I have found this to be true - kids are always hungry when they are away from home. Planning ahead for this can save a lot of money. We take food and water any time we are leaving home for more than a very brief time. Keeping a stash in the family van can help, too.
We recently drove to Florida for Thanksgiving. I planned ahead for the long trip by packing sandwiches, snacks, and bottles of water (non-disposable of course). This not only saved us time by not having to stop so often, but it also saved us from spending money at convenience stores and fast food restaurants. On the way back home however, I did not plan ahead. We ended up spending almost $60 on food that day. Now, you may say that's not bad for six people, but honestly I was just as happy with my sandwich from home.
Many people don't know that you can take your own food and drinks into a lot of places. We have always brought food and reusable water bottles to Disney World. This year we took our own food and water to the State Fair. I know some may think that takes some of the fun out of it. So, we usually plan for one meal or special snack to be bought there but the real hunger gets satisfied by reasonably priced food from home. A little planning can be a budget saver.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Bread for less dough
I remember my mom taking me to the "day-old bread store" as we used to call it. Mostly I remember begging for the sweet goodies they sold there for next-to-nothing. Some family traditions should definitely be passed on. The price of bread these days is enough to give me a heart attack. The bakery outlet is just what the doctor ordered.
I like to go to the Flowers store. They have a large variety of bread products priced from 99 cents to about two dollars. I never have problems finding whole wheat bread for 99 cents, even the double-fiber variety. When they get a large shipment in, they run "buy one, get one free" specials. They even sell bagels, English muffins, and tortillas at 99 cents. Of course, my kids like to go in and beg for the sweet stuff - some things never change.
The best deal at Flowers is if you spend $5, you get another loaf free. Our family goes through a lot of bread, so spending five bucks has never been a problem. They also have a punch card system. They punch one star for every dollar you spend and after 50 punches you get $5 off your next order. It does take a while to fill a punch card, because after all, the bread is cheap!
I like to go to the Flowers store. They have a large variety of bread products priced from 99 cents to about two dollars. I never have problems finding whole wheat bread for 99 cents, even the double-fiber variety. When they get a large shipment in, they run "buy one, get one free" specials. They even sell bagels, English muffins, and tortillas at 99 cents. Of course, my kids like to go in and beg for the sweet stuff - some things never change.
The best deal at Flowers is if you spend $5, you get another loaf free. Our family goes through a lot of bread, so spending five bucks has never been a problem. They also have a punch card system. They punch one star for every dollar you spend and after 50 punches you get $5 off your next order. It does take a while to fill a punch card, because after all, the bread is cheap!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Their trash, our treasure
My husband has been secretly wanting an electric hedge trimmer. I didn't know about this until he walked into the house with one the other day. We always discuss large purchases, so I was a little taken back. Then he told me it was free!
Some neighbors were moving out and apparently didn't want to take their hedge trimmer with them. They put it out by the road and my lucky husband was the first to find it. It works fine and almost looks brand new. He gets a new toy, (tool, whatever) and our bank account doesn't suffer!
I can't tell you how many things we have owned over the years that have come to us through someone's trash. It's our version of American Pickers - and it's free.
Some neighbors were moving out and apparently didn't want to take their hedge trimmer with them. They put it out by the road and my lucky husband was the first to find it. It works fine and almost looks brand new. He gets a new toy, (tool, whatever) and our bank account doesn't suffer!
I can't tell you how many things we have owned over the years that have come to us through someone's trash. It's our version of American Pickers - and it's free.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
It's cold outside
It's getting cold outside but I hesitate to turn on the heat. Why? It's expensive! It's hard to calculate the exact cost, but we all know it's not cheap.
The funny thing is most people have become so accustomed to temperature controlled homes that we can't think of any other way. My kids want to wear shorts and t-shirts during the winter! So, instead, we are learning to dress for the weather - even inside. If it's cold outside then wear winter clothes. I'm not suggesting parkas and gloves. Long pants and a sweater will do. Extra blankets on the bed at night or on the sofa for tv time help, too.
We can't go all winter without the heat on, but we can keep it reasonable. The inside doesn't have to be as warm as a summer day in the middle of winter. If you're not sure your family can do it, try lowering the inside temp one degree a day until it is where you want it to be for the winter. The savings will be worth it.
The funny thing is most people have become so accustomed to temperature controlled homes that we can't think of any other way. My kids want to wear shorts and t-shirts during the winter! So, instead, we are learning to dress for the weather - even inside. If it's cold outside then wear winter clothes. I'm not suggesting parkas and gloves. Long pants and a sweater will do. Extra blankets on the bed at night or on the sofa for tv time help, too.
