Fun Napkins

We are not (I repeat, not) a paper-free kitchen family.  Our daughter has food allergies and the risk is too high to not use paper towels, napkins or paper plates.  For a long time I was feeding snacks with half of a paper plate.  That got a little wasteful and expensive.  Now, I will use napkins instead, unless it's yogurt or something messy.  I have found that after the holidays that decorative napkins go on sale very cheap.  After Valentine's Day, I found several at different stores for just a quarter each for a pack of 20 or more napkins.  Hearts are good year round and make snack time a little fun, too.  I also bought disposable heart plates for 37 cents for a pack of 10 at Wal-Mart for our little one's birthday, which is in August.  I spent just under $1.50 for 40 plates.

I would be willing to bet there will be some nice flowers and spring-type napkins available after Easter.

How long does it take?

When I started using formula for my daughter, I was curious how long it would take us to get through a can. It was expensive and we had to order it through insurance. So when I opened a can I dated the day I opened it. This helped me know how long it took me to go through it and how much to order. Since then I have been doing that with other items, too. I like to stock up and buy when I see it on sale, but we don't have a lot of extra storage. It really helps me with shopping, especially with newer items we use. Once I know the average, I don't date them any further.

Examples of dated items
Large jar of applesauce
Disposable diaper bags
Baggies
Paper Towel
Half gallon of soy milk

It'a like cramming for a test

I was re-copying my grocery list this morning and trying to memorize as much of it as possible. It's hard to hold the list while shopping with a little one who wants to hold your list. (I give her a list of her own, but it always ends up on the floor or getting eaten). I put my list in order of the store to make our trip as smooth as possible. I had several items that I don't normally buy on the list today. At one point, I was reading my list out loud before we left and I said to myself "you know what's on it." It's the same pep talk I would give myself before an exam. I guess school does prepare you for real life. Just not in the way you would expect.

Today's grocery savings was 22 percent of my total. Last week was 36 percent (although I had a free pack of diapers, so that skewed it a little).

Grocery Store Website

I finally got around to looking at our local grocery store's website. I tried it months ago, but it didn't seem to work very good. Now, it's great. I can view all the store ads before I go, print their coupons, print manufacturer coupons and plan better than ever. For example, tuna is on sale this week. I usually only buy tuna when it's on sale, so now I know I can stock up on it. Good thing, too -- I've only got one can left. I also like that I can print coupons before I go. I like to plan ahead as much as I can. This is especially important because my little girl has about a 20-minute cart ride in her and that's about it. By the time we check out she's had it. So, I can make my trip as swift as possible by checking out the website ahead of time.

Google your store to see if this will help you!

Victoria's Secret

Those working at marketing department at Victoria's Secret know what they are doing. Every six weeks or so, I get a free coupon for a panty (no purchase) in the mail. Often I get two, for whatever reason. After having the baby I needed to restock. So this has been great. Their normal cost is $7.50 a pair or five for $25. I know I've gotten more than five in the last few months.

Why pay for something if you can get it free? Get on their mailing list so you can receive the free promos as well. Be warned if you do go in the story you may end up purchasing something. And it can be pricey. They do have surveys that print on the receipt for $10 off $50 purchase. And the semi-annual sales in January and June are a good time to shop, also.

Thrifty Websites

Here are some of the websites I read for deals and free samples. Some are blogs and others aren't. I really don't like the ones you have to sign up for to see the deals. These are really easy to navigate.

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

http://www.freesamplesblog.com/

http://www.imommies.com/

http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm (This one has more articles and ways to save money)

http://www.freegrabber.com/

http://www.retailmenot.com/


Not to overload the post, I'll stop here. I have others, too. But these have seemed to be pretty useful.

Happy Saving!

Shopping Tips

When I go shopping (whether is grocery or Walmart) I try to stick to a few rules for myself to make it easier.

1. I usually park a few rows from the exit door for an easy escape from the busy parking lot.
2. I park as close to a cart return as possible, if I have the baby or not.
3. I always make a list. I stick to it, unless there are items on sale.
4. I use these post-it notes for my list sometimes. They are great because you can stick the post-it to the cart and you don't have to fumble with the list. I got a pack free in the mail.
4. I organize my coupons ahead of time according to my list. I also watch for items on sale at certain stores to make the most for my coupon savings.
5. As I shop I take the coupon out or move it to the front of the pile in my purse.
6. I always take all my coupons just in case.
7. I normally buy the larger package if it is more cost effective. Especially if it's something we use a lot of, such as diapers.
8. I try to get in and out in about 30 minutes. Extra time means extra buying for me.
9. I price items and only buy certain things at certain stores. For example, baby food is cheapest at Walmart unless the grocery store or Target has it on sale. I have a list of a lot of items like that. Well, in my head at least.
10. I buy non-brand when it's a good product.
11. I try to stock up, so we don't have find time to run to a store. Also I can make sure to catch the sales and use coupons if I can. Some items we stock up on are toothpaste, soap, canned goods, paper goods, personal hygenine products, etc.

Those are just a few things I do to make shopping a little easier, more cost effective and almost enjoyable.