Things You Should Buy At The Dollar Store

Ok, here it is.  I have compiled a list of items that you SHOULD buy at the dollar store.

1.  Cleaning Supplies ~ Why pay more for something you clean with that literally goes down the drain?
2.  Personal Supplies or Toiletries ~ Disposable Razors, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Shampoo ~ Unless you can do better with coupons...you should be buying these items at the Dollar Store
3.  Batteries~ Some people have told me that the batteries do not last as long as name brand batteries, but can you go wrong for a dollar?
4.  Drain Cleaner~ this will be Generic  Drano or Liquid Plumber, yes it is bad for your drains but if you are desperate and need some, I have seen it in grocery stores for $6.00 a bottle
5.  Mailing Supplies~ packaging tape, envelopes, and bubble wrap....yes you guessed it, all for a buck.
6. Condiments~ BBQ sauce, mustard, soy sauce, Worcestershire....you got the idea, Don't buy this at the grocery store when you can pick it up at the dollar store...  just be sure to check the expiration dates.
7. Dog Treats & Dog Toys~ I am sure this will go for kitty toys as well.
8.  Cooking Spices ~ yes, cooking spices, pick up your seasonings at the Dollar Store.
9.  Fiber Bars~ I just picked up 5 packs of Special K Breakfast Bars...  yes 5 bars for a dollar.

Just remember to be smart when you shop and not buy crap (because we all know there is some pretty cheap crap) at the Dollar Store.  Think of it more like a "Dollar Stretching Store"

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!

Coupons Save Money

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/72e5Ih/moneyning.com/video/coupon-lady-money-saving-madness/

My Niece sent me this info, and it is absolutely amazing.  I have never saved as much as the the coupon lady, but I usually can save 50% if not more.  This lady is a genius, and I think we all have something to learn, and some money to save.  Clip those coupons....  this is your motivation.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!

Fabulous & Frugal Pantry

Fabulous & Frugal Pantry:


(this is one of my very first posts....  it is an oldie but a goodie, and totally worth re-posting)

Cooking at home is less expensive than eating out or convenience food. By eating at home you will spend less and eat better. I work 40 to 50 hours per week outside of my home and spend roughly $350.00 per month on groceries. I feed 2 teenagers, 2 adults, 3 dogs and 1 cat. I live in a small town so I don’t have the choices for shopping that those in a metropolitan area would have. To make matters even more challenging, I only get paid once a month so for me to keep my pantry well stocked is an important part of keeping my sanity. I would tell you that I am organized but the truth of the matter is that I am not very organized, but I do try to plan ahead.



I don’t really have a meal plan or make menu’s but I do utilize what I have on hand in order to get dinner on the table every night. I stock up on items that are on sale. I make my own salsa, jelly, jam, asparagus and pears…I can them myself. I also have a small garden every summer. In the garden I grow my herbs. I love to cook and my family eats well. I take left-overs to work for my lunch because my food is better than jail food.



I make my own breakfast burritos, egg muffin sandwiches and freeze left overs for later use…especially the days where I am feeling lazy. I use my crock pot every week, and I also make home made soup when I clean out my refrigerator. I am going to show you how to eat and eat well for less.



I shop at the Dollar Store for spices, crackers, tea, spaghetti sauce, muffin mixes and cleaning supplies.



I shop at the Grocery Outlet for miscellaneous canned food and toiletries. I usually pick up canned fruit and vegetables, tomatoes, beans, rice, pasta, canned soups and lots of wine.



I shop the day old bread store for whole grain breads, bagels, English muffins, buns, and snack items for lunches.



I shop my local grocery store for the weekly advertised specials or loss leaders.



I buy the Sunday paper each week just for the coupons. Check out the website Couponmom.com. I match up coupons with the weekly advertized specials at Walgreens and Rite Aid and usually I can get out of the store with only spending between 20 and 50 dollars and will have anywhere from 80 to 160 dollars worth of products.



