had flu "b" ~ then Maggie had strep ~ and now Lily has a GI bug that supposedly lasts 24 - 48 hours. Since I've spent so much on copays and drugs lately, I tried a tip from a good friend and it WORKED! To counter the cost of the copay for the visit, I asked for a sample of one of the meds the pediatrician suggested. So next time you go to your doctor, consider asking for a sample, too.
Also along this vein is the flexible spending account that many employers offer. Don't worry you won't use it -or lose it because many programs offer a calculator to help you add up your out of pocket costs over a calendar year. And every year we use it, we run out well in advance. We save on taxes as well as with the employer contribution. Also, at places like Walgreen's, they bill our Flexible Spending Account directly so I don't even see the cost of prescriptions, which helps with cash flow... that you could use to buy your kids a movie or two or three since they are stuck on the couch or in bed!
Thanks for the great tip, Ness! It helped me and I hope it helps you too!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Coupons, Coupons and More Coupons
OK here's some neat information for you. Did you know that Michael's Arts & Crafts accepts all competitor coupons? Did you know that restaurants often accept expired coupons? And so does Bed, Bath & Beyond - and they take up to TWO coupons for one transaction!! Did you know that Lowe's and Home Depot honor each other's prices with an additional 10% savings of the difference? And have you heard about restaurant.com?
1. I am a crafter. And I never ever go into Michael's without a JoAnn's coupon. First, I don't always buy the paper and when I do there isn't always a Michael's flier in there. But when you walk in the store and go to customer service, there is a sign posted that reads something to the effect that we honor competitors coupons. So go to JoAnn.com and sign up for the online newsletter and coupons! Print those suckers out and leave them in your car for the next time you need a birthday gift or a craft item. You'll be surprised at how much you save.
2. I like Valpack coupons and the Reach magazine has good ones too. Some local restaurants honor their expired Valpack or Reach coupons. All you have to do is ask! I did!
3. Bed Bath and Beyond has two kinds of coupons - $10 off $30 purchase and 20% off one item. You can use them both at the same time. AND you can use expired coupons - so don't throw these away either! Save them for the next time you need something, anything - Yankee Candle, some kitchen-y or bath item you might get at Target or Kohls is now cheaper at BB&B.
4. When we were building shelving for our garage last year, Wes bought a bunch of lumber at Lowe's. We went the next weekend to Home Depot for the kids' event (I think the girls built a sailboat) and I was pricing the lumber behind me while they worked on the boat. Well wouldn't you know the wood was cheaper. So Wes bought it all again at Home Depot and since I had the Lowe's receipt with me, we could prove the prices at Lowe's so they we got the discounted price PLUS an additional 10 percent off the discount. Another instance where it pays to know the cost of things.
5. Restaurant.com is a website that offers prepaid coupons/gift cards online to local restaurants (no chains that I can see). This past week they ran a special where the coupons were $5 for $25 gift certificate. And we bought 6, 3 to a restaurant we love and 3 to new ones we wanted to try; we spent $30 to save $150. Now you must be warned that some of these coupons have a minimal spending of $35 and one coupon per family per night (just read the fine print). For my family of 4 it isn't hard to spend $35 on a meal, even without drinks. So the $35 meal will cost us $15 out of pocket plus the tip we would have had to pay anyway.
I LOVE COUPONS! Take the time to cut them out or print them out. Then organize them. Then use them! (Just don't use a coupon to get something you didn't need just because you have a coupon.) This help me save a little bit for the new Lilly Pulitzer dress I have my eye on, and I hope it helps you save enough to get your expensive treat, too!
1. I am a crafter. And I never ever go into Michael's without a JoAnn's coupon. First, I don't always buy the paper and when I do there isn't always a Michael's flier in there. But when you walk in the store and go to customer service, there is a sign posted that reads something to the effect that we honor competitors coupons. So go to JoAnn.com and sign up for the online newsletter and coupons! Print those suckers out and leave them in your car for the next time you need a birthday gift or a craft item. You'll be surprised at how much you save.
2. I like Valpack coupons and the Reach magazine has good ones too. Some local restaurants honor their expired Valpack or Reach coupons. All you have to do is ask! I did!
3. Bed Bath and Beyond has two kinds of coupons - $10 off $30 purchase and 20% off one item. You can use them both at the same time. AND you can use expired coupons - so don't throw these away either! Save them for the next time you need something, anything - Yankee Candle, some kitchen-y or bath item you might get at Target or Kohls is now cheaper at BB&B.
