Using Time Wisely

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Register Review: April 3, 2012 Edition

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Though I often share my deep savings trips, I do not always save 80% or more at the grocery store. Some weeks, I stock up on items we need even if the item is not buy one, get one free. Sometimes sales prices are the best you can find.

My goal is to know what a good price is by using my pricing list, to stock up when those items are 50% or more off the regular price, and stay within our $80 per week grocery budget.

The shopping trip I will share with you was a great trip with a 54.9% savings. Every time I save 50% or more at the grocery store, I get excited.

On this Publix shopping trip, I used buy one, get one free deals, sales, store coupons, and manufacturer coupons to get $109 worth of groceries for $49.09.

Buy One, Get One Free

The buy one, get one free offers I purchased were:

2 – Rosetto Tortellini, 19-25 oz., at $4.19 ($2.10 for the first and $2.09 for the second)

4 – French’s French Fried Cheddar Onions, 6 oz., at $3.79 ($1.90 for the first and third and $1.89 for the second and fourth)

2 – Ragu Pasta Sauce, 16-24 oz., at $2.19 ($1.09 for the first and $1.10 for the second)

2 – Mountain Dew, 2 liters, at $1.66 ($.83 each)

Sale Prices

2 – L’Oreal Healthy Look Crème Hair color, $4.99 each

8 – Kraft American Singles, 12 oz., $2

13 – Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables, 7.5-28.8 oz., 50% off

1 – Jif Peanut Butter, 17.3 oz., $3.59

Store Coupons

Used a $.75 Publix coupon for Jif from the yellow advantage flyer

Manufacturer Coupons

Used 1 – $.50/1 French’s French Fried Onions (which doubled)

Used 1 – $.50/1 Ragu product (which doubled)

Used 2 – $2 off L’Oreal hair color product

Used 6 – $.50/2 Birds Eye Steamfresh varieties (which doubled)

Combining the Savings

At checkout, I presented the cashier with my two loyalty cards which she scanned. Then she scanned all the items, and my subtotal was $109 before sale prices and coupons. Next, the fun begins as my children and I watch the screen to see the savings increase while the total decreases.

The cashier began scanning the coupons and then waiting for the computer to double all the coupons $.50 or less. At the conclusion, I owed $49.09, which was a 54.9% savings. With these savings, I stocked up on cheese and frozen vegetables.

During the week of this shopping trip, I also spent $7.34 at Bi-lo and $22.31 at Aldi. My total for the week was $78.53 within our $80 per week budget. Woo hoo!

Though some weeks I am under budget and other weeks I am over budget, I know going into the week how much I can spend to stay on track for the month. In working through the Money Saving Mom’s Budget assignments, I keep track of our expenses which makes staying within our budget possible.

In using time wisely, I make out my grocery list, match coupons, shop my list, and review each trip. As you combine strategies, you, too, will see regular discounts of 50% or more on your grocery bill. Happy savings!

Question: What items do you buy in multiples?

5 Ways a Grocery List Saves Money, Energy and Time

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In spite of the cooler temperatures and rain this afternoon, I took all three munchkins grocery shopping at Aldi. With my list in hand, we quickly maneuvered through the aisles where I sent my helpers to gather the items on the list.

When we arrived at checkout, my son asked, “Is that it?” When I acknowledged that we finished the list, he responded, “Wow, that was fast.” I couldn’t help but smile because using time wisely to write out a grocery list took me about 10 minutes, but I discovered at least 5 ways a grocery list saves money, energy, and time.

1. Verify my Items

If the item is on my Aldi list, then I know that we need this item. My Bi-Lo and Publix’s lists concentrate on the sales, but my Aldi list is for everything else, not on sale, that our family needs during the week. Only items in low supply or depleted make it to the Aldi list, so I know that I need all the items.

2. Calculate Price

When making my Aldi list, I know about how much these groceries will cost. Keeping our budget in mind when making out the list saves me money at the store when I am wavering on a purchase. If the price changes or I want to substitute an item, I can calculate the difference on my grocery list.

3. Estimate Time

When my grocery list is complete with 11 items, then I know that the errand will use a half an hour or less. If my list fills up a whole page, then I may need to block out an hour to shop. Without a list, I spend more time because I cannot-remember-that-item-that-I-really-needed-yesterday.

4. Formulate a plan

While my son gets the grocery cart, I review the grocery list. Knowing the layout of our store, I can quickly find the items on my list that are on the first aisle. I can then send my son and older daughter ahead to navigate the aisle, find the item, bring it back to me, and gently place it in the cart. (We are still working on the gently part. :-))

5. Focus on the Task

As we travel through the store, the list guides our movements. If none of the items stocked on the second aisle are on the list, then we move to the next aisle. The list eliminates backtracking and walking up and down extra aisles which saves us energy and time. By knowing our store’s layout and following our list, we quickly gathered our savings and headed for checkout.

