Resolution: save big time on your grocery budget
This is week two in our Resolution Series, where we take some extra time to ferret out ideas and tips to help you keep your money-saving resolutions. This week? FOOD.
1–Track your budget for a month. This one was hard, because The Todd does the cooking and most of the grocery shopping. We finally stuck an envelope to the fridge and committed to dropping every recipt into it for a month. Even if you think you’re keeping to your budget, you’ll likely be shocked. Our biggest weakness was little things–cheapie toys for the kids, magazines at the checkstand instead of by subscription. Yours may be soda, or insanely expensive shampoo. Discuss as a family what you can live without. Financial experts are recommending a food budget of $125.00 per week for a family of four.
2–Join a food co-op. My dad was big on these in the groovy hippie era in San Francisco. Fortunately, the co-op survived, though the love beads did not. Usually, you spend a few hours monthly volunteering at the co-op in exchange for prices that are often half of what you spend at the store. Our local co-op has fresh herbs, lovely bread from an artesian bakery, and organic veggies. Find one near you at coopdirectory.org.
3–Buy more fresh fruits and veggies. I know, they’re more expensive, but more and more studies show that when families add more fresh produce to their diets, they not only lose weight, their food budgets actually shrink by 25%!
4–Consider an extra stop by a local outlet for baked goods–day-old breads and rolls are at least 50% off. Take a look at the “outlet locator” at www.gwbakeries.com to find one near you.
5–Convenience costs you. Sliced bags of apples? $5.79 a pound. Whole apples? $1.29. Bag of pre-washed lettuce? $3.25. A head of romaine? $1.19. Shredded cheese is a killer: $11.19 a pound. A one pound block? $5.09. The Todd argues that if buying the convenient stuff is the only way to eat healthier–ie salads, it’s worth it. But if you can devote an hour to slicing, shredding and pre-bagging everything for the week, you’re saving hundreds of dollars. You know your time limits, so you need to decide if time or money is worth more. It’s not always the latter.
6–Coupons. You will likely want to spit on me here. This is the first year I’ve ever used them. Here’s what I’ve noticed from emails and comments from you. Eager souls buy 6 papers, spend hours clipping coupons, and then go nuts trying to redeem them all. Simplify. Your time is worth something, too. Here’s a few great clip sites:
–Grocery Coupon Network: my new favorite: I’m fairly helpless with coupons and give myself a huge pat on the back if I remember them half the time. (Editor’s note: don’t act all shocked. You know you’re not dealing with Martha Stewart here.) Grocery Coupon Network takes a few minutes to set up–you’ll click on the coupons you use most–staples like mik and cheese, or diapers, etc. The network scans all offers in the blogosphere and sends you all the coupons you want to print. It’s quite amazing!
–Coupons.com: always good for staples like cheese, milk, yogurt and toiletries. Can be used anywhere. You’ll need to download a widget to use it. It will not add spyware. Do not fear the widget!
–A Full Cup: one of the best–you’ve got access to dozens of different stores coupon offers. Helpful community.
–Shop 4 Freebies: a daily email list with links to all kinds of free products.
–Freeflys: in the last 3 months, I haven’t had to buy toothpaste, eye drops, coffee creamer, dishwasher detergent, organic cereal…because I got free-bees from here. No spam, that’s why I suggest this one.
And as with all Resolutions, break it up into manageable chunks. I always try to accomplish the entire thing at once and then think I stink because I failed. Maybe start with tracking what you spend. Or, sign up with just one coupon site. Or, look into the co-ops. You don’t have to be Insane Shopping Diva from day one, right? Good luck!
$
Free-Bee Youth Eye Serum
GO HERE to pick up a FREE Sample of Youth Eye complex ,brought to you by iS Clinical and seen in Elle magazine.
Thanks, Mojo Savings!
