When I gave my presentation last January at the Elkton branch of the Cecil County Public Library, someone mentioned that it wasn’t worth going to Newark, Delaware to shop at the Pathmark there. The participant cited the amount of money it took in gas to go there and back. I quickly did the math for them and showed that it took approximately $1.50 to get there and back. I assured them that I saved more than $1.50 by shopping at Pathmark.
I often shopped at Pathmark at Library Ave and Main St. and then went over to the Superfresh up on 896 behind campus. By doing this, I hit 2 stores and increased the amount of savings. Now, however, a new Pathmark opened up in the old Superfresh on 896 between I95 and Route 40. I have dropped Superfresh from my list of places that I regularly shop.
Here are the reasons why I shop at Pathmark:
1. Many low prices.
2. Fresh produce.
3. Hardly have to take rain checks on sale items.
4. They accept competitors’ coupons. I usually bring in the Safeway and the Superfresh coupons when I shop.
5. Doubles my coupons up to 99 cents. By that I mean, if I have a 75 cents off coupon, they double it to $1.50. I can frequently buy something for a $3.00 sale price and still get $1.50 off because I have a 75 cent coupon.
6. Credits me 2 cents per shopping bag that I bring with me.
7. Have many marked down meats, even on the weekend.
8. Large store with many choices.
In addition to Pathmark, I regularly go to the new Aldi and BJ’s. I still peruse all the grocery flyers on Friday or Saturday to see what other stores are having sale.
Where do you shop and why? Do you go to more than one store?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
75 Ways to Save Money!
One more quick link to an article about saving money. I liked this article very much. Mother Earth News is $10 a year, or available at most libraries. It is filled with articles on saving money or on ways to do things that can save you money. Here is a good one:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2007-10-01/Live-on-Less.aspx
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2007-10-01/Live-on-Less.aspx
Great Article on How to Save Money on Food
I just came across this great article entitled "45 Ways to Save Money on Food". I am posting the link. Maybe we can have a discussion about it!
http://www.homestead.org/NeilShelton/Groceries/45WaystoSaveMoneyonGroceries.htm
Number 36 caught my eye and I thought I would discuss it.
" 36. Watch the cash register It is estimated that up to $2.5 billion per year is made in scanning errors. That's a lot of money left on the check-out counter. Supermarkets often put items on sale at prices that don't always get to the register. Also, checkers can easily make mistakes when making entries. Check your receipt carefully."
I get many items free of charge because I carefully check over my receipt. I usually pull up past the registers and to the side and go over my receipt. Two weeks ago I found an error on my part. I grabbed the smaller box of cereal and it rang up as $4.99. I took it up to customer service and got a big box, plus $2.99 back. The week before I purchased a tub of hummus for $3.99 instead of the advertised price of $1.99. I received it free of charge when I brought it to customer service. Most stores have a policy that when an item has rung up at an incorrect price, the consumer gets the first item FREE and the second item half off or just the sale price.
Checking over my receipt those 2 weeks saved me $6.99. Well worth the total of 10 minutes that it took to fix the errors at customer service. Be sure to check over your receipts and start getting items free!
http://www.homestead.org/NeilShelton/Groceries/45WaystoSaveMoneyonGroceries.htm
Number 36 caught my eye and I thought I would discuss it.
" 36. Watch the cash register It is estimated that up to $2.5 billion per year is made in scanning errors. That's a lot of money left on the check-out counter. Supermarkets often put items on sale at prices that don't always get to the register. Also, checkers can easily make mistakes when making entries. Check your receipt carefully."
I get many items free of charge because I carefully check over my receipt. I usually pull up past the registers and to the side and go over my receipt. Two weeks ago I found an error on my part. I grabbed the smaller box of cereal and it rang up as $4.99. I took it up to customer service and got a big box, plus $2.99 back. The week before I purchased a tub of hummus for $3.99 instead of the advertised price of $1.99. I received it free of charge when I brought it to customer service. Most stores have a policy that when an item has rung up at an incorrect price, the consumer gets the first item FREE and the second item half off or just the sale price.
Checking over my receipt those 2 weeks saved me $6.99. Well worth the total of 10 minutes that it took to fix the errors at customer service. Be sure to check over your receipts and start getting items free!
It's Squash Season!
