Sunday, March 28, 2010

Jello Deals

I decided to do some quick shopping on a quiet Sunday morning. Wow! Found a couple of in store savings I want to share.

1. Jello brand gelatin is on sale 3/$1.98 I had 5 coupons good for $1.25 off 3. Quarter a box sounds great for Jimmy's jigglers.

2. I got a Pillsbury catalina at the checkout. 3/22 to 4/18:
Buy any 4 qualifiers and get $2 on your next purchase (redemption prints out after you buy)
Buy any 5 qualifers and get $3 on your next purchase
Buy any 6 qualifiers and get $4 on your next purchase

Qualifers are: Crescents, Cookies, Sweet Rolls, Grands biscuits, Grands Cinnamon rolls, Pie Crusts, Dinner Rolls, Loaves, breadsticks, or Pizza Crusts.

Remember to print as many coupons for Pillsbury at the County Market coupon section and you can print MORE at www.pillsbury.com

Fast Clippin'

It's Sunday! New Coupons are out in your newspaper. I buy the St. Louis paper because it's full of all the inserts avail. I purchase more than one Sunday paper to ensure that they have duplicates of the coupons for products they use most often. Ideally, coupon shoppers want to have 3 coupons to use on each product you will buy, and enought to trade with other coupon users. So I buy 3 papers.

1. Gather all coupon sections of your newspaper together. SmartSource, Redplum and P & G inserts. Sort by type.

2. Lay the inserts out flat on a table. Several sheets may be cut at the same time if you lay them directly on top of one another and make one cut. There are coupons on both sides, but not in the same space.

3. To keep lines straight, and not lose information off coupons from scissor slips, put a quick staple in the corner of each coupon-But not on the barcode!

4. Keep like coupons stapled together for easier sorting when you are ready to grocery shop. If you know that you will not be using some of the coupons, sort them immediately into a pile for trading coupons with fellow users.

5. One user’s unwanted coupon is another user’s treasure. Swaps take place in some County Market Stores. Ask your customer service manager if a coupon bin or board is located in your store.

Your entire clipping time for 3-4 newspapers should take no longer than 15 minutes each Sunday morning.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Hot Printables

Here are some Hot Coupons I found online this week:

Save $2 on 1, 64 oz. Welch's Juice http://www.welchs.com/promotions

Save $.75 on 1, French's Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce http://www.frenchs.com/ Plus others

Save $2 off 24 roll pack White Cloud http://www.mywhitecloud.com/

Save $1 on 2, Ortega products http://www.ortega.com/

Softsoap, Murphy's Oil Soap, Palmolive, Colgate, Multiples, http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/HC/SpecialOffers.cvsp?Section=HouseholdCare

Friday, March 26, 2010

Overlaps and Double Dips

Lots of my friends use coupons. We get together and swap, and often recant our fabulous adventures in savings. Sometimes, we even talk about how confusing the coupons can be. One of my coupon pals, Angie, has been using coupons for years. One of my other friends is Jackie, she just started. Jackie sometimes is amazed that we don't know all the answers to the question, "Will this work?" We had lunch this week, and a Kraft coupon issue came up. I'll explain...

There are some things you can know that will help you to identify how to use the coupons to your best advantage. Here are some coupons:

This one Clearly shows the who is paying for the discount on the purchase. It's a Manufacturer's Coupon. It says so in the top box. All coupons will identify who is paying the discount. It will either be Manufacturer or Store. There are only 2 options, but knowing is important.

You can use one manufacturer coupon per item purchased, and one store coupon for each item purchased. I've had some friends get confused and think if you buy three Kraft Salad dressing bottles, and have 3 manufacturer coupons that you can not use all three. Yes, you can. But you can NOT use 4 coupons on 1 bottle. They have to be equal.

If the coupon says, "Save $1 off two bottles" then you can use one coupon for every 2 bottles you purchase. If you happen to be lucky and have a Store issued coupon for the same exact brand of dressing, ZING, you get to use those as well for "Double Dipping." A double dip is considered GOOD.

