Breakfast Savings at Publix

It's time to re-think your breakfast routine! Challenge yourself and discover how much time and money you could save during the week by shopping and eating breakfast at home.

The most important meal you eat is breakfast and the way to make it healthy is to eat at home. We do every day. It's easy to pull out a box of your favorite cereal, with some fresh fruit on top, and just pour on some milk. Just plan an extra 5 minutes into your morning and you'll thank yourself later when you avoid eating snacks from the vending machines or junk food in your cupboard.

 

April 1st - April 10th during the Publix® Breakfast Savings event, take advantage of great savings on some of your family's favorites like Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and other General Mills breakfast items. For coupon offers on varieties your whole family will love, visit the Publix Breakfast Savings page at http://www.everydaysaver.com/publix.

 

The information, products and General Mills gift pack were provided by General Mills and Publix® through MyBlogSpark.

Saving At the Store Starts At Home

When looking at the family budget, we usually try to trim down on groceries and household goods.  This is all good in theory, but we've all had moments of grief at the checkout line when the cashier gives the total. There is a vast array of articles and advice columns on smart shopping and couponing, most of which can be very insightful.  However, they glaze over some of the more "obvious" ways to reduce grocery spending.  I tried to find a few simple ways to save that often get overlooked. Not only are these tips fairly easy to do, they can make a dramatic difference on how much you spend on food each month.

Clean out your pantry.  Americans waste about 25% of the food they buy. So if you spend $200 on groceries, chances are you'll end up tossing $50 worth of it, by letting things spoil. It's a cruel cycle.  Before you make your next trip, go through your cupboards and see what can be used up. Create a list of meals you can potentially cook with your findings. This can help you trim down your shopping list, as well as help you clear out your cabinets and fridge.  Be sure to make special note of products your family didn't eat and avoid making the same purchases in the future.

Eating healthy may save you money.  Contrary to popular belief, healthier meal options can actually be less expensive in many cases. For example, people that do eat breakfast usually have a sugary, carb-based one.  Although having a big breakfast is good and can give you more energy in the morning, a bowl full of sugar-frosted cereal in a bowl of whole milk may not be the best way to start your day.  Oatmeal is a great alternative to cold cereal; not only is it much better for you, but it's super inexpensive! High-fiber fruits and vegetables are a filling, healthy alternative to typical snack foods.  I promise you that a bag of baby carrots is much cheaper than a pack of potato chips, and it's much better for your family. 

Shop less frequently.  This one is sort of a no brainer, and yet people rarely mention it.  Sit down and plan your meals for 1-2 weeks; this way you'll have an accurate shopping list.  You definitely need to be realistic about your family's eating habits. I'm definitely a grazer, so I try to factor in small snacks when I create my list. Your personal schedule is also a very important factor. If you always have busy Wednesdays, pick up a couple of for those nights.  Meal planning is a great tool help reduce your grocery trips, just be sure to stick to the list!

Limit your takeout intake.  Ordering out can be super convenient when you're tired, or have guests (extra people at the dining table). But whether you're getting pizza for the kids or Chinese for yourself, avoid it at all costs.  Takeout adds up quickly, so avoid making it a habit.  If you already find that you eat out frequently, try slowly reducing the number of meals you purchase and cooking instead.  I've actually done this, and it makes all the difference.  Not just in your wallet, but your health.  People tend to eat a little healthier when they prepare the foods themselves.  And trust me, a homemade lunch can be just as delicious as a $7 sandwich.

Only buy in bulk when it makes sense! Ten pounds of potatoes for 4 bucks is a sweet deal, but you probably won't get through that bag before the potatoes start sprouting.  Remember, just because something is on sale, doesn't mean that you should purchase it.  Evaluate the need and practicality of bulk purchases.  Is the item even on your grocery list? If so, what's the shelf life? Stocking up is a great way to save money, but you may end up throwing money away if you aren't smart about it.

Author Bio: Brittany writes about frugal living, , and on behalf of Marie Callender's.  For more fun tips and dinner ideas.

 

The Fun You Can Have For Free

Like you, I used to be under the impression that not many things came for free, except maybe love - and for anyone that has experienced a broken heart, even that can be costly!

 

However, after having babies I was forced into looking at things from a different perspective; usually through a tired haze of milky drool (the babies, not mine) and discovered there are, in fact, plenty of fun things to do that don't cost a single cent.