CVS is upping the coupon game…
…inspired, perhaps by the “All You” coupon mag, CVS has their own version out this week. It’s tricky to get, my girlie Caroline found hers by customer service. She said that even the employees didn’t seem to know much about it. But it’s worth a little hunt to find it, here’s why:
It’s called ”Reinventing Beauty,” and has Courtney Cox on the cover. It’s priced at .99 and can usually be found near the cosmetics or displayed near the registers. Inside there’s several coupons expiring 3.31. Here’s some I thought showed promise:
CVS Store coupons (can be stacked with manufacturer coupons):
$2 off any Fuel 2-pack
$2 off two Blade products
$2 off Viologie Hair Care (this should make for free product with a sale)
$1 off Gold Emblem Almonds (there are .99 packs of nuts by the registers)
$2 off Fruitopia Hair Care (this should also be free or close to free with a sale)
$2 off any Essence of Beauty purchase over $3.99
$2 off any CVS skincare product
Manufacturer Coupons include:
$1 off 5 oz. or larger bag of Smartfood, Baked, Stacy’s, True North, or Sun Chips
$1 off Wisk, 50 oz. or larger
$1 off Colgate Total Advanced 4 oz. or larger
$1 off any Lady Speed Stick, 24/7, or Speed Stick Pro
$1.50 off any two Colgate Powered Toothbrushes
Thanks for the heads-up, Frugalista Cafe!
Free-Bee recipe box, cards, and recipes!
WearEver is handing over free-bee Recipe Boxes with Cards and Recipes! Create a “My Recipes” account and they’ll mail you a free-bee recipe box with index cards and even recipes to get you started! Go on over here to check out all the details and register for an account.
Thanks, Frugalista Cafe!
Rite Aid Coupons–print ‘em off before shopping
If you’re heading to Rite Aid today, be sure to print out the Rite Aid Video Values $5/$20 or $5/$25 coupon.
Organic diaper and formula coupons
Scamper by, there’s new Babies-R-Us Coupons out that are good starting today through the 14th.
- $2.00 off all Seventh Generation, gDiaper, Earth’s Best and Huggies Pure & Natural jumbo packs of diapers. (-$1.00 off any (1) 7th Generation HERE)
- $3.00 off any (2) 23.2-oz. or larger powder formulas (including Earth’s Best Organic Formula) (-$5.00 off any (1) HERE)
Thanks, Organic Deals and Coupons!
30% off at Areopostale!
Take an additional 30% off all clearance apparel online at Aeropostale by using the code 30JAN at checkout.
Thanks, The Bargain Jargon!
70% off at JC Penney!
JCPenney is currently taking an additional 40% off all clearance prices in stores. Keeping in mind earlier markdowns, all this swag is 70% off! Now, the markdown is valid through 1.21. Sneaky inside tip:If you can make it to your local store before 1.10, you can use THIS $10 off $50 coupon for an additional discount!
Thanks, Bargain Jargon!
$25.00 at Gardens Alive!
Sign up for a free Gardens Alive catalog here and, according to Fruglista Cafe, you’ll receive a coupon code with your catalog for $25 off any $25 order. This coupon can reportedly be used toward shipping as well.
The New Walgreen’s Coupon Book Is Out!
The new Walgreen’s January Coupon Booklet is out–I found mine by the pharmacy. Sneaky inside tip: since these are Walgreens store coupons, they can be stacked with manufacturer’s coupons.
- $2/1 Walgreens Super Probiotic (30-ct.) or Fiber and Probiotic 1 B (120-ct.)
- $1/1 Walgreens Daily Fiber & Probiotic (28-ct.)
- $5/1 Colonaide (14-pk.)
- $3/1 Women’s One Multivitamin (50-ct.)
- $2/1 Walgreens A-Z Cardio (60-ct.)
- $3/1 Walgreens A-Z Select (220-ct.) or Multivitamins (250-ct.)
- $2/1 Walgreens Calcium Soft Chews (60-ct.)
- $3/1 Walgreens Energy Booster (36-ct.), One Daily Energy (18-ct.), Calcium Creamies (75-ct.) or Finest Natural Glucosamine
- Chondroitin (30-ct.)
- $3/1 Walgreens Gold Seal D Vitamin 1000mg (400-ct.)
- $3/1 Posture-D Calcium 600mg (60-ct.)
- $3/1 NeoCell Super Collagen+C (120-ct.)
- $3/1 Enzymatic Acidophilus Pearls (30-ct.)