Clear bar codes have to be on every coupon you submit. You also need an expiration date to be valid. Both must be legible. You'll notice that there are 2 bar codes on each coupon. The first one matches the item bar code. The second is the coupon offer. They use these to process the coupons.

If you find that the description offer is vague, you can match the bar code to the product to be sure you have the right item. For example, It may say, "Offer good on Large Mayo only" What's large? Well, just look at the bar code, it will match the qualifying size. It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes there is confusion as to sizes.

You can also see by looking at these coupons, that they apply the savings to different products. I ran both codes in Google. I found that the top one will give $2 off of your Chicken purchase, but counts 3 Kraft items to qualify.

The bottom coupon Applies to the actual Kraft items. This is an overlap coupon offer. Kraft is paying both discounts, but allowing you to use two coupons on one planned meal with lots of Kraft items. You could purchase, 1 Kraft BBQ sauce, Velveeta shells and cheese, Kraft Mayo, and some hamburger, and save $3 on all of them. Zing, again, you're doubling the savings.

Some new coupon users get confused with Overlaps. "Why would they do that?" is a common question. These brands are looking for ways to encourage you to consume more of their products overall. They know if you fix burgers, you'll need Kraft BBQ sauce, A couple of side dishes that use Kraft (like salad dressing or A1 steak sauce), and maybe they can build their brand with you. It's Clever, and they are rewarding you for buying multiple items from them.

My advice is that if you are ever in doubt-see the customer service manager before hitting the checkout lane. They can help. I've had them run transactions for me to see how the computer will respond. Guess what? They are on your side, and are hoping that you have found a Double Dip or Overlap that can save you money!

Keep Saving,
LeAnn

Monday, March 22, 2010

Three Types of Shoppers

The use of coupons has gained quite a bit of attention in recent months. That's why County Market is helping you save money with coupons. Some shoppers report a saving of 10% on their weekly grocery purchases, while others boast a staggering 90% savings. That prompts many to question, “What am I doing wrong?” Or the better question may be, “What are they doing right?”

Coupon Shopper #1: The 10% off shopper! A majority of coupon shoppers fall into this category. These consumers simply cut out coupons, put them in their purse or wallet, and use them when you are at the grocery store. This method typically saves the consumer 25% off each item. Rarely does this consumer see over 10% off their total grocery bill, yet this shopper will save $10-15 at the register, and use around 12 coupons on average at the store. If they clip and use all the Sunday paper coupons, this shopper will indeed save money on groceries on an annual basis.

Coupon Shopper #2: This shopper adds an extra step to their coupon clipping. This shopper both Cuts and collects coupons. They keep all coupons that they encounter. They clip from the Sunday paper, pick up tear pads at the grocery store, and print free coupons online. Then this shopper reviews the weekly sales circulars to match up any Manufacturer coupons with already store discounted merchandise. This generally provides a discount of 50% off each item-or TWICE as much as shopper #1. This shopper buys items when on sale only. They often buy multiples of that item to save for later while it is offered at a discounted price. If this shopper is out of Milk-they do buy milk, otherwise they stick to the sales. This shopper typically sees 30-50% discounts on their receipts when checking out.

Coupon Shopper #3: The Cream of the Coupon shoppers! This shopper performs three steps. Both steps as shopper #2, but adds in the buy One Get One Free offers, Catalina rewards, and rebates. The BOGO deals are items that are already 50% discounted, and you can still use a coupon. These often yield a 75% savings. These are items that make sense to stockpile while on sale, and can make a huge difference in the annual expenditure of the household. This shopper also follows the Catalina rewards and offers that give money back on grocery purchases for brand loyalty. These glamorous little machines print coupons at the check out register when you purchase multiples from one company. This shopper can save up to 90% each and every time they check out at the grocery store. They find reward dollars to buy items that coupons are not offered, and combine basic coupons for multiple and layered savings.

