budgetsmartgirl

Archive for May, 2012|Monthly archive page

Shopping Smart

In Uncategorized on May 25, 2012 at 2:35 pm

I’ve been using coupons and shopping from store flyers for many years. While I’m proud to say I save anywhere from ten to fifteen dollars each week, I’ve finally kicked my savings into high gear. The supermarket I do the bulk of my shopping at tallies up your savings on your receipt. The other day mine came to $69.35, so much in fact, that the store has a policy that if it’s over $50 a supervisor has to check and okay it for the cashier.  Here’s what I’ve learned from months of fine tuning my savings-

A Sale Isn’t a Catch

 

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Last week I was in the store and wanted to buy tomatoes. I noticed that boxes of capari tomatoes, normally $3.99 a box which contains one pound were just 99 cents. I had to do a double take because usually this variety is the most expensive. Nope, my eyes hadn’t deceived me. Straightway I thought I’ll stock up and knew I could use my dehydrator to make sun-dried tomatoes.  Tip one, think ahead to what you can do when you stock up on an item. What surprised me was a lady was also shopping for tomatoes and saw me filling my cart. She said she couldn’t believe how cheap they were but they probably weren’t any good for that price. I told her I buy them and they’re great but still she chose to pass on them and buy ones that cost $2 more per pound. Guess I wouldn’t make much of a salesperson but the bottom line is some bargains are just that, no tricks, no bad tasting food, just a good buy for you so don’t be afraid to take advantage of them.

Play the Match Game

One thing I’m getting better at is matching manufacturer’s coupons with store coupons and doubling the saving. Most of this week’s buys were purchased using that combo. It takes a little more time to play the match game but definitely worth it.

More Than One Coupon…use it

Another thing that worked for me this week was I had more than one of the same coupon on items that were on sale. No you can’t use two on one item but when I found a deal like 2 for $5 I bought three of that item and used two coupons. Lots of people don’t realize that you don’t have to buy two items when the store offers this type of deal (well unless they specifically say you can’t).

Be Rewarded

The previous week I bought six boxes of cereal, got $10 off on that trip to the store and was given a coupon for a free gallon of milk which I used this week. And as the same deal was still running, bought another six boxes, got another $10 off my bill and another coupon for milk.

Use Coupons With Sales

Speaking of cereal I also had one for $1 off two boxes of cereal and free fruit. I used it to buy three pounds of bananas that were on sale for 35 cents a pound… and yes, I thought ahead and I’m drying them for future snacks and an addition to a homemade trail mix.

Think Future Meals

I also think ahead to what I’ll be making in the coming weeks or even months. Summer’s around the corner which means, more salads, vegetables, grilling. So I took advantage of the sales, and yes, coupons too for items like salad dressings, dressings that can be used as marinades on veggies, and BBQ sauce. I even stocked up on mayonnaise knowing I’ll be making potato salads and more sandwiches during the warmer weather.

Plan for Holidays

And this week the store had lots of good deals because of the upcoming holiday weekend. Beans, pickles, tomato ketchup, all things that store perfectly in the pantry and can be used beyond the summer season.

What’s ahead on Budget Smart Girl?

Budget Smart Girl will take a break next week and then kick in with some summer features. The first delivery of my CSA box of veggies begins on June 6th. Each week I’ll be sharing with you what’s in there and what I’ve made from the contents. I’m hoping to get a Friday Freebie feature started…something that’s free that week to share with you. Also, what’s going on with my backyard vegetable garden and recipes I’ve made using this homegrown produce. And yes, as summer’s the time for more fruits and vegetables than you can only eat,  I’ll be sharing with you tips on preserving foods for fall and winter.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend.

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It’s Meatless Monday-A Very Veggie BLT

In Meatless Mondays on May 21, 2012 at 3:33 pm

Ask vegetarians what’s the one thing they miss about their new way of eating and most of them say bacon. There are lots of good veggie alternatives on the market and one of my favorites is Morningstar Farms Bacon Strips. Best thing is they’re available in most supermarkets these days. Whenever I have a coupon it’s one item I stock up on. This week I thought I’d try a different version of a BLT. Instead of laying lettuce and tomato with this fake bacon, I added sun-dried tomatoes to cream cheese and opted for field greens. This is a simple recipe and you can make as many or as few sandwiches at a time as you like.

