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Archives for 2011

Price Matching Back-to-School Sales

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For those of you searching for the best back-to-school deals, I’m with you! I was excited with the southernsavers.com list of school supplies until I realized that Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max were not included. Then I found the list from yourretailhelper.com which was better. (For direct links to these deals, please visit Using Time Wisely’s Facebook page. By the way, have you liked my page yet?)

Having received our school supply list this week, I began to prepare for our school year.

Took Inventory

After printing our supply list, I read through it and consulted my rising first grader for his input. Having purchased a quality backpack and lunch container last year which are still in great condition, my son did not ask for new items this year. I was so excited that he was willing to use what he had. He did not expect new items for school. What a blessing!

Raided the Supply Cabinet

By stocking up on inexpensive school supplies from previous back-to-school sales and freebies throughout the year, I had almost half of his needed supplies. With my son’s help, we gathered the items on the list. My son enjoyed choosing the green scissors from the 5 pairs we had on hand as well as the pencils and spiral notebooks.

Searched the Sale Flyers

With my revised list of needed items, I consulted yourretailhelper.com and my local sale flyers. I noted the least expensive prices, circled the items, and selected stores close together, including a retailer that price matches.

Shopped the Stores

All three stores were in a 1-mile radius of each other which allowed me to use my time wisely and make the trip quick and easy.

Staples – purchased 4 packages of 5 tab divider inserts for $.50 each. With our tax free weekend, my total was $2.

Walgreens – bought 4 packages of pink pencil erasers (2 per pack) for $.29 each totaling $1.16. My Walgreens was out of the Crayola Markers on sale for $2 generating a $2 Register Reward (store coupon for Walgreens). Since there are no rain checks for Register Reward deals, I walked away from the $2 sale price.

Target – snagged 3 packages of glue sticks (6 per pack) on sale for $1 each. Then to avoid running all over town for 2 other great deals, I decided to try price matching. I chose two other items: Elmer’s glue (4 oz.) and Crayola crayons (24 ct.). After gathering the items, I consulted an associate for these details.

Go to Customer Service. To price match items at my Target, I needed to checkout at customer service.

Present the FULL sale flyer. Since I only shop with the one sale page listing the sale item, I hit a little snag. Target’s policy is that they need to see the full flyer. Thankfully, each page had the sale date listed, so the associate price matched my items. Whew! Lesson learned.

Allow the Associate Time. The cashier needed to input lots of items from the flyer. I was price matching 3 bottles of Elmer’s glue from Target’s $.40 each to Publix’s 3 for $1. After completing that price match, I also used Kmart’s sale on the crayons to change the 4 boxes from $.40 each to $.24 each. These savings were not worth running across town to other stores. However, a few minutes at Target (where I planned to shop) netted the same result.

Stay Calm. Be gracious if there is a problem. (Remember you do not need to purchase an item if you disagree with the price.) Completed my checkout process, paid, and on my way.

Shared a Picture

When arriving home and realizing that my take was 18 glue sticks, 4 boxes of crayons, and 3 bottles of glue for $4.96, I took a picture. When you get a great deal, take a picture and share it with us in the comments or on Using Time Wisely’s Facebook page. Though I could leave you hanging, I will not do that to you. I will post my picture below and on Facebook. 🙂

Whether you are preparing for the new school year or just restocking your supply cabinet, you can stretch your dollars by shopping at a retailer that price matches. Saving on gas and the price of the product is a win-win option. Remember when price matching to take your full sale flyer and chose the exact same product that is advertised. Keep on stretching your dollars as you are using time wisely!

Home Depot: Pencil Box Holders

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Photograph Credit: Home Depot

Saturday, August 6

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Home Depot

Kids’ Workshop making a pencil box holder

  • To get ready for back-to-school, children can build a pencil box holder.
  • This FREE family activity, designed for children ages 5-12, instills confidence and a sense of achievement.
  • All children will get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.
Hope you all have a great weekend! Come share what activities you plan to accomplish this weekend on the Using Time Wisely’s Facebook page. I look forward to chatting with you there.