 

This is great news in todays financially challenging world, where every single dollar really does count, and that trip to the cinema may mean sacrificing your chocolate allowance for the week.  As every busy mom knows, chocolate equals sanity…it's really not worth it!

 

So, here are my top tips for enjoying life for free, and even having a little fun along the way:

 

Review a new restaurant

 

is now a $1.6 billion dollar industry, focussed on improving the customer service offered by retail outlets, restaurants and service providers. 

 

During an assignment you should expect to be asked to eat anywhere, from fine dining restaurants to fast food outlets, for a set budget of anything between $10-$90.

Make a budget
Work out your outgoings every month and set this off against how much you earn. By establishing how much money you should be spending every month, you can then find out how much you can realistically save. This also allows you to see how much free cash you have each month, so if you're personal interest outside of work and home is shopping, eating out or playing online games, such as , you can indulge without the guilt!

Freecycling

 

Freecycling is the latest craze sweeping the nation.  It is defined as: the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new products of a better quality.  In layman's terms it's a fantastic way to 'bring back to life' products that would have otherwise have sat, unloved, in your garage for the next seventeen years. 

 

You can have so much fun painting and adorning that dreary mahogany wardrobe in fresh white paint and new handles, and I promise you will be amazed at the results. 

 

This is a great way to redesign your house without investing hundreds of dollars, or you could sell your items for a premium by selling them at craft fairs or online and listing them as 'vintage' or 'shabby chic'

 

Free Days out

 

Believe it or not, there are hundreds of fun, free days out to be taken advantage of that even the most challenging of children will enjoy.  I will list some of my favourites:

 

·         Get educated and go to a museum or art gallery

·         Blow away the cobwebs at the seaside

·         Find a river and feed the ducks

·         Meet up with friends and take a picnic to the park

·         Start a scrapbook in which to preserve your treasured memories

·         Camp with your kids in the garden.  It's like a holiday only cheaper, and you get to use your own bathroom.

 

Make Play dough

 

All kids (and a fair few adults) love play dough.  Even though you'll be picking bits of neon paste from the carpet for several days afterwards, play dough is an easy kids crowd-pleaser that can be whipped up with ingredients from your store cupboard.  I find the following recipe best:

 

3 cups of flour

1.5 cups of salt

6 tsp cream of tartar

3 tbsp oil

3 cups of water

Food colouring (optional)

Vanilla or peppermint essence (optional)

 

Put all ingredients into a large, sturdy saucepan.  Stir continuously over a medium heat until dough forms.  Remove from the pan and knead until the consistency is play-dough like.  Leave to cool before giving it to the kids.

 

 

Guest Post by Kathryn Thompson (Photo Via:

 

My Publix Trip - Saved $121, Spent $2.96

No picture today, we had refrigerated products to put away and then jump back in the truck to get some free firewood from the neighbors curb.

It took a long time to shop simply because everything was in different areas of the store and we criss crossed back and forth. I should have been more organized. There were a few things I had no idea what the price was for my GroceryTracker app and had to go back to get the price for my calculations. I was pleasantly surprised the Chinet napkins and the Simply Potatoes were moneymakers because the price was lower than the ad. The Neutragena soap was only $0.99 after the $2 off sale and the MQ in the GAB that expires today Friday makes it a $0.50 moneymaker too.

Anyway, I had just finished up my mayo this week making some Kobe Shrimp Sauce for the stir fried rice. That sauce is so yummy and I just googled to get the recipe which tastes just like the restaurants. So this trip turned into a big enough one that I could stack a competitor $5/$25 with the $5/$40 Publix coupon which would have put me negative, but I had DH run and get his favorite non frugal stuff - peanuts and bottled water. I spent $2.96 and saved $121.23.