Coupon Shopper #4: The County market Stacker. County Market is getting really aggressive at helping you save. By offering County Market Store coupons, this shopper can STACK their savings. They follow all three other steps, but now add in, or COUPON MATCH the County Market Store coupon, with a Manufactures coupon on the same purchase. For example, Steamers vegtables have CM store coupon for $1 off 2. The manufacturer also has a $1 off 2 offering. This Stacker, will give the cashier both coupons to be applied to the two bags of steamers. If the Steamer are running $1.19 per bag, the Beginning price is $2.38, they then subtract $1 compliments of Steamers, and $1 compliments of County Market to pay only $.38 That's a savings of 84%. This is how some shopper push their savings up to the 90% range.

These shoppers all save money on their groceries, but some save more than others. To start saving money, start with one step. Then as you master each category, add a step to save more money on your food and grocery needs. All savings are good savings, and it’s easy to get frustrated as you learn to master the steps. Most shoppers in category 3 noted that they were able to master the tricks of level 3 shopping in less than 90 days. To help keep you motivated, keep your receipts. As you check your progress, you’ll see your percentage of sales increase. You can save up to 90% when you shop smart.

Let us know how you are doing! If you've stacked coupons, and saved big bucks-share your story with us!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Produce Savings

There are some fool proof ways to cut back on your groceries. We all know about coupons, and rebates, we even know to look for smokin’ advertised sales. Those are the big three. But I was shocked when I read a website today that actually recommended that consumers should not buy fresh produce in order to save money at the register. Eating healthy is a priority in my home. My three growing kids need lots of nutrients, I can’t even imagine deciding to cut their nutrition in order to save a few bucks.

That’s crazy talk. Obviously the author hasn’t been shopping at the right stores. County Market puts several items on sale in the produce department each week. Then again, if I looked at my receipt without my coupons or ad savings, I can easily see where someone who wasn’t paying attention could spend more in produce than in the meat department.

There are 3 big savers in produce. First is the advertised Produce sales can save you 20-40%. This week, lettuce is a steal. Maybe the correct way to save money in the produce department is to plan meals around the items on sale. Adding fresh salad to dinner every night this week will save money and provide nutrition. Carrots are on sale too! Baby carrots make good after school snacks, and I toss them into anything I'm fixing the crock pot.

Fruit is big in my house. Katy loves green apples, Jimmy Bananas, Avry hordes cantelope when I bring it home. There are always a few fruits on sale. This week County Market has Navel Oranges on sale. I purchase enough kid friendly fruits that they can snack on fresh everyday. My grocery list changes according to the sales. I also use lots of Dole and Del Monte Coupons. Check out the bagged salad area. There are usually some peelie coupons stuck on the bags. Also, visit the liquor department regularly. You’ll find no alcohol required coupons around the tops of many liquors that are good for $1 off any produce of choice. These will help stretch your produce dollars as well. You’ll find these on any liquors that promote using fresh fruit in drinks.

Finally, if it will last longer than a week, maybe pick up two when there is a sale. Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, carrots, or onions can keep a month at least. Keep your fridge items in green bags. I’m sometimes amazed what will keep in one of those bags (how do those really work anyway?) Freezing isn’t a bad idea either. I use red and green peppers to cook with regularly, but I always need chopped. Chopped peppers freeze easy and keep nicely. Saving isn’t just about how much we pay, but how much value we get from the purchase.

Just remember: Advertised sale, Fruit and produce coupons, and waste not!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Where To Get Coupons

When I first started clipping coupons, I assumed I would not be able to find the coupons I needed for products that I regularly purchase. Boy was I wrong! There are thousands of coupons available everyday, I just wasn’t looking the right places. To get started collecting your coupons, you first need to know how many products you buy, and what you buy. You also should have a good idea of the number of times you buy this product per year. If you follow the first rule of couponing, and buy items while on sale, you’ll need to know how many of each coupon you need to get you through a year’s time. For example, if you buy XXX brand of shampoo, and you use 12 bottles per year, you know you need 12 coupons.

Do you only use one brand of shampoo? Then it’s easy, look for that manufactures website. Almost all high volume producers of consumable products have websites. Many will have a special section for Offers and Promotions. This is where you will find free coupons. Many can only be printed once every 3-6 months. You can spend quite a bit of time searching for one coupon at a time, but you will definitely get the coupon you need.