Menu Planning: Creative Inspiration

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Bitten Word)

Scheduling a block of time to menu plan is non-productive for me. I will usually get mental block because I get distracted by my one-year old handing me objects, my 4-year-old’s questions, or my son’s need for attention.

Trying to formulate meals while curled up on the couch or at my desk is not my food-creative space. To keep my menu planning at least a few days in advance, I add meals to my menu plan during these times throughout the week.

Preparing Dinner

As I go to the freezer to get a package of meat, I will scan the contents of my freezer. I might notice the bacon and consider BLT sandwiches or a breakfast for dinner meal option. When I get these ideas, I will go to my refrigerator door, get my pencil, and add that option to my planner.

Cooking

When I am waiting for water to boil or the microwave to defrost an item, I will look through my pantry and add a meal or two. If I was just at my freezer, then my creative juices may already be matching ideas together for other options.

Grocery Shopping

When I get inspired at the grocery store, I jot myself a note on my grocery list. I can add my ideas to my plan when I get home.

Sample items. Many times I get inspired by the samples provided at Sam’s Club. When our family shops at Sam’s, I like to plan the trip around lunchtime. My children look forward to the samples, I get inspiration, and we get our needed supplies.

Recipe cards. Our Publix offers recipe cards at the brochure station in the lobby. Though I may not make that exact dish, I can get ideas from the ingredients for other meals my family enjoys.

Observation. Sometimes viewing a picture of a dish on an advertisement, television screen, or product packaging can offer inspiration.

Unloading Groceries

When I arrive home from the grocery store, I unload the car. While I am putting away the groceries, I notice the ingredients I have on-hand. If I get an idea for a meal, I put it on the plan. Sometimes I get great inspiration having just come from the store and then seeing all the ingredients.

Listening

At least once a month, I will ask my family what meals they would like to eat since I am making the meals for them. 🙂 When they reply, I will add those meals to my plan at the bottom of my planner. If I have all the ingredients, then I will move that meal onto the planner and assign it a day. If I am missing ingredients, I will watch the stores for a sale. Once I have acquired all the ingredients for that meal, I will schedule it on the planner.

By creating my menu plan while preparing dinner, cooking, grocery shopping, unloading groceries, and listening, I keep my planner current with extra days planned for additional options. When planning while surrounded by food, I get inspired and the ideas flow. By using my time wisely in short increments of time, I can quickly create my menu and then spend time with my family. The benefits of menu planning continue to save my family money, energy, and time. Happy planning!

Question: Where do you find inspiration for menu planning? Please leave a comment with your answer.

The Choice of Quality (Part 2 of 2)

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Jeremy Atkinson)

When I wrote Part 1 of this 2-part series, I expressed my confidence in the quality choices Paul and I made when choosing the upgrades to our home. From the mud sink to the carpet upgrade, I never doubted our quality decisions. In fact, the choices made years ago continue to influence the choices I make today.

The Extension of the Choice

Though I stretch every dollar and pinch every penny, I will choose a quality product over an inexpensive brand that will soon need to be replaced. This choice has benefited our family well in the following two situations:

Our Family Vehicle. Our decision to purchase a brand new vehicle rather than a used vehicle has alleviated much time, concern, and frustration. When Paul and I were dating we agreed that I would not ask him to fix the car, and he would not ask me to sew. Both of us understood our limitations, and we have abided by them for the past 12 years. 🙂

Our vehicle is maintained by our trustworthy mechanic, and we do not negotiate on quality. If there is a problem, we do not want a patch that will need to be addressed again. We want a fix which sometimes comes to the tune of $600.

In these situations, I am thankful that we have saved in other areas to keep our vehicles in top notch shape. This choice to invest in our vehicles continues to save money (patching problems), energy (frustration), and time (waiting for parts and repair). (You can click here to read more about the savings on our tires.)