4. When we were building shelving for our garage last year, Wes bought a bunch of lumber at Lowe's. We went the next weekend to Home Depot for the kids' event (I think the girls built a sailboat) and I was pricing the lumber behind me while they worked on the boat. Well wouldn't you know the wood was cheaper. So Wes bought it all again at Home Depot and since I had the Lowe's receipt with me, we could prove the prices at Lowe's so they we got the discounted price PLUS an additional 10 percent off the discount. Another instance where it pays to know the cost of things.
5. Restaurant.com is a website that offers prepaid coupons/gift cards online to local restaurants (no chains that I can see). This past week they ran a special where the coupons were $5 for $25 gift certificate. And we bought 6, 3 to a restaurant we love and 3 to new ones we wanted to try; we spent $30 to save $150. Now you must be warned that some of these coupons have a minimal spending of $35 and one coupon per family per night (just read the fine print). For my family of 4 it isn't hard to spend $35 on a meal, even without drinks. So the $35 meal will cost us $15 out of pocket plus the tip we would have had to pay anyway.
I LOVE COUPONS! Take the time to cut them out or print them out. Then organize them. Then use them! (Just don't use a coupon to get something you didn't need just because you have a coupon.) This help me save a little bit for the new Lilly Pulitzer dress I have my eye on, and I hope it helps you save enough to get your expensive treat, too!
Pictures & Photos
Since my parents have the girls this weekend, I've had a little time to do some scrapbooking. But since I hadn't done it in a while, it was time to organize my photos and then get them printed so I can scrap. Of course, one key to saving money is staying organized, whether grocery shopping with a list, scrapbooking with preselected photos, or researching product costs.
The cheapest place I can find to print photos is SNAPFISH. You buy a prepaid plan, which is good for two years and get 250 photos at 8 cents each.
Option one is to take your camera card to a store and get immediate prints - most expensive.
Option two is to take your camera card to the store and get one-hour prints - next expensive.
Option three is to upload selected photos to a store site and pick them up later - getting better.
Option four is to upload selected photos to a website and have them mailed to you - even better.
Option five is to wait for a free shipping sale at Snapfish and print your photos - cheapest!!
(Just to share my research, Shutterfly has prepaid packages as low as 10 cents each but you have to buy a huge number - and without a plan, the prints are 15 cents each, almost twice as much as Snapfish. The advantage is that you upload online and you can have them printed at Target - but you cannot use the prepaid prints for that, as they tell you in teeny, tiny print. And since you know what a CostCo junkie I am, they charge 13 cents each to print out and pick up in the store - still not as good as Snapfish. And gas to the store and back probably equals the few-dollar shipping charges online sites use.)
As I said above, you have to stay organized. One advantage with a prepaid plan is that you have to take the time to upload your photos, so you don't just hit select~ALL and print all your photos, thereby wasting SO many pictures that don't go into an album or scrapbook. The other advantage to the prepaid plan is the cost - the pictures from Snapfish are just about 1/2 the cost of other places and in some instances 1/3 the cost! Now if you need pictures in a hurry, CostCo or SAMS is probably the way to go. But again, if you are organized and just print here and there, you will have your photos printed and ready to scrap (or file) next time your girlfriends call.
Since I like to scrap, I know this bit of research has helped me - I hope it helps you as well!!
The cheapest place I can find to print photos is SNAPFISH. You buy a prepaid plan, which is good for two years and get 250 photos at 8 cents each.
Option one is to take your camera card to a store and get immediate prints - most expensive.
Option two is to take your camera card to the store and get one-hour prints - next expensive.
Option three is to upload selected photos to a store site and pick them up later - getting better.
Option four is to upload selected photos to a website and have them mailed to you - even better.
Option five is to wait for a free shipping sale at Snapfish and print your photos - cheapest!!
(Just to share my research, Shutterfly has prepaid packages as low as 10 cents each but you have to buy a huge number - and without a plan, the prints are 15 cents each, almost twice as much as Snapfish. The advantage is that you upload online and you can have them printed at Target - but you cannot use the prepaid prints for that, as they tell you in teeny, tiny print. And since you know what a CostCo junkie I am, they charge 13 cents each to print out and pick up in the store - still not as good as Snapfish. And gas to the store and back probably equals the few-dollar shipping charges online sites use.)