1 package Morningstar Farms Bacon Strips

1 8 ounce package of cream cheese

1/2 cup of sun dried tomatoes, soaked in hot water for about 15 minutes until they’re nice and plump

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 cup field greens

You’ll need three slices of bread per sandwich

Cook the bacon. I’ve found you get the best results in the microwave.

Add the cream cheese, seasoning and sun dried tomatoes to a food processor and pulse until well blended.

Wash the field greens and set aside.

Toast the bread.

Spread one slice of bread with a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture, top with two or three slices of bacon, broken in half.

Top with some field greens and then top with another slice of bread that’s been spread with more cream cheese on both sides. Layer on more slices of bacon and cut in half.

I served these with some chipotle favored fries which I thought paired perfectly. Any leftover cream cheese can be used for sandwiches throughout the week.

The Meatless Monday feature will take a break next week and be back on Monday June 4th.

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May’s Month of Savings

In Georgine Saves Blogs, Uncategorized on May 15, 2012 at 3:29 pm

Lots of good tips from Georgine this month-

May is a big month. First there is Mother’s Day, then communions, confirmations, weddings, and graduations to name a few of the exciting gift-giving occasions. Flowers are a perfect fit for all of them. Jewelry is another timeless expression of affection.  Keep in mind, most often, if an online site asks if you have a coupon code, there probably is one. If you have trouble locating one, try Swag Bucks. It is a search engine just like Google however the BIG difference is that you earn points randomly for your searches (you get 100 points just for joining). These points add up quickly and can be redeemed for gift cards to popular stores, apparel, gifts, books, movies, and so much more. If you are going to search you might as well get rewarded.

 Then of course, let’s not forget Memorial Day, which is the kick-off to summer fun. To get your barbeque stated you might want to visit Omaha Steaks for the best deals on beef, seafood, and poultry. In the supermarket you will find sales on charcoal, lighter fluid, as well as ketchup, mustard, relish, and pickles. Now is the time to clip those coupons to combine with the sales that will be happening all month long. Ice cream is another treat you can stock up on. Remember; try to buy when products are on sale and NOT when you need them. You’ll save a bundle by planning ahead. Soda and bottled water too are staples you can keep for several months. Chips and salad dressing (get the ones with the longest expiration dates so you can use throughout the fall and winter) are highly reduced this time of the year. Many stores will start drastically reducing paper plates, cups, and utensils. Grab these up because they have no shelf life and you can continue using them all through the winter months.

When preparing for garden and yard work, save time and money by replacing the gas in your mower or other machine (always dispose of the stale gas as per your town’s regulations). This will save you the cost of a tune-up because you probably don’t need one.

Look for deals in electronics too. With all the outdoor activities many stores will have specials on cameras, GPS devices, notebooks, and other easy-travel items.

Enjoy the extra money you’ve saved and have fun all month long.

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It’s Meatless Monday-Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Pinwheels

In Meatless Mondays on May 14, 2012 at 2:46 pm

Sometimes you can fall into a cooking rut. Making the same old recipes over and over again. For me, vegetable lasagna often falls into that category. The other week I had half a box of lasagna pasta, a jar of pasta sauce, and half a container of cottage cheese. All of which got me thinking about what I could possibly make with them. Here’s what I came up with, a new twist on lasagna by using the pasta in a slightly different way. This dish is filling so it easily serves 4-6 people especially if you pair it with a salad. Leftovers also freeze well too.

7 strips of lasagna pasta…cook them, rinse them in cold water and then cut them in half lengthwise and set them aside

1 jar pasta sauce…your choice of flavor

1 cup cottage cheese

1 1/2 cups chopped cooked broccoli

3/4 cup breadcrumbs

salt and pepper and a dash of dried basil

1 egg

Sharp shredded cheese for topping

Spray a large casserole dish with non-stick spray. Place about 1/2 cup of the pasta sauce in the bottom and swirl it around so everything is covered.

