saving dough at the grocery

saving money at the grocery store is sometimes a daunting task, but it can be fairly simple, with a few tips.

clip only the coupons that you will use and that you NEED. if you don't like a brand, don't clip the coupon, and def don't buy it.

the sunday paper is a great place to find coupons for items on sale and many stores will show you the total savings in their ads. take advantage of them doing some research for you.

use a frequent shopper card wherever you shop...kroger, march, piggly wiggly, etc. you get automatic deals and they track your coupon usage. if you use coupons, they will send you more coupons. i get coupons in the mail about twice a month from my grocer with save $1 or more or buy one get one free or even plain free items. it's worth using the stores coupons.

avoid buying convenience items. cheese by the block is much cheaper, for instance, than buying it already shredded.

buying in bulk is often times not as cost friendly...so make sure to check your price per ounce. i find that it's often cheaper, for instance, to buy two boxes of cereal bars than to buy one large box. and if i have the coupon for buy two, i get an even better deal.

look up and look down...i'm short, so i swear that's why i find the deals. stores put the highest price items at eye level...and the less expensive items high and low. we do the same thing in our pantry with snack items so they won't get eaten...works pretty well.

plan your menu based on what's on sale that week. for instance, if chicken quarters are on sale, i will make crock pot roasted chicken one night. pull the extra meat off the bone the next night and add bbq sauce and we'll have bbq chicken sandwiches the next night. if there's still some left over, there's the freezer for casseroles later. {this is a meal plan for a week this month...nothing special}

shop with a list...and try to stick to it. if you don't need frozen foods, don't even go to that aisle. you'll get pulled in by "good deals" that you don't need.

and then, sometimes you get uber lucky and have a week like mine last week...and save tons of money. and that's good for the wallet, but it's also super fun! (43%)

good luck...and happy shopping!!!
danyele @ a thorn among roses

coupons via cell

no more {or a lot less} clipping coupons in this techie girls future!

cellfire has come out with a free service of distributing mobile coupons direct to your cell for you by simply signing up with them and telling them what grocery store you shop.

sign up for a free cellfire account. browse and save. then go shopping!

it's free, simple, handy and well, just might save you a few bucks too!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

shopping list, geek style

i'm a self professed geek {engineer by degree}, so i love techie stuff that makes my house run easier. i have some serious shopping list love for the smart shopper. i have had this beauty in my house for the last year and i love it.


not only is it smart, it's fun and that means that the actual grocery needs get added by the kids and hubs as necessary. need milk? press "RECORD" and say "MILK"...3 selections will pop up for you to make your choice. press "SELECT" for your choice and it's all done.

when it's time for the grocery trip, you print the list...and the your list is automatically seperated into categories just like the grocery store...produce, baby items, meats, frozen foods, etc.

even better, if you want to play party games, try taking turns to see who can say the "ketchup" and get the funniest results...sad, but we do this at dinner time some days. it's a lot of fun...and if you actually need to add a special item or to re-identify the way you say a canned word, it can do that too! this thing is a like a little list miracle!

there's a new version in 2009 that is available from smart shopper and it has a cute little integrated kitchen timer and it's been restyled. if you wanna see more, take a look here.

come and see me and my clan over at a thorn among roses.

angel food

in the current economy, being able to save money is necessary. grocery costs are rising and paychecks are not.

enter angel food ministries.

angel food is not a food pantry or a low income service, it is nothing more than a grocery pick up location...with no store front. there are no qualifications or applications. in fact, it's so easy, i want to get orders every week. i check a box on the form, drop in a check and put it in a payment slot. i show up 2 weeks later and my food is ready for me. super duper easy.


Angel food's food is “restaurant grade” meats, frozen vegetables, fruits, dairy products, etc. which they acquire through involvement with only the best producers/vendors of high quality, “name brand” foods. Never “seconds” or “day old” type products are involved. and from my experience, it's fabulous!
$30 buys a family box that is suppose to be enough food to fully feed a family of 4 for one week. here's what came in my box in january:
4 lb. IQF Leg Quarters
4 oz. Beef Back Ribs
1 lb. 80/20 Lean Ground Beef
2 lb. Breaded Chicken Tenders
1.5 lb. Bone in Pork Chops (4 x 6oz.)
1 lb. Ground Turkey
18 oz. Stuffed Manicotti (Cheese)
12 oz. Smoked Sausage
Betty Crocker Seasoned Potatoes
7 oz. Cheeseburger Dinner
16 oz. Green Beans
16 oz. Baby Carrots
2 lb. Onions
1 lb. Pinto Beans
1 lb. Rice
7 oz. Blueberry Muffin Mix
10 ct. Homestyle Waffles
Dessert Item (cookies)

in addition to the main box, you can order senior or convenience meals that are healthy and pre-made so they are perfect for singles or for lunches/meals on the go. angel food also offers a box of additional meats or a fruit and veggie box in addition to the main box.


so if you are interested, you can go to the angel food ministries site here and read more about how it all started. go here to locate the nearest host site near you. and seriously consider taking part in a great ministry and saving money on your grocery bill!

keep looking around...there's more where this came from...
and if you want to see more of my clan and how we save some bucks, stop by a thorn among roses.