As I said above, you have to stay organized. One advantage with a prepaid plan is that you have to take the time to upload your photos, so you don't just hit select~ALL and print all your photos, thereby wasting SO many pictures that don't go into an album or scrapbook. The other advantage to the prepaid plan is the cost - the pictures from Snapfish are just about 1/2 the cost of other places and in some instances 1/3 the cost! Now if you need pictures in a hurry, CostCo or SAMS is probably the way to go. But again, if you are organized and just print here and there, you will have your photos printed and ready to scrap (or file) next time your girlfriends call.
Since I like to scrap, I know this bit of research has helped me - I hope it helps you as well!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Chicken, Chicken, and More Chicken
I bought 36 pounds of chicken for $28. Seriously.
I was at SAMS Club last week and had my list of things to pick up (I'm there about every 3 weeks). I was doing pretty well sticking to it with only 2 impulse buys, one of which was Christmas wrapping paper for $1, until I got to the chicken counter. There were no prices posted. A big no-no in my shopping book.
I grabbed a man working and asked him what the prices were for the whole chicken (a staple in my house, as you know) and the legs and quarters (thigh and leg together). First, I am happy to report that whole chicken was 11 cents per pound cheaper at SAMS than CostCo - down to 78 cents, so I picked up a pack of two. The next thing he scanned were the quarters, and my mommy antennae caught the look of confusion on his face from the first few packages he priced. So then he says to me, these have been marked down because the expiration date is tomorrow.
Well almost everything goes in the freezer when you shop in bulk and have only 4 people, so I picked up two packages with the next day's date and headed for the check-out. Well the chicken came up to $5.12 for 7 quarters or 7 pounds of meat (73 cents/pound)! Wes headed back to get the rest and I spent some time when I got home packaging up quarters.
Some people don't eat dark meat and that's fine for you. But my kids love legs, and dark meat is less expensive and just as easy to be creative with. It makes great chicken pot pie, chicken tacos, and chicken noodle soup or chili. It works in casseroles, as barbeque, braised in your pan or baked in a 1-dish casserole. Plus it isn't as dry.
I joked at preschool the next morning that I would be eating chicken every other day for 2 months (it isn't that bad, really, I got 9 meals of quarters and the two whole chickens). But for THAT price, it is worth going off my shopping list and taking the time to package it appropriately and update my freezer list and start thinking of recipes that include either chicken legs, chicken thighs, both or pulled meat.
Again, you know my shopping rules:
I was at SAMS Club last week and had my list of things to pick up (I'm there about every 3 weeks). I was doing pretty well sticking to it with only 2 impulse buys, one of which was Christmas wrapping paper for $1, until I got to the chicken counter. There were no prices posted. A big no-no in my shopping book.
I grabbed a man working and asked him what the prices were for the whole chicken (a staple in my house, as you know) and the legs and quarters (thigh and leg together). First, I am happy to report that whole chicken was 11 cents per pound cheaper at SAMS than CostCo - down to 78 cents, so I picked up a pack of two. The next thing he scanned were the quarters, and my mommy antennae caught the look of confusion on his face from the first few packages he priced. So then he says to me, these have been marked down because the expiration date is tomorrow.
Well almost everything goes in the freezer when you shop in bulk and have only 4 people, so I picked up two packages with the next day's date and headed for the check-out. Well the chicken came up to $5.12 for 7 quarters or 7 pounds of meat (73 cents/pound)! Wes headed back to get the rest and I spent some time when I got home packaging up quarters.
Some people don't eat dark meat and that's fine for you. But my kids love legs, and dark meat is less expensive and just as easy to be creative with. It makes great chicken pot pie, chicken tacos, and chicken noodle soup or chili. It works in casseroles, as barbeque, braised in your pan or baked in a 1-dish casserole. Plus it isn't as dry.
I joked at preschool the next morning that I would be eating chicken every other day for 2 months (it isn't that bad, really, I got 9 meals of quarters and the two whole chickens). But for THAT price, it is worth going off my shopping list and taking the time to package it appropriately and update my freezer list and start thinking of recipes that include either chicken legs, chicken thighs, both or pulled meat.
Again, you know my shopping rules:
- make a list
- only go when you absolutely have to have it
- don't go hungry
- don't impulse shop
So this was the exception to my rule, buying something off my list, but it DID fall into earlier advice that it is OK to buy clearance products, such as meat, fruits, or vegetables - so I broke a rule to follow my own advice.