We can't go all winter without the heat on, but we can keep it reasonable. The inside doesn't have to be as warm as a summer day in the middle of winter. If you're not sure your family can do it, try lowering the inside temp one degree a day until it is where you want it to be for the winter. The savings will be worth it.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
My favorite large store
Even though I have belonged to several different membership club stores over the years, I am usually unimpressed with the savings I find there. So, when I moved to a city with three different membership club stores, I had no plan to join one of them. I was previously a member of two of them, but had never even heard of the third. Luckily my friends gave me the 411 and now I'm sold.
BJ's is by far the best membership club store around. I quickly did the math and realized that their promise of "The savings on milk alone could pay for your membership" was indeed true. They consistently have the best price (by a long shot) on milk in town. They also have the best price on gas, which is a huge savings in no time.
BJ's is the only membership club that not only accepts manufacturer's coupons but has amazing store coupons as well. Members receive a monthly coupon book in the mail and there are additional coupons in the store. You can stack manufacturer and store coupons. Plus you can use up to three manufacturer coupons as long as there is more than one bar code in/on the product.
The membership comes in two levels: a regular or "Inner Circle" membership and a "BJ's Rewards" membership. The rewards membership costs more up front, but like the name suggests you earn 2% back on all purchases. These rewards are in the form of a coupon that can be used only at BJ's. To increase your savings, apply for the BJ's credit card which gives another 2% back on BJ's purchases (1% on purchases elsewhere) for a total of 4% back.
My favorite part, to tell the truth, is when they mark down fresh foods such as meat and cheese. I love the fresh ravioli but can't swallow the price - until it's marked down 50%. Then I stock up! It's best to go in the morning to get these markdown deals. Not everything at BJ's is a good savings but there really are rewards with this membership.
BJ's is by far the best membership club store around. I quickly did the math and realized that their promise of "The savings on milk alone could pay for your membership" was indeed true. They consistently have the best price (by a long shot) on milk in town. They also have the best price on gas, which is a huge savings in no time.
BJ's is the only membership club that not only accepts manufacturer's coupons but has amazing store coupons as well. Members receive a monthly coupon book in the mail and there are additional coupons in the store. You can stack manufacturer and store coupons. Plus you can use up to three manufacturer coupons as long as there is more than one bar code in/on the product.
The membership comes in two levels: a regular or "Inner Circle" membership and a "BJ's Rewards" membership. The rewards membership costs more up front, but like the name suggests you earn 2% back on all purchases. These rewards are in the form of a coupon that can be used only at BJ's. To increase your savings, apply for the BJ's credit card which gives another 2% back on BJ's purchases (1% on purchases elsewhere) for a total of 4% back.
My favorite part, to tell the truth, is when they mark down fresh foods such as meat and cheese. I love the fresh ravioli but can't swallow the price - until it's marked down 50%. Then I stock up! It's best to go in the morning to get these markdown deals. Not everything at BJ's is a good savings but there really are rewards with this membership.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
My favorite little store
I was introduced to Aldi by a good friend a few years ago. A small grocery store from Germany may sound strange. If you haven't tried it - you are missing out.
It's a small store primarily because they carry mostly their own brand of everything. I was skeptical at first, since couponing had gotten my family used to name brand foods. However, I haven't tried anything yet that I don't like. Carrying only one brand of each item makes shopping fast and easy. The produce department is small, too. Even so, they carry all of the basics and at very low prices.
There are few things I do not buy at Aldi because I can get them cheaper somewhere else. Milk, eggs, and meat are not priced very low. Occasionally, they will go on sale and they do mark down meat when it gets close to the sell date. As a general rule though, they are too expensive.
They have awesome sale and clearance prices. Since their everyday prices are already so low, a sale price is usually amazing. When I find clearance items, I buy them by the case. They also have what they call "seasonal items" which can be everything from German treats to non-food items. It makes my shopping trip a little more exciting to find these fun items.
Aldi is different from most grocery stores in a few ways. One, they do not accept coupons. This makes sense since they don't carry name brands. Still, their everyday prices are quite low. Not couponing also helps me get in and out quickly. Second, they only take cash or debit cards; no checks or credit cards. Third, they do not bag your groceries nor do they provide bags. They have bags for sale, but that would ruin the whole point of saving money! So, bring your re-usable shopping bags. Last, they purposefully have few employees to save you more money. This includes no one to bring carts in from the parking lot. They have the European style shopping carts to solve this problem. You put in a quarter to get a cart, and when you return the cart you get your quarter back. As long as you keep these few things in mind, I'm sure you'll love Aldi, too.
