Can you say 50% off?! Kroger has many 50% off items this week - from frozen vegetables, Kroger frozen breakfast sandwiches (just as good as McDonalds!), salad dressing, hot chocolate mix and so much more! They also had a huge meat sale plus lots of other "regular" sale items.
Kroger is also still running the P&G buy 4 items, get $4 back at checkout!
What a great way to kick off stockpliling in 2012!
We stocked up on:
Spaghetti sauce
frozen vegetables
hamburger helper
beef roast, pork loin, ground turkey, boneless, skinless chicken breast
English muffins
frozen breakfast sandwiches
salad dressing
pasta
We paired many of the 50% off items with coupons to add to the savings. My husband started the shopping trip and called for reinforcements when I got off work. Working together saved us lots of time and our bottom line was about a 43% savings!
Tomorrow I'll be making a trip to Target to buy 10 Smart Ones with the $10 Target gift card my husband got for buying my Kindle there at Christmas. I'll stack the $3 off 10 Target coupon and the $3 off ten manufacturer coupon. I'll get a $5 Target gift card for buying 10 Smart Ones.
Final price for 10 Smart Ones will be $18.90 minus $6 (stacked coupons) = $13.90; minus $10 gift card = $3.90. Plus I'll walk away with $5 gift card. That equals: moneymaker!
My son had started an inventory of pantry items over the weekend. Tonight I used the shopping list to update the list, adding meats, frozen foods, bread and crackers. The lists will be posted and strict instructions have been issued: If you use it, mark it off the list.
Next step: plan menus based on my stockpiled items!
Why Be Frugal?I consider frugality an art form and a religious conviction. I learned about paying cash for purchases, recycling and reusing just about everything and being generous to friends and those in need from my parents.
My faith instructs me all things are gifted by God and so I am compelled to be a good steward of my gifts. [The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. Psalm 115:16]
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Take Inventory and Make Menus
In order to know what I need to buy at the store, I need to know what I already have in the pantry and freezer! I had a pretty good idea until the holidays rolled around but now it's a lot more "hit and miss." Way too many phone calls from the store . . . asking if we need this item or that item.
This weekend I will finally put away the last remnants of Christmas and do a "new year inventory" of pantry and freezers. It's a little daunting, but I'll feel so much better when I'm done! And I'll have a much better handle on the items I like to stockpile.
I thinned out all my expired coupons last weekend (many expired December 31). This weekend I'm also going to plan some dinner menus around the items I already have on hand. That will also save grocery dollars. (Yes, we try to eat dinner as a family whenever our schedules allow it, even though our household includes 3 adults.)
I've already started the Frugal Weight Loss Challenge sponsored by Stockpiling Moms -- or as I have grown to call it: The Excruciating De-Tox Eating Plan! If you'd like to join, it's absolutely free and guidelines are simple--no counting or weighing. The challange actually starts on January 9th, so there's still time to sign up.
What are your frugal/organization/challenges for the weekend?
This weekend I will finally put away the last remnants of Christmas and do a "new year inventory" of pantry and freezers. It's a little daunting, but I'll feel so much better when I'm done! And I'll have a much better handle on the items I like to stockpile.
I thinned out all my expired coupons last weekend (many expired December 31). This weekend I'm also going to plan some dinner menus around the items I already have on hand. That will also save grocery dollars. (Yes, we try to eat dinner as a family whenever our schedules allow it, even though our household includes 3 adults.)
I've already started the Frugal Weight Loss Challenge sponsored by Stockpiling Moms -- or as I have grown to call it: The Excruciating De-Tox Eating Plan! If you'd like to join, it's absolutely free and guidelines are simple--no counting or weighing. The challange actually starts on January 9th, so there's still time to sign up.
What are your frugal/organization/challenges for the weekend?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Stockpiling: How Much is Too Much?
