Sunday, May 9, 2010
So, I’ve been waiting for this weekend for a while now. We have been spending the last 5-6 weeks eating all of the groceries in our kitchen to the best of our ability. I’ve been purchasing only foods and dry goods that we needed to finish off everything in our arsenal. When I looked in the pantry on Friday, I saw rice, Triscuits, and cereal. In the fridge – milk, condiments, grapes, and celery. The freezer: dinner rolls, popsicles, and some banana baby food. Now, don’t call CPS…I did all of this on purpose.
Before you freak – see my blog entitled “Stretching Your Meal Options” from April 1st.
Before I got to the end of the groceries and meal options, I knew that my shopping ventures would be expensive because we were out of everything: mustard, ranch, paper towel, canned goods, chicken breast, EVERYTHING. You name it, we were out of it! So I started by buttering up my husband. “Babe, we’re going to need to do the BIG PUSH this weekend and it’s gonna be ugly.” This way, he was prepared to go with me, help me, and make the whole nightmare that much easier.
However, you KNOW that when you shop with your husband, you often buy stuff that isn’t on the list; it’s just how it goes. They don’t usually do the shopping, so they see things that you never buy, and they want them! I, personally, will take the help and spend a few extra dollars.
Having said all of this, we went to four different stores in two days to complete our list. We started at Aldi – our brand new, discount grocery store to save as much money as we possibly could, and scratch as much off the list as possible. I had a detailed list, but I certainly picked things up as I saw them. After Aldi, we hit up Big Lots to get the majority of the list taken care of. They do not have a cold or frozen section, and I knew I’d need to visit Target or Wal-Mart thirdly.
Big Lots was important for one reason, mostly: Insanely low prices on sandwich bags in all sizes. A nice bonus was the canned goods, crackers, pretzels and chips, and dry goods like pasta and rice all at extremely discounted prices.
Target was third on my list – produce (only the items that I was unable to purchase at Aldi), lunch meat, and Stauffer’s Whales – found in the $1 section which beats the HECK out of the prices on Goldfish.
Wal-Mart was last, and we wanted to kill ourselves momentarily, as we were TIRED OF SHOPPING! Paper towel, frozen chicken breasts, store-brand allergy medicine, and canned tuna fish. DONE!
Now, we have purchased everything that we need except a FEW things that we only purchase in bulk at Sam’s…Purina Dog Food, Splenda, Coffee, lean ground beef, and bacon.
Stay with me – I know you’re exhausted! We were tired and cranky by the end.
Let’s break it down…
1. Aldi: $78.16
2. Big Lots: $51.39
3. Target: $36.54
4. Wal-Mart: $35.71
TOTAL: $201.80
By taking some time…and a great deal of patients…to travel to four different stores in order to complete my list and save the most money possible, I was able to stuff our pantry, freezer, and refrigerator FULL TO THE BRIM with groceries that will last us about six weeks. Of course I will be going to the store for fresh dairy, produce, and the few items that I still need from Sam’s, but I believe I truly saved a great deal of money by doing it this way.
Give my new technique a try one time, and see how much money you are saving. The savings is significant and it is such a good feeling to empty your pantry as much as possible, and then fill it, starting the whole process over again!
Happy Mother’s Day!!
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Four-Day Savings
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Just a couple of things to tell you about today!
Visit Kohls.com to take part in their Three-Day Shopping Pass where you can take 15% off your entire purchase on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. When you present your coupon at the register, they return your coupon to YOU so that you may use it throughout the weekend.
Visit WorldMarket.com for their 4-Day Friends and Family event! They are offering a coupon for 25% off Home Furnishings, Decor, etc. today through Sunday. Maybe it's time for that new dining set I've had my eye on!!
If you are in the DFW metroplex and you shop Stacy Furniture, they are offering a tax free weekend. Shop their Allen or Grapevine locations, and purchase your furniture tax free!
What are you waiting for?! GO SHOPPING!
Just a couple of things to tell you about today!
Visit Kohls.com to take part in their Three-Day Shopping Pass where you can take 15% off your entire purchase on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. When you present your coupon at the register, they return your coupon to YOU so that you may use it throughout the weekend.
Visit WorldMarket.com for their 4-Day Friends and Family event! They are offering a coupon for 25% off Home Furnishings, Decor, etc. today through Sunday. Maybe it's time for that new dining set I've had my eye on!!
If you are in the DFW metroplex and you shop Stacy Furniture, they are offering a tax free weekend. Shop their Allen or Grapevine locations, and purchase your furniture tax free!
What are you waiting for?! GO SHOPPING!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Coupons: Part 2
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
This blog correlates with yesterday’s blog, and I hope to hear from you regarding your thoughts of the Nightline segment.
