32 Ways to Save

32 ways to save when Grocery Shopping


~ Trim your food bill by as much as 19 percent simply by shopping at a couple of different stores.

~Don't "crisis cook" : Shopping after work for the day's dinner gets expensive. Plan a weekly menu before shopping and watch your grocery bill shrink.

~Don't waste money on prepared foods. Instead, prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them, or double a recipe when cooking, and freeze the second for a hectic day coming up.

~Don't be fooled by familiar products, such as cereal, that have decreased package sizes while keeping prices constant, the food industry's latest response to rising costs.

~Take the farmer's market approach: Buy produce that's fresh, inexpensive and in season. With less middlemen involved, you get good buys and your family gets the freshest food.

~The highest markup items on the shelves are at about chest level. Reach up or kneel down to select the cheaper house or generic brands.

~A grocery store's main aisles, like the paths to milk and bread, are usually strewn with high-priced land mines. Avoiding those pricey areas will really help.

~Try to shop when you're alone. Those little helpers can quickly boost your bill.

~Shop early in the day. You get through the store faster with your list and spend less.

~Avoid shopping for food when you're hungry; you'll buy more.

~Don't grocery shop when you're tired, you'll buy more sweets, more high-carbohydrates. When you're angry you go for crunch food, the junk food.

~Buy on the markdowns and save as much as 20 percent.

~Read your newspaper's weekly food section for local grocery sales and menu ideas.

~Clip coupons. You'll also find coupons in women's and general-interest magazines. Only clip what you will use!

~Find coupon swap-boxes, generally found at (surprise!) supermarkets, but also at some public libraries.

~Take advantage of in-store coupon displays and the machines that spew them.

~Log on to your supermarket's online home page for coupons.

~Call the toll-free numbers on your favorite products' labels and tell the customer-service rep how much you enjoy them. Some reps will offer cents-off (or even free) coupons for the product itself.

~Nab a newsie. Does your newspaper vendor just dump the inserts in unsold papers at the end of the day? If so, would he mind tossing a few your way?

~Check out the wealth of national-brands coupon-offering services on the Web. They can save you money -- even the ones that charge nominal fees.

~Seek out supermarkets that will double -- some super stores even triple -- the face value of manufacturers' coupons.

~Try for triple plays. That's when you use a manufacturer's coupon and a store's own coupon.
~Some retailers guarantee that if the item doesn't ring up at the correct price, you get it for free or at a discount. Pay attention to the details.

~Avoid purchasing nongrocery items, such as painkillers, contact lens solution, etc., at a grocery store. You usually pay more.

~Always get a rain check if a sale item is gone.

~Know when your store marks down goods that expire, like meat and bread. The deal: Use them that night or freeze them.

~Check your store for a small section where they discount products that aren't as popular as the manufacturer had hoped. This area can be a gold mine for bargains.

~Shop with a calculator. That way, you can figure whether the unit price for a case lot is really cheaper than buying one of the same item.

~Request price matching. Find a store in your area that will honor all competitors' ads. You'll save money, time and gas.

~Beware of "discount store syndrome." Just because you're in a bargain store doesn't mean you're getting the best price on every item.

~Check your receipts. No matter how careful you or the store staff might be, mistakes happen.

~Always send in for the rebate on a purchase whether it's $2 or $50. It all adds up.

~Put your savings to work. Whether it's a trip, a car or a savings account, have some specific goals for the money you're not spending on food.

www.Bankrate.com

Dr. Bronner's Magic 18 in 1 Soap

   




Dr. Bronner’s Magic 18 in 1 Soap



*Completely Biodegradable and Vegetable-Based
*Made with Certified Fair Trade and Organic Oils
*Multi-Purpose: 18-in-1 Uses
*No Synthetic Foaming Agents, Thickeners or Preservatives
* 100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Cylinder Bottles and Paper Labels
*Simple, Ecological Formulations Based on Old-World Quality and Expertise
*#1-Selling Natural Brand of Soaps in North America


Some of uses for the Soap:
Shaving
Shampoo
Hair Conditioner
Massage
Toothpaste
Mouthwash
Bath and Body Wash
Fragrant deodorant
Facial pack
Facial mask
Wash for insect bites
Insect repellent
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Hand Soap
Fruit and Veggie Wash

**You will have to play with the dilution of the product for each use. The product is very concentrated.

I have used it as a Body Wash and loved it.  Iused it to shave my legs..... and loved it.I used it as a shampoo. I like it ...but it weighed down my hair a little. I would not want to use it everyday. It would be a good clarifying shampoo for occasional use. I used it as a mouthwash....it was OK. It was a little soapy tasting. But I think that was my fault.....I may have not diluted it enough.