It's a small store primarily because they carry mostly their own brand of everything. I was skeptical at first, since couponing had gotten my family used to name brand foods. However, I haven't tried anything yet that I don't like. Carrying only one brand of each item makes shopping fast and easy. The produce department is small, too. Even so, they carry all of the basics and at very low prices.
There are few things I do not buy at Aldi because I can get them cheaper somewhere else. Milk, eggs, and meat are not priced very low. Occasionally, they will go on sale and they do mark down meat when it gets close to the sell date. As a general rule though, they are too expensive.
They have awesome sale and clearance prices. Since their everyday prices are already so low, a sale price is usually amazing. When I find clearance items, I buy them by the case. They also have what they call "seasonal items" which can be everything from German treats to non-food items. It makes my shopping trip a little more exciting to find these fun items.
Aldi is different from most grocery stores in a few ways. One, they do not accept coupons. This makes sense since they don't carry name brands. Still, their everyday prices are quite low. Not couponing also helps me get in and out quickly. Second, they only take cash or debit cards; no checks or credit cards. Third, they do not bag your groceries nor do they provide bags. They have bags for sale, but that would ruin the whole point of saving money! So, bring your re-usable shopping bags. Last, they purposefully have few employees to save you more money. This includes no one to bring carts in from the parking lot. They have the European style shopping carts to solve this problem. You put in a quarter to get a cart, and when you return the cart you get your quarter back. As long as you keep these few things in mind, I'm sure you'll love Aldi, too.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Why did it take me so long to do this?
That's what I keep asking myself about signing up for the Target Debit Card.
This card has great benefits! You get 5% off of your purchases in stores and online. This is not 5% back; this is an actual discount at the time of purchase. You also get free shipping on all online orders with no minimum purchase. If you choose the debit card (not the credit card) it will be linked to your checking account. That means no monthly bill to pay, no interest, and no debt. There is no annual fee because this is not a credit card. You can also get cash back with your purchase because it is linked to your checking account.
Add this to Target's coupon policy and you have great savings heading your way. Target has store coupons both online and in mailings. These can be stacked, or paired, with manufacturer's coupons for double savings.
I recently bought some medicine that was priced at $7.49. I had a Target coupon and a manufacturer's coupon - together they were $7 off. With my Target debit card, I paid 47 cents!
This card has great benefits! You get 5% off of your purchases in stores and online. This is not 5% back; this is an actual discount at the time of purchase. You also get free shipping on all online orders with no minimum purchase. If you choose the debit card (not the credit card) it will be linked to your checking account. That means no monthly bill to pay, no interest, and no debt. There is no annual fee because this is not a credit card. You can also get cash back with your purchase because it is linked to your checking account.
Add this to Target's coupon policy and you have great savings heading your way. Target has store coupons both online and in mailings. These can be stacked, or paired, with manufacturer's coupons for double savings.
I recently bought some medicine that was priced at $7.49. I had a Target coupon and a manufacturer's coupon - together they were $7 off. With my Target debit card, I paid 47 cents!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The Green Movement may be labeled "green" because it's good for the environment, but it could also be labeled "green" because it's good for your wallet.
Reduce - The biggest way to spend small is to buy less! This seems so simple - but many people just can't seem to do it. Ask yourself, "How many ______ do I really need?" Cut back on clothes, shoes, toys, books, games, kitchen gadgets, etc. We love to buy books, but how many books do we really need? If I can get it at the library, then I don't buy it. You may want to declutter your home to start off right. A clean, organized home is a great incentive to reduce how much more you bring into it.
Reuse - We live in a society that says newer is better. We no longer believe in "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without". For instance, just because our cell phone contract ended, we didn't have to buy new phones. The old ones still work fine. If something can still be used, than use it! Don't buy into the money draining belief that newer or bigger is better.
Recycle - They say that one man's junk is another man's treasure. This brings to mind yard sales, Craig's List, and Freecycle. But in fact, your own junk could be just as valuable when used in a new way. Be creative! Think of new uses for an object before throwing it away. It may be just what you were looking for.
Reduce - The biggest way to spend small is to buy less! This seems so simple - but many people just can't seem to do it. Ask yourself, "How many ______ do I really need?" Cut back on clothes, shoes, toys, books, games, kitchen gadgets, etc. We love to buy books, but how many books do we really need? If I can get it at the library, then I don't buy it. You may want to declutter your home to start off right. A clean, organized home is a great incentive to reduce how much more you bring into it.