A few weeks ago our lovely, new neighbors gave me some zucchini and summer squash. I love squash and decided to experiment with it. I made a casserole that can be eaten as a main dish or as a side dish. I posted it on the about.com Frugal Living Forum. Someone made it and her family loved it. (Such a compliment!) Here is the recipe:
3 c. cooked rice
3-4 med./lg. squash
1/2 tsp. thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg
1/3 c. milk
2 c. shredded cheese of your choice
Cut squash into chunks or thicker slices and saute with the thyme in oil or butter until tender. In a separate bowl, beat egg, milk, pepper and salt. Combine cheese, egg mixture, rice and squash. Can top with cheese and/or breadcrumbs. Back for 25 min. at 350 degrees. Can add a chopped onion in with the squash and saute.
I hope you all like it too.
3 c. cooked rice
3-4 med./lg. squash
1/2 tsp. thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg
1/3 c. milk
2 c. shredded cheese of your choice
Cut squash into chunks or thicker slices and saute with the thyme in oil or butter until tender. In a separate bowl, beat egg, milk, pepper and salt. Combine cheese, egg mixture, rice and squash. Can top with cheese and/or breadcrumbs. Back for 25 min. at 350 degrees. Can add a chopped onion in with the squash and saute.
I hope you all like it too.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Vacationing and A New Dog
I have been out of town on vacation and on a business trip. I didn’t have much time to contribute to the blog. Now I am back and working on getting more articles written.
On Saturday evening, we were befriended by a puppy. Long story short, my husband, who has been adamantly opposed to getting a dog, fell in love with our new addition, Bella. Bella is 7 months old, or so, and is part mastiff (yikes!). She is an unruly and spunky 45 lbs. She will put on 10 lbs in the next month, the vet told us.
I went to one of the local pet stores on Sunday morning and bought food, a collar and some toys. I checked out the prices of dog crates and beds. Since she is part mastiff, she will grow to be a bigger sized dog. When I looked at the crates I saw the biggest were $100. The beds were around $50 for big dogs. $150 on top of the vet fees, and the $45 I already spent on food, collar and toys. I decided to hunt for cheaper options.
I put out a question on the frugal living forum at about.com asking for ideas for a cheaper dog crate and bed. The wonderful frugalities didn’t disappoint me.
Crate: I got information that often rescue places have some that can be borrowed. People also bought used crates from Craig’s list and other classified ad websites. Thirdly, I was told that we do not need to crate the puppy unless she shows tendencies toward chewing and/or is not housebroken. (she is pretty much housebroken!). If I can find a small room for her to be put in with toys, food, and water while we are gone, than that will be enough. Luckily, we have a mud room that will serve the purpose. Savings: $100!
Dog Bed: One woman told me to go to garage sales and buy a comforter or two and fold them up for Bella. These will be soft, washable and comfortable. Another woman told me to get some egg crate style foam and cover it with fleece throws by pinning it. I can cut to whatever size I want. I am going garage saling tomorrow to get some old comforters (king size hopefully!). Projected costs: $5-10, Savings: $40-45.
What really disturbed me is that in my excitement at having a new puppy, I was ready to spend $150 rather than look for cheaper solutions. I slowed down and thought there must be another option. By asking for help from other like-minded people, I saved so much money. The next time you have a situation where you are ready to plunk down large amounts of cash for something that you “need” to buy, step back and think about other solutions. Or join the discussion on the frugal living forum and ask for other ideas. The forums are a great place to learn how to be frugal and how other people do things in a frugal manner.
On Saturday evening, we were befriended by a puppy. Long story short, my husband, who has been adamantly opposed to getting a dog, fell in love with our new addition, Bella. Bella is 7 months old, or so, and is part mastiff (yikes!). She is an unruly and spunky 45 lbs. She will put on 10 lbs in the next month, the vet told us.
I went to one of the local pet stores on Sunday morning and bought food, a collar and some toys. I checked out the prices of dog crates and beds. Since she is part mastiff, she will grow to be a bigger sized dog. When I looked at the crates I saw the biggest were $100. The beds were around $50 for big dogs. $150 on top of the vet fees, and the $45 I already spent on food, collar and toys. I decided to hunt for cheaper options.
I put out a question on the frugal living forum at about.com asking for ideas for a cheaper dog crate and bed. The wonderful frugalities didn’t disappoint me.