21-Mar	47		118.66	46.59	70.50	tax	2.96	45	-97.50%
Product	qty	price	subtl	B1G1	-Q	1.39	total	Q#	Q details
cucumber	1	0.75	0.75				0.75
Lettuce, iceburg	1	1.69	1.69				1.69
bananas	2	0.24	0.48				0.48
green pepper	1	1.31	1.31				1.31
Alexia Bread BOGO	2	3.69	7.38	3.69	5.00		-1.31	2	$2.50/1 mq print
Frenches Fried Onions BOGO	2	3.45	6.90	3.45	2.00		1.45	2	$1/1 blinkie
Hellmans Mayo 30oz BOGO	8	4.83	38.64	19.32	12.00		7.32	8	$1.50/1 PQ ss bklt
Maybelline eye shadow	4	2.99	11.96		14.00	0.78	-1.26	8	$2/1 PQ + 1.50/1 MQ print
Jennie O turky Bacon BOGO	4	2.99	11.96	5.98	4.00		1.98	4	$1/1 MQ print
Chinet Napkins BOGO	10	1.69	16.90	8.45	10.00	0.55	-1.00	10	$1/1 MQ print
Simply Potatoes hash brwn BOGO	4	1.85	7.40	3.70	4.00		-0.30	4	$1/2 MQ print + $1/2 PQ ssbklt
Roasted Peanuts 2lb bag	1	3.29	3.29				3.29
Water, 1 gal	1	0.67	0.67				0.67
Eat Smart Veg broccoli	1	1.00	1.00				1.00
Neutrogena Soap $2off	1	2.99	2.99	2.00	1.50	0.06	-0.45	1	$1.50/1 MQ GAB
Nature Made Vit D	2	2.67	5.34		8.00		-2.66	4	$2/1 MQ print + $2/1 TQ prt
Publix coupon	1	0.00	0.00		5.00		-5.00	1	$5/$40 PQ 3-3 paper
Save A lot	1	0.00	0.00		5.00	0.00	-5.00	1	$5/25 ad flyer

3/24 Sunday Coupon Inserts - RP SS

Redplum 3/24

A Taste of Thai $1/2 peanut products (5/31/13)

Advil $1/1 20ct+ (6/22/13)

Advil $1/1 Children's (6/22/13)

Advil $1/1 Migraine 20ct+ (6/22/13)

Advil $1/1 PM 16ct+ (6/22/13)

Alavert $1/1 product excluding 6ct (5/12/13)

Angel Soft $.45/1 4pk+ double roll bathroom tissue (4/30/13)

Axe $1/1 16oz shower gel or detailer shower tool etss (4/21/13)

Axe $1/1 4oz bodyspray, 2.7oz antiperspirant and deodorant or 3oz deodorant ets (4/21/13)

Axe $1/1 face wash, shave gel or hydrator ets (4/21/13)

Axe $1/1 shampoo or styling aid ets (4/21/13)

AXE Schick $3/1 razor or disposable dnd (6/30/13)

AXE Schick $3/1 refill dnd (6/30/13)

Best Foods $.50/1 22oz+ product (4/21/13)

Best Foods/Hellman's $.50/1 22oz+ mayonnaise TARGET coupon (5/5/13)

Bounty $1/1 6pk+ DuraTowel paper towels TARGET coupon (4/30/13)

Breeze 2 $10/1 meter (6/26/13)

Breeze 2 $20/1 test strips (6/26/13)

Cascade $.75/1 Platinum ActionPacs dishwasher detergent ets TARGET coupon (4/30/13)

Dawn $.50/1 dish detergent ets TARGET coupon (4/30/13)

Degree $.75/1 Men motionSENSE product ets (4/21/13)

Degree $.75/1 Women motionSENSE product ets (4/21/13)

DermaSilk $5/1 full size product (4/6/13)

Dove $.75/1 6pk+ bar excluding Men+Care and trial (4/21/13)

Dove $1.50/2 go sleeveless, go fresh, ClearTone or 1 Clinical Protection anti-perspirant/deodorant excludes Men+Care and trial (4/21/13)

Dove $1/1 12oz+ body wash excluding Men+Care and trial (4/21/13)

Dove Men+Care $1/1 13.5oz+ body wash or 6pk+ bar ets (4/21/13)

Dove Men+Care $1/1 2.7oz antiperspirant or 3oz deodorant ets (4/21/13)

Dove Men+Care $1/1 face care ets (4/21/13)

Dove Men+Care $1/1 hair care ets (4/21/13)

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! $.75/2 spread products (4/21/13)

Kibbles 'n Bits $.55/1 dry dog food (5/25/13)

King's Hawaiian $1/2 products excluding 4pk dinner rolls (5/19/13)

King's Hawaiian Free half dozen eggs with purchase of round bread up to $1.50 (5/19/13)

Knorr $.50/2 rice and pasta sides (4/21/13)

Knorr $.75/2 vegetable recipe mix packets TARGET coupon (5/5/13)

Lever 2000 $.50/1 body wash ets (4/21/13)

Lever 2000 $.50/1 ets bar (4/21/13)