And by the way, I showed my brother & sister in law my chicken trick - to bake a chicken, make a casserole with the leftovers and then make stock with the bones, all in one afternoon! I think it might take off!
Friday, January 16, 2009
You Can Get It All on EBAY
I tend to get excited about things I like, and EBAY is one of those things. You can get just about anything and you can sell just about everything. And I DO! I get rid of my old stuff and buy some new stuff - clothes for me, the girls, stuff for the house, coupons and there are good brands that I like, such as Gymboree, Vera Bradley & Lilly Pulitzer! And best of all I can do it whenever I want money to get my new stuff (I'm not one of those people who make a job out of buying discontinued/used stuff and reselling it - I just sell the girls' clothes and my stuff).
It IS more work than consigning. It IS more work than a garage sale. And it is DEFINITELY more work than donating. But you get more money for your efforts, and that means you can get more stuff (and not just eBAY stuff - lots of small businesses use PayPal, like Custom Crops). And with PayPal, you can sit on the money or transfer it to your bank account, if you don't use all that you make.
I don't garage sale because people who do are looking for bargains and probably won't pay $10 for an outfit from Gymboree or $40 for a gently used Vera bag. When you consign, you get 40% of what THEY want to sell it for - where's YOUR input?? And handing down to friends is nice, as is donating to the cause of your choice. But I do that with things that don't sell first on eBAY.
My husband is better at taxes than I am so he tells me we either get the money now or get it back with a deduction. But a tax deduction doesn't mean a refund, and it doesn't help me get the new VB patterns that came out this week or use all my Gymbucks before January 25. So here are some of my tips to help you get started cleaning out your junk and buying new treats when YOU want them!
1. RESEARCH - whether you are buying or selling on eBAY, make sure you research what you want to get or get rid of. To do so, search for your item using a regular search option and then search for it again using the completed sales option in ADVANCED SEARCH. The list populates with all completed sales using your key words, whether they sold or not. Again, being aware of prices makes you a better consumer.
2. SELLING HINTS - first organize all your sale items and then take good pictures. It takes less than 10 minutes to list an item (and borrow the text from me to get started). Describe liberally and accurately. And do it while you are watching TV at night or before your kids wake up or whenever you want. Just keep in mind there are best days & times for your auctions to end, and lures like free shipping motivate buyers (but I don't do any of that and still make money). With few exceptions, everything I list starts at 99 cents, and I try to take advantage of any promotions eBAY offers its sellers (presently sellers get 1/2 price listings for 1 and 3-day auctions). If you aren't comfortable with my way, for a small fee you can put a reserve price on your auction that means you don't have to part with it if you don't get your minimum reserve. You CAN list on eBAY if you can read. It is VERY easy to do - and if you are intimidated, ask me for help.
3. BUYING HINTS - when you search for what you want, select buy it now and then select the dropdown option "price plus shipping lowest first." That should get you the best deal. If there's an option to make a best offer, don't just buy it now, make an offer~ the worst they can say is no thanks. If you want to take a chance with auctions, bid your highest price and don't go over it if you get outbid. It is easy to get caught up in the thrill of the bidding. And chances are another item just like it will be up for auction soon, if it isn't already there. Another hint is to try misspellings for common brands - like Lily Pulitzer or Hannah Anderson - sometimes you get good deals that way.
I just made $275 this week, and after I paid my fees (about $40 I think for both eBAY & PayPal), I bought new Ginghers, a Mirabilia pixie pattern to stitch, a Lilly skirt for Maggie and a Lilly dress for Maggie, which puts about $150 back in my checking account towards the new Vera & my Gymbucks. This helped me, and I hope it helps you, too!
It IS more work than consigning. It IS more work than a garage sale. And it is DEFINITELY more work than donating. But you get more money for your efforts, and that means you can get more stuff (and not just eBAY stuff - lots of small businesses use PayPal, like Custom Crops). And with PayPal, you can sit on the money or transfer it to your bank account, if you don't use all that you make.
I don't garage sale because people who do are looking for bargains and probably won't pay $10 for an outfit from Gymboree or $40 for a gently used Vera bag. When you consign, you get 40% of what THEY want to sell it for - where's YOUR input?? And handing down to friends is nice, as is donating to the cause of your choice. But I do that with things that don't sell first on eBAY.
