Saving Money on Meat - Zaycon Foods

Lately it seems like the deals for meat are getting few-and-far between. And the quality of the meat being offered on sale seems to be going down as well.

Recently, though, I found a company that offers great prices on high-quality meat and other produce.

It is a place called Zaycon Foods.

Why in the world would anyone want to order from an independent start-up company like Zaycon Foods?

• First = Quality.
  They only sell products they would eat themselves.  High-quality, healthy food products.
• Second = Price.
  Fresh, retail quality food product sold at wholesale prices.
• Three = Service
  Easy-to-understand the entire process, from ordering, to reminders, to quick pick-up.

They are able to keep the prices low because they sell directly from the farmers, with no stores to maintain. They have what are called local 'events', where they offer certain types of individual meats or produce at each event.

So far I have purchased the Boneless skinless Chicken Breast (which is 100% natural, with no added hormones, additives, or artifical ingredients), and the 93% Extra-Lean Ground beef.  They have been excellent quality meats and I am very happy with the entire process. 

Granted, it is a bit different than driving down to your local grocery store and buying meat with the rest of your food.  But it really seems to be a great deal, and oh so worth it.

The process goes like this:

1. First you go to the website, Zaycon Foods and sign up with your e-mail address. 
2. Then go and select the area that you live in.  Once you have that set up, they can contact you when they have events in your area.  Each event offers a different type of product.  One event will feature chicken.  Another event will have produce - like apples, or pears, or peaches, or tomatoes, or blueberries. The next event might have bacon or hamburger.  It all depends on what is fresh and available at that time.       
3. Next, when they plan to be in your area for an event, they will e-mail you details about that event.  This will include details on the food they will be offering and when you can sign up to purchase it. 
4. From there, on order day, you can log on and purchase the amount of packages you want.  Zaycon offers bulk type of purchasing, not single servings of the products.  So, you'll have to be ready to package and use the case size of product when you pick it up.
5. Once you have made your purchase, and then selected a location for pick up,  on the day that is assigned, you will go and pick up you meat or other product.
6. Essentially, the pick-ups occur at various locations around your area.  You choose the location you want to pick up your product.
7. There are signs directing you where to go.  There is someone standing there.  You confirm with them your name and quantity you've ordered.  You drive up to the truck and they put your order in your car for you.  You don't even have to get out.  
   Average pick-up time is under two minutes.  

The first time I placed an order was for the chicken.  When ordering, the chicken price was originally purchased at $1.69 a lb.  (By the way, that is a KILLER price for this quality of boneless, skinless meat).

However, a few days after I had purchased, they sent me an e-mail saying that the prices had been lowered to $1.49.  So,  they actually credited my account for the difference - AFTER I had already picked up the meat, without me doing anything.

How many retailers do you know who would do that!?
Not many - I dare say.

I was so impressed that they had gotten a lower price, and were passing the savings on to me, instead of keeping the extra profit. What a class act! That impressed me so much that I knew as soon as other things were offered in my area I would be making another purchase.

The only down side to it is that you have to purchase in large quantities.

The Chicken and ground Beef come in 40 lb cases.  And the Bacon comes in a 30lb case. They will not break them up.  So, you have to agree to purchase the entire case.  But at that price it is a deal!

Basically, it is essential that you have a bit of time once you get home to repackage it and freeze it for later use. But for me that is not a problem at all. If you do not have enough freezer space you could consider splitting the case with a friend or your family. That way you can still take part in the deal but have less to store.

They have events offered all over the U.S.!

So go sign up now so that you can get in on these great deals!
Currently they are having a Ground beef event in the local Florida area. You can order between today and Friday evening the 28th and pick up is on the 2nd of November. 

And as a side note for any of our local friends... I would be willing to pick up your order.

I purchase from the Tampa location. (I am hoping that they will come to Lakeland soon, but for now I will go to Tampa to get it.)  So, if would like to get some, but you are unable to get to the location to pick it up I would be willing to do it for you and drop it by your place!

Zaycon Foods also offers produce, but at this time I have not been able to purchase any. But when I do I will let you know what I think of it.

Grocery Savings

Here is what was on my grocery list this week and the breakdown of savings.
This is what I got during last weeks sales at Publix. I was able to work out a great deal with a new coupon that came out late in the week. So I went on ahead and got a few more things that I had been thinking about getting earlier in the week. The total for everything would have been $31.29 and after sales and coupons I paid $3.07.
This is what I got.