In using time wisely, I use a grocery list to verify my items, calculate price, estimate time, formulate a plan, and focus on the task. My grocery list is more than just a list of items. The grocery list tool frees me to gather needed groceries without wasting time while I spend time with my children (who love to walk through Aldi with their umbrellas up). 🙂

When you plan and execute your grocery list, you just might find yourself going to the checkout counter saying, “Wow, that was fast.” Happy savings!

Question: How does your grocery list save you money, energy, and time?

Try, Try, Try, and then Cut your Losses

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Kizzzbeth)

Do you have a grocery store that when you pass by your blood boils?  I do.

When Paul and I lived in Pennsylvania, I would get so worked up just driving past one of the grocery stores.

This store was easy for me to get to and had good prices. But after try, try, and try again, I cut my losses and drove across the street to another grocery store where I gathered my savings.

Try

The first weekend we moved into our apartment, I headed out to go grocery shopping. Finding this store, I stopped. After getting the items on my list, I proceeded to check out and wrote a check for the groceries.

When I handed the cashier my check, he handed it back saying he could not accept an out-of-state check. I explained that we just moved to town, and I did not have a local bank. With the store policy set, I had to pay by credit card. Though I am not opposed to credit, I had the money set aside for our move, and I really wanted to write the check.

Try

On my next visit, I made sure I brought my checks from the local bank. With apprehension, I proceeded to checkout after getting the items needed. At the time of payment, I wrote a check from our local bank. Once again, the cashier handed the check back refusing a starter check for payment.

By now I was getting irritated. I asked to speak to a manager. After I explained the situation, the manager suggested applying for a check writing card which would end the writing a check issue. So, once again I paid with credit. Then I filled out the card to get check writing privileges.

Try

During my third (and last) visit to this store, I ran in for a few items, and went to checkout. When I pulled out my checkbook, my heart began to race. After writing the check, I handed it to the cashier. Seeing that it was a local check, she asked if I had a check writing card on file. I indicated that I filled out the form on my previous visit. She called for verification before returning the check because the application had not been processed.

By this time, I was just tired of this store. Instead of paying with credit, I left my purchases. Yep! Right there in the checkout station, I walked out and never returned.

I got in my car, drove across the street to Giant (which was an affiliate of Bi-Lo) and became a loyal customer. They took my out-of-state check with no forms, questions, or comments. What a breath of fresh air!

Cut my Losses

After giving that store chance, after chance, after chance, I cut my losses. Companies that make shopping at their store difficult turn me off. As you can tell, this experience changed me. I feel like it just happened though the visits occurred over 14 years ago. Yeah! This experience frustrated me so much, I have yet to step inside that store (or any of its affiliates) since walking out and leaving my groceries behind at checkout.

In using time wisely, find a grocery store that fits your needs and become a loyal shopper. Knowing the staff, store policies, and store layout increases my productivity and shopping experience.

If you find a store that does not work with you, try, try, try, and then cut your losses. There are other grocery stores that would love your business, and welcome you as a loyal customer. Now to go calm back down . . . happy savings!

Question: Have you had a similar experience?

2012: Garden Journal – April Edition

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The garden post has arrived! I gave you a sneak peek into our garden when sharing our spring break activities. Though I posted a few pictures of my children planting, I will share specifics and plan to post updates throughout the planting season. In this first edition, I will start from the ground up. 🙂

Planning our Garden

Having only had a container garden at our apartment, I needed details for preparing the soil, the box, and the plants or seeds. Knowing I wanted a square-foot-garden, I turned to my favorite search engine, Swagbucks.com.

In my research, I found this plant a compact vegetable garden article from boyslife.org. This post included all the supplies and the directions.

Gathering Garden Supplies

For our Friday date night in March, Paul and I went to dinner and then headed to Lowe’s Home Improvement store. We had the wood cut and purchased the supplies. For the garden soil, we chose 4 bags of mushroom compost and 4 bags of top soil.

We then chose some of our plants, and checked out redeeming $15 in Ace Hardware coupons (a competitor accepted by Lowe’s). We spent under $100 and had most of our garden supplies.

Building our Garden

On Saturday, Paul built the box. We then laid 4-5 sheets thick of newspaper inside the box covering the entire bottom and partway up the sides. The newspaper prevents weeds from rising into the box and will breakdown into the soil, eventually.

    

Paul then poured the 4 bags of mushroom compost on the newspaper in the frame. The children and I smoothed out the compost. Then Paul added the 4 bags of top soil on the mushroom compost. With our soil complete, we began planting.

