Reasor's, which I have mentioned oh so many times, is at it again. They have a 12 hour sale every so often which may or may not have things that I want. This time it most definitely has things I want!
First, the cheese. It's not organic, but it is decent cheese. And only $1 for an 8 ounce bag. That's a stock up price for sure!
Second, the Cape Cod Chips. YUM. If you 'Like' Cape Cod Chips on Facebook, you can print out a $1.00 off 2 bags coupon. By hitting the back button, you can print it twice. That would make them $2.50 for 2 bags.
And last, Towne House Crackers. If you log onto Kellogg's Snackpicks website I linked it to the promotions page. Sign up to be able to print out their coupons. The boxes of crackers are 2 for $3. With the printable coupon (print it twice, buy 4 boxes) it makes them $1 a piece (make sure you get the kind with the Cars 2 code on the front). THEN!!!! Sign up for this Kellogg's promotion and enter the 4 codes to receive a $5 gas card.
Happy Dealing!
Showing posts with label Cheap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cheap. Show all posts
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Cheap Meals
Taking the long weekend off left me with a lot of time. Well, not really, because with children the time is constantly filled with something. But it felt like I had a lot of time!
So since I posted a couple of weeks ago about how our small grocery budget, I've been trying to research and come up with a similar menu to what we had 6 years ago. Food has gotten more expensive and so has my palette, so it was hard to think about what we actually ate. No fresh vegetables, a lot of processed or canned foods and lots of rice and beans. That diet is not for everyone. But I thought I would give it to you anyways. You do what you've got to do to make it through!
So here it goes. Keep in mind, this is bare bones budget meals, but a half step above ramen noodles every night. We had rice & beans at least 2 nights a week.
Meal list:
Macaroni & Cheese w/ vegetable (3 boxes for $1, Frozen broccoli 2lb bag $2)
Fried Egg Sandwich (Loaf of bread from $ Tree $1, Dozen eggs $1)
Rice and Beans (Bag of Black Beans $1, Bag of Rice $1)
Chili (Pound of Meat $2, Can Chili Beans $.60, Can Crushed Tomatoes $1, Onion $1)
Spaghetti (Box of 8 servings $1, Sauce $1, Frozen Green Beans $1)
Soup and Grilled Cheese (Can Soup $.50, Cheese $2)
Bean Burrito (Can Pinto Beans $.60, Tortilla $1)
Now we arrange the meals into 14 evenings of meals:
Night 1- Mac & Cheese Night 8- Bean Burrito
Night 2- Rice & Beans Night 9- Mac & Cheese
Night 3- Fried Egg Sand Night 10- Rice & Beans
Night 4- Chili Night 11- Fried Egg Sand
Night 5- Spaghetti Night 12- Spaghetti
Night 6- Rice & Beans Night 13- Soup & Gr Cheese
Night 7- Soup & Gr Chs Night 14- Rice & Beans
Next we make our grocery list according to our 2 lists above. You may need to go to different places. Because Wal Mart is raising the prices on their canned foods, Dollar Tree becomes the best place to buy a large can of crushed tomatoes, tortillas and even bread. Also keep in mind a dried bag of beans and rice lasts my family of 5(equal to 3 adults) for 4 dinners.
$.66 2 boxes of mac & cheese
$.75 Margarine
$2.00 Milk
$1.00 Bag of black beans
$1.00 Bag of rice
$.99 Dozen eggs
$1.00 Loaf of bread
$2.00 Pound of meat
$1.00 Can crushed tomatoes
$1.00 Onion
$.60 Chili beans
$1.00 Box of pasta
$1.00 Can of spaghetti sauce
$1.00 Bag of frozen green beans
$2.00 Bag of frozen broccoli
$1.00 2 cans condensed soup
$2.00 Cheese
$.60 Can pinto beans
Total $20.60
That leaves a little less than $5 for anything else you want for those of you that don't pay tax on food. For us here in OK, about 10% goes to tax leaving about $2 leftover. But that, my friends, is how it is done. Repeat the 14 days for nearly an entire month of eating on $50 for 2 people. If you would like, throw in a couple of nights of Ramen noodles. $1.98 for 12 at Wal-Mart!
What's your cheap go to meal? I need to expand!
Friday, January 14, 2011
16.4 Pounds of Oatmeal
Most containers of oatmeal that you buy from the store are about 2.6 pounds. I happen to have one mamajama of a bag. For your enjoyment:
My Grampsy bought this for me in Kalona, IA. Kalona is a cute city full of Amish stores, cheese factories, Amish bakeries, antiques and so much more. It's a great place to spend a day or two.