20- Cups Publix Yogurt. sale price .40 each. No additional coupons used.
6- Suave Mens Shampoo and conditioners $2.19 I used 3 manufactures coupons for buy one get one and 1 manufactures coupon for .50 off 2 and 2 Publix coupons for $3.00 off 3 mens care products. Bringing the total for all 5 bottles to .07!
2- 1 liter Coke on sale for .99 each. I used a manufactures coupons for buy one get one free making them .49 each
3- 20oz coke $1.59 I used  manufactures coupons for free coke making them all FREE!
I was able to use a competitor store coupon for $5.00 off a $25.00 or more purchase making my total out of pocket only $3.07.
That is a total saving of 91%! not bad for a last minute trip to the store.

And here is what was on my list for this week!
4- DiGiorno Cheese $4.79 BOGO I use manufactures coupons for $2.00 off 1 making the .39 each
4- Tropicana Lemonaids $1.99 BOGO no other coupons used making the .99 each
4- Smart Balance Milk half gallon $3.00 I used manufactures coupons for $1.50 off each making them $1.50 each. or $3.00 a gallon. And that here that is cheaper than the regular milk.
5- lbs pears Sale price of .88per/lb total for all $4.32
1- 4lb bag Oranges $2.99 no other coupons used.
4- bags Nestles candies $8.49 BOGO used manufactures coupons for $1.40 off each making them $2.84 each
2- Jennie-O Ground Turkey. on sale for $2.99 each
4- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal $3.49 BOGO used manufactures coupons for $1.10 off 2 making them $1.19 each
1- Honey Nut Cheerio on sale for $1.99 used a manufactures coupons for .75 off making it $1.24
6- Skippy Peanut Butter on sale for $1.99 used manufactures coupons for .60 off 2 and Publix store coupons for $1.00 off each making them .65 each.
I broke all this up into 3 different transactions so that i could use the competitor store coupon of $5.00 off a $25.00 or more purchase taking an additional $15.00 off the total. So before sales and coupons all this would have cost $135.31 and after I only paid $31.99. For a total saving of 87%

 If you have any questions just ask. I would be happy to help you work it out and help you start saving for your family.
Chris

Saving money on new clothes!

Clothing our family on a budget has not always been an easy thing to do.
Thankfully, there are many strategies that can help make it more budget friendly. 

One of the ways came about unexpectedly... the mail! The other day I got a postcard in the mail from Kohls. Usually I do not shop at those department stores because I thought that they were too expensive. But boy has that perspective changed! With a bit of patience, and knowledge of working deals, you can really make a difference in your clothing budget.  Now it may not be the same for all department stores, but Kohls really has some great deals. On the postcard that I got it had a gift card for $10.00 off a $10.00 or more purchase.

Like this one.

Now when you read the fine print on the back of the card you will see that it says... 'can be combined with other discounts and offers'. So I also signed up for the Kohls e-mail list. And in doing that I get weekly e-mails from them.  Many times they have additional coupons that can be used. Some that I have gotten are...

•  $10.00 of a $20.00 purchase
  Or 
• 15% off entire purchase. 

So they are a great way to stretch that $10.00 gift card that I got in the mail.

Another way to stretch it is to look in the clearance sections of the store. Kohls usually has a large clearance sections so there can be fantastic deals to be had!
Here is what I got last time I got a gift card in the mail and my receipt to show the discounts.

 

I was able to get a pair of shorts for myself that were on clearance for $3.00 and a pair of underwear for 3.20.  And a  biking shirt for my daughter for $5.60.  The total that I ended up paying for all of it was only $1.93!

With this purchase I did not end up using any other coupons or discounts, other than the clearance prices, but I have in the past.

The great thing is that they keep sending me more! I thought that once I used the first one I would not get any more but that is not the case at all. I have no guarantee that they will continue to come but I will happily use the them for as long as I do.