You can also go to websites that list ALL the online free printable coupons that are available online. Check out these sites:

http://www.couponforum.com/
http://www.hotcouponworld.com/
http://www.fatwallet.com/
or http://www.specialofferings.com/

These sites have lists with quick links to the page that prints coupons. This can save you a lot of time in your coupon searches. Most have a special section with quick links to free printables.


Review your pantry before you plan to hit the stores. Also keep looking when you get to the store. This is a Dr. Pepper "Peelie." It peels right off for instant savings. Many packages have printed coupons on the packs themselves. These simply peel off for redemption. Some are printed on the backside of the label or the inside of the box. By getting in the habit of checking before you throw any container out, you will find coupons on products you already purchase on a regular basis.

Online message boards list groups of coupons that other frugal shoppers have that they would like to trade with you. They may not purchase the same type of cereal that you do, so they are willing to trade. Most will trade groups of 12 of a type in one trade. Keep all the coupons that you do not intend to use out of your Sunday paper for trading purposes. You can also consider selling or buying coupon bundles on Ebay. Auction sites such as eBay have become a popular source for finding manufacture coupons. Selling coupons is illegal; however charging for the time spent to collect and organize the coupons acceptable practice.

If you have a favorite brand, let them know! By sending favorable feedback, many manufacturer public relations departments will reward you by sending you coupons by mail. Just visit online, let them know 3 things you like about the product. Be sure to fill in your contact information including a current address.

Join a direct mail coupon club. I belong to a good one: http://www.clairwood.com/ offers members monthly mail service of coupons. These companies send a packet of coupons that can save you ten fold. Since many manufacturers are offering their coupons direct to club members, these coupons tend to have a higher face value than the ones you find in local newspapers.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Zing 3



Zinger3

The Triple Zinger is a term I completely made up. When ever I think about a huge, spectacular deal, I envision myself as some sort of top secret international savings agent. My mission is to save beaucou bucks. I think for an operation so mind boggling, it needs a name. So I’ve named it the Triple Zinger. If everyone knew how to save money like I do, people would be lining up to hit the grocery aisles. This week’s ad has two Triple Zingers! Usually I score one of these big huge savings trips per month, but this week I get two! It uses three components that are easy to find. Super Secret Savings agents in training can do it too.

The first Zing, is the advertised sale. Everything I buy has at least one Zing. It’s my personal rule of shopping. Always buy when it’s on sale. Most sales will save around 25% off the list price of any given item when it becomes an advertised sale. If you think about it, this can save you a quarter on every dollar you spend. Maybe a quarter doesn’t sound like a lot, but over a month, it’s usually $100, a year, $1200. In my mini van, that’s two full tanks of gas every month just for buying on sale. It’s worth it to review the online ads right there.



However, this first zing is extra special. Tostitos Scoops are normally $3.99. For me, that translates into me walking down the aisle longing for those salty sensations, but not putting them in my cart.

This week Tostitos Scoops are on sale at an advertised 50% off. 2/$4 on scoops! My only question is how many can I get? My kids eat tons of chips with cheese. They fix them after school, for snacks and sometimes even have nachos for dinner. We easily consume 8 bags per month.



Next comes zing number two: Coupons! I usually save another 25% when I use coupons. Now I’m up to Fifty cents for every dollar. As a coupon user, I’m starting to feel really smart about my shopping. Which is why I think my Secret Agent status is so great. I happen to have save $1/2 coupons for scoops. I also have Free Dip or Salsa coupons when buying two scoops. Since the $1 coupon applies to chips, and the Free one to salsa, I can use both or “Double dip.” So I’m also going to be picking up some free queso for every pair of scoops. Cha Ching! But wait! This is a Double Zing.