The idea of stockpiling may be a new concept to some. In the past I had visions of every square inch of space in my home overrun with years and years worth of provisions!Some of the latest reading I've done indicates that sales generally run in 3-month cycles. So, for instance, if a particular brand of spaghetti sauce goes on sale, it will probably be about 3 months before you will be able to take advantage of the low price again.
I also used to only save coupons for items I was used to buying - or thought I preferred. I now ask myself if I would buy something if I could get the price low enough vs. a brand I was used to. That's made a difference in how I coupon!
There are some items I just won't plain need: anything baby-related (until some grandchildren come along), most juices, and several other items. So I don't even worry about coupons for those items. There are also some brands of deoderant, shampoo, etc., that are the "only" brand my husband and son will use.
But there a plenty of other items that I will give up my brand loyalty for. Those are the items I save coupons for. Then I follow the sites that offer coupon match-up deals, like Stockpiling Moms.
I've started a list of items I'd like to stockpile so when they do go on sale and/or I have coupons, I can stock up. Sometimes I feel like I buy the same things over and over every week or so!
By stockpiling I can get the lowest price by combing sales and coupons and save time at the grocery store because I'll only be buying stockpile items and produce!
The quantity of stockpiled you'll accumulate depend upon the size of your family. A family with two adults and several children will obviously stockpile more than my family of 3 adults! By using the 3-month guideline, you can shop wisely.
You may need to start out tracking your consumption patterns before you begin stockpiling. You could start a notebook to track how much your family consumes of each item per month. That will give you a good idea of what a 3-month supply would look like. So with a little planning and you too can stockplie to save time and money!
You may need to start out tracking your consumption patterns before you begin stockpiling. You could start a notebook to track how much your family consumes of each item per month. That will give you a good idea of what a 3-month supply would look like. So with a little planning and you too can stockplie to save time and money!
Just be frugal!
Mary
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Frugal Weight Loss Challenge & CVS score!
I was pleasantly surprised by two things during my trip to CVS yesterday! When I scanned my card at the kiosk, I received a $3 extra bucks coupon (didn't realize I had earned any!) that I applied to my first transaction. I also received a coupon for $1 off CVS brand cold medication ($5 or more) and $2 off Breathe Right Nasal Strips! I had added both of these items at the last minute to my shopping list as they were requested by family members!
I ended up saving 34% on my first transaction and over 65% on my second transaction!
The other surprise is that I met a very sweet lady in CVS with both CVS and Kroger sale fliers and an envelope of coupons. (A kindred spirit!) She looked a little overwhelmed and I don't remember how we struck up a conversation, but we chatted about how to maximize savings -- I shared some of the great tips I've learned from other bloggers. I gave her my blog link, so I hope she'll stop by and let me know how she did! I was thrilled to help out a "newbie" and pay it forward.
Finally, I'm excited that Stockpiling Moms is hosting a Frugal Weight Loss Challenge. Click on the link to learn how to join up! Check back often to learn how I'm doing! I opted for losing 10 pounds in 6 weeks. Hopefully, I'll do even better, but I want to be healthy--and realistic!
Do you have weight loss goals for 2012? Join the challenge! It won't cost you a penny and you'll receive encouragement AND accountability!
Just Be Frugal,
Mary
I ended up saving 34% on my first transaction and over 65% on my second transaction!
The other surprise is that I met a very sweet lady in CVS with both CVS and Kroger sale fliers and an envelope of coupons. (A kindred spirit!) She looked a little overwhelmed and I don't remember how we struck up a conversation, but we chatted about how to maximize savings -- I shared some of the great tips I've learned from other bloggers. I gave her my blog link, so I hope she'll stop by and let me know how she did! I was thrilled to help out a "newbie" and pay it forward.
Finally, I'm excited that Stockpiling Moms is hosting a Frugal Weight Loss Challenge. Click on the link to learn how to join up! Check back often to learn how I'm doing! I opted for losing 10 pounds in 6 weeks. Hopefully, I'll do even better, but I want to be healthy--and realistic!