My husband is better at taxes than I am so he tells me we either get the money now or get it back with a deduction. But a tax deduction doesn't mean a refund, and it doesn't help me get the new VB patterns that came out this week or use all my Gymbucks before January 25. So here are some of my tips to help you get started cleaning out your junk and buying new treats when YOU want them!
1. RESEARCH - whether you are buying or selling on eBAY, make sure you research what you want to get or get rid of. To do so, search for your item using a regular search option and then search for it again using the completed sales option in ADVANCED SEARCH. The list populates with all completed sales using your key words, whether they sold or not. Again, being aware of prices makes you a better consumer.
2. SELLING HINTS - first organize all your sale items and then take good pictures. It takes less than 10 minutes to list an item (and borrow the text from me to get started). Describe liberally and accurately. And do it while you are watching TV at night or before your kids wake up or whenever you want. Just keep in mind there are best days & times for your auctions to end, and lures like free shipping motivate buyers (but I don't do any of that and still make money). With few exceptions, everything I list starts at 99 cents, and I try to take advantage of any promotions eBAY offers its sellers (presently sellers get 1/2 price listings for 1 and 3-day auctions). If you aren't comfortable with my way, for a small fee you can put a reserve price on your auction that means you don't have to part with it if you don't get your minimum reserve. You CAN list on eBAY if you can read. It is VERY easy to do - and if you are intimidated, ask me for help.
3. BUYING HINTS - when you search for what you want, select buy it now and then select the dropdown option "price plus shipping lowest first." That should get you the best deal. If there's an option to make a best offer, don't just buy it now, make an offer~ the worst they can say is no thanks. If you want to take a chance with auctions, bid your highest price and don't go over it if you get outbid. It is easy to get caught up in the thrill of the bidding. And chances are another item just like it will be up for auction soon, if it isn't already there. Another hint is to try misspellings for common brands - like Lily Pulitzer or Hannah Anderson - sometimes you get good deals that way.
I just made $275 this week, and after I paid my fees (about $40 I think for both eBAY & PayPal), I bought new Ginghers, a Mirabilia pixie pattern to stitch, a Lilly skirt for Maggie and a Lilly dress for Maggie, which puts about $150 back in my checking account towards the new Vera & my Gymbucks. This helped me, and I hope it helps you, too!
Monday, January 12, 2009
My Name is Jenni, and I'm a CostCoholic
Well, anyone who knows me probably knows that I love shopping in bulk. I don't like running out of things - I have stashes of chocolate in my car, in every room in the house, in my desk at preschool, I have enough cardstock to finish every album I've started scrapping, and I REALLY like buying pork loin whole. But probably not why you're thinking...
I think every family should shop in bulk (and avoid ukrops, but that's just me). I also think CostCo has the best prices on things, with few exceptions, with WalMart running a close second. I think many people are put off by wholesale clubs because they come out spending $150 and only got 10 things. Just remember the likelihood you'll be getting those same 10 things during your next trip is very low. And while CostCo is pretty bare bones, boxes only if you ask, remember that you pay for all the perks you get at nicer grocery stores in the form of higher prices. Here are some of my ideas to save even more at CostCo.
A few years ago I tallied up in my head about how much I was spending there per month and realized that I would make back the cost of the membership upgrade ($50). Besides, if you are unhappy, they refund the cost, so it costs me nothing to try, I figured. The upgraded membership gives you extra hours in the morning, which I don't need, and 2% back on all purchases in the form of an annual rebate check. So the minimum I'd have to spend to make the cost of the upgrade is $2500/year or about $100 per paycheck. And CostCo keeps track of what you buy and how much, so all you have to do is ask someone at Member Services. Anyway...
I found that I was motivated to do more shopping there because it was like getting 1/2 VA sales tax back with each purchase, just like a good rewards credit card (CostCo also offers an AmEx with a rebate but I'm not an advocate for it). I buy as much as I can at CostCo! In addition to almost all of my consumables, I purchase birthday gifts, furniture, tires (these are from SAMS, actually), fresh flowers, magazines (save 30%!!), pajamas, and batteries, just to name a few.
Here's a sample of my grocery shopping - every single week I buy skim milk, organic milk, half and half, organic eggs, bananas, 1 fresh vegetable, 1 fresh fruit, 1 - 2 meats, US Weekly & People. I then buy what is on my list (could be anything - at present it is rawhide, can mushrooms and Cascade). Unless it is the deal of the century, don't get anything that isn't on your list - if you still have to have it, put it on your list for the next shopping trip so it is in your budget (budgets are a good thing).