I plan to try it as Laundry Soap. I read somewhere that the performance is enhanced by a sprinkle of Baking Soda. And because the soap is oil based, you need to watch out for oil spots on the clothing. But with careful dilution and the right amount of baking soda it works very well.

I think the price is very good for all the products it could potentially replace. But we will see about that........

Does anyone have any experience with this product? Any tips or hints??


 

My Magic Shoes- MBT

                                  MBT Women's Sport 2 Walking Shoe


These are my new magic shoes. They were recommended by my Physical Therapist and Podiatrist. I was a little skeptical at first but with the first step I was a believer! The basically make you walk correctly and help you strengthen your core muscles and other muscle groups in your body. It feels like you are walking on wet sand at a beach. So comfortable it is unbelievable. Best of all it helped ease my back pain. For months I have felt that I could not walk due to back, hip and leg pain. Today I went for a walk in my Magic Shoes and it felt really good.

If you want more information on the shoes, check out their website: swissmasaius

Be forewarned.....They are EXPENSIVE. But I looked at it as an investment in me and my overall health.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Every step you take in the MBT shoes helps tone and trim your legs while reducing strain on your feet, knees and back.

Developed with extensive research, these MBT shoes are not your normal kind of shoe. They are a completely new concept...the first ever physiological footwear. Essentially, they activate your body's support and postural muscles. Which means that your muscles will work more, you will have less strain on your joints, and you will feel better.

Natural rolling movement of the foot for even weight distribution can be found with the TPUTPU is a plastic material that gives support through the midfoot or medial side of a running shoe. Shanks are stiff support platforms buried beneath the cushion of the midsole. and glass fiber shank which adds firmness to the sole construction. A durable rubber outsole offers lightweight support with good traction. The MBT shoes feature a PU midsole with pivot that is the balancing section underneath the metatarsus.


Here are some more styles:

               

Bowman & Landes Shopping Trip

This is my shopping haul from Bowman and Landes. I noticed they were having a 20% Sale so I stopped by. I was pleasantly surprised to find the 20% Sale was on ALL retail stock!

So I loaded up on some good looking Steaks, Turkey Breast, Turkey Sausage, Turkey Patties, Stuffed Turkey Breasts, Gourmet Turkey Burgers, Amish Butter, Pickled Beets, Amish Egg Noodles and a Navy Bean Soup Mix.

All of it is locally grown, raised or produced by local Farms, Farmers or Companies.

Can you believe I got all this for less than $50.00!!

If you would like more information on Bowman and Landes, please visit their website:http://www.bowmanlandes.com/

Bowman and Landes
6490 E. Ross Road
New Carlisle, Ohio 45344
937.845.9466

Shopping Score

I went to Sam's today to pick up some stuff.

They have Levi 525 Jeans on Sale for $17.04!!!

Retail value of the Jeans is $44.00!!

Major Shopping Score!!

Holy Trinity

If you have read Jen Lancaster's "Bitter is the New Black" or "Bright Lights, Big Ass", You know that she has her Holy Trinity of Stores. (BTW...Such a Pretty Fat comes out in May!!!)

This got me thinking.....What are my favorite Stores? Where do I shop most often?

So here we have .......Carolyn's Trinity of Stores:

1. Sam's Club- http://www.samsclub.com/
I love, love love to buy Bulk!!

2. Aldi- www.aldifoods.com/
Great prices on food items.

3. Big Lots- http://www.biglots.com/
Brand Names, Closeout Prices......'nuf said.


What are your favorite Stores???