Happy St Patricks Day

Hope you have some fun planned for this festive day of Irish lore. We might get out tonight for a sample for green beer later. For now, its another Irish proverb to help you in your frugal ways.

 

Do not take the thatch from your own roof to buy slates for another man's house.

 

Its great to share your wealth and donate stockpile items to those in need, but its important to make sure you don't sacrifice your security and well being. If you have a long lost relative who is always asking to borrow money or co-sign a loan that you doubt they can repay, its not the best choice to sign up for that. Try to offer them alternatives, or question them to decide if they've researched their choices enough. You could offer to help in other non monetary ways.

 

As far as your own expenses - If you've budgeted and accounted for your expenditures or desires and realize you need to earn extra cash, try to earn it yourself. If you choose to have a garage sale or sell something on craigslist to make some spare change, don't feel like you need to lower your prices just because people may ask. Sure we all like to get a bargain, but if you have a fair price on something - don't get all emotional and sell if for a lower price. If you are selling something to just get rid of it, that's different - but if you want to make some money, just say no. Its actually easier to sell something to a stranger than it is to sell to a friend or relative because there is no emotion involved. Many a people make poor financial decisions when emotions are involved. 

 

Have a Great day!

If you buy what you don’t need, you might have to sell what you do

Another Irish Proverb in honor of St Patricks Day which is tomorrow! This one reminds us that being frugal is a matter of choices. Many times we have the cash or income to buy nice things - sometimes even extravagant things, but do we really need them? Sometimes not.

 

Recently, a friend of mine bought a brand new shiny car that has all the bells and whistles. I'm envious that she can enjoy such a nice thing, but I'll get to ride in it too occasionally. But the thing is that its too nice. She doesn't want to drive it to work because the parking lot is full of clients who might give her new car door dings. So it sits in the garage, while she drives her old car. She's fortunate in not having to sell the old car to get the new car, but not everyone is.

 

I have another friend who NEEDS a new car because the car they have is falling apart like a bucket of bolts and nuts. It makes strange noise and lurches, and probably isn't safe to drive fast on the highway. Shopping for another car apparently is happening, but I don't think a brand new car is among those is consideration. This may be a smart decision because if too much of the budget is spent on the car, there might have to be other financial sacrifices made in the household budget.

 

So the point is, if you have something you need and use - be content with it rather than thinking you need to get the bigger better newer faster model. If you buy the new thing, it may have more costs that just the purchase price.

It is Not a Fish Until it is On the Bank

My favorite holiday is approaching this week, so another Irish proverb for us all. This tidbit of wisdom is especially important for us dreamers, who plan on all sorts of wonderful things and suppositions about how things should happen. Sure it was great that we recently planned on selling our boat, we were fortunate in finding a good buyer, and the check cleared the bank and now the boat is gone. But it could have gone a hundred different ways. Many times when something is for sale on Craigslist, you get some phone calls, emails or texts inquiring whether the item is still available, and you respond quickly - only to get no further response. WTH? What are these people thinking? We'll never know, but we do know you can't count on selling stuff quickly (unless you follow my Craigslist Tips).

 

You also can't count on that tax return, or that pay raise, or that job you applied for along with a ton of other people. Its important to not count it as a catch until its in the boat, or on the bank. So keep casting your line out there to get a big fish, but also continue your frugal ways to get you through the dry spell.

Publix Sneak Peek BOGO's 3/17-3/23/11

BOGOLay's Potato Chips, Assorted Varieties, 10 or 10.5 oz bag, Excluding Kettle Cooked, Baked!, Light & Natural, BOGO $3.99

Oscar Mayer Beef Franks, Regular, Light, Bun Length, XXL, Deli Style or Selects Premium, 16 oz pkg (Excluding Angus) BOGO $4.69

Kellogg's Cereal, Assorted Varieties, Crunchy Nut, 10.8 or 14.1 oz box, Ric Krispies, 12-16.5 oz box, Corn Flakes or Raisin Bran 18 or 20 oz box, BOGO $4.09