Now I’m going to use my third Zing and file a rebate with my County Market receipt. Since rebates always figure on the Pre-sale list price, and our County Market receipts are really good about listing the pre-sale price opposed to sale only (Thank you County Market!) I will easily qualify for a “Salty Snacks” food rebate. This is where I get all excited about the savings. I admit it; I’m smiling just thinking about it. Add another 25% for using a rebate to my savings, and I’m up over seventy five cents saved on every dollar. There are tons of Salty snack ones out right now. I have a Dos Equis, Heineken, Busch Light, Bud Light, and a Michelob sitting on my desktop right now. I think I’ll file the $10 one, and two $5 ones. Depending on what state you live in, a beer purchase may not even be required to get this rebate.

I’m going to end up picking up $20 in Tostitos chips, or 10 bags. I’ll get 5 dips free. My total net out of pocket will end up 87% off. I’ll buy $18 net, including the drinks. I’ll say it again, I will spend only $18, and have 10 bags of chips, 5 salsa, a 12 pack and 2 six packs of refreshments. I’ll save $20 in advertised savings and will spend $20 on chips, $20 in totally free product (salsa and dips), and I’ll get my rebates for $20, and then have the $18 on drinks (which my husband will actually thank me for getting).

It’s a Triple Zinger all the way. What’s more, is that I can turn around and do the exact same thing with the Jacks 4/$11 pizza offers. I have the Kraft Jacks $1/1 coupons from the newspaper a few weeks ago. My friend usually gives me her pizza coupons, so I have plenty. That drops the pizza price from $2.75 each to $1.75. I’ll buy 8 of them, and file a $20 pizza rebate (there are almost always pizza rebates too, check with the spirits manager). My son eats Jacks pizza as often as I heat up the oven. Again, buy buying several; I’m able to save big bucks this month with the County Market sale. This deal will end up a mere $4 net out of pocket for 8 pizzas and a 12 pack.

I’m so excited about both these offers. You should be too because you can do this right now this week. Start Zinging! Triple Zing! Now you’re a Super Secret Savings Agent too. I’m headed to County Market now. I’m sure once I’m in the store, I’ll find a few unadvertised deals to compliment these Zingers. I’ll pick up Ground beef for the nachos, some soda pop and maybe a nice Cheese deal. I’ll let you know what I find once I get back with my bags of almost free groceries.

Until next time, keep Zinging!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

First Timers


I remember it like it was yesterday! The first time I went in with an envelope full of coupons was a bit frightening. I had no experience with coupons. I kept envisioning the dreaded, "Price check on aisle 4" scenario. I'm not sure what I thought would really happen. I just knew there I didn't want to mess up.

Here's some advice. You won't mess up. Coupons are easy these days. With barcodes, and scanners there are no more price checks. There are some things you can do to eleviate your own stress.

1. Organize your coupons before going in the store. I do this by aisles, or departments. No one told me to do this back in the beginnign and I wish they had. My first trip took me over an hour. I kept moving back and forth in the store according to the order my coupon stack was in. I walked by coffee about 6 times and kept forgetting to pull the coupon and put the product in the cart. I think the night manager thought I was slipping stuff in my purse. But I was really trying to juggle all my coupons.

2. Use the Vertical or Horizontal method of redemption. Sounds official! But really it means, if you're claiming the coupon, or redeeming it (you have put the item in your shopping cart) it goes vertical in your coupon wallet or envelope. If you're still looking around and the product is not in the cart yet, it stays horizontal. That's it. Fancy, but will save you the trouble of looking for it at the register.

3. Throw out any expired coupons before you ever get in the car to go to the store. Presenting an expired coupon happens to the best of us. Yet, I would prefer to have all my coupons checked before I get to the register.

4. If you are trying a differnt brand, and you can't find it. Tell the manager or employee exactly what you are doing. Say, "I've got a coupon for new Chocolate Cheerios but I don't see them." They promotional items may be in a special place, and they will be happy to help you find them.

5. When you get to the register, the cashier wants the coupons AFTER they have scanned all the groceries. This also allows you to see the Pre-Coupon price on the monitor, and do the count down dance while they scan each one off. This is empowering stuff. Nothing feels better than to see the dollars actually shrink off your grocery bill.

Of course the good news, is that on my first trip, I saved over $80. Let me correct that, I earned $80 in one hour. After that I was hooked! Once you get your routine down, you'll feel confident in the store and will be able to start using more and more coupons with ease.