  

Planting our Garden

Once the box was complete, Paul and I helped our children plant the herbs and vegetables. Most of them were plants, so we dug a hole, removed the container, placed the plant in the hole, and packed the soil around the plant. Our spinach and carrots were the only two varieties planted with seeds.

March 17, 2012

Completing our Garden

Early the next week, we made a family trip to another Lowe’s and purchased our remaining plants. After planting them, our herb and vegetable garden was complete. We now enjoy tending the plants, misting the leaves, and watching them grow.

  

March 21, 2012

Harvesting our Fruit

Within 9 days of planting, we harvested 3 strawberries. Three days later, we picked another 5 strawberries.

      

March 27, 2012          and          March 30, 2012

After surviving two hail storms, three of our strawberries fed the birds. When we went to pick these strawberries, we found them gone or half eaten.

April 4, 2012

My oldest daughter was very sad. But there are three more strawberries almost ready, and I hope the birds forget about them. 😉

In 18 days, our garden produced 11 strawberries and lots of growth. I look forward to sharing our garden journey with you throughout the planting season.

  

March 30, 2012       and         April 4, 2012

If you planted a garden, please share your tips and tricks. As a newbie gardener, I ask lots of questions, research, and listen. In using time wisely, I love to learn from those who know because it saves me money, energy, and time. Happy savings!

Register Review: February 21, 2012 Edition

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When I started delving into saving more than $2-$5 from coupons at the grocery store, I learned from both the explanation and examples.

Having explained how to get the deep savings, this Register Review feature seeks to show how to see these results week after week.

The first Register Review showcased a Bi-Lo transaction. For this second Register Review, I chose a Publix shopping trip from February 21, 2012.

Last week, I shared how Not All Locations Operate in the Same League. That post stemmed from this shopping trip. After leaving the store that would not honor the coupons that expired during the sales’ week, I went to my favorite Publix location to buy these 9 items for $2.03.

Rain Check

During a previous week’s sale, Mueller’s pasta was on a buy one, get one free sale. Since my Publix sold all their spaghetti noodles during that week, I requested a rain check for 8 boxes. I then kept my coupons in my Publix envelope until the store restocked.

NOTE: Publix rain checks in my area expire one month after issuance. Of course, if the store is still out of the product, the customer service representative will extend the date on the rain check. Check to see if your store’s rain checks expire.

For this transaction, I purchased 8 boxes of Mueller’s spaghetti noodles. Using this rain check, the first 4 boxes cost $0.72 each and the last 4 boxes cost $0.71 each.

Manufacturer Coupons

Coupons for $1 off 2 boxes of Mueller’s pasta were in a Sunday newspaper insert. Having acquired extra inserts, I had 4 coupons to use for this visit. With my Publix store’s coupon policy, I was able to use these coupons on the last day of the sales’ week paired with the rain check.

Besides the Mueller’s coupons, I also used a $.50 off coupon from a Sunday newspaper insert for the Wish Bone dressing. With Publix doubling manufacture coupons up to $.50, I received $1 off the bottle of salad dressing.

Buy One, Get One Free

The Wish Bone dressing was on a buy one, get one free sale that week. I only had one manufacturer coupon and did not need extra bottles of salad dressing, so I bought one bottle at a 50% savings.

My Publix does not require the customer to buy both items to get the buy one, get one free discount. When an item is buy one, get one free, then each bottle is half off the listed price.

The Wish Bone dressing scanned for $1.31, which was $1.30 worth of savings or 50% off.

Combining these Strategies

When I checked out, I followed these steps:

1. Allowed cashier to scan both of my loyalty cards

      • UPromise – Scholarship program
      • Publix Partners – Donates proceeds to our school based on the amount spent on my purchases. (Every bit helps!)

2. Gave the cashier the rain check for the Mueller’s pasta, which he used immediately

3. Watched the cashier scan the 9 items

8 Mueller’s pasta

1 Wish Bone dressing

Subtotal: $7.03

4. Redeemed Manufacturer Coupons

Used four $1 off Mueller’s coupons, which deducted $4

Used one $.50 off Wish Bone dressing coupon, which doubled and took off $1

Total: $2.03

By shopping at the most coupon-friendly Publix and combining a rain check, manufacturer coupons, and buy one, get one free sales, I spent $2.03 for $14.05 of merchandise, which was an 85.5% savings.

Though my family will not survive on 8 boxes of pasta alone, I stocked up on a great sale. After comparing prices, I usually get our staples from Aldi spending about $40 every 2 or 3 weeks to replenish our stock.

This feature will continue as I remember to take pictures of my savings before putting them all away. 🙂 If you are seeing great discounts at 20% or more off the retail price, then consider writing a guest post for Using Time Wisely. I would be honored to publish your savings. Keep practicing because you, too, can see these deep discounts. Happy savings!

Question: What stores in your area double coupons?