Financial Reform Bill Passes…One More Reason to be Self Reliant…Save Money Now on Groceries
With the passing of a sweeping financial reform bill today I for one am scared to death what this means for my household budget. When members of the committee tell reporters that we will know exactly how the bill works once it is in force it scares me. It sounds like another bill that was not read.
For those who have been around here for a while you know that emergency preparedness is not really a term I like. I like self reliance, the idea that no matter what happens, no matter what the challenge we will be ready to take care of ourselves and our family. Not every challenge is an emergency, just a challenge. We must focus harder than ever on becoming self reliant in 2010.
Since food is an area where we can save a great deal of money I would like to concentrate on that today. We should all be planting a garden and where possible planting fruit trees or bushes. We should be learning to can and then doing it. And, we should be cooking from scratch. Those are all skills that take time to learn and there is a time and season for all things. As a brand new mom to a fourth child this is probably not a good year to plant or to can, but making a batch or two of freezer jam requires less than on hour. Most of us however, do visit the grocery store and there are ways to save on those visits. So, I’ll started and then please add your own grocery store tips.
You know I really dislike coupons. I know I am strange but I just can never get the ones I need and I hate carrying around a wallet full when I go to the store. So, no coupon ideas, but great shopping tips:
1. Name Brands are Good
Several years ago I worked in a tomato processing plant in the lab. It was my responsibility to test batches of tomatoes every few hours and to walk the lines and make sure all the sanitation rules were being followed. I can tell you we did not change anything when we packed the store brand tomatoes. The same tomatoes went down the same lines and were tested in the same ways no matter the name on the can.
We also canned pasta sauces and some of those had a different spice mix but no change in the quality of the fruit that went into the can. Read the labels to see the ingredients but understand that most store brands are canned in the same plants as the name brands.
2. Dented Cans are not Always Bad.
Last year I told you I am working on recipes for using our food storage in unique ways so we can more easily rotate it. If you remember I made peach salsa from canned peaches instead of fresh. It was wonderful. If you are working on a project such as this, or know you will be using the cans within a few weeks ask for a discount on dented cans you find. I always run my hand completely around a can before placing it in my cart and I almost always find a few dented cans. Don’t be afraid to ask the manager for a discount on damaged cans.
3. Coupons
Did you let out a collective…WHAT! I thought she said no coupons? I did, but here is what I mean. As you walk into the store pick up a sale flier. If there are coupons in there use them. Check the front of the shelves in every aisle you go down to see if there are any coupon offers in the little dispensers on the side of the shelf. Now slip them into your wallet or with your credit or debit card so you don’t forget to use them!
4. Shop the Sales
This should be easy for those of you who completed the food section of your general store last year. For me it’s become a game. I watch for the little sale tags and then purchase what I need to replace the foods I have used. If there is a special occasion coming up I plan a menu and list all the ingredients I will need for the dips, salads, desserts, I am making. When I shop I can now purchase items on sale and the replacement is already done to keep my store shelves stocked.
Watch for the special at the end of the aisles. This is where items are placed that have the biggest savings. Take advantage of these and stock up. Remember canned and boxed foods last much longer than their pull dates so don’t be afraid to get a few extra when the price is right.
If you are not already checking the mark down racks learn where they are located and visit them each time you shop. There is usually one in the produce section, the bakery and the meat department. Seasonal and close out items are also often found in cart near the front door. If you can’t find the discount rack, ask.
5. Grocery Stores are for Groceries.
That’s right! Nonfood items can usually be found cheaper at the discount pharmacy stores. If those stores happen to be a drive away and all you need is a tube of toothpaste, by all means purchase it. The money you save on gas will more than make up for the difference. If, however you keep a list of non food items as you use them you can save lots of money by purchasing these items at another store.
6. Think: Get in and Get Out Fast.
The longer you are in the store the more you will spend. To assure you make a quick purchase try one of the following. Have you husband or wife wait in the car, now you know you have to hurry. Use a basket instead of a cart. The basket will fill up quickly and become heavy, thus speeding up your visit. Take the kids, enough said.
7. Do it Yourself.
Skip the Deli case, most of the time. I do purchase the cooked whole chickens because they are never more than $.50 more than buying a chicken and baking it myself. I then cut it up and use some for dinner, some for sandwiches and the rest for a casserole. Never, however, purchase sliced ham or roast beef from the deli. Wait until these items go on sale in the meat case. Prepare them, slice them yourself, wrap some for freezing and enjoy the rest right away. Now we even have sliced and grated carrots! Good grief are we really getting that lazy? The other day a one pound bag of baby carrots was the same price as a three pound bag of the bigger carrots we used to peel and slice ourselves. Have you noticed in the bakery department you can now purchase pound cake that is pre-sliced? All of these are costing you money. Don’t fall into the trap.
8. Store Matches.
Many stores will match a competitors sale prices so be aware of the prices at other stores. Ask if your store will match the price. What can it hurt?
9. Keep Your Eyes Opened
Watch when checking out to make sure you get the correct price. Often, especially if you shop the first day of the ad, the sale price has not been entered into the computer. Make it a habit to check your receipt.
I would like to invite any of you who are interested in writing a guest post about how you are saving money or what you are doing to make more money, to contact me (Carolyn@TotallyReady.com). I think we need to hear from each other. There is strength in numbers.
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Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010
One quick coupon tip- some grocery stores allow e-coupons, which are ones you upload to your store card. Nothing to clip, just upload before going to the store and if you buy that item, it automatically deducts the coupon! See #3: http://www.alohadeals.net/2010/04/boot-camp-where-to-find-coupons-and.html
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Glad you found us. Spread the word. It’s easy to use word press although there are plenty of features I wish they had. For my purposes it works well.
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Just had to take the two seconds to post a thank you. Read through through your website and really liked the articles, bookmarked and I plan on returning soon!