The little grocery store where Gramps bought me this is full great buys for the normal person. They do not take coupons, but you'll still walk out of there with a ton of groceries for a small amount of money. This massive bag of oatmeal cost a whopping $6.89. He also got me 5 pounds of natural peanut butter (peanuts only) for $12. Yep, that's amazing.
What am I going to do with 16 pounds of oatmeal? Well, over time it will get eaten. I've made about 4 loaves of Oatmeal Bread (a little deceiving since there's only 1 cup of oatmeal but still yummy), meatloaf, oatmeal for breakfast about 2 times a week (one day even for lunch) and...we're in a bit of a rut.
So if you have any recipes that call for oatmeal, send them my way!
My Grampsy bought this for me in Kalona, IA. Kalona is a cute city full of Amish stores, cheese factories, Amish bakeries, antiques and so much more. It's a great place to spend a day or two.
The little grocery store where Gramps bought me this is full great buys for the normal person. They do not take coupons, but you'll still walk out of there with a ton of groceries for a small amount of money. This massive bag of oatmeal cost a whopping $6.89. He also got me 5 pounds of natural peanut butter (peanuts only) for $12. Yep, that's amazing.
What am I going to do with 16 pounds of oatmeal? Well, over time it will get eaten. I've made about 4 loaves of Oatmeal Bread (a little deceiving since there's only 1 cup of oatmeal but still yummy), meatloaf, oatmeal for breakfast about 2 times a week (one day even for lunch) and...we're in a bit of a rut.
So if you have any recipes that call for oatmeal, send them my way!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Clothing On A Budget
Because I have 3 kiddos, the majority of the clothing bought in our house is for them.
This is during Christmas at my parent's house last month.
Yes, he's too old for this and he knows it.
He wanted you to see his 'control car'. I hope you enjoyed it as much as he does. I was talking about....
Clothes. I love good quality clothes. Clothes that will last for more than one child. Like, say, Isabella and Liana. That is until Liana catches up to Isabella and has to have a wardrobe all her own. I think that will happen next winter.
Where do you find quality clothes for a budget price? My answer would be sales! Almost every store at the mall has latched onto 'Semi-Annual' sales. That's great for us, the consumer. The sale price is usually phenomenal, but you can be a savvy consumer and save even more. Take full advantage of the sales by adding coupons to the sale price.
I had my parents buy me a coat from Express for Christmas. They were running their Express cash promotion, which gave me $25 to spend later(you buy $50 and use the $25 certificate, you pay $25 cash). I knew my grandparents were giving me money for Christmas, so I figured I'd use some of it for that. I always find stuff I love at Express. When I was there using my Express cash, I noticed that it said not for use on clearance items. Well, their marked down items were considered clearance. Boo. But I asked an associate what I could not buy, and she told me if I had one full price item, then I could get anything else. I could've gotten a $6 lip balm, but I went for a cute pair of navy flats that I'd been wanting.
Ask an associate! Sometimes they look at you like you're crazy, sometimes they don't have extra sales going on, but it doesn't hurt to ask! The first time you feel like a dork, but you get over that when you realize you're being smart with your money.
If you have favorite stores, join their e-clubs and rewards programs. Some stores will send you coupons to your inbox, mailbox and by text. Maybe they give you a gift certificate on your birthday or child's birthday. Alot of the the reward programs count the dollars you spend as points towards a gift certificate for the store. You get rewarded for the money you would already spend there.
Go do a little research on your favorite stores. Find out what they have to offer.
Clothes. I love good quality clothes. Clothes that will last for more than one child. Like, say, Isabella and Liana. That is until Liana catches up to Isabella and has to have a wardrobe all her own. I think that will happen next winter.
Where do you find quality clothes for a budget price? My answer would be sales! Almost every store at the mall has latched onto 'Semi-Annual' sales. That's great for us, the consumer. The sale price is usually phenomenal, but you can be a savvy consumer and save even more. Take full advantage of the sales by adding coupons to the sale price.
I had my parents buy me a coat from Express for Christmas. They were running their Express cash promotion, which gave me $25 to spend later(you buy $50 and use the $25 certificate, you pay $25 cash). I knew my grandparents were giving me money for Christmas, so I figured I'd use some of it for that. I always find stuff I love at Express. When I was there using my Express cash, I noticed that it said not for use on clearance items. Well, their marked down items were considered clearance. Boo. But I asked an associate what I could not buy, and she told me if I had one full price item, then I could get anything else. I could've gotten a $6 lip balm, but I went for a cute pair of navy flats that I'd been wanting.