Lets go ahead and take a look at my pantry, freezer and refrigerator.



Canned Food (store bought)



Evaporated milk peaches pears pineapple

Mandarin oranges applesauce tuna chicken

Corn green beans peas mushrooms

Tomatoes- Rotel, diced, flavored garlic and Mexican style

Tomato sauce tomato paste Italian tomato paste

Kidney beans pinto beans black beans

Chili beans butter beans refried beans

Spaghetti sauce green chiles olives

Cream of mushroom soup cream of chicken soup

Tomato soup low calorie Progresso soup



Condiments



Honey mustard mayonnaise mustard ketchup

Bbq sauce salsa salad dressings

Pickles jelly



Dry Pantry Items



Dy beans Bisquick peanut butter almonds

Cashews instant potatoes Jasmine Rice

Long grain white rice brown rice rice-a-roni

Popcorn cereal (hot and cold) olive oil

Cooking spray sugar brown sugar powdered sugar

Powdered milk yeast bread crackers

Jiffy corn muffin mix cake mixes brownie mixes

Muffin mixes



Pasta



Spaghetti egg noodles whole wheat noodles macaroni

Bow tie ramen noodles



Freezer



Bread English muffins berries mixed vegetables

Broccoli green beans stir fry ice cream

Pizza lasagna egg beaters coffee beans

Chicken bacon Canadian bacon

Ground beef ground turkey elk burger

Elk steak venison salmon

Talipia



Refrigerator



Eggs milk cheese yogurt

Butter sour cream cottage cheese lunch meat

Tortillas fresh veggies salad fixens fresh fruit

Parmesan cheese lemon juice vinegar

Rice vinegar Worcestershire sauce soy sauce

Tobasco sauce



Spices



Salt pepper lemon pepper garlic

Cumin mustard powder ginger

Onion powder Johnny’s seasoning salt chicken bouillon

Chili powder





You can get recipes on the internet to make your own Bisquick baking mix, Rice-a-roni, taco seasoning, shake and bake, spaghetti seasoning as well as a variety of ingredients that you’ll use on a weekly basis. I personally don’t have time for this but I do understand that desperate times call for desperate measures. Now, you can get out those cookbooks and make dinner for your family tonight,

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!!

After Christmas Sales

I know that it is a little early to be talking about the after Christmas sales, but I am completely finished with my Christmas and I am so grateful.  I get to kick back now on my days off and make home made Amaretto for my friends and family for a little something extra. 
This year I am looking forward to the after Christmas sales, I have actually put money aside.  I am going to get my wrapping paper, bows, tree ornaments, and Christmas decor' for somewhere between 50% to 90% off.  These are the standard savings.  You can also cash in on savings on household items, clothing, food items and candy.  Seriously everything will be on sale.  So...anything you did not get for Christmas but really wanted......  This would be the time to get it. 

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Save Money on Black Friday

Here it is....  drum roll please......  My fabulous strategy for saving money on Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) is to NOT GO SHOPPING!!!!!!  Yes, you heard me right.  I am pretty much done with my Christmas shopping, and I am working all of the holidays this year.  I will save a ton of money by not shopping on Black Friday. 
Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Thrift Store Galore

I was recently out of town visiting another city in my wonderful states of Oregon, when I happened upon a thrift store. Of course I went in to check it all out and trust me my husband was less than thrilled, but I promised him that I would only look around on the bottom floor. (I am still trying to find a reason to go back so that I may check out the top floor). Anyway in about a 20 minute time frame, I found a pair of size 8 Calvin Klein mid rise jeans, a red leather (glove leather) belt, a Pair of black clogs (shoes)` brand new, a maroon zipper front long sleeved light weight sweater and a Tommy Hilfiger sweater in red, white and blue. I also found a Liz Clayborn small over the shoulder purse in black, almost brand new. I was absolutely thrilled with my finds and here comes the best part...... $18.00. Yes Eighteen dollars!!! I am thinking about taking a picture of my outfits and posting them.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Fall Canned Food Sale