School Clothing. With a growing boy and the wear and tear of running around and playing ball, I have chosen to purchase name brand clothing. Keeping to the standards of our school uniform code, I have quite a few combinations with of a number of styles. Having tried both the Land’s End and IZOD brands, I prefer the IZOD clothing line due to its durability, fit, and comfort. Last year, I purchased the majority of his clothing at the beginning of the year, and they lasted all year. None of the items were faded, snagged, or ripped.

In preparing for the upcoming school year, I waited for a great sale at J. C. Penney (my preferred supplier). With the back-to-school sales in full swing, I was able to purchase 2 items under $25 last week using Ebates and a promotional code. Though that code has expired, J. C. Penney has released a new promotional code: BOOKBAG, which is valid from Wednesday to Saturday, August 3 -6, 2011. I will be purchasing more clothing for my growing boy on Friday during our tax-free weekend.

Purchasing quality items, like a vehicle and school clothing, have been worth my money, energy, and time. Waiting and combining sales with a promotional code has been the key to purchasing quality items without paying full price.

As you make choices in what you purchase, consider the quality as well as the price. Be patient, and wait for a great sale. In doing so, you can snag a great quality product while saving money, energy, and time.

Question: Would you consider purchasing a brand new vehicle? Why or why not? 

Event: Departure Etiquette

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Nate42)

Have you ever been to an event where you are not sure if you have stayed long enough or have over-stayed your welcome? Timing can be a tricky call. In dealing with arriving etiquette last week, we looked at four different events: wedding, dinner party, open house, and birthday party. Continuing with these four event types, let’s consider the etiquette associated with timing your departure.

Wedding

At the end of a wedding ceremony, guests remain seated. After the wedding party and the families of the bride and groom have made their exit, guests may rise and depart unless the bridal couple or ushers dismiss by rows.

Regarding the wedding reception, if the invitation required your response and you indicated that you would be attending the reception, please arrive at the reception. If your invitation required a response and you failed to accept or reject that request, please do not attend the reception. The reception seating and food arrangements are made based on the guests’ responses.

If you attend the wedding reception, be prepared to wait for the bridal party. Use your time wisely to interact with others as you graciously wait for the reception to begin. With some receptions lasting 3-4 hours, it is acceptable to make your departure after the cake has been served.

If you are having a great time, then plan to stay to see the happy couple’s parting. As you exit the reception hall for the couple’s getaway, be prepared to leave. Once the bride and groom are on their way, the reception has ended and you are expected to depart.

Dinner Party

Remember that your host or hostess has spent money, energy, and time to prepare for this event. Your presence is expected from the appetizer through the dessert. In kindness to your host, please plan to linger a bit before taking your departure.

If the event is going well and your hostess welcomes your company, then remain up to an hour after dessert. At that time, prepare to depart. If your hostess again wishes you to stay longer, then you can choose to depart or to remain. Just giving your hostess the option to ask you to stay is very polite. You do not want to over-extend your welcome.

Open House

When the invitation to an open house is extended, the time frame is stated, e.g. 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Please be considerate of your host and hostess and depart no later than the ending time, e.g. 4:00 p.m.

Though the event hours may be over, there will still be cleaning operations that will commence shortly after the end of the event. If you extend your visit, then others will be inconvenienced. Please be considerate and leave at the designated time.

Birthday Party

For a birthday party where the departure time is listed, e.g. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., plan to leave within 5 minutes of that time, e.g. 11:25 – 11:30 a.m. For a child’s party, where you bring your child, leave, and return to pick up, please arrive between 11:15 – 11:25 a.m.

If you know you will be late, please inform your host or hostess as soon as possible. Activities have been planned for your child at the party, but a late arrival by you is inconvenient and inconsiderate to the host/hostess. In accepting the invitation to arrive on time, please also plan to depart on time. Your host will be most grateful.

For a birthday party where only the beginning time is indicated, plan to leave within 1-2 hours after the cake has been served unless you are requested to stay longer.

These are just four types of events where knowing how long to remain and when you are expected to depart assist the guests as well as the host and hostess in executing a successful event. May you be informed of departure etiquette for your next wedding, dinner party, open house, and birthday party. Happy partying!

Question: At events, do you prefer to leave early or stay late? Please add your answer to the comments.