I have been able to get several things for free and super cheap because of those cards. I have gotten 2 pairs of shorts, 2 underwear and a shirt for myself. 3 shirts for my daughters and a pair of convertible pants for my husband. We also got a super deal on a coat for my daughter that we will be giving her for Christmas.  For all of it my out of pocket has been well under $20.00.  Each time that I go, with the gift card in hand, I am never sure what I will get. But by looking over the clearance racks I can always come up with something that is needed.
I know that by only spending close to that $10.00 mark each time means that I can not get a completely new wardrobe for all of us. Or for that matter for one of us but  I can get us things that we all like and that can replace some more worn out pieces that are in our closets. Or be able to better afford the needed ones, like the biking shirt for my daughter!

So, go sign up for department stores mailing lists and e-mail lists. Read the fine print on all of the offers to see how, or if they can be combined and you never know what deals might come your way because of it!

Save money on gas at the grocery store!

So I know that you may be thinking that I am crazy. Or maybe even that the title of this post is a typo. But it is not, you can save money on your monthly gas budget at the grocery store. This week Publix had a coupon in the weekly ad that was for a $10.00 savings on a $50.00 Gas card, with a $25.00 grocery purchase. When they have these coupons I like to make the most of them and get as many as I can. For the last several months now that is how we have been paying for our gas. And I love the feeling of getting a savings on something that is not always so easy to get savings on.
To make the most of the coupons that I had and were offered in the weekly ad I split my purchases into 3 different purchases. For ease I will add it all together here. the Total before sales and coupons for everything that I got this week would have been $369.83. And after sales and coupons I paid $117.14. That is a total savings of 69%! And Included in that total was $150.00 worth of gas gift cards!
Here is a photo and the breakdown...

The first purchase...
6- Sundown Vitamins $2.99 each I used a store coupon for $6.00 off 2 and manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making them FREE with a total OVERAGE of $6.06!
6- Kraft Dressings $3.19 BOGO I used Target store coupons for Buy 2 get 1 free and $1.00 off 2 I also used manufactures coupons for $1.00 off 2 making them FREE with a total OVERAGE of  $1.81!
 4- Muellers Pasta $1.53 BOGO I used manufactures coupons for $1.00 each making them FREE with a total OVERAGE of .96 cents!
1- $50.00 Gas Gift Card I used the Publix store coupon for $10.00 off making it $40.00
I was also able to use a Store coupon that was from last weeks Sunday paper for $5.00 off a purchase of $30.00 or more.
So the total for the first Purchase was only $26.19!

The second Purchase...
6- Sundown Vitamins $2.99 I used store coupons for $6.00 off 2 and Manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making them FREE with a total OVERAGE of $6.06!
4- BeechNut baby foods $2.00 BOGO I used manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making them FREE!
2-Reynolds Wrap Foil $4.29 BOGO I used manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making them $1.15 each
4- Lawrys Marinades. $2.89 BOGO Used manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making them .44 each
4- Lays chips $3.99 BOGO I used 2 manufactures coupons for a free bag making them all FREE!
1- $50.00 gas gift card I used the Publix store coupon for $10.00 off making it $40.00
Again with this purchase I was able to use the $5.00 off  $30.00 purchase from the paper making total $33.32 for this purchase!


The 3rd purchase...
4- Aunt Jamima Waffles $2.39 BOGO I used manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making them .19 each
4- Quaker Granola bars $2.99 BOGO I used Target store coupons for $1.00 off 2 making them $.99 each
4- Goldfish crackers. $1.00 I used manufactures coupons for .55 off each making the .45 each
2- 1/2 Gallons Milk $2.69 I used a store coupon for $1.00 off 1 and manufactures coupons for $1.50 off each making them .69 each
2- Kraft Shredded Cheese $2.00 I used a Target store coupon for $1.50 off 2 and a Manufactures coupon for $1.00 off 2 making them .75 each
1- lb package Ground beef $3.11 I used a Winn Dixie store coupon for $2.00 off beef making it $1.11
4- Bushes Baked beans $2.29 BOGO I used a manufactures coupons for $1.00 off 4 making them .89 each
2- Natures Own Bread $2.69 BOGO No coupons used making them $1.14 each
1- 5lb bag Potatoes $2.99 No coupons used making them $2.99
2- Delmonte Pineapples $2.00 I used a manufactures coupon for $1.25 off 2 making them $1.37 each
1- Avocado $1.50 No coupons used making it $1.50
2- 2liters Pepsi $1.89 BOGO I used a manufactures coupon for $1.00 off 1 making them .44 each
6- Sundown Vitamins $2.99 each I used a store coupon for $6.00 off 2 and a manufactures coupon for $1.00 off each making them FREE with a total OVERAGE of $6.06!
2- Gallon Publix Sweet Tea $2.59 BOGO no coupons used making them $1.29 each
2- Rubbermaid water containers $1.89 each I used manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making the .89 each
2- Rubbermaid water containers $1.59 each I used manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making them .59 each
1- $50.00 Gas Gift Card I used the store coupon for $10.00 off making it $40.00
Again I was able to use the $5.00 off $30.00 purchase making the total for this purchase $ 58.75!
So this is how you can get savings on your gas at the grocery store. These type of coupons don't always come out but when they do it is best to take advantage of them the best that you can. Make sure and split your purchases up so that you can get more than one gift card. And remember that the total has to reach the minimum amount BEFORE other coupons! So for both the gas coupon, $10.00 off a $50.00 gift card with a $25.00 grocery purchase and the coupon from the paper, $5.00 off $30.00 purchase, The total was before any other coupons and comes off first. That is the beauty of these coupons and how you can get the most out of your grocery budget.