Post Cereal, Assorted Varieties, Pebbles 10.75 or 11 oz box, Alpha-Bits, Honey-Comb or Golden Crisp, 11.5 to 14.75 box, BOGO $3.25

Ragu Pasta Sauce, Assorted Varieties, 16 to 26.3 oz jar, BOGO $2.19

Mueller's Pasta, Assorted Varieties, 12 to 16 oz box, (Excluding Lasagna, Jumbo Shells and Egg Noodles) BOGO $1.39

Vigo Saffron Yellow Rice, 10 oz pkg, BOGO $1.29

Betty Crocker Premium Muffin Mix, 15.2 to 18.25 oz box, BOGO $2.79

Progresso Soup, 18 to 19 oz can, BOGO, Surprisingly Low Price

New England freshly Ground Coffee, 9-12 oz bag, BOGO $6.39

Taco Bell Home Originals Dinner! 10.75 to 16.35 oz box, BOGO $2.69

Lawry's 30 Minute Marinade, 12 oz bottle, BOGO $3.15

Kraft Mayo Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip Dressing, 30 oz jar, BOGO $3.99

Pop Secret Premium Popcorn, 11.2 ro 21 oz box or 30 oz jar, BOGO $4.69

Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers, or Party Mix or Snack Mix, 9.75 to 14 oz box, BOGO $3.29

Emerald Mixed Nuts, or Almonds or Cashews, 10 or 11.5 oz canister, BOGO $5.79

Arnold Select Sandwich Thins or Sandwich Thins Naturals, Pre-Sliced, 8 count, 12 oz pkg, BOGO $3.29

Pepperidge Farm Swirl Bread, 16 oz loaf, BOGO $3.79

Wrigley's Eclipse Gum, or Orbit or Doublemint, Assorted Varieties, Sugarfree, 60 ct bottle, BOGO $3.29

Lance Crackers or Cookies or Wafers, 6 to 14 oz package, BOGO $2.89

Nabisco Single Serve Tray Packs or Variety or Munch Packs, Oreo Cakesters or Soft Snack Cakes or kraft Handi-Snacks, Assorted Varieties, 12 or 15 ct 9.45 to 25.2 oz pkg, BOGO $5.99

Diana's Bananas Banana Babies, 10.5 oz box, BOGO $4.49 (YUM!!)

Shedd's Spread Country Crock, Regular or Churn Style, 15 oz tub, or twin pack, 2 pack, 7.5 oz tub, BOGO $2.09

Breyers Ice Cream, 48 oz carton, BOGO $5.49

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, 7 to 10 oz pkg (Excluding Asparagus Cuts) BOGO $1.79

Mrs. Paul's Fish or Fried Clams. 8 tp 11 oz pkg, BOGO $4.49

Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals Cracker Chips, 6 oz bag, BOGO $3.49

All Small & Mighty Laundry Detergent, or 2X Ultra, 32 or 50 oz bottle, BOGO $5.99

Atkins Advantage Shake, 4 pack, 11 oz can, BOGO $4.99

Publix Extra Strength Gas Relief, 30 ct package, BOGO $5.59

WellPatch Pain Relief Patch, 4 cCount Box, BOGO $5.99

Thanks to JD on Slickdeals Publix Thread (check HERE for coupon matchups)

Thursday Thunder

Wow! Today I woke up to heavy rain and thunder, and it was sure hard to get out of bed. This kind of weather is usually in the summer. Although it has been warm here lately, in the 80's. But wait, its going to be winter again this weekend with lows in the 40s. Ick.

 

I'm looking forward to shopping at #Publix today to get the gas card deal, which all of you should do if you want to save 20% on gas. Just spend $25 on groceries (before coupons) and you can use the coupon in Weekly Ad to get $10 off $50 gas card (Shell, BP, Hess, Amoco). I usually match up the sale with some great deals and end up spending about $27 for $50 of gas - almost a 50% savings, plus all the groceries are thrown in for free!

 

Here's an example of one of my shops this week.

