Practically Free

Learn how to get groceries, goods & more for practically FREE using coupons, discounts & determination. Lessons from a woman that does it every day!

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$229 worth of groceries for $75

Here is my receipt from this week's trip to Publix.  A 65% savings off the full price.  How do I do this?

Shop BOGO deals (buy one get one) or 50% off

Use a coupon on the BOGO or 50% off items (even though is is bogo you only have to buy one at 50% off!

shop seasonal fruits and veggies on sale

buy only meats that are on sale and freeze them, or plan your meals around the sale items that week

sign up for emails from my new favorite site southernsavers.com (more below)

use store coupons in combination with manufacturers coupons

Lastly, never pay full price

Southern Savers is great because I can start planning my Thursday trip to Publix on Tuesday afternoon as she sends a list of what's on sale as well as coupon match ups.  You can even print the printables right off of site! 

 Happy savings!

Marcia

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Living and shopping in the good old USA

Hello!

I have just returned from a wonderful vacation to the island of Barbados.

It is a beautiful spot and it was nice to get away to the tropics in the middle of winter, but for this money saving/coupon queen a trip to the grocery was enlightening and expensive!

The cost of food and necessities is very high!  I am not sure about the economics of this, but I suspect the supply and demand rule is in play here.  There are no BOGO (Buy One Get One free) deals in paradise!

I was aware of the high cost at the grocery before I left which is why I packed a suitcase with some essentials.  That is right I packed my clothes in a carry on roller board and coffee, wine, snacks, and even some suitcases meals in my checked bag (which was free with my Delta Skymiles Amex!)

I am glad to be back in the good old USA and off to my Thursday shopping expedition to Publix and the mystery coupon and BOGO deals galore! 

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How to Pick the Perfect Coupon Bag

A trusty coupon bag is very important!

File and organize all your coupons

Carry your coupons while shopping

Easy access during "hurry up and wait time" so you can clip and file 

My daughter gave me a great bag for Christmas from The Container Store.  

  The key to this bag is that it opens up quite wide at the top. I can easily access my coupon files. 

Steps to organize your trusty coupon bag:

1. Pick folders/files: I found my last files on clearance at Office Depot. Look for another post on how to save even more at office supply stores!

2. Label your categories:  For example, I have a category for bakery goods, beverages, dairy, hair, household, etc.

3. Unclipped vs. Clipped: Keep my unclipped coupons in the back of the bag for when I have time to clip and file.

4. Tools: 

Scissors

Pen(s)

Envelopes (I reuse envelopes for my shopping list and put the coupons on need for that trip in the envelope)

Letter opener

5. Grocery Newsletters: Reference Kroger, Publix, etc. weeks circulars for easy reference and list making.

Just like so many things organization is key!

Happy Organizing = Happy Saving!

Marcia

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Snowed in & Saving Money

I love being snowed in with power!  One of my daughters mentioned that I could go a month without having to go to the grocery store. I said "Oh much longer than that." Being snowed in is not a problem when you have a stock freezer. And I have even the opportunity to share with neighbors!Last night we had jambalaya, which I made months ago and pulled out of the freezer.  It actually is tastier after being in the deep freeze for a few months.  All the yummy flavors meld together.  When I have a fresh ingredient that I need to use up:

I Google it

Pick recipe ideas that I can freeze for later 

Use up the ingredient before it goes bad! "Waste not want not"   

Freeze it for later!

The moral of the story: take little extra time spent stocking up on pantry and freezer staples/meats when they are on sale (and you have coupons for that item)! This saves not only $$$, but time and effort later. A very full freezer save you $$ because a it is more energy efficient!  It will cost you less $$$ to run your freezer, and your food will stay frozen longer if you lose power.  Also you don't have to call for expensive take-out food....it is in the freezer!BTW, the freezer and the microwave make great partners.  Learn how to use the defrost program on your microwave.Let's see what shall we have for dinner tonight by the cozy fire?   Jambalaya?  Brunswick Stew? Lasagna?  Barbecue sammies ?  Hum......the pulled pork would be delicious stuffed in baked sweet potatoes (before they go bad).Maybe with some corn and green beans from the pantry?  So many delicious decisions and they are all practically free! 

Try some of my favorite crock pot recipes to make and save in the freezer!

crock pot lasagna (the one featured on the Oprah show)

crock pot pulled pork (pork loin cooked for 12 hours with a can of ginger ale)

crock pot chicken brunswick stew (from Cooking Light)

garlic cheese biscuts (heart healthy Bisquick)

Stay posted for more tips on saving not only our money and time!Also, I encourage you to do your part to feed the hungry and send less to the landfill. Did you know that 40% of the food produced in America is not eaten and 17% of the waste in our landfills is food scraps?  Don't throw food away, it could feed a hungry person and that food scrap could enrich the earth. 

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Savings on more than groceries A to Z

What would you like to save on?

Antiques?

Airline tickets?

Gift cards?

Movie tickets?

Zoo visits?

Just let me know and maybe I can help.

Savvy shopping,

Marcia

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Coupons 101

We have had a beautiful snow here in the Atlanta area which is now changing to freezing rain.  I hope we don't lose power; however, snow days are a great time to caught up on coupon clipping and organizing!I am ready with my coupons if we do lose power. I have them stacked up and ready to start clipping after I tend to the tasks which are dependent on electricity! Remember to keep up with all those coupons by using any downtime you have to clip and file.  

Road Trips: I always take my coupons with me on road trips. My husband does the driving while I pass the time quickly, clipping away!  

Doctors Appointments: I also always carry my coupon bag into doctor's (or other appointments) which require "hurry up and wait time."  

Airplanes: I even carry my coupon bag with me on the airplane! As a former flight attendant, I know how much "hurry up and wait time" you have during air travel!

A trusty coupon bag is important. It is key to have a great bag that you can carry with you everywhere.  After all, you never know when you might need a coupon or when you will a few extra minutes somewhere you could be clipping and organizing.I like having a hobby that helps to fill otherwise idle time and I am saving money at the same time.  Now that is priceless!Savvy, smart shopping, and always remember to keep those reusable shopping bags with you!Marcia

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What will today's mystery coupon be?

I just finished using this week's Publix ad to make my grocery list. I also organized my coupons that match the specials my list.

On Thursdays, I go to my Atlanta area Publix because Thursdays are the day of the "mystery coupon." The coupon is located on the 2nd page of the Atlanta Journal Constitutions' living section.

This "mystery coupon" allows you get one item for 1 cent! I always purchase the mystery item even if it is not something I commonly use. It only cost me a penny! If I have no use for the "mystery item" then I can always donate it to a food bank or charity; however, it is quite often something we all use like toilet paper or glass cleaner!  

In 2011 I can't think of anything else you can buy for a penny, so Thursday is my Publix day! 

Savvy, smart, and earth friendly shopping,(don't forget the reusable bags!)

Marcia