Finally, flip through the coupons that CostCo sends in the mail. Rip out the ones you use and give the rest to a friend (or toss them) - you won't be tempted to impulse-buy then and really, no one is too good for coupons. As a matter of fact, I just bought oatmeal (60 packs) for Lily for only $7 with my latest installment of coupons - 11 cents for her breakfast?? Am I for real?
I think every family should shop in bulk (and avoid ukrops, but that's just me). I also think CostCo has the best prices on things, with few exceptions, with WalMart running a close second. I think many people are put off by wholesale clubs because they come out spending $150 and only got 10 things. Just remember the likelihood you'll be getting those same 10 things during your next trip is very low. And while CostCo is pretty bare bones, boxes only if you ask, remember that you pay for all the perks you get at nicer grocery stores in the form of higher prices. Here are some of my ideas to save even more at CostCo.
A few years ago I tallied up in my head about how much I was spending there per month and realized that I would make back the cost of the membership upgrade ($50). Besides, if you are unhappy, they refund the cost, so it costs me nothing to try, I figured. The upgraded membership gives you extra hours in the morning, which I don't need, and 2% back on all purchases in the form of an annual rebate check. So the minimum I'd have to spend to make the cost of the upgrade is $2500/year or about $100 per paycheck. And CostCo keeps track of what you buy and how much, so all you have to do is ask someone at Member Services. Anyway...
I found that I was motivated to do more shopping there because it was like getting 1/2 VA sales tax back with each purchase, just like a good rewards credit card (CostCo also offers an AmEx with a rebate but I'm not an advocate for it). I buy as much as I can at CostCo! In addition to almost all of my consumables, I purchase birthday gifts, furniture, tires (these are from SAMS, actually), fresh flowers, magazines (save 30%!!), pajamas, and batteries, just to name a few.
Here's a sample of my grocery shopping - every single week I buy skim milk, organic milk, half and half, organic eggs, bananas, 1 fresh vegetable, 1 fresh fruit, 1 - 2 meats, US Weekly & People. I then buy what is on my list (could be anything - at present it is rawhide, can mushrooms and Cascade). Unless it is the deal of the century, don't get anything that isn't on your list - if you still have to have it, put it on your list for the next shopping trip so it is in your budget (budgets are a good thing).
Finally, flip through the coupons that CostCo sends in the mail. Rip out the ones you use and give the rest to a friend (or toss them) - you won't be tempted to impulse-buy then and really, no one is too good for coupons. As a matter of fact, I just bought oatmeal (60 packs) for Lily for only $7 with my latest installment of coupons - 11 cents for her breakfast?? Am I for real?
In the end, to become a CostCoholic like me, or really, just to maximize your savings at a CostCo, consider the following:
- purchase the upgraded membership - this should be prorated if you're already a member
- make a list of exactly what you are planning to purchase (making a freezer list and a menu afterwards helps, too - again, another blog for another day)
- use your CostCo coupons for items you use regularly and stock up
- plan ahead for purchases at Christmas or special occasions for gifts or flowers
- don't get sucked in buying things NOT on your list (I bet it will be there next week)
And those tips work for ALL stores, not just CostCo.
PS - what really makes CostCo fun for me is that annual rebate check. I remember in 2006 I bought 4 Disney costumes for my girls right before our Disney trip, something I wouldn't have put in my budget. This last year I only used $50 of it, paid for my groceries with the rebate check and they gave me the balance in CA$H! Which I used to buy a new Vera bag :)
If any of this helps you, let me know what treat you get with YOUR rebate check!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Not-So-Sloppy Seconds
So I remember when I was growing up, my parents taught us not to waste much. Not to be environmentally friendly or particularly financially savvy, just doing so because it was right. Things like shopping at the discount bread store (always got Hostess cupcakes as a treat there), saleable but bruised fruits and vegetables to make pies or soups, and meat, for starters.
(Mom is adding the PS here - try garage sales for new-to-you toys and spare winter coats - much cheaper than consignment shops. Now I haven't done much of this but I DO shop and sell EBAY, another post for another day.)