Crate: I got information that often rescue places have some that can be borrowed. People also bought used crates from Craig’s list and other classified ad websites. Thirdly, I was told that we do not need to crate the puppy unless she shows tendencies toward chewing and/or is not housebroken. (she is pretty much housebroken!). If I can find a small room for her to be put in with toys, food, and water while we are gone, than that will be enough. Luckily, we have a mud room that will serve the purpose. Savings: $100!
Dog Bed: One woman told me to go to garage sales and buy a comforter or two and fold them up for Bella. These will be soft, washable and comfortable. Another woman told me to get some egg crate style foam and cover it with fleece throws by pinning it. I can cut to whatever size I want. I am going garage saling tomorrow to get some old comforters (king size hopefully!). Projected costs: $5-10, Savings: $40-45.
What really disturbed me is that in my excitement at having a new puppy, I was ready to spend $150 rather than look for cheaper solutions. I slowed down and thought there must be another option. By asking for help from other like-minded people, I saved so much money. The next time you have a situation where you are ready to plunk down large amounts of cash for something that you “need” to buy, step back and think about other solutions. Or join the discussion on the frugal living forum and ask for other ideas. The forums are a great place to learn how to be frugal and how other people do things in a frugal manner.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
ALDI Opening in Elkton
This morning, in the Cecil Whig, there was an advertisement for the new ALDI store on Rt. 40. The grand opening day will be July 13th. If you have never shopped at an ALDI before, than you should definitely go and have a look. ALDI specializes in generic food items of good quality that are usually priced under other generic brands. The web site FAQ says that 95% of items are their own brand and only 5% are name brand items.
When shopping at ALDI be sure to bring a quarter to be able to use a shopping cart. You get the quarter back after replacing the shopping cart in the rack. You must also buy the plastic bags that they have to bag your groceries. I believe they are 10 cents now so be sure to bring your own plastic or reusable bags to save even more money.
The new store is located on the Pulaski Highway next to APGFCU.
When shopping at ALDI be sure to bring a quarter to be able to use a shopping cart. You get the quarter back after replacing the shopping cart in the rack. You must also buy the plastic bags that they have to bag your groceries. I believe they are 10 cents now so be sure to bring your own plastic or reusable bags to save even more money.
The new store is located on the Pulaski Highway next to APGFCU.
Monday, June 22, 2009
My $6 Ice-Cream Cone
On Saturday, I went to pick my son up from the Woodside Farm Creamery, in Hockessin, DE. When I got there the meeting he was attending was over but I wanted to get one of their famous ice cream cones. We got in line because my son wanted to buy a pint of ice cream with his own money. They only take cash and I had $14 in the envelope that I carried. When it came our turn, I realized only had $4. Our two cones were $5 and change. My son gave me his $5 and we paid for our cones. I went to the ATM that they have there and took out $20 so I could reimburse him and he could pay for his pint.
There it is! It cost me $2.65 or so for the cone and $2 in the fee that the ATM charges. Plus my bank charges me $1.50 for using other ATM machines. My ice cream cone cost $6! I felt like kicking myself. I hardly ever use ATM machines and when I do, I try to make sure that I use my bank’s machines where I am not charged a fee.
Bank fees add up. If you use the ATM at various places instead of your bank, chances are that you are paying far too much for this privilege. Some ways to avoid the ATM fees are:
Use the envelope system to store and use your cash. Remember to bring the envelopes you need with you.
Carry emergency cash in your wallet or purse for just such emergencies.
If you can, use your bank card as a debit card.
Next time I go to Woodside Farm Creamery, you can be sure that I will make sure I have lots of cash.
There it is! It cost me $2.65 or so for the cone and $2 in the fee that the ATM charges. Plus my bank charges me $1.50 for using other ATM machines. My ice cream cone cost $6! I felt like kicking myself. I hardly ever use ATM machines and when I do, I try to make sure that I use my bank’s machines where I am not charged a fee.
Bank fees add up. If you use the ATM at various places instead of your bank, chances are that you are paying far too much for this privilege. Some ways to avoid the ATM fees are:
Use the envelope system to store and use your cash. Remember to bring the envelopes you need with you.
Carry emergency cash in your wallet or purse for just such emergencies.
If you can, use your bank card as a debit card.
Next time I go to Woodside Farm Creamery, you can be sure that I will make sure I have lots of cash.
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