Learned a lesson with Store Ads

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2006
Learned a lesson with Store Ads
9
Sat, 07-25-2009 - 11:30pm
I have been trying to reduce my grocery budget and stock up a little on goods that don't go bad, but aren't TOO bad for you. I looked at the ads this week and marked up all the stores on my way to work that I could easily swing by so I don't waste the savings on gas. There was a movie that I really wanted to see that I debated buying at Target for $20, but decided to wait to see if I could rent it tonight. Turns out it was at the Redbox, which only charges $1 and lets you reserve them online. The Redbox is in the store where I found them selling Zatarains rice mixes for 10 for $7. I know that it isn't that good for you, but I figure it would be good to set aside and maybe occasionally mix up with lean meat and fresh veggies or save for times ahead if I get laid off from work. Anyways, bought 10 boxes and found out at the checkstand that only a certain variety is on sale - something called yellow rice that looked not so good - the rest were $2.19 per box. I ended up spending $30 on the rice and some other things. I figure that I got 10 boxes of rice mix, 2 boxes of apple sauce and some lowfat chocolate popsicles for $11, which is what would have been left over after buying the movie. When I got home, I realized the ad said "selected varieties". Guess I have alot to learn about shopping cheap, lol.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Mon, 07-27-2009 - 3:59pm

Chloe -


If you are going to stock up anyway, why not a 25-50# bag of rice for $12 or so at any store (Costco and Sams have them as well as many grocers.)




iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Mon, 07-27-2009 - 5:03pm

Ask, what did your grandma do before prepared


Man, I wish we could go back to those days--homegrown gardens and clothes lines. The other day when my washer broke I *almost* would have rathered take my clothes down to

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Mon, 07-27-2009 - 5:11pm
You can grow a lot of herbs indoors, My mom keeps several pots on her kitchen window sill. Also my daughter has a nice balcony garden growing, she likes fancy tomatoes and fresh herbs for her spag sauce she makes.
Sharon




iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Mon, 07-27-2009 - 7:44pm

The biggest hazard on growing herbs inside is being sure to put them someplace you will remember to water them.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2006
Tue, 07-28-2009 - 1:42am

Hi all,


Thanks for all the replies!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-1999
Tue, 07-28-2009 - 10:16am

Good for you for trying to stock up for cheap. One of the key things in learning to shop sales is to not be embarrassed to say you won't buy something after all if you discover at the check out that it wasn't on sale after all...

I also agree with Marie about the big bags of rice. I bought a couple of 25 pound bags and keep them in sturdy air tight buckets. You can get really good empty buckets with lids and handles by asking at grocery store bakeries and delis if they have any empty buckets. You just have to scrub them well and use a little bit of bleach...

Your garden sounds fantastic.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Tue, 07-28-2009 - 1:25pm

Remember too you can freeze and dry a lot of produce for use later!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Tue, 07-28-2009 - 1:36pm

Yep, you can grow herbs indoors as well, as long as you have some light source.




iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2006
Tue, 07-28-2009 - 11:25pm

Thanks Rebeccalouise - your are right, I need to get over the whole embarassment thing. I think that comes from growing up poor. Well, rich and then divorced parents, and then very poor, lol. You don't want anyone to think you are poor after living that way. And I am not poor - I worked really hard to put myself through college and grad school off waiting tables (lots and lots of tables!). I just need to learn to watch my money.

I will definately look into getting some big bags of staples. Is there anything to watch out for with big sacks of rice and beans? It's just me and the baby so I could see them lasting awhile.