Virtual Grocery Shopping Trip

Donna and I created this video a few years ago.  It is on our software (Preparedness for Life) and actually walks you through the grocery store giving you tips and tricks of saving money as you become a better Household Manager.  It is a 9 minute video but it is packed full of information!  Enjoy!!

Virtual Shopping Trip

Saving the Planet While Shopping

Reusable grocery bags are back in vogue.  Going Green has never been more fashionable and I found the cutest bags at Mixed Bag Designs.  I purchased 4 of them 2 years ago and they are still in fantastic shape!  They can hold SO MUCH FOOD and household goods.  I can get 12 cans of vegetables in one and though I kill myself with the weight, the bags won't tear.

I know you can get the fabric ones at the grocery store for just a couple of bucks, but they are not as strong.  (FYI: I have no ties to the company other than I love their bags! )
My only issue is that I forget them in the car sometimes... Hey, did you know some stores even offer you a $.05 credit per bag used?  Saving the planet & saving money, what could be better?

Know your price points!

My hubby went out to the store today to pick up some dog food.  We have one picky beagle and one that will eat anything.  Anyway, I digress.  We needed to get just a small bag of food to mix in with the brand that our one dog won't eat.  I sent him to Ridley's as most of their prices seem to be better than a lot of the other grocery stores.  The dog food was $1.14 a pound.  He was pretty sure that the dog food at Walmart was less expensive for the same brand. He decided to do the running and see if it was and most definitely, it was at $.86 per pound.

I had just the reverse experience with purchasing some deodorant that I was sure would be lower in price at Walmart and it was more expensive than at Ridley's.

So what I am trying to encourage is for you to start a Price Point Book or spreadsheet.  This will help you keep track of the most common items you purchase by brand, size and store.  It takes some time to set up, but it will help you in the long run.  Purchase a cheap notebook (or you may have one that was half used by one of your children at school last year and they refuse to finish out the book) or set up a spreadsheet on the computer. 

The Savvy Shopper has a great start for the products SHE purchases located here: Savvy Shopper Price Point List.  You do need to be a registered user of the Savvy Shopper Website to see the list. I am a moderator on the Savvy Shopper site and LOVE IT! 


Lisa

Did you see the ad in the mail?

Every Tuesday I get the ads for the local grocery stores in the mail.  Today I found the ad for Buy Low on the back of the redplum insert. They have some amazing deals this week!  I will add coupons and pay just a few dollars:

Yoplait Yogurt 6 oz $.39 each
Pinto Beans $.39 pound
Hailey's Steak Cut fries 24 oz (I assume they are frozen) $.39 each
Springfield sugar 25 pounds $8.88
BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST $1.29 a pound!!!

Also coupons for:
10 pound bag of potatoes for $.58
Juanita's Hominy 108 oz (someone tell me how to use this) 1.98
Best Foods Mayo 30 oz $1.98

4 Weeks - Still Going Strong

We have survived now for 4 weeks without a job. I have changed my thought process significantly and the following things have happened:

• The shopping trips are lighter, quicker and cheaper
• The process of determining wants vs. needs is actually easier (though not fun)
• The thought process of any purchase is much longer

We have spent about $120 in groceries (I did splurge one week to get the cereal that we didn't need immediately, but I can't resist a good deal and urge to continue to build my prepared pantry) which is significantly less than I used to spend.

I was able to make a birthday cake for my brother-in-law that didn't cost me a dime since I had all ingredients and supplies on hand. If you can't tell it is a construction cake with a hard hat and bricks.


I did spend a good chunk of change on Girl Scout Cookies as I had committed to that purchase before the job loss.  It felt good to help out a worthy organization and my family certainly loves the splurge (if they can find my secret hiding place for them).

This experience is tough but I count my blessings as my children are teens and have made a conscious effort to not ask for things they know we can't purchase right now.  They are making sacrifices each day and I praise them for doing that. 

Even with our situation I know that there are others across the world and nation that are in more dire circumstances than we are and I appreciate those friends and family members who continually give us moral support.  We will find a job... I have faith it will happen soon.

I am a Fan of Coupon Finds on Facebook!

Many companies have jumped on the bandwagon of social networks and finding fans.  Some of those companies are offering coupons for free product or cents off coupons.

Facebook is offering all kinds of deals: Nabisco, Skittles, Eggs..... The list gets longer every day.

I got a coupon for buy one dozen get one free dozen eggs, buy 1 milk and 1 package of nabisco cookies and get a free pack of cookies (which I piggybacked with a coupon for free milk... so I got 4 packs of cookies and 2 gallons of milk for $5.00!)

Search for your favorite product and see if the company has developed a fan page.  You will then see tabs on the top and one can say "coupons"  (Skittles just said "Coupon the Rainbow").  And voila I have a buy one get one free coupon for skittles to help me through some long meetings!!

Post your finds... we all want to network on Facebook!

Blessings Every Day!

I really have been happy that all the work I have been doing for 4 1/2 years building a Prepared Pantry is paying off now.  It feels good to have food and supplies on hand and not to have to run to the grocery store or Walmart all the time. 

This has also forced me to be more organized.  I have been told that I am a busy person with a husband, 4 teenagers, church volunteer service, my own business, and PTA volunteer service.  I have always tried to be organized to accomplish all that I do, but those skills have been finely honed to have dinner ready and not have Ramen Noodles every night!

Here's to living well... even without a job...