- $5/1 Ferro-Sequels (100-ct.)
- $3/1 Slow-Mag (60-ct.) or Slow-FE (60 or 90-ct.)
- $2/1 Slow-Niacin 500 or 750mg (100-ct.)
- $3/1 Bifera Iron Supplement (30-ct.)
- $3/1 Blaine MagOx 400 Supplements (60-ct.)
- $3/1 Garlique (60-ct.)
- $3/1 Liverite Liver Aid (60-ct. + 30 free)
- $20/1 Focus Factor (60-ct.)
- $2/1 Bausch & Lomb Ocuvite or PreserVision Eye Care (50 to 240-ct.)
- $5/1 Remifemin Menopaus Tablets (120-ct.)
- $10/1 Extenze (30-ct.)
- $5/1 Libido-Max Liquid Gelcaps (75-ct.)
- $2/1 Elations Cranberry Apple (6-ct.)
- $1/1 Tums Dual Action (25 or 50-ct.)
- $3/1 Cardiostat Omega-3 Fish Oil Softcaps (60-ct.)
- $5/1 Ameal BP Capsules (60-ct.)
- $5/1 Whole Body Cleanse Kit
- $5/1 Evercleanse 3 Step Detoxifier System
- $5/1 Finest Natural Glucosamine Chondroitin (180 or 240-ct.)
- $3/1 Finest Natural Organics (30 or 60-ct.)
- $3/1 Finest Natural Cranberry Chews (30-ct.)
- $1/1 Off Sustenex 30 ct or Digestive Advantage (32-ct.)
- $2/1 Phazyme (12-ct.), Tagamet (30-ct.) or Gaviscon (100-ct.)
- $4/1 Benefiber Stick Pack (28-ct.), 48 to 62 Dose, or Chewable (100-ct.)
- $2/1 Gas-X Chewables or Softgels (48 to 72-ct.)
- $1/1 Sea Band Anti-Nausea Ginger Chewing Gum (24-ct.)
- $3/1 Sominex Maximum Strength (16-ct.)
- $3/1 Vivarin Caffeine Alertness Aid (40-ct.)
- $2/1 Chaser Plus (40-ct.)
- $5/1 Sinus Buster Nasal Spray (.68-oz.)
- $3/1 Breathe Right Kids Nasal Strips (12-ct.)
- $2/1 Coldcalm 60 ct or Oscillococcinum Natural Flu Relief (6-ct.)
- $1/1 W Vitamin C or Organic Lip Balm (.15-oz.)
- $1/1 Chap Aid Original or Cherry Lip Balm (3-pk.)
- $2/1 Genteal Eye Care
- $2/1 Similasan Eye or Ear Drops
- $5/1 At Home 12 Panel Drug Test
- $5/1 Omron Hip Pedometer
- $10/1 Walgreens Nicotine Gum (160 or 170-ct.), Lozenges 2mg or 4mg (208-ct.)
- $5/1 Walgreens Nicotine Patch 7.14 or 21mg (14-ct.), Gum 2 or 4mg (100 or 110-pk.), Lozenges 2 or 4mg (72-ct.)
- $0.50/1 Off Walgreens Nutritional Drink (6-ct.)
- $1/1 One Touch Ultra Soft Lancets (100-pk.)
- $30/1 One Touch Ultra 2 Kit
- $35/1 One Touch UltraSmart Kit
- $15/1 Walgreens Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor
- $20/1 Walgreens By Homedics Automatic Wrist or Ultra Deluxe Blood Pressure Monitor
- $15/1 Walgreens Manual Inflate Blood Pressure Monitor
- $5/1 Spectrum DHA Toddler Liquid (1.8-oz.)
- $1/1 PediaSure (6-ct.)
- $2/1 Humphreys Teething Strips (18-pk.) or Tablets (135-ct.)
- $1/1 Little Tikes Baby Accessories
- $1/1 Hyland’s Teething Tablets (125-ct.)
- $5/1 Walgreens Certainty Underwear (28 to 40-ct.)
- $3/1 RepHresh Pro-B (30-ct.) or Vaginal Gel (4-pk.)