I know some people, even my husband, would turn up his nose at some of this. But people before us and those not as fortunate live off the land and use all of what they have. Since when did we get so self-righteous? A store won't sell you something that would make you sick, for pete's sake. Take a deeper look into what I'm saying:
First, consider the discount bread store - I LIVE for it at Myrtle Beach outlets!! They sell frozen garlic bread and goldfish and milanos and GODIVA there (among other things, but I just highlight the important things). We all know bread freezes just fine. And so does chocolate (if you can't eat it fast enough, though how that could happen, I'm not sure, but anyway). And I don't know many preschoolers who have noticed their goldfish are approaching the sell-by date. So the next time you wander by, pop on in and get some of the things on your grocery list!
Next I mentioned bruised fruit and vegetables. Usually these are on a layered cart in the back of the store within the produce section. Fresh is always better than frozen and especially canned - have you looked at the amount of sodium in canned vegetables?? Brown bananas make terrific banana bread. Bruised apples make a yummy pie (have an easy recipe for that one, too). Bruised vegetables can be added to a vegetable soup or boiled in a stock, even cooked in a chicken potpie. I think that stores mark down produce early in the morning.
But you don't have to just buy discounted produce - be creative with what is starting to go bad in your house.
Finally the discount meats - I remember when we (Wes, few-month old Lily, and me) lived in Phoenix, I'd go to Frye's Marketplace, which is owned by Kroger, and I'd go right at 8:30 in the morning. That's when the meat manager would mark down meat and I would follow her around to buy my meat for the week. Anything that not used in 48 hours would go into the freezer and added to my freezer list posted on the side of the fridge. Discount meat is just meat that is within 24 or 48 hours of the sell-by date, not the eat-by date - and beef can go much longer than fish, chicken, and pork. Wes calls it aging; with beef I call it buying a better cut of meat for the same price as a cheaper cut.
A final thought about meat - buy a fresh turkey the week after Thanksgiving and freeze it for a cold weekend in February or buy a ham the week after Easter and save it for May (hams have lots of preservatives and last a while longer in the fridge, if you have the room).
By both buying discounted consumables and using all of what I have, I'm getting more for my money or saving money that I can use on other treats, like that Godiva at the Pepperidge Farm outlet at the beach. Hope this works for you, too!
(Mom is adding the PS here - try garage sales for new-to-you toys and spare winter coats - much cheaper than consignment shops. Now I haven't done much of this but I DO shop and sell EBAY, another post for another day.)
I know some people, even my husband, would turn up his nose at some of this. But people before us and those not as fortunate live off the land and use all of what they have. Since when did we get so self-righteous? A store won't sell you something that would make you sick, for pete's sake. Take a deeper look into what I'm saying:
First, consider the discount bread store - I LIVE for it at Myrtle Beach outlets!! They sell frozen garlic bread and goldfish and milanos and GODIVA there (among other things, but I just highlight the important things). We all know bread freezes just fine. And so does chocolate (if you can't eat it fast enough, though how that could happen, I'm not sure, but anyway). And I don't know many preschoolers who have noticed their goldfish are approaching the sell-by date. So the next time you wander by, pop on in and get some of the things on your grocery list!
Next I mentioned bruised fruit and vegetables. Usually these are on a layered cart in the back of the store within the produce section. Fresh is always better than frozen and especially canned - have you looked at the amount of sodium in canned vegetables?? Brown bananas make terrific banana bread. Bruised apples make a yummy pie (have an easy recipe for that one, too). Bruised vegetables can be added to a vegetable soup or boiled in a stock, even cooked in a chicken potpie. I think that stores mark down produce early in the morning.
But you don't have to just buy discounted produce - be creative with what is starting to go bad in your house.
Finally the discount meats - I remember when we (Wes, few-month old Lily, and me) lived in Phoenix, I'd go to Frye's Marketplace, which is owned by Kroger, and I'd go right at 8:30 in the morning. That's when the meat manager would mark down meat and I would follow her around to buy my meat for the week. Anything that not used in 48 hours would go into the freezer and added to my freezer list posted on the side of the fridge. Discount meat is just meat that is within 24 or 48 hours of the sell-by date, not the eat-by date - and beef can go much longer than fish, chicken, and pork. Wes calls it aging; with beef I call it buying a better cut of meat for the same price as a cheaper cut.
A final thought about meat - buy a fresh turkey the week after Thanksgiving and freeze it for a cold weekend in February or buy a ham the week after Easter and save it for May (hams have lots of preservatives and last a while longer in the fridge, if you have the room).
By both buying discounted consumables and using all of what I have, I'm getting more for my money or saving money that I can use on other treats, like that Godiva at the Pepperidge Farm outlet at the beach. Hope this works for you, too!
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