In a mixing bowl add the cheese, broccoli, breadcrumbs, seasoning and egg and mix together.

Take a strip of lasagna and place just over one tablespoon of the cheese and broccoli mixture on the end and roll up. Place in the casserole dish.

Repeat until all the pasta and mixture is used.

Pour the rest of the sauce over the top of the pinwheels and sprinkle on some shredded cheese.

Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375 degrees for about 15-20 minutes until everything is warmed through and cheese has melted and is lightly golden brown.

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How Not To Be A Naughty Couponer

In Uncategorized on May 9, 2012 at 6:16 pm

This month, Marcia has some tips on the dos and don’ts of couponing-

 

 

Why Extreme Couponers Have Such a Bad Reputation

Extreme couponing has evolved, and not in a good way. The fascination we all felt a couple of years ago as we heard of coupon clippers able to buy hundreds of dollars of food for $1 is now facing a backlash.

Whether you’re just getting started or have been couponing for years, you may want to take note of the new do’s and don’ts of extreme couponing.

 Don’t be a shelf clearer. In response to extreme couponers who purchase all the available products on a grocery store shelf in one fell swoop – “shelf clearers” – more retailers are placing limits on the number of coupons that can be redeemed. So if you have several coupons to use, please don’t use them all in one transaction. Leave some of the items on the shelf for others. It’s just nicer.

 Do place an order with the store manager if you have more coupons than the store has products. If you know you can use 10 cases of dog food and have coupons that make it a terrific deal, ask the store manager if you can place an order so as not to clear the shelves. Most managers appreciate being asked and you can be assured you’ll be able to use all your coupons without irritating anyone else.

 Don’t try and use a coupon on a product for which it was not intended. That is, some coupons issued by major manufacturers use bar codes that are, shall we say, vague in terms of which products they apply to. For example, a Tide coupon issued by P&G might, in some cases, also work on a different P&G product. Don’t misuse them; it’s just wrong. It’s also illegal, so be careful.

 Do be considerate to check out clerks. Some are more informed about coupons and how they work, and you’ll want to make note of the good ones for future reference. The ones who are misinformed can often benefit from a review of their store’s coupon policy, which you may want to print out from the store’s website and show them if a question comes up. Here is Walmart’s coupon policy, for example: http://www.walmartstores.com/7655.aspx

 Do warn customers behind you if you have a stack of coupons to present. It’s just common courtesy to let anyone behind you know that it may take the cashier a few extra minutes to process your coupons. Most customers will appreciate the heads-up, especially if they were just running in for a gallon of milk.

 Don’t let your great deals go to waste. There is no point in buying 50 bananas or 100 boxes of cereal – even if they are free – if they will go bad before you can use them. This concept is what gets so many couponers in a huff, and why stockpiles are getting a bad rap, too. Stocking up on terrific deals to reduce your grocery expenses for the next few months is smart. Stocking up on food and household products for the sake of stocking up will only take up unnecessary space in your home. If you end up with more than what you need, how about donating it to a local food pantry? You can even take a tax write-off for what you paid, I believe (check with your accountant).

The bottom line is that the more courteous you are to store employees and fellow customers, the more everyone will try and help you save money. But be obnoxious or rude and you’ll end up losing money, either because workers won’t tip you off to some great advertised specials or clearance items or because they may choose to limit your coupon usage. Stores have that option.

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It’s Meatless Monday-Grilled Portabella Mushroom and Couscous

In Meatless Mondays on May 7, 2012 at 3:43 pm

This week’s Meatless Monday recipe is courtesy of NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar who sent this to me to share with you http://www.mizkan.com/Brands/Nakano/ProductsAndFlavors/

Grilled Portabella Mushrooms with Fontina Melt

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1/2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/4 tsp. dried rosemary

1/2 tsp. salt

4 portabella mushrooms, 5 to 6-inch diameter (or 8 portabellas 3-inches across)*

4 slices Fontina cheese (cut to fit mushrooms)

 DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl or 1-cup measuring cup, stir together rice vinegar, olive oil, soy sauce, rosemary, and salt. Wipe mushrooms with a damp cloth or paper towel; remove stems. Place mushrooms, gill side down, on a plate; brush caps with marinade. Turn mushrooms over and brush gills generously with marinade. Let stand 10 minutes. To cook, place mushrooms, gill side down, on grill over medium direct heat; brush caps with marinade. Close cover and cook 4-5 minutes. Turn mushrooms over; cook 3-4 minutes more. Place a slice of cheese on each mushroom. Close cover and cook until cheese melts, about 2 minutes. (For smaller mushrooms, cook 2 minutes with gill side down. Turn mushrooms and cook 1 minutes more. Top with cheese; cook until cheese melts.)

Serves 4

* Note: Marinade is enough for 8 large mushrooms, or 16 smaller mushrooms.

 

Wine & Rosemary Couscous

INGREDIENTS

1 cup water

1/3 cup HOLLAND HOUSE White Cooking Wine or White Cooking Wine with Lemon

1 Tbsp. butter

1/2 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup couscous, regular or whole wheat

DIRECTIONS

In a 3-quart saucepan, combine all ingredients except couscous. Bring to a boil, uncovered, and boil for 1 minute. Turn off heat and stir in couscous; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir and serve.

Makes 4 servings (3-1/3 cups).

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Bulk Bin Shopping…the key to saving money

In Budget Smart Girl's Guide on May 2, 2012 at 3:15 pm

Those of you who’ve followed my posts since the very beginning know I’m a huge fan of buying items from the bulk bin section. Check out any article on ways to save money and I can guarantee using bulk bin finds makes its way to every single one.  Here are some of my favorite reasons to check out that section of your supermarket or co-op-

Not Just Good for Your Wallet

My top reason for buying in bulk is to save money but at the same time I’m also doing something good for the environment too. Less waste on packaging…and yes, those savings get passed along to you.  Some places even let you take your own containers. And if you put the plastic bags to a second use, you’re being truly green.

Hard to Find Ingredients

I have to admit I love trying out recipes. Drawback is now and then I need ingredients that are hard to find at my local supermarket. However, I have found that if you take a stroll through the bulk bin aisle you can often find just what you’re looking for. Spices are a good example.

Spices and Herbs

And speaking of spices, I use a lot in cooking and certain spices are pricey but once again check them out in the bulk bin aisle. They can be up to 70% cheaper and yes, fresher too.

Organic

I love to buy organic foods but sometimes the price doesn’t fit into my budget. However, I always say living the Budget Smart life means finding a way around these obstacles and this time it’s heading to the bulk bins. I’ve found everything from organic oatmeal to dried cherries, and for a lot less than in the other aisles.

Snacks Get Cheaper

Snacks are great at picking you up from the mid afternoon slump but they’re often a waste of money and not so good for you. I try and make my own and many of the ingredients come from bulk bin finds. Things like wasabi coated peas, sesame crackers, dried fruit etc.

Lunch Box Finds

And what lunchbox or brown bag would be complete with a treat or two. Once again don’t buy ready-made, put together something from the bulk bins.

Beans and More

While I do keep cans of beans in the pantry for emergency meals, these days I’m using more dried beans. Best deals I find are in the bulk bins. They also have beans that I can’t find anywhere else. An once again, many are organic.

Breakfast Just Got Cheaper

Have you noticed how much packaged cereals cost these days? They’re one of many items whose prices have been creeping upwards. Save money by looking for cereals in the bulk bins.

Halloween At a Bargain Price

And, yes,  it’s not even fall yet but this Halloween when you go looking for treats to hand out don’t forget that candy can also be found in bulk bins. I often buy them and put them in smaller bags and tie them with ribbon for going home gifts for guests during the holidays too.

Tea and Coffee

And it’s not just food that you can buy, I’ve found some excellent teas in the bulk bins and for around 70% less than I’d pay if the tea was boxed. While I’m not a coffee drinker, I do see lots of people buying coffee beans there too.

And If You’re Not Convinced…

Last year someone sent me information about this site that is all about bulk bin shopping. It has facts and figures and lots of links-http://www.bulkisgreen.org/

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