Lipton $.75/1 Recipe Secrets soup & dip mix packets (5/5/13)

L'Oreal $1/1 Paris eye product (5/18/13)

L'Oreal $2/1 Excellence shade or Excellence Richesse (5/18/13)

L'Oreal $3/1 Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara (5/18/13)

Nalley $.75/1 16oz+ pickles (5/17/13)

Nestle $1/2 8oz+ Nesteggs (3/31/13)

Noxzema $.50/1 skin care product ets (4/21/13)

Noxzema $1/1 Perfect Pivot 5-Blade razor ets (5/24/13)

POND'S $1/1 cream, towelettes or cleansing product ets (4/21/13)

POND'S $1/1 Luminous Moisture, Luminous Clean cleanser or Luminous Clean towelette ets (4/21/13)

Purina $1.50/1 Beneful Baked Delights dog snacks (6/24/13)

Purina Buy one Busy package, get 1 7oz or smaller free up to $3.69 (4/24/13)

Splenda $1/1 NECTRESSE 100% no calorie sweetener product dnd (6/24/13)

Splenda $2/1 5.9oz canister NECTRESSE 100% no calorie sweetener dnd (6/24/13)

Suave Men $1/2 body wash products ets (4/21/13)

Suave Professionals Men $.50/2 hair products ets (4/21/13)

TheraTears $4/1 eye care product excluding Contact Lens Comfort Drops (6/30/13)

Thermacare $1/1 Cold Wrap 1ct or HeatWrap 2ct+ (6/22/13)

TRESemme $3/2 Platinum Strength, Keratin Smooth, Split Remedy or Naturals products ets (4/21/13)

Tums $1.50/1 50ct freshers (5/24/13)

Tums $1.50/2 24ct+ (5/24/13)

Vanity Fair $1/2 napkins (6/24/13)

Vaseline $2/1 6.5floz Spray & Go moisturizer ets (4/21/13)

Vaseline Buy 20.3floz lotion,, get 10floz lotion free excludes travel and Spray & Go Moisturizer (4/7/13)

Weber $1/1 seasoning bottle, BBQ sauce bottle or 2 marinade packages (5/31/13)

Wisk $1.50/1 24+ loads PowerBlasts (5/5/13)

Wisk $1/1 45oz+ laundry detergent (5/5/13)

Wonka $1/2 10oz+ jelly beans (3/31/13)

 

Smartsource 3/24

Air Wick $1/1 Freshmatic Ultra refill (4/21/13)

Air Wick $1/1 Freshmatic Ultra starter kit or gadget only pack (4/21/13)

Air Wick $1/1 Reed Diffuser (4/21/13)

Air Wick $1/1 Scented Oil twin refill pack or 2 single refills (4/21/13)

Almond Accents $.50/1 3.5oz+ (5/24/13)

Barber Foods $1/1 product (5/31/13)

Betty Crocker $.75/2 Ready to Spread Frosting, Supreme Brownie MIx, Dessert Bar Mix, Box Muffin Mix or 17.5oz+ Cookie Mix (5/18/13)

Bio-Oil $2/1 2 or 4.2oz (5/31/13)

Bio-Oil $4/1 6.7oz (5/31/13)

Birds Eye $.50/2 C&W varieties (4/30/13)

Birds Eye $.50/2 Steamfresh (4/30/13)

Bisquick $.50/1 40oz+ Original or Herat Smart baking mix (5/18/13)

Brut $1/1 2oz+ antiperspirant/deodorants (4/24/13)

California Olive Ranch $1/1 extra virgin olive oil (7/31/13)

Claritin $10/1 70ct (3/31/13)

Claritin $5/1 15ct+ (4/21/13)

Clean & Clear $1/1 Advantage product ets (4/30/13)

Clean & Clear $2/1 Advantage Daily Soothing product ets (4/30/13)

Cuties $.50/1 2, 3 or 5lb product dnd (4/24/13)

Easy-Off $.50/1 product (5/5/13)

Energizer $.50/1 batteries, flashlight or usb wall or car charger (4/20/13)

Excedrin $1.50/1 100ct+ product (4/21/13)

Excedrin $1/1 24ct+ product (4/21/13)

Fast Fixin $1/1 20oz+ regular or restaurant style item (5/31/13)

Fiber One $.50/1 Protein Chewy Bars (5/18/13)

General Mills $1/2 Big G cereals (5/14/13)