Reuse - We live in a society that says newer is better. We no longer believe in "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without". For instance, just because our cell phone contract ended, we didn't have to buy new phones. The old ones still work fine. If something can still be used, than use it! Don't buy into the money draining belief that newer or bigger is better.
Recycle - They say that one man's junk is another man's treasure. This brings to mind yard sales, Craig's List, and Freecycle. But in fact, your own junk could be just as valuable when used in a new way. Be creative! Think of new uses for an object before throwing it away. It may be just what you were looking for.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Good Coffee
Admittedly, I am a coffee snob. There is nothing better than the sound and smell of coffee beans grinding in the morning... or afternoon, or evening for that matter. Good coffee can be hard to come by when you are trying to spend small. It seems like everywhere I turn someone has a Starbucks or Caribou cup in their hand. All I see are dollar signs. I do love a splurge at Starbucks, but at three to five bucks a cup - I know why "bucks" is in their name!
On the other hand, I don't want Folgers either. So, my husband and I embarked on a coffee journey to spend small and still live large. Our journey ended at World Market. They have great tasting whole bean (and ground if you prefer) coffee at a decent price. What's more they have a terrific coffee rewards program that makes the price even better. For every 6 bags of coffee you buy, you get one free. Or if you really want to save, and we do, only buy coffee on Wednesdays when you get double points. That way you only have to buy 3 bags to get one free. They have 10% off coupons in the Sunday paper from time to time and they have coupons for your birthday when you join the rewards program.
Wednesday deal:
3 bags of 24oz at $9.99 = $29.97 (or $26.97 with coupon)
plus 12oz free
that's 84oz for $29.97 or $0.36/oz (or $0.32/oz with coupon)
Compare to:
Folgers ground without a coupon is about $0.26/oz
Starbucks whole bean without a coupon is about $0.65/oz
So, for just a little more than cheap ground coffee, we get quality whole bean coffee. It's worth every penny.
On the other hand, I don't want Folgers either. So, my husband and I embarked on a coffee journey to spend small and still live large. Our journey ended at World Market. They have great tasting whole bean (and ground if you prefer) coffee at a decent price. What's more they have a terrific coffee rewards program that makes the price even better. For every 6 bags of coffee you buy, you get one free. Or if you really want to save, and we do, only buy coffee on Wednesdays when you get double points. That way you only have to buy 3 bags to get one free. They have 10% off coupons in the Sunday paper from time to time and they have coupons for your birthday when you join the rewards program.
Wednesday deal:
3 bags of 24oz at $9.99 = $29.97 (or $26.97 with coupon)
plus 12oz free
that's 84oz for $29.97 or $0.36/oz (or $0.32/oz with coupon)
Compare to:
Folgers ground without a coupon is about $0.26/oz
Starbucks whole bean without a coupon is about $0.65/oz
So, for just a little more than cheap ground coffee, we get quality whole bean coffee. It's worth every penny.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Eat In, Not Out - Breakfast
I woke up to the smell of bacon. My amazing husband made breakfast this morning. French toast, bacon, fresh fruit, and coffee... delicious! We are always looking for ways to save money and this morning was no exception. We decided to figure out how much breakfast cost. Here was the breakdown:
Loaf of bread - $0.65
6 Eggs - $0.50
12oz Bacon - $3.50
Fruit - $2.00
TOTAL - $6.65
It's a little more difficult to figure the exact cost of the syrup we used and the coffee we drank. However, we figured that it cost at most $1.25 per person for our family of six. And we had leftovers!
Consider the option of eating out. Last week this same amazing husband took me out for breakfast for my birthday. Being the frugal people we are, we took a coupon. Buy one meal and two drinks, get a meal free. Even with this coupon we ended up spending $20 including the tip. That's $10 a person compared to $1.25. Maybe it's occasionally acceptable for my birthday or other special occasion, but eating out often will certainly bust your budget. To be honest, our homemade breakfast tasted just as good and for the price you just can't beat it.
Loaf of bread - $0.65
6 Eggs - $0.50
12oz Bacon - $3.50
Fruit - $2.00
TOTAL - $6.65
It's a little more difficult to figure the exact cost of the syrup we used and the coffee we drank. However, we figured that it cost at most $1.25 per person for our family of six. And we had leftovers!
Consider the option of eating out. Last week this same amazing husband took me out for breakfast for my birthday. Being the frugal people we are, we took a coupon. Buy one meal and two drinks, get a meal free. Even with this coupon we ended up spending $20 including the tip. That's $10 a person compared to $1.25. Maybe it's occasionally acceptable for my birthday or other special occasion, but eating out often will certainly bust your budget. To be honest, our homemade breakfast tasted just as good and for the price you just can't beat it.
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