 

10-Mar	28		99.25	14.06	58.00	tax	27.19	28	-72.60%
Product	qty	price	subtl	-B1G1	-Q		total	Q#	Q details
garlic	1	0.07	0.07				0.07
bananas	1	0.25	0.25				0.25
Dentastix dog treat BOGO	6	3.79	22.74	11.37	12.00		-0.63	6	$2/1 MQ 1-30RP
ramen	3	0.17	0.51				0.51
Sargento Cheese shredded	4	2.00	8.00		8.00		0.00	6	$1/2 MQ + $1.50/1 PQ
Lysol cleaner spray BOGO	2	2.69	5.38	2.69	3.00		-0.31	2	$2/2 WD + $1/2 MQ 2-6 SS
Purina One Beyond Cat Fd	2	2.79	5.58		8.00		-2.42	4	$2/1 print+$2/1 WD
reach floss	2	0.99	1.98		2.00		-0.02	2	$1/1 print
Gas Gift Card	1	50.00	50.00		10.00		40.00	1	10/50 pq
Birds Eye Steam fresh veg	6	0.79	4.74		5.00		-0.26	5	$1/2 PQ YAB + $1/3 1-23ss
$/$$ Publix coupon		0.00	0.00		5.00		-5.00	1	$5/$30 PQ
$/$$ coupon		0.00	0.00		5.00		-5.00	1	$5/$25 competitor

Handfuls Make a Load

This Irish proverb is so wise in many ways. Watching the news about the unrest in Libya and the resulting rise in gas prices affects many of us. We get used to our routine and drive anywhere we want and just pay the price. But now the price of gas hurts. Its over $3.50 a gallon here and rising daily. So this is the time to prepare for higher prices. Not just of gas, but of many goods and services that rely on transportation - like groceries and all that online shopping we love to do.

 

So what can you do about it? Start with handfuls. Small steps or changes to cut back or be more frugal with your ways. I rode my bike to work even though it was a little cold (50F) knowing I would save myself the price of a gallon of gas. DH rode his motorcycle to work as well which saves some gas. We'll have to cut back on some of our trips to Publix and reconsider some driving trips we planned this summer.

 

Its not just conserving gas that small handfuls make a difference. Any area of your life you want to improve or change, can benefit from handfuls. I know I'm still trying to lose a few pounds of extra weight before our next cruise in April, but its tough these days. I need to just give up that one snack each day that isn't necessary. I need to just walk that extra distance thru the parking lot, and I need to drink that one extra glass of water each day. All these small things hopefully will add up.

 

Pretty soon those handfuls will make a load.

 

photo via

 

Another Craigslist Success Story

You never really know how http://www.craigslist.com is going to work, whether you'll sell your item fast or slow - but it sure is great when it works. Last week, we listed our fishing boat on Craigslist and it sold this weekend. Now, this was not some cheap floating tin cup, it was a 2005 all fiberglass hull center console Proline with a nice Suzuki motor that was quieter than our Camry. It was expensive, so that limited our buyer field, but there are people out there with disposable income that they want to spend on toys. Lucky for us, we got our asking price.

 

That was our problem, we bought the boat three years ago planning all sorts of water adventures and travels. But then gas prices started climbing close to the four dollar range (like they are now!), and we started looking at getting a scooter or something for DH to commute. Well, he wasn't going to go for that - he wanted a full fledged motorcycle. So we got our licenses and bought motorcyles that summer. Well, you guessed it, we love it. Any weekend that is nice for motorcycling, is also nice for boating - but we more often than not went motorcycling. So that nice boat sat on the trailer in our yard and hardly got used. We only put 60 hours on it in 3 years, which is pretty pathetic if you ask me.