Keep Saving!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Set Your Grocery Budget


County Market knows that families all over the midwest are concerned about making ends meet. That's why they are stepping up their coupon program and helping customers learn more about saving at their stores. Setting and sticking to your budget is one way to keep your expenditures in line. Most families have some idea what their monthly or weekly household budget looks like overall. Usually they start with their income and spend until the money runs out. When times are tight, people start looking to cut items back. The only problem is that a lot of people think setting a budget, or cutting expenses means doing without. It doesn't.

Let's not give anything up! Keep your lifestyles the same. Maybe we can even add more to your shopping cart when we're finished reworking your actual budget. Let County Market help you to put more groceries in your cart, and keep more money in your wallet.

In order to set your grocery budget, you first have to look at the overall household. Let's be realistic. Let's not hope to not run out of toilet paper every three months, when we know we have to buy it every two months! Most families break down their monthly income with four simple categories.

First, the mortgage or rent payment is in a category by itself. It’s usually the largest one expense that is paid each month. Second, is the household consumables sector, and is second largest. This is where all expenses associated with the people living in the home incur. Groceries are included in this sector. Some other things in this sector include prescriptions, pharmacy items, personal hygiene products, and pet supplies. Third is the household non consumables, including insurance, repairs to the home, furniture, appliances and items that are necessary but not consumed. The fourth includes the discretionary spending, those items that are completely discretionary like satellite TV, entertainment, travel, and dining out. Finally, what most families handle last is savings.

The two categories that are easiest to cut in tough times are the household consumables, and the discretionary spending sectors. The only way to cut is to know what you should be spending in the first place.

This is where our budget comes in. Most homes spend $50 per week per person in the home. This budget includes $35 on food and groceries, $15 on pharmacy or personal items. A family of four would spend $200 per week, or $800 on the average month on both groceries, and consumables inside the home. Does that seem high? If it does, pull out your debit card statement, your checkbook, and receipts. Be sure to look at all the times you spent money on consumables. It may shock you to realize how much you were spending.


Let's shop smarter. You can start by using manufacturer coupons and store issued food coupons. This usually saves 20-35% on each item you redeem a coupon. You can also only buy sale priced items when you are at the store. Typically stores mark 50-75 products down each week to entice shoppers into the store. We're lucky because County Market marks down over 100!

If we buy items that County Market puts on sale, and we use a manufacturer's coupon, we can save 50%. This is called Price Matching, or Coupon Matching. We have a new program where I am going to find all the coupons I can for you each week across the web, so you can simply print and save. Even better, we're going to let you sign up to have the email list of sale items and Coupon Matches delivered to your in box each week.

There is no reason to give up the best juices, or skim in the meat department. Simply, save the money on products that are on sale and match up your coupons to "Find" the money to save your budget.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Keep Those Receipts!


Did I mention that when I check out I keep my reciepts like I do my coupons? I do. You never know when your receipts will bring you money in the mail. I mentioned that Wednesday afternoon I bought hamburger and cheese slices. I knew at the time I would end up filing the hamburger for a meat rebate. But what I didn't know is that this morning I would find a Cheese rebate to cover my cheese slice purchase. Yippee!

Always keep as many receipts as you get them. Mine are in envelopes on my desk marked by the month I made the purchase. Since I'm continually looking for rebates (and will be telling you about them too) You may find that you qualify for a rebate and all you'll need to do is pick up a form and file. I've filed rebates on purchases up to 3 months back, simply by finding a form that needed Soda, or bottled water. If you don't find the rebate you want in store, check online. There are thousands of traders out there who would be willing to share.

Since I ran two transactions when I checked out, I have two receipts. I can file both and get money back. We should probably talk about transactions. It's common for coupon and rebaters to split up their shopping into different transactions. But there are some common courtesy rules that apply.

It's okay to have two transactions at one checkout. I bought the big value pack of hamburger in one transaction, Total of $12.61. Then bought my cheese, buns, onions, and some other items in transaction #2. There wasn't a line at the time, so it was okay for me to put down the divider bar to indicate that I would need two different receipts.