This tip stems from an experience that I had on a Sunday afternoon at Wal-Mart: I was in the check-out line behind two older women. The lady checking out was taking a particularly long time to move through the line and leave. Because of the length of time that she spent at the register, I began paying attention to what it was that she was doing.
Well, about 20 minutes later I figured out what was going on. I was frustrated and impatient, but I was also intrigued at the outcome of her shenanigans. She came to Wal-Mart completely prepared with everything that was on her list. She made notes in the margins of her list with the sale prices and the stores that were offering these prices. She presented these ads (from the Sunday paper) to the cashier and she honored each and every one of them. This was a tedious process, but she ended up saving nearly 50% of the cost of her trip. The cashier was so patient and friendly, and she encouraged me to try and do the same.
I have yet to try this technique myself, but I am excited to do so. This little-known technique will keep you from driving from store to store in order to find the best deals and complete your shopping list. Sounds like a winner to me!
This blog correlates with yesterday’s blog, and I hope to hear from you regarding your thoughts of the Nightline segment.
This tip stems from an experience that I had on a Sunday afternoon at Wal-Mart: I was in the check-out line behind two older women. The lady checking out was taking a particularly long time to move through the line and leave. Because of the length of time that she spent at the register, I began paying attention to what it was that she was doing.
Well, about 20 minutes later I figured out what was going on. I was frustrated and impatient, but I was also intrigued at the outcome of her shenanigans. She came to Wal-Mart completely prepared with everything that was on her list. She made notes in the margins of her list with the sale prices and the stores that were offering these prices. She presented these ads (from the Sunday paper) to the cashier and she honored each and every one of them. This was a tedious process, but she ended up saving nearly 50% of the cost of her trip. The cashier was so patient and friendly, and she encouraged me to try and do the same.
I have yet to try this technique myself, but I am excited to do so. This little-known technique will keep you from driving from store to store in order to find the best deals and complete your shopping list. Sounds like a winner to me!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Ebates - a great new website!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Today, let’s talk coupons again. It is, after all, one of my favorite subjects! We’ve talked coupons before, but let’s GO THERE! By go there, I mean – GO OUT AND GET YOUR COUPONS, GIRL! The ones that show up in the mail or the Sunday paper are fine, but I want to save MORE MONEY!
Here’s how it works. When I was looking for my new Coach diaper/laptop bag, I decided to search the Web for a Coach coupon. So, I simply typed “coach coupon” into my Google search bar and BOOM! 20% off coupons appeared! I couldn’t believe my eyes!
My wonderful friend, Becca, has been following my blog and noticed that she had a great secret to share with me. The secret is Ebates! I visited their website and read a short summary of “how it works” and I must say, I AM SO EXCITED TO GIVE IT A TRY!! Basically, before you do your online shopping, you visit Ebates and find the store that you were about to shop. Ebates will show you exclusive coupons, and you have the opportunity to earn cash back on your purchases! How sweet is that?! Another *BONUS* is that if you refer a friend, BOTH OF YOU receive $5 from Ebates for signing up and purchasing something through Ebates! I’m so excited to give it a try! Thank you, Becca, and HAPPY SAVING!
Visit Lindsay Walker's Piano and Voice Studio. You KNOW you want to!
Today, let’s talk coupons again. It is, after all, one of my favorite subjects! We’ve talked coupons before, but let’s GO THERE! By go there, I mean – GO OUT AND GET YOUR COUPONS, GIRL! The ones that show up in the mail or the Sunday paper are fine, but I want to save MORE MONEY!
Here’s how it works. When I was looking for my new Coach diaper/laptop bag, I decided to search the Web for a Coach coupon. So, I simply typed “coach coupon” into my Google search bar and BOOM! 20% off coupons appeared! I couldn’t believe my eyes!
My wonderful friend, Becca, has been following my blog and noticed that she had a great secret to share with me. The secret is Ebates! I visited their website and read a short summary of “how it works” and I must say, I AM SO EXCITED TO GIVE IT A TRY!! Basically, before you do your online shopping, you visit Ebates and find the store that you were about to shop. Ebates will show you exclusive coupons, and you have the opportunity to earn cash back on your purchases! How sweet is that?! Another *BONUS* is that if you refer a friend, BOTH OF YOU receive $5 from Ebates for signing up and purchasing something through Ebates! I’m so excited to give it a try! Thank you, Becca, and HAPPY SAVING!