Ask an associate! Sometimes they look at you like you're crazy, sometimes they don't have extra sales going on, but it doesn't hurt to ask! The first time you feel like a dork, but you get over that when you realize you're being smart with your money.
If you have favorite stores, join their e-clubs and rewards programs. Some stores will send you coupons to your inbox, mailbox and by text. Maybe they give you a gift certificate on your birthday or child's birthday. Alot of the the reward programs count the dollars you spend as points towards a gift certificate for the store. You get rewarded for the money you would already spend there.
Go do a little research on your favorite stores. Find out what they have to offer.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
When A Good Deal Is Not A Good Deal
Sometimes living on a budget can make you do crazy things. Like going to Sam's Club and buying a 5 pound bag of fresh broccoli that goes bad before you use it all. Or stocking up on coconut milk because you just know the kids will love it and buying it in bulk on sale with coupons gets you each carton for $1.50. Then it sits in the pantry for 4 months and counting because the kids don't actually like the taste so you have to force them to add it in cereal which you only eat on the weekends so it lasts forever.
I hope that never happens to you.
But in all seriousness, when you live on a budget and see a good or great deal, the first instinct is to run out and immediately stock up. Especially if you have coupons. But if it's not something that is tried and proven a winner in your house, then you just wasted your money.
That's a $6 + tax waste sitting in my pantry. And we're left with that only because we've been making the kids drink more of it. I don't blame them, it's not really my cup of tea either.
The point is, plan your meals and know what you use for toiletries. Buy what you need. If you see something is a great deal, first ask yourself if it's something you've used before. If the answer is no, don't load up until you've tried it.
Buying things that never get used is a complete waste of your budgeted dollars. And we can't have that!
I hope that never happens to you.
But in all seriousness, when you live on a budget and see a good or great deal, the first instinct is to run out and immediately stock up. Especially if you have coupons. But if it's not something that is tried and proven a winner in your house, then you just wasted your money.
The point is, plan your meals and know what you use for toiletries. Buy what you need. If you see something is a great deal, first ask yourself if it's something you've used before. If the answer is no, don't load up until you've tried it.
Buying things that never get used is a complete waste of your budgeted dollars. And we can't have that!
Monday, January 10, 2011
I Love A Good Deal
My kids love Special K. I love Special K. I like to eat it when I have a sweet tooth but am trying to be good. Of course I think having 3 bowls might counteract any intention of saving on calories while satisfying a craving...
So this week at Walgreen's, Special K is on sale 2/$5. When you buy 2 boxes you get a $2 Register Reward (RR) to use on a future purchase. That means you can turn right around and do another transaction using it. So if you wanted to use it to buy more Special K, then you just take all 4 boxes to the cashier and tell them you have 2 transactions. To make it an even better deal, though, go here and sign up, then print out your buy 1 box get one free. You can print it twice by pushing the back button. So here's what the deal would look like:
Transaction 1
2 Boxes of Special K $5
- $2.50 free box coupon
= $2.50 + tax
Receive a $2 RR
Transaction 2
2 Boxes of Special K $5
- $2.50 free box coupon
- $2 RR
= $.50 + tax
You won't get a RR on the next transaction if you pay with the RR from the first. 4 boxes for $3 + tax is a great price. If you have a $2 RR from a previous transaction then use it to pay only $1 plus tax. Around here we eat cereal on the weekends only, so 4 boxes last us quite a while. Unless I get a sweet tooth.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Free Movie Tickets?!
I was at Wal-Mart last night and tried blogging from my mobile.
It didn't work.
So here I am bright and early to tell you about the great deal I saw. When you purchase 2 specially marked boxes of General Mills Cereals, you get a free movie ticket. These boxes were $3.28 a piece, so buying 2 makes your ticket $6.56.
I don't know about your theaters, but around here that's a great bargain. Especially if you're going to be going out for a movie anyways. It's like getting the ticket for a discount, and getting 2 boxes of cereal on top of that! It's a win-win situation.
Unless you don't like their cereals.
It didn't work.
So here I am bright and early to tell you about the great deal I saw. When you purchase 2 specially marked boxes of General Mills Cereals, you get a free movie ticket. These boxes were $3.28 a piece, so buying 2 makes your ticket $6.56.
I don't know about your theaters, but around here that's a great bargain. Especially if you're going to be going out for a movie anyways. It's like getting the ticket for a discount, and getting 2 boxes of cereal on top of that! It's a win-win situation.