Do you have weight loss goals for 2012? Join the challenge! It won't cost you a penny and you'll receive encouragement AND accountability!
Just Be Frugal,
Mary
Sunday, January 1, 2012
CVS Stockpiling - Extra Bucks and Donating Food
Besides Kroger, my two favorite stores are CVS and Target. I don't buy too many groceries at Target, but they do allow coupon stacking, so if I have to run by there anyway, I'll try to bring along a few coupons. They have terrific customer service too.
I like CVS because they offer Extra bucks on many items and a good variety of products. I also like scanning my CVS card at the kiosk in the front of the store to get "instant" coupons and free items.
This week, with four coupon inserts (I bought 2 papers) and 2 inserts we received in a weekly delivery of a local newspaper, I'm really going to stock up on a couple of items and save money in general on some items I need.
Here's my plan for CVS:
Transaction 1) Buy 2 Colgate toothpaste, get $2 Extra bucks, use 2 $1 off coupons
Kellogg's Special K cereal, bars, crackers, chips - 3/$10 with card; plus receive $4 extrabucks reward on 3 and use $1 off 3 coupon or $1 off 2 coupon
Use $6 extrabucks from transaction #1 for
Transaction 2) Nature Made Vitamins - Buy one Get One free: I'm going to use 1 $1 off multivitamins, 1 $1 off B vitamins, 1 $1 off vitamin D .
2a) Clairol Nice N Easy colorblend foam, $3 off
2b) Slimfast 2/$9, use 3 coupons Buy one Get one free
2c) Pringles - 2 for $3 - use 1 $1 off 4 coupon
2d) Chef Boyardee canned pastas - 10/$10 - 2 $1 off 5 coupons
2e) Bayer Aspirin - Buy one Get one 50% off - 1 $1 off 1 coupon
2f) Snack pudding - 10/$10 - 2 $1 off 5 coupons
2g) Swiffer refills $8.99 - 1 $1 off coupon
2h) Fiber One cereal - 2/$6 - 2 $.75 off coupons
We're going to donate some of the canned pastas and pudding to a local food bank. One of the benefits of saving money, is that is gives the opportunity to share with others.
I like CVS because they offer Extra bucks on many items and a good variety of products. I also like scanning my CVS card at the kiosk in the front of the store to get "instant" coupons and free items.
This week, with four coupon inserts (I bought 2 papers) and 2 inserts we received in a weekly delivery of a local newspaper, I'm really going to stock up on a couple of items and save money in general on some items I need.
Here's my plan for CVS:
Transaction 1) Buy 2 Colgate toothpaste, get $2 Extra bucks, use 2 $1 off coupons
Kellogg's Special K cereal, bars, crackers, chips - 3/$10 with card; plus receive $4 extrabucks reward on 3 and use $1 off 3 coupon or $1 off 2 coupon
Use $6 extrabucks from transaction #1 for
Transaction 2) Nature Made Vitamins - Buy one Get One free: I'm going to use 1 $1 off multivitamins, 1 $1 off B vitamins, 1 $1 off vitamin D .
2a) Clairol Nice N Easy colorblend foam, $3 off
2b) Slimfast 2/$9, use 3 coupons Buy one Get one free
2c) Pringles - 2 for $3 - use 1 $1 off 4 coupon
2d) Chef Boyardee canned pastas - 10/$10 - 2 $1 off 5 coupons
2e) Bayer Aspirin - Buy one Get one 50% off - 1 $1 off 1 coupon
2f) Snack pudding - 10/$10 - 2 $1 off 5 coupons
2g) Swiffer refills $8.99 - 1 $1 off coupon
2h) Fiber One cereal - 2/$6 - 2 $.75 off coupons
We're going to donate some of the canned pastas and pudding to a local food bank. One of the benefits of saving money, is that is gives the opportunity to share with others.
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