However, if the store is busy, like on Saturday mornings or Sunday after church, it's considered rude to run multiple transactions. This is something that we coupon users police ourselves. It's also one reason I find shopping on Wednesday mornings easier :)

It is NEVER okay to ask the cashier to run more than two transactions in a row. Even if you are the only person in the store. If you have 4 transactions to qualify for your rebates this week. You'll need to shop, run 2 transactions, then take your goodies to the car. Comeback in and run your other two. It's not fair to other customers, and all those grocery bags get messed up at the checkout, which causes some anxiety for the employees.

To me, it's no big deal. If I'm going to rebate all my groceries for a week, and get them almost free, it's worth two repeat trips into the store. I'm sure if you are getting meat, cheese, soda and salty snacks the same as I am, you'll feel the same way.

The rebate I picked up today is a St. Patrick's day Guiness rebate. However, I don't have to buy Guiness to qualify. I have a different receipt from Feb for a 6 pack of Smirnoff Ice Sour Apple malt beverages-that will qualify. So Now all I need to do is put both receipts in an envelope and in about 45 days I'll get $5 in the mail.

Keep Saving!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

66 Degrees and Wild

It seems like this past winter lasted 8 months. Maybe it's because is snowed so early in the season, but this year I've really suffered from cabin fever. I live in Ursa IL. Which is a small town of 500 folks just north of Quincy IL. We have had really cold winds off the Mississippi river bluff this year. Plus all the snow. It's nice when it's before Christmas and all white and fluffy, but when it's February, gray and black, and you still have to shuffle your feet in and out of stores I just want to fly south.

2pm: Finally, we caught a break! Yesterday was 66 degrees and I went a little wild. Not like the spring break crowd, but I decided I'm starting spring right now. I grabbed up all my cleaning gear and started prepping the deck for our first bbq of the season. I scrubbed the grill, wiped down all the deck chairs and hauled them from the garage, I even pulled out some of our summer toys for the kids. We needed this little mid winter holiday.

3pm: Next I jumped in the van and headed to town. Burgers. Big juicy hamburgers on the grill were all I could think about. What says spring is here more than cheeseburgers and baked beans? My list included ground beef, buns, cheese slices, red onion, and a can of Bush's Grillin Beans. Why not? If you haven't tried the Steakhouse recipe, grab a coupon off their website and give em a try. http://www.bushbeans.com/ The coupons are up some days, not others, so check it often if there isn't one today. You'll want to subscribe to Jay's Journal, then when coupons are avail, they will email them direct to you.

But something else happened. I got to the meat department at County Market and Zing! There were steaks looking me square in the face. Not just any steaks, thick cut ribeyes. They were huge, and surprisingly on sale. I started to look around to see what was up. Apparently, it was an unadvertised special. Less than $2 per pound on Steak, plus I knew I was already going to get the ground beef free with a Busch Light rebate. The meat cutters were thinking the same as some of the customers-"Let's Grill" and they were helping out. So I grabbed four HUGE ribeyes -steak today and steak later :), and some ground beef, and headed for some cheese.

Then I found something totally new to me. Maybe you've seen it. But Borden is making cheese slices that are flavored. They were the same price $1.99, as regular cheese slices so I grabbed two packs to try. One was Cheddar Chipolte, the other was a provolone Sun Dried Tomato and Basil. Of course Avry, my oldest, wont' try anything new so I grabbed good ole Kraft American slices too. I had $1 off Kraft slices form the County Market coupon site. This is one of the rare times I didn't have a coupon for the other items. I wasn't expecting the Borden buy, But had to try it anyway.

5 pm: Once I got home, we fired up the grill. The charcoal smelled so good! I just sat on the deck thinking about the warm weather and the good food. The kids rode their bikes up and down the driveway, and my husband did the flipping. Wow! Maybe it was the long hard winter, maybe the fresh meat and cheeses, but man those burgers were the best. We all ate like we were starving mad men.

9pm: I'm just lucky to have taken advantage of the rare nice day and made the absolute most out of the experience. What a good day.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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