Visit Lindsay Walker's Piano and Voice Studio. You KNOW you want to!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Consignment Shopping
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Consignment sales are at the top of my list for saving money as you raise a family, second only to clearance and garage sales! There are many consignment stores for a variety of different types of purchases. Specifically, I frequent children’s and maternity consignment stores for gently used children’s clothing, shoes, toys, accessories, and furniture. My VERY favorite consignment store is Kid to Kid. There are many different locations across the DFW metroplex and they are very committed to only accepting gently used items that are in excellent condition. Once Upon A Child is another favorite, but their stores are slightly larger and can be a bit overwhelming if you are new to consignment shopping. Divine Consign is a twice-yearly consignment store that stocks up on consignment items and then displays them all at once in a grandiose sale in Plano and Grapevine, Texas. Today was the Divine Consign sale in Plano located inside Plano Centre. If you are just reading this and FREAKING OUT, no worries! They are continuing to sell tomorrow and Tuesday. Check out their website at www.divineconsign.net. Also visit Kid to Kid and Once Upon A Child for locations and store hours. As we all know or will soon come to realize, our children grow faster than we can believe sometimes! One day their shoes fit perfectly, and the next they are too small! What about that sweet potato stain that will just NOT COME OUT?! Well, I haven’t found a way to stunt my daughter’s growth or a miracle cure for formula and baby food stains, but I have found a way to keep it from breaking me! Shop consignment stores!! People consign gently used and often brand new clothing, toys, and shoes that I am too thrifty to buy new! As I have said in previous blogs, I find that I can truly justify that pair of to-die-for sandals for my toddler because I purchase all of her other belongings at pennies on the dollar. Today was not a total booty-haul because I wasn’t in the market for very many things. My husband and I purchased a See-and-Say, a toy piano, a small wooden toy, 6 or 7 pieces of summer clothing, a puzzle, and a portable high chair for a total of $51! The most expensive item was the portable high chair at $10!! What a steal! The neatest thing about Divine Consign is that they carry EVERYTHING under the sun for babies, but you have to arrive early and hunt – and as the sale winds to a close on Tuesday afternoon, everything marked with an “X” on the tag is 75% off!
As always, you must be an educated consumer and know what you would typically pay, or what you are willing to pay for certain items so that you will know what is a good deal and what is not. If you have missed the Divine Consign sale this time, join their mailing list and catch them next time. Fortunately, Kid to Kid and Once Upon a Child are open 5-7 days per week.
Conversely, if you are overwhelmed with clothing , toys, furniture, shoes, and accessories that your child(ren) have outgrown, why not make some cash?! Check the website for details, as there are guidelines about how to present your items for consignment.
Visit Lindsay Walker's Piano and Voice Studio. You KNOW you want to!
Consignment sales are at the top of my list for saving money as you raise a family, second only to clearance and garage sales! There are many consignment stores for a variety of different types of purchases. Specifically, I frequent children’s and maternity consignment stores for gently used children’s clothing, shoes, toys, accessories, and furniture. My VERY favorite consignment store is Kid to Kid. There are many different locations across the DFW metroplex and they are very committed to only accepting gently used items that are in excellent condition. Once Upon A Child is another favorite, but their stores are slightly larger and can be a bit overwhelming if you are new to consignment shopping. Divine Consign is a twice-yearly consignment store that stocks up on consignment items and then displays them all at once in a grandiose sale in Plano and Grapevine, Texas. Today was the Divine Consign sale in Plano located inside Plano Centre. If you are just reading this and FREAKING OUT, no worries! They are continuing to sell tomorrow and Tuesday. Check out their website at www.divineconsign.net. Also visit Kid to Kid and Once Upon A Child for locations and store hours. As we all know or will soon come to realize, our children grow faster than we can believe sometimes! One day their shoes fit perfectly, and the next they are too small! What about that sweet potato stain that will just NOT COME OUT?! Well, I haven’t found a way to stunt my daughter’s growth or a miracle cure for formula and baby food stains, but I have found a way to keep it from breaking me! Shop consignment stores!! People consign gently used and often brand new clothing, toys, and shoes that I am too thrifty to buy new! As I have said in previous blogs, I find that I can truly justify that pair of to-die-for sandals for my toddler because I purchase all of her other belongings at pennies on the dollar. Today was not a total booty-haul because I wasn’t in the market for very many things. My husband and I purchased a See-and-Say, a toy piano, a small wooden toy, 6 or 7 pieces of summer clothing, a puzzle, and a portable high chair for a total of $51! The most expensive item was the portable high chair at $10!! What a steal! The neatest thing about Divine Consign is that they carry EVERYTHING under the sun for babies, but you have to arrive early and hunt – and as the sale winds to a close on Tuesday afternoon, everything marked with an “X” on the tag is 75% off!
As always, you must be an educated consumer and know what you would typically pay, or what you are willing to pay for certain items so that you will know what is a good deal and what is not. If you have missed the Divine Consign sale this time, join their mailing list and catch them next time. Fortunately, Kid to Kid and Once Upon a Child are open 5-7 days per week.
Conversely, if you are overwhelmed with clothing , toys, furniture, shoes, and accessories that your child(ren) have outgrown, why not make some cash?! Check the website for details, as there are guidelines about how to present your items for consignment.
Visit Lindsay Walker's Piano and Voice Studio. You KNOW you want to!
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