- $3/1 Schick Quattro Cartridges (8-ct.)
- $3/2 Bic Razors Comfort or Soleil (3 or 4-pk.)
- $10/1 Norelco Razor 7310, 6940LC or HS8420
- $1/1 Men’s Zone 6 Blade Razor System or Cartridges (4-pk.)
- $5/1 Wahl Grooming Lithium Ion All In One, Groomsman Trimmer or 14-Pc. Styling Kit
- $2/1 HerbaShine Hair Color
- $3/1 L’Oreal Preference or Couleur Experte Hair Color
- $5/1 LiceFree! Lice Treatment (2-ct.)
- $10/1 Rogaine 3 pack 2% for women or 5% for men
- $3/1 Revlon Age Defyling Foundation (1-oz.) or Concealer (.04-oz.)
- $3/1 Revlon Cream Gloss (.04-oz.)
- $2/1 W Skin Oil Treatment (4.2-oz.)
- $10/1 Aquafresh White Trays (14-pk.)
- $1/1 Diabeti-Derm Foot Rejuvenating Cream (4-oz.) or Multi-Betic Vitamins (60-ct.)
- $0.50/1 Dentemp One Step Filling Mix or Recapit Cement 1gm
- $3/1 Biotene Toothpaste (4.5-oz.), Mouthwash (16-oz.), Mouth Spray (1.5-oz.) or Oral Balance Dry Mouth Moisturizer (1.5-oz.)
- $2/1 Rayovac Hearing Aid Battery 10, 13, 312 or 675 (8-pk.)
- $1/1 Russsell Stover Chocolate (11.5 or 12-oz.)
- $1/2 Life Savers (6.25 to 7.7-oz.)
- $1/2 Reese’s or Hershey’s Pieces (10 or 10.5-oz.)
- $1/2 Planters Trail Mix (6-oz.)
- $1/2 Cadbury, Hershey’s or Kit Kat Chocolate (2.5 to 4.5-oz.)
- $1/2 Lindt Lindor Truffles (5.1-oz.)
- $1/2 Hershey’s or Reese’s Sugar Free Candy (3-oz.)
- $1/2 M&M’s Valentine’s Candy (12.6-oz.)
- $1/2 Hershey’s or Reese’s Valentine’s Candy (8 or 8.5-oz.)
- $5/1 Sandisk 4GB SDHC Card
- $2/1 W Photo 35mm Single-Use Camera with Flash 81 exp (3-pk.)
Thanks for the heads-up, Deal Seeking Mom!
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
Congratulations to Jessica Kaufman, our winner this week for the $50.00 Target gift card. Jess, please email me with your complete mailing address and phone number–this is a physical card and will need to be mailed out. Have fun stocking up on diapers!
Today’s Free Offer
Valentine's Crafts For Kids--easy make at home fun to keep them out of your hair.
Free Upgrade
50% Off Valentine’s Bouquets & Gifts
Get Cash Back!
Ready To Coupon?
"Extreme Couponing" on TLC has done one thing for all us would-be frugalistas--while no one I know wants to be quite that crazed, couponing is looking more attractive, am I right? Here's your coupon options in a tidy, almost shamefully easy format:
Cellfire loads coupons directly to your card. Scan that bad boy at checkout--no clipping!
Coupons.com, hands-down my favorite for ease of navigation and big fat coupons. You'll need to download a toolbar to print. Do not fear the toolbar, it will bring you many goodies.
Coupon Deals Daily.com offers 50-90% off items locally available. Worth checking often, since nothing lasts for long.
So, "catalinas" are the slips of paper-style coupons you get at checkout along with your reciept to use for next time. Print them on Coupon Network.com, and use them THIS trip. Clever you!
No insurance? Or does your lousy coverage refuse to pay for certain medications? Enter the Pharmacy Coupons--this network allows you to print coupons for up to 75% off your prescription costs. In the economy? A literal lifesaver.
Red Plum Coupons cover a huge variety--everything from grocery to your local tire store. Take a look around by clicking below.
Do you have estrogen? Then you will love Woman Freebies.com. They send free girly samplys and piles of high-value coupons. No catch!
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