 

We decided to see if we could get our money out of it and put it up for sale. We didn't need to sell it, but we'd put it out there. A while ago I posted these Craigslist Tips to sell stuff fast and they really work. One of the unknown factors that probably helped us this time, was that it is boat show season in Tampa. There was a boat show last weekend at the Fairgrounds, and now this coming weekend at the Tropicana Field in St Pete. Seeing the price of new boats and comparing it to ours, was a good deal for the buyers. Plus the warm weather gets everyone wanting to get out and play. Anyway, the boat sold for only $500 less than we paid over three years ago, so it was not a bad deal. One important tip when you are purchasing large items (boats, cars, houses) is to make money buying it, because you can't plan on making money selling it. If you buy it right, you can have it for a while and sell it for the same price, not costing you much. We were able to sell it for over blue book value as determined by www.nadaguides.com

 

One thing we did though, I would never recommend. We took a check from the buyers. But we're really the ones holding the cards so to speak. We still have the boat and the title in our possession while they ready their property for storing the boat. We're keeping it another week and the check has time to clear. After it has posted to our bank account, we'll let them come get it and complete the paperwork. We really would have preferred they just give us a small deposit of a few hundred dollars to hold it for them, and then get the remainder in cash - but they agreed to pay in advance the whole amount.

 

So, we're hoping that check doesn't bounce.

Publix Sneak Peek weekly Ad 3/10-3/16/11

BOGO's
Kellogg's Raisin Bran Cereal or Corn Flakes 24 or 25.5oz box, Fiberplus Cereal 11.5-15.3oz box, or Low Fat Granola or Raisin Bran Crunch 18-18.2oz box, BOGO $4.49
Kellogg's FiberPlus Bars, 6.3oz box, BOGO (No Price Listed)
Phillips Crab Cakes, 6oz pkg, BOGO $8.99
Butterball Turkey Sausage, Links or Patties, ,10oz pkg, BOGO $3.49
Hebrew National Kosher All Beef Franks, 11-12oz pkg, BOGO $5.19
Marzetti Simply Dressed Dressing, 12oz jar, BOGO $3.49
Starkist Gourmet Choice Tuna Fillet, 4pk 4.5oz can, BOGO $7.69
Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Regular or Organic Imported, 16oz bot, BOGO $6.65
Kraft Dressing, 24oz bot, BOGO $4.09
Vlasic Stackers Dills, or Pickles or Spears, 16-46oz jar, BOGO $2.89
LouAna Pure Vegetable Oil or canola or Corn and Canola, 48oz bot, BOGO $3.89
Hunt's Tomato Ketchup, 24oz bot, BOGO $1.75
Tuttorosso Tomatoes, or Tomato Sauce or Puree, 28-29oz can, BOGO $1.87
Ocean Spray Juice Cocktail, or Dink Bland Juice, Juice Drink, Juice or Juice Beverage, 64oz bot (Excluding 100% Juice Items) BOGO $3.97
Minute Maid Coolers, or Just 10 Fruit Punch or Fruit Falls Water, 10pk 6.75oz box, (Excluding 100% Juice Items), BOGO $2.77
Post Honey Bunches of Oats cereal, 13-17oz box, Vanilla Clusters 18oz box, or Just Bunches! 17oz box (Excluding Family Size), BOGO $4.09
South Beach Living or Planters Bars, 5.52-8.1oz box, BOGO (No Price listed)
Barilla Pasta, (Excluding Barilla Plus and Lasagna), 13.25-16oz box, BOGO $1.43
La Famiglia DelGrosso Pasta Sauce, 26oz jar, BOGO (Surprisingly Low Price)
Pillsbury Moist Supreme Cake Mix, 18.25-18.9oz box, BOGO $1.79
Quaker Natural Granola, 28oz box, BOGO $5.29
Selected Canada Dry, 7UP, or A&W or Diet Rite, 2L bot, BOGO $1.95
Tostitos Tortilla Chips, 9-13oz bag,(Excluding Baked or Natural), BOGO $3.99
Arnold Whole Grains Bread, or Grains & More, Healthfull, or Country White, 24oz loaf, BOGO $3.99
Keebler Town House Crackers, 9.5-16oz box, BOGO $4.09
Snickers Fun Size Snacks, Peanut Butter Squared or Big Bag: Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way, or Twiz Cookie Bars, 21.5-22.55oz bag, BOGO $6.59
Nabisco Honey Maid Grahams, or Original Grahams, Nutter Butter, or Cameo Crème Sandwich Cookies, 10.5-16oz pkg, BOGO $4.09
Breakstone's Cottage Cheese, 4pk 4oz cup, BOGO $2.99
Yoplait YoPlus Yogurt, 4pk 4oz cup, BOGO $2.00
PhillySwirl Frozen Treats, 16.5-21oz box, BOGO $2.99
Stouffer's French Bread Pizza, 2ct 10.37-12.5oz box, BOGO $2.95
SeaPak Shrimp Co. Shrimp, or Fish or Crab Cakes, 8-28oz pkg., BOGO $7.59
Kellogg's Eggo Pancakes, or Cinnabon, Eggo Nutri-Grain Fruit Pizza, or French Toaster Sticks, 5.3-16.4oz box, BOGO $2.79
Rubbermaid Produce Saver Food Container, 5-cup cont., BOGO $4.69
Glad Zipper Freezer or Storage Bags, Gallon or Quart Size, 30-50ct, BOGO $3.29
Pedigree Dentastix Snack Food for Dogs, Large Dogs 7 Sticks 6.2oz pkg, Small Dogs, 6oz pkg, BOGO Surprisingly Low Price ***This may be a regional deal****
Lysol Disinfectant Trigger Spray Cleaner, 32oz bot, Kitchen Cleaner, 22oz bot, BOGO $2.69