Unless you don't like their cereals.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Get Your Tank On!!!!
I LOVE a fresh, new, clean and crisp white tank top. There is nothing like it. I am always on the hunt for a great tank top. I live in tank tops! Perhaps I am a bit picky when it comes to tank tops. There are specifics to what I want.
I want a tank top that is long. I have two Old Navy tank tops that barely cover my flat belly. I don't even wear them when it's enlarged from Christmas eating! Needless to say, they are not my favorite.
I have 3 tank tops that I bought from TJ Maxx. The white one is thin, the black one has stretch lace that is now looking raggedy after less than 6 months, and the other is maroon that is the same as the black one- size and all, but fits about 2 sizes smaller. Weird how that happens. Those are not my favorites.
My favorites may have found me over our Christmas vacation. My sister (ever trendy and fabulous) told me about a great deal in Wet Seal. Let me be clear...13 years ago in high school when I was about 15 pounds lighter and 3 kids less I didn't go to that store. Their clothes seemed entirely too small cut for my not so small body. It was with much hesitation that I even considered going. But I'm drawn to a new tank top like a fly to honey.
So I went with my brother (whose taste I nearly completely trust because he is fashionable himself) and his wife of a year and a half. I'm not too sure how to describe her fashion, she always credits my brother, but she always looks great. Back to Wet Seal.
I'M IN LOVE!!!!! These tank tops don't feel too thin. These tank tops aren't too short. These tank tops are just right.
The best part? They were 5 for $20!!!! At $4 a piece, even if they only hold up as long as my TJ Maxx tank tops, I've saved crazy money. Go get some!
A quick note, though. Wet Seal's return policy is only in store credit or exchange, so make sure you either try it on, or have many other things in mind you would exchange for.
I want a tank top that is long. I have two Old Navy tank tops that barely cover my flat belly. I don't even wear them when it's enlarged from Christmas eating! Needless to say, they are not my favorite.
I have 3 tank tops that I bought from TJ Maxx. The white one is thin, the black one has stretch lace that is now looking raggedy after less than 6 months, and the other is maroon that is the same as the black one- size and all, but fits about 2 sizes smaller. Weird how that happens. Those are not my favorites.
My favorites may have found me over our Christmas vacation. My sister (ever trendy and fabulous) told me about a great deal in Wet Seal. Let me be clear...13 years ago in high school when I was about 15 pounds lighter and 3 kids less I didn't go to that store. Their clothes seemed entirely too small cut for my not so small body. It was with much hesitation that I even considered going. But I'm drawn to a new tank top like a fly to honey.
So I went with my brother (whose taste I nearly completely trust because he is fashionable himself) and his wife of a year and a half. I'm not too sure how to describe her fashion, she always credits my brother, but she always looks great. Back to Wet Seal.
I'M IN LOVE!!!!! These tank tops don't feel too thin. These tank tops aren't too short. These tank tops are just right.
The best part? They were 5 for $20!!!! At $4 a piece, even if they only hold up as long as my TJ Maxx tank tops, I've saved crazy money. Go get some!
A quick note, though. Wet Seal's return policy is only in store credit or exchange, so make sure you either try it on, or have many other things in mind you would exchange for.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Hamburger Buns
Really? Yep, really.
Totally off subject, I notice that I talk to myself a lot when I blog. Back to the buns.
After my post on Friday I had a hankering for hamburgers. I'm pretty sure my husband did too. We bought a quarter of a cow this past autumn, so we have plenty of ground beef to make this happen! I don't like to spend money if I don't have to, so I looked in my freezer to figure out if I had something that could work for the buns. I was in luck! Frozen rolls.
Rhode's frozen rolls and breads are fabulous. My grandma makes the best rolls every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day...pretty much occasion the family gets together for. She uses Rhode's frozen bread dough. Maybe I'll share the recipe with you one day.
So I did the fast thaw method for a dozen rolls. I love leftovers. Back to the buns. Again. So I made the rolls as hamburger buns. My mom asked me why. I said because I had them. Simple enough! They were amazing!!!! Literally, the best tasting hamburger buns ever.
And the best part? They were extremely cheap!!!!! I paid $.99 for a bag of 36. That means each dozen cost $.33. Amazing! And they were delicious! My husband's new favorite. We will never go back to store bought hamburger buns. Unless we have a massive group of people over.
How did I get them for a dollar? Well, pretty simple. The rolls were on sale for $2.99, after my coupon they were less than $1. Here in Tulsa there is a store that doubles coupons up to and including $1. That means a $1 coupon turns into $2 off the product! Their policy can get a bit tricky, so if you're a coupon newbie, keep it simple.