Sorry I have not posted for awhile, I have been working and had to go out of town for a few days.
Recently I shopped a local grocery store for the fall canned food sale. I spent 174.00 on canned food and here is a run down of what I ended up with.
1 case of canned evaporated milk (for my senior citizen kitty) and when I run out of regular milk for cooking (no sense running to the store)
1 case of Nalley Chili, my daughter and I love this. I made chili cheese omelettes the other night and they were delish.
1 case of Tuna fish~ I will never have to wonder what kind of sandwich to take to work. I also love tuna and saltine crackers, it is one of my favorite lunches.
1 case of applesauce. I use it for baking and I eat it right out of the can.
1 case of mandarin oranges....I could live off these.
1 case of green beans. I use these in soups and make with dinner.
1 case of corn. I also use these in soups and to make with dinner.
1 case of spaghetti sauce, my daughter mostly uses these, but when I make zuchinni parmesean I always use canned spaghetti sauce.
1 case of diced tomatoes. I use these in spaghetti, and soups.
1 case of tomato sauce. Use for cooking spaghetti, casseroles and soups.
It seems as if I am missing 2 cases of something....but cannot think of what it is.
I am very happy to have my pantry over flowing. The use by dates are in 3 to 4 years for most of it. I am just thankful because with my pantry so full, all I will have to buy at the store is essentials, like bread, milk, potatoes, yogurt, and whatever the loss leaders of the week happen to be. Everyday I feel like packing my lunch, is not such a chore.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Why I Love Yard Sales

Yes it is summertime. Summer is my favorite season of the year. One of my favorite things to do is hit up the yard sales. Here are my reasons that a good yard sale is hard to pass up.

Yard sales are cost effective. One man's junk is another man's treasure.
You can get great buys on furniture, outdoor furniture, household items, games, books, clothes, camping gear, fishing gear, tools, art, craft supplies. Seriously, you just never know what you will find. I don't even really look at electronics, you just never know if they will work or not. If you are interested in electronics have the seller plug in the equipment and make sure it is in working order before buying.

I try not to dicker too much... hey, these are hard economic times and if someone is trying to make a little extra money... I get it. Yard sales are usually always or at least should be cheaper than going to the 2nd hand store. Just know in your mind if you think things are priced reasonably then don't dicker. If you think that an item is over priced then by all means ask if they will take less.

I have a running list of things that I need, currently I have on my list a carpet cleaner shampooer, cookbooks, office supplies, canning items, books (winter reading), and craft kits (for my grandson). With this running list I have, I will know to grab these items should they be found while out and about.

I like to go first thing on Friday mornings, when the things have not been picked over much. That seems to be the busy time too. Check your local paper and Craigs List for the yard sales in your area. I take the paper with me and cross off the addresses after I am finished, and then move on to the next address. If there are specific things listed on the add that you need, I recommend going to those sales first. Also I have noticed that the more affluent neighborhoods offer a higher quality of merchandise, depending on what you need and what you are looking for.

Remember to dress comfortably, take a water bottle with you and have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Save Money on Groceries

You have heard it a hundred times "Make a list and stick to it." Plan your menus around your weekly sale flyers (loss leaders) from your local newspaper at your local grocery stores. Stick to your list and only go to the store once a week. You are not allowed to put items in the shopping cart that are not on your shopping list. Before you shop take inventory of your cupboards and pantry, this will help you avoid buying what you do not need.
Use those coupons, in store specials and BOGO's, take advantage of your store's reward programs and discounts. It is worth it for me to buy the Sunday paper just for the coupons. Visit www.couponmom.com and match up weekly advertised specials with your existing coupons~ this is the way to really get the bang for your buck. Remember to avoid buying things that you wouldn't normally buy just because you have a coupon. Even if you can save 25 to 50 dollars a week on groceries, that will sure add up at the end of the month. Happy Saving!!