 BAKERY

Irish Soda Bread, 16oz loaf, $4.19
Baguettes, 8oz loaf, $1.49
Two Dozen Cookies, 16oz pkg, 2/$5
Crusty Sports Bread, 20oz loaf, $3.99
Corn Muffins, 4ct, 10oz pkg, $2.49
Key Lime Pie, 34oz, $6.49
Decorated Cupcakes, 6ct, 12oz pkg, $3.99 (12ct, 24oz pkg, $6.99)
Cinnamon Buns 6ct, 14oz pkg, $4.49

DAIRY
Voskos Greet Yogurt, 5.3oz cup, 10/$10
Pillsbury Ready to Bake Cookies, 16-16.5oz pkg., 2/$5
Claussen Pickles, or Spears or Crisp Sauerkraut, 2/$4
Egg Beaters, 15-16oz ctn., 3/$5
Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almond Milk, half gal ctn., 2/$5
Sargento Shredded Cheese, 5-8oz pkg, 2/$4
Cabot Vermont Cheddar cheese bar or Pepper Jack, 8oz pkg, 2/$4

DELI
Publix Deli Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, $5.99/lb
8-Piece Mixed fried Chicken, $5.99
Publix Deli Sweet Coleslaw, 16oz cont, $1.99
King’s Hawaiian Mini Snacker, 8.8oz pkg, 2/$3
Publix Turkey Breast Whole Sub, $4.99, (Add Combo for $1.40) (Boars Head, $6.09)
Boar’s Head Top Round Corned Beef, $9.99/lb
Publix Large Chef Salad, $4.99(Boars Head, $5.29)
Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, 7.2oz (Excluding Chocolate and White Chocolate), 2/$5


FROZEN
Publix GreenWise Market Organic Frozen Pizza, $3.99
Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables, 7.5-32oz pkg, or Corn on the Cob 4 or 12 ct pkg, (Excluding Southland Brand Products), 50% off
Marie Callender’s Dinners, or Pot Pie, 8.5-21oz box, 4/$10
Publix Premium Ice Cream, or Frozen Yogurt, half-gal, 2/$7
Weight Watchers Smart Ones Entrees, 4.45-12oz box, 5/$10