General Mills Snacks $.50/2 4.5oz+ Bugles Corn Snacks, Chex Mix, Pilsbury Baguette Chips, Gardetto's Snack Mix or Green Giant Veggie Snack Cups bags (5/18/13)

Glass Plus $.35/1 product (5/5/13)

House Foods $1.50/2 organic tofu (6/30/13)

House Foods $1.50/2 tofu shirataki or shirataki (6/30/13)

House Foods $1/2 premium tofu (6/30/13)

Irish Spring $1/1 body wash ets (4/14/13)

Kaboom $.50/1 Foam-Tastic foaming cleaner (5/31/13)

Kaboom $.50/1 shower, tub & tile spray cleaner (5/31/13)

Kaboom $1/1 no drip foam or BowlBlaster cleaner (5/31/13)

Kotex $.50/1 U product excludes 14-22ct liners (5/4/13)

Kotex $1/2 Natural Balance Lightdays pantiliners excludes 14-22ct (5/4/13)

Kotex $1/2 Natural Balance Security tampons ets (5/4/13)

Kotex $2/2 Natural Balance pads ets (5/4/13)

Lime-A-Way $.50/1 product (5/5/13)

Litehouse $1/2 products (12/31/13)

Lysol $.50/1 Power & Fresh multisurface cleaner TARGET coupon (4/30/13)

Mountain High $.50/1 32oz yoghurt (5/18/13)

Nature Valley/Fiber One $.50/2 Nature Valley 5ct+ Granola Bars, Nature Valley Granola Thins, Fiber One Chewy Bars, Fiber One 90 Calorie Chewy Bars or Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies (5/18/13)

Neutrogena $1/1 lip or eye makeup (4/30/13)

Neutrogena $1/1 Naturals acne product ets (6/23/13)

Neutrogena $2/1 face makeup (4/30/13)

Old English $.75/1 product (5/5/13)

Palmolive $.50/1 14oz+ dish liquid (4/13/13)

Palmolive $.75/1 14oz+ soft touch dish liquid (4/13/13)

Pillsbury $.30/2 refrigerated Grands! Biscuits (6/15/13)

Pillsbury $.40/2 Crescent Dinner Rolls excludes twin pack (6/15/13)

Pillsbury $.40/2 Sweet Rolls or Grands! Sweet Rolls (6/15/13)

Purina Friskies $.50/6 Rise & Shine wet cat food cans (6/24/13)

Purina Friskies $1/2 packages (5/24/13)

Purina Friskies $1/2 Rise & Shine dry fat food bags (6/24/13)

Revlon $1/1 hair color product (4/28/13)

Revlon $3/$6+ beauty tools purchase (4/23/13)

Schick $4/1 Hydro Silk disposable pack (5/5/13)

Schick $4/1 Hydro Silk razor or refill excludes 1ct single razor pack (5/5/13)

Seattle's Best Coffee $1.50/1 12 or 20oz bag (5/24/13)

Sharpie $1.50/1 8ct+ fine or ultra fine pack dnd (4/28/13)

Similac $2/1 large powder (5/31/13)

Skintimate $.55/1 shave gel or shave creme excludes 2.75oz cans (5/5/13)

Smart Balance $.50/1 cooking oil (5/8/13)

Smart Balance $.50/1 non-stick cooking spray (5/8/13)

Smart Balance $.50/1 Rich Roast peanut butter (5/8/13)

Smart Balance $1/1 spreadable butter or blended butter sticks (5/8/13)

Smart Balance $1/2 buttery spreads (5/8/13)

Splenda $2/1 sweetener product (dnd (6/30/13)

Sure $1/1 2.6oz+ deodorant (4/24/14)

Swanson $.40/2 26oz+ cartons, broth or stock (4/28/13)

Swanson $.40/5 broth cans (4/28/13)

Total $.50/1 Whole Grain Total or Total Raisin Bran (5/4/13)

Treasure Cave $.50/1 4oz+ cheese dnd (6/30/13)

Velveeta $1/2 cheesy potatoes (4/21/13)

Weight Watchers $1/2 Smart Ones frozen desserts (4/30/13)

Weight Watchers $3/10 Smart Ones frozen products (4/30/13)

Woolite $1/1 50oz+ product (5/5/13)

Yoplait $.40/6 cups (5/18/13)

Yoplait $.50/2 Greek yogurt (5/18/13)

Yoplait $.50/8 cups (5/18/13)

 

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