LOOKING at the Future of Thrift

garden goodies we preserved~

I just HAVE TO ADMIT IT~I hate coupons! I really do.  I think they are no more than a marketing tool to increase volume and to lure us into spending on things we *might* not even EVER want...OR at least this IS a possibility...HOW many times have we purchased something that when we got it home the reaction was, "wha? WHY did I get this?" OR "YUCK! THIS IS awful"?  Of course there are some pleasant surprises along the way of trying out new things and REALLY liking them! I'm ALL for that~but on a budget~or seriously managing our money, can we *AFFORD* all this trial and error? I don't think so. 

I propose that instead of working to save little, that we find other ways to gain access to financial savings without having to print or clip or organize such little slips of paper with all our time.  That's WHAT Thriving is proposing, and HOW I do it. How we live on less than many but live well...Living well isn't about who has the MOST stuff either, BTW...LOL...guess I'll save this for another day ;-)) but the whole idea is that thrifty living that is living well is all about management and strategy.  I don't say that we should NEVER use a coupon~but these dear sisters who are purchasing and then storing items b/c they have coupons~well, I don't have access to all kinds of coupons and most of us don't either~we'd have to hunt them down to be able to use them at the check out...I say, just hunt the best prices to begin with and get just what WE NEED and WANT. 

It's as simple, but really not all that simple as the GAME OF CHASE! I'm always chasing a good bargain! When I hear of an item that WE USE or need (and we can define *need* another day) I go and get it.  But sometimes I just have to say that we can't afford it right now, and wait...no matter the "best" price...

I know that delaying gratification is NOT a popular concept in our WANT IT NOW culture! I get that. Promise. But in this economy and in life in general~waiting is a worthwhile activity.  The cliche' of "if you snooze~you lose!" is not a best practice b/c then we are often times plainly stuck with our impulsive RESULTS...

Consider a plan for shopping and then sticking to this plan.  Do you make a list? Do you plan that list in advance so that you know just how you are going to utilize those items? Where are the best values in your town for your money? Are there some solid products that aren't fancy-schmancy that are just as useable for less than items that are faves but more spency?? Where ca n we trim and snip our sales ticket at the register? 

pickles and mustard

In my town, I have a few options that really make sense for us. Of course, we have a Sams Club, and frankly the 10 cents I often save over the bulk of goods I can get there is rarely the draw for me to shop there.  I only go when it's an item that only they carry at the best price I can find...this is rare...so beware of places that promise best prices...you do your own calculations and make SURE your money is returning in a way you'd like!  But where I live, there's what I call a 'dent can' store and a grocery warehouse.  Both offer me huge savings on the dollar and b/c the dented can store (not it's real name) is about 15 minutes further than any other shopping I do, I go only about once a month with my plan in hand and purchase just what we will use and often in bulk.  I have a large food storage area and chest freezer so this makes sense when gas is like it is right now...no savings if it all goes in the tank!  The grocery warehouse offers all kinds of fresh produce for about 2/3 of grocery store savings~well, I'd like to think it was less, but it's not...and so this summer we're been fresh-preserving all kinds of foods for canned use when our garden is gone.

To get started, I suggest figuring out just what you all consume.  Make a list and track this over several weeks.  List your prices too.  SisterT is a notebook advocate! LOL...a handy-dandy notebook to write down all the prices on all the items you purchase and also list the place where you get it...SEE just where your money goes and on what you are getting.

Now let's begin listing where to get these items on the cheap.  Makes no sense to drive across town for ONE item, but can you lump items together? I shop by sale paper ads sometimes.  When an item is listed for a great price I will go  and get as much as they will sell to me and we WILL USE and that will keep or store well...

Got that notebook? Head on into your pantry area and begin making lists.  Organize this area according to like items too.  I know, it's work~but in the end, we're going to be able to purchase something we will enjoy or tuck it away for a long term or short term goal...

Let me know how you are tracking your purchases and HOW it's going. I'd love to hear how you are making thrifty living making sense!
Blessings,
SisterT

Time=Money$$

Time equals money! We all KNOW this! Many money saving strategies equal time.  Have NO TIME? Pick ONE area and work it for a while to evaluate the results ~  A good one is meal planning and shopping strategy.  Menus4Moms has it going on with a frugal plan just for the busy Mom! Save time and MONEY the easy way with preplanned menus and shopping lists. 