GROCERY
Folgers or Dunkin Donuts Coffee, 27.8-33.9oz can or 11 or 12oz bag, $6.99
Folgers 100% Colombian or Classic Decaf Coffee, $7.99
V8 V-Fusion 100% Juice, or 100% Vegetable Juice, 46oz bot, 2/$5
Del Monte Fruit, 4 pk 3.75-4.5oz cup, or Fruit Chillers, 8ct 2oz tube, 3/$5
12-Pack Selected Coca-Cola Products, 12oz can, B2G1
Selected Coca Cola Products, 2L bot, 2/$3
Glaceau Vitaminwater or Smartwater, 20oz or 1L bot, 10/$10
Planters Peanuts, Dry Roasted 16oz jar, or Cocktail Peanuts 16oz can, 2/$4
Frito-Lay Snacks, 20 or 22ct 18-22oz bag, $5.99
Nabisco Family Size Crackers, 12-16oz box, $3.49


HEALTH & BEAUTY
Irish spring Body Wash 15-18oz bot, or Bar Soap 8ct 4oz box, or Anti-Perspirant & deodorant 2.7-3oz pkg, 2/$5
Herbal Essences Hair care Products, 6.24-12oz pkg, or Aussie Hair Care Products 6-14oz pkg., 2/$5
Cetaphil Gently Cleansing Bar Soap, 4.5oz bar, $2.99
Secret Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant, (Excluding Secret Clinicals) 2.6-2.7oz pkg, $3.89
Depend Protective Underwear, 14-20ct, or Depends Pads 48ct, or Poise Pads 30-72ct pkg, $10.99
Crest toothpaste, 5.8, 7.8, or 8oz tube, or Crest Pro-Health Rinse 500ml bot, or Scope Mouthwash 710ml-1L bot, $3.29
Allegra Allergy medicine, 30ct box, $16.99
Excedrin Pain Medicine, 80-100ct, $5.99
Pepto Bismol, 12-40ct pkg, or 8-12oz bot, 25% off
Caltrate Calcium Dietary Supplement, 60-200ct bot., 25% off
Kellogg’s Special K Protein Shakes, 4pk 10oz bot, 2/$10
Allegra-D Tables, 10ct box, $3.00 off
Allegra-D Tablets, 20ct box, $5.00 off


HOUSEHOLD
Hefty EZ Foil Crown Classic Roaster Pan, 1ct pan, 50% off
Brita Pitcher Replacement Filters, 3ct box, $13.99
Publix Plastic Cups, 16oz 50ct pkg, $2.19
Puff’s Facial Tissues, 48-56ct box, 4/$5
Kleenex Viva Paper Towels, 1roll pkg, 2/$3
Sparkle Paper Towels, 6-8roll, $4.99
Angel Soft Bathroom Tissue, 9-24roll, $4.99
Gain Detergent, 100oz bot, $9.99
Clorox Liquid Bleach or Gel, 82-96oz bot, 3/$5
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, 19-24oz bot, 2/$5
Bounce Dryer Sheets, or Downy 105-120ct box, or Bounce Dryer Bar, 1ct box, $4.99
Finish Automatic Dishwasher Detergent, 20ct box, or Quantum 10ct box, $2.99

BABY
Gerber Graduates Lil Entrees, or Lil Crunchies Puffs, Healthy Meals, or Finger Foods, 1.48-6.6oz pkg, 3/$5


MEAT
Crown Corned Beef, $2.99/lb
Center Cut Pork Rib Chops, or Thick Cut, $3.69/lb
Center Cut Pork Loin Chops, $3.79/lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Cutlets, $3.99/lb
Publix Greenwise Market Chicken Cutlets, $5.99/lb
Pork Loin Country Style Ribs, or Pork Sirloin Chops, $2.69/lb
Mosey’s Corned Beef Brisket, or Murphy & David Corned Beef, $3.19/lb
Ground Chuck, $2.99/lb
Stuffed Green Peppers, $3.49/lb
Bottom Round Roast, $3.69/lb
Rump Roast, $3.99/lb
Bone-In Ribeye Steaks, $7.99/lb
Boneless Ribeye Steaks, $8.99/lb
Publix Greenwise market Top Sirloin Fillets, or Sirloin for Stir Fry, $6.99/lb
Perdue Short Cuts Chicken or Turkey Breast, 9oz pkg, 2/$6
Oscar Mayer Basic Lunchables, 3.3-4.5oz pkg, 10/$10
Smithfield Naturally Hickory Smoked Bacon, 16oz pkg, 2/$6
Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage Roll, 12-16oz pkg, 2/$6
Land OFrost Premium Sliced Lunch Meats, 16oz pkg, $3.49
Tyson Chicken Breast Fillets, or Strips or Tenderloins, Breaded, 25oz pkg, $6.99
Hormel Meat Entrees, 17oz pkg, $4.99