Educate yourself on your local grocery stores' coupon policies. Coupons stretch your budget dollars!!!
Totally off subject, I notice that I talk to myself a lot when I blog. Back to the buns.
After my post on Friday I had a hankering for hamburgers. I'm pretty sure my husband did too. We bought a quarter of a cow this past autumn, so we have plenty of ground beef to make this happen! I don't like to spend money if I don't have to, so I looked in my freezer to figure out if I had something that could work for the buns. I was in luck! Frozen rolls.
Rhode's frozen rolls and breads are fabulous. My grandma makes the best rolls every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day...pretty much occasion the family gets together for. She uses Rhode's frozen bread dough. Maybe I'll share the recipe with you one day.
So I did the fast thaw method for a dozen rolls. I love leftovers. Back to the buns. Again. So I made the rolls as hamburger buns. My mom asked me why. I said because I had them. Simple enough! They were amazing!!!! Literally, the best tasting hamburger buns ever.
And the best part? They were extremely cheap!!!!! I paid $.99 for a bag of 36. That means each dozen cost $.33. Amazing! And they were delicious! My husband's new favorite. We will never go back to store bought hamburger buns. Unless we have a massive group of people over.
How did I get them for a dollar? Well, pretty simple. The rolls were on sale for $2.99, after my coupon they were less than $1. Here in Tulsa there is a store that doubles coupons up to and including $1. That means a $1 coupon turns into $2 off the product! Their policy can get a bit tricky, so if you're a coupon newbie, keep it simple.
Educate yourself on your local grocery stores' coupon policies. Coupons stretch your budget dollars!!!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Two Things
There are two things on my mind today. First and most important, I'm in the mood to bake all things yummy! Of course healthy too. By healthy I really mean full of fat but too delish to really care =) So I'll start with a small batch of Peppermint Bark, followed by Whole Wheat Banana Bread. For lunch Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches (thank you Elvis!), and to top it off something that has frosting on it! I haven't decided what that something will be yet, but frosting is definitely on the menu! Maybe by itself.
Second thing on my mind, since I am somewhat of a budget-ista (like fashionista of budgeting) then I'm thinking of something budgety. This week at Walgreen's you can get some great deals. First off, if you spend $25 in store, you'll get $5 in Register Rewards or Jingle Cash as they're called for Christmas. JC or RR's (for short) can be used at a later date. Actually usually you can turn around and use it right then, but the $5 for $25 purchase is to be used at a later date.
Back to the deals. Ragu (2/$3) or Hellman's ($3) buy $15 worth and get $5 in RR's. Add to that 6 Hallmark cards for $.99 each- which will get you $5 in RR's. Add Revlon Top Speed nail polish for $5.99- get a $5 RR.
NOW!!! Go to the cosmetic's counter and get the "All Things Bright and Beautiful" Booklet inside is a $1 of any Revlon cosmetic. Here's what it should look like:
10 jars of Ragu- $15.00
6 Hallmark cards- $5.94
1 Revlon Top Speed Nail Polish- $5.99
TOTAL $26.93 + tax
Minus $1 coupon
$25.93 + tax
Get back (4) $5 RR= $20 in RR
If you already have Register Rewards, use them to make your expenses even less!!!
Second thing on my mind, since I am somewhat of a budget-ista (like fashionista of budgeting) then I'm thinking of something budgety. This week at Walgreen's you can get some great deals. First off, if you spend $25 in store, you'll get $5 in Register Rewards or Jingle Cash as they're called for Christmas. JC or RR's (for short) can be used at a later date. Actually usually you can turn around and use it right then, but the $5 for $25 purchase is to be used at a later date.
Back to the deals. Ragu (2/$3) or Hellman's ($3) buy $15 worth and get $5 in RR's. Add to that 6 Hallmark cards for $.99 each- which will get you $5 in RR's. Add Revlon Top Speed nail polish for $5.99- get a $5 RR.
NOW!!! Go to the cosmetic's counter and get the "All Things Bright and Beautiful" Booklet inside is a $1 of any Revlon cosmetic. Here's what it should look like:
10 jars of Ragu- $15.00
6 Hallmark cards- $5.94
1 Revlon Top Speed Nail Polish- $5.99
TOTAL $26.93 + tax
Minus $1 coupon
$25.93 + tax
Get back (4) $5 RR= $20 in RR
If you already have Register Rewards, use them to make your expenses even less!!!
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