Saving Time means SAVING $!

Ways to Cut the Grocery Bill~Yeah Baby!

Cooking is a necessary chore and essential to the family~and boy can eating be a budget killer~BUT WE ALL GOTTA EAT, right?? I can imagine the hungry and eventually angry looks in the eyes of my family IF we never had any food in the house!  Grocery shopping can be a huge challenge to find what we need for prices that are great!  Here are a few tips of my own and a wonderful link from Menus4Moms~thanks for posting such a great list...
Here are my tips:
 1. Make that list. Inventory first, then make a list so you can plan your meals out.  Decide if you are shopping weekly, biweekly or monthly or even everyday...this will matter on what you plan to get and to use.

2.  Depending upon your decision of shopping frequency, look at your money too~how much can you spend right now to invest in stocking the pantry?  Be sure you have cash ready to go or the check book is in balance and you KNOW how much to spend.

3.  I'd suggest taking a calculator with you.  I like to use on to figure the price per serving or pound so I can compare product to product.  CALCULATE those prices~don't trust the shelves!!! Tip:  I KNOW they put the wrong tags under the wrong products...seen it so many times!!! AND watch the register when they are scanning~sometimes THIS is wrong too! HINT: If at WalMart, they will (or have, so ask) give you the item FREE if it rings up wrong...BE WATCHFUL!

4.  Decide if you have enough room to buy in bulk for sale items and items you use a lot.  Storage is a huge consideration, and I like to, now I don't always get to, clean out the fridge~meaning wiped out and ready to go...crisper freshened up...I line with paper towel...have used dish towels to make produce last longer...there's a reason the lettuces are put in cotton drawstring bags...it keeps it from wilting! But prepare the areas for bringing home the food!  Also you will KNOW exactly what you do and don't need.

HINT:  When sprucing up the fridge for the new produce~use a light cleaning solution of either vinegar and water or bleach (1/2 cap full) per 2 qts of water to wipe out the inside.  This will freshen and also kills off any bacteria.  If you need to do a thorough clean~bring out all the condament containers and wash them under running water with soap...dry off and put back.  How often do we wash the ketchup or mayo containers?  If you do this after each use, then of course you don't have to do it now...but when kids are doing these chores, sometimes they tend to either try to get it done as fast as possible, or they forget...but this will keep it all germ free! Also I like to wipe the fridge handles daily.  Just good cleanliness!

BACK to shopping~

5. Make your list arranged in order your store is going to be in...if it's produce first then list those items.  Next, if it's meats, then list those; if it's canned goods or dry goods such as baking supplies and sugars, then put those next.  Order that list a head of time so you don't have to do it as you go.  This will save you loads of time in the store.  Also you can have your children make the list too.  Download this FREEBIE for making an easy shopping list:

6.  Grab sales papers or coupons you might be using. I am not one for much of this because I am more of a scratch cook, but for those who prefer these foods, the money saving in this area is essential.  Did you know if you have a specific brand you prefer you can go online and print out coupons for about anything?? Put the brand name or even the name of the item and up comes all the sites~shop online for the best cents off deal before hitting the store!  (This isn't about food, but we needed shoes here, so I have a fav store so I went to their site and ordered with FREE shipping!  Also got money off by signing up to get their news about deals! Never will I miss that by one get 1/2 off again!!)  Remember to do your homework about your list...

7. I am going to defer you to Menus4Moms for the fifty tips to save~
 http://www.menus4moms.com/articles/50_tips_to_save_big_at_the_grocery_store.php
 from Menus4Moms! I would like to kick in just one thing about using left over rice...I understand it is not good for health as it quickly breaks down into sugars, so if you are pre or diabetic, consider making just enough rice so there are NO left overs and don't precook. Health is worth a BUNCH!  Check out the right sidebar for a FREE weekly menu plan from Menus4Moms!

Here's to living and loving on less! How are you working your grocery shopping excursions and SAVING???