SEAFOOD
Medium White Shrimp, 41-50 per lb, $4.99/lb
Peeled and Deveined, 51-60 per lb, $5.99/lb
Fresh Mahi Fillets, 5.6oz minimum, $6.99
Fresh Yellowfin Tuna Select Cuts, 5.6oz minimum, $8.99
Publix Finishing Sauces, 2/$7
Fresh Tilapia Fillets, $6.39/lb
Small Lobster Tails, 3oz minimum per tail, $4.99
Publix Whiting Fillets, Frozen 32oz pkg, $5.99
Medium Cooked Shrimp, 41-50per lb, $6.99/lb

PET
Purina Friskies Cat Food, 5.5oz can, 10/$4
Iams Dog Food or Puppy Food, 15.5-17.5lb bag, $16.99

PRODUCE
Green Cabbage, $0.29/lb
Petite Red Potatoes, 2/$5
Lemons, 3/$1.29
Navel Oranges, $0.89/lb
Sweet Plums, Red or Black, $1.29/lb
Tree-Ripened Peaches, or Nectarines, $1.99/lb
Maradol Papaya, $1.29/lb
Blueberries, 1 pt pkg, $2.99
Florida Strawberries, 16oz pkg, 3/$5 (32oz pkg, $3.29)
Cantaloupes, 2/$4
Bartlett Pears, $1.29/lb
Fresh Broccoli, 2/$4
Publix Premium Salad Kits, 2/$5
Portabella Mushrooms, 6oz pkg, $2.69
Crunch Pak Apple Slices, 14oz bag, 2/$5
Simply 100% Apple or Grapefruit Juice or Orange Juice or Blend, 59oz or 1.75L, 2/$6
Publix Dried Fruits, Nuts, and Snacks, 3.9-19.2oz pkg, 25% off


IN AD COUPONS
$10 off the Purchase of ANY $50 Gas Card With a Grocery Purchase of $25 or More
$3.00 off one Pampers Baby Dry or Cruiser Diapers, 48-116ct box
$3.00 off one Huggies Snug & Dry or Supreme Diapers, 48-156ct box
$7.00 off two Enfamil Infant Powder Formula, 22.2-23.4oz pkg

Last Page of Ad: Better Eating Better Living, Free Coupon Booklets in-store or visit Bettereatingandbetterliving.com
General Mills Cereal, Cheerios 14oz box, Multigrain Cheerios 12.8oz box, or Assorted Chex or Total, 10.6-18.25 oz box, 2/$5
Yoplait Smoothie Mix, 7.6oz bag, 2/$5
Hellmann’s Easy Out Mayonnaise, 22oz bot, $3.49
Lipton Tea, Family Size, 24ct box, $1.99
Campbell’s Select Harvest Soup, 18.6-18.8oz can or 15.3oz bowl, 3/$5
Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats, 12oz bag, Limit One Deal, 2/$4

In-Ad Coupons that go with these sales!

$1.00 off two General Mills Cereal, Cheerios 14oz box, Multigrain Cheerios 12.8oz box, or Assorted Chex or Total, 10.6-18.25 oz box
$1.00 off two Yoplait Smoothie Mix, 7.6oz bag
$0.75 off one Hellmann’s Easy Out Mayonnaise, 22oz bot
$0.55 off one Lipton Tea, Family Size, 24ct box
$1.50 off Three Campbell’s Select Harvest Soup, 18.6-18.8oz can or 15.3oz bowl
$0.50 off one Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats
 
Thanks to Curly1534 on Slickdeals Publix Thread (check here for coupon matchups)

How to Get Out Of Debt This St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. The holiday is a great opportunity for people to get together with friends and family and knock back a few beers. Traditionally, people don green attire on this holiday. However, if you want to enjoy all of the St. Patrick's Day festivities, there is another green thing you need to worry about. That green thing is money. Many people suffer from mountains of credit card debt. Debt can be suffocating for anyone who finds themselves in it. For St. Patrick's Day this year, it is time to take steps to get out of debt.

Assess the Situation

The first step to getting out of debt is to figure how serious the situation is. To do this, pull up all of your credit card statements and figure out exactly how much you owe. You also want to think about how you wound up in debt to begin with. A good way to do this is to track your spending for a week. Write down every cent you spend. This will help you understand where all of your money went. The first step to getting out of debt is understanding how you got there. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting in to debt all over again.

Make a Budget

If you want to figure out a plan to eliminate debt, you need to figure out how much you can afford to pay. In order to do this, you should make a budget. A budget is a template that helps you live a financially responsible life. You can make your budget in any number of ways, but a monthly budget is the most common format. When making your budget, you want to list several categories. First, list all of your income. Then, list your fixed expenses. This includes loan payments, rent, and utilities. The next category will be your variable expenses. This includes groceries, gas, clothing, and entertainment. This is the area where you have some flexibility. Assign a reasonable amount that you feel you can stick with. After your expenses, list another category. This category should include money you can put toward debt and money you can save. If you have left over money in your variable expense categories, that is more that you can put toward debt. The key is making a budget that you are comfortable with.

Learn to Save Money

If you pay a little more attention to detail, you can save a lot of money in every category. With groceries, look for coupons and sales before you go out. If you have a smartphone, take advantage of the many apps that are geared toward saving money at the store. To save on gas, consider combining trips. If you plan your activities ahead of time, you might be able to knock out more errands in one trip. For your gas bill, turn your thermostat down a couple of degrees. You will still be comfortable while saving a sizeable amount of money on your bill. As for entertainment, look for special event deals. It may be difficult to find a money saving pattern that works for you, but you will see results once you do.

Consider Debt Relief

If your credit card debt is sizeable, consider debt relief programs. First, contact your credit card company. They may be willing to work with you on a payment arrangement that will save you money and not destroy your credit. If you have debt on several cards, consider a debt relief service. These services can help you eliminate credit card debt in a less stressful way. Essentially, they will eliminate fees and interest so that you can save in those areas. As long as the debt relief program is reputable, you should be able to eliminate your debt as time goes on.

Author’s Bio: Mark Paul is a regular contributor for Debt Consolidation Advice and guest writes for several other finance related blogs. He covers the debt relief industry and provides helpful ways for getting out of debt. He also offers various tips for saving money and being financially responsible.

Tampa - $1 off Fresh Meat Coupon

#Tampa peeps - check your St Pete Times Newspaper carefully today, there is a Target coupon for $1 off Fresh Meat on the ad insert. These can be used at most Publix stores as a competitor coupon. Since its a store coupon it will stack nicely with the $1.00 off beef wyb Uncle Bens rice coupon. Remember, today is the last day that Uncle Bens Ready Rice is BOGO at Publix

 

Here's my scenario:

 

2 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice 8.5 to 8.8 oz pouch, BOGO $1.99-$1/2 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice Product 2/20/2011 RP Insert (exp 4/17/2011)
2 packages of Beef (have butcher package around $2 each for you)

$1/1 Fresh Beef WYB Uncle Ben's Product 2/13/2011 RP Insert (exp 4/10/2011)-$1/1 Fresh Meat – 3/2/2011 Target Coupon in St Pete Times Ad Insert (exp 3/5/2011)
 

Totals:

+1.99 Rice

+0.00 BOGO

+2.00 beef pkg

+2.00 beef pkg

-1.00 MQ rice

-2.00 MQ beef

-2.00 TQ meat

=$0.99 for two rice and 2 packs of meat