Commuting by Bike - The basics of bike commuting

I want to talk to you a little bit about bike commuting.  It's something I've been doing for about 7 or 8 years, maybe longer.  Based on a 2007 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, about 5% of the U.S. population rides their bike to work at some time or another.  So, I wanted to take some time and share some tips and ideas I've learned, that will help you be successful at it.  If it's something you decide to use to help save money for your family. 

Why would you want to bike commute?

Image via Wikipedia
• You can drop down to a one car family
  This will save you a ton of money in car payments, insurance, and repair and maintenance costs.
• You can reduce wear and tear to your car when  you don't drive to work.  I typically ride to work and leave the car for Chris to use for anything she needs.  Of course, your spouse can ALWAYS come see you during the day, if either of you need a break.
• Save on commuting gas costs
• Build exercise into your lifestyle. 
   - Every day that I ride, I am meeting the federal recommendations for activity for that day.  It's not that I live my life according to their input.  But this should give  you some indication of what bike commuting can do for your health. 
    - Plus, it just feels good for your emotions.  It's a great way to kick-start your day.  And, it also helps you unwind properly at the end of a long, or stressful, day at work.  If you need to vent some frustrations, this is an excellent opportunity to do it.
    - And, instead of adding an extra activity (going to the gym) into an already hectic day, you won't have to cut out any time from your schedule to get great exercise.
• You can make it work in hot, southern climates and also northern colder environments.

 Important bike commuting considerations:

• Do you have a good bike that  you can use for your commute. 
  If possible, select a high-quality bike that will make your ride enjoyable and comfortable. 
   - Many people purchase the cheapest bike they can get, from Wally's World or Target.  These bikes will work, but they aren't built to provide you with lightweight, consistent performance.
    - They are generally heavier, not properly tuned, and break down faster than a high quality ride.  If you aren't able to properly tune one of these bikes yourself - derailleurs, hand gears, brakes, and rims, then this probably isn't a great bike for you to commute on.
  My best advice - buy a used bike from a bike store employee who has used and maintained the bike as long as they've owned it.  That bike will probably last you for the next 10 years or more.  I've owned my Gary Fisher over 15 years, and the freaking thing just keeps running.  Buy quality when you buy a bike.  It's not easy - but if you really want to successfully commute, you gotta do it.
• The second key - you want to have a plan for storing your bike once you get to work.  
   - Do they have outdoor bike locks you can lock up to?  Can you bring your bike inside and keep it at your desk or in your office?  Does your employer have a spare room, or storage spot, where you can keep your bike?  Or is it safe just to leave the bike outside. 
    - For me, currently, our office is in a quiet industrial area, so I don't really have a need to lock it up.  In Oregon, it was a busy office building, so I was able to bring my bike inside the office and kept it in a storage room inside the building.  
• How long will your trip take?  And how far is the ride?
  Here are my personal recommendations about riding:
   - I suggest a maximum of 1 hour ride time, which equals about 15-20 miles.   While some riders average well over 20 miles per hour, most of us aren't Olympiads, nor will we ever ride the Tour de France.  So we have to live with practical commuting times.
   - You should expect your bike ride to be about twice a car commute.  If you would normally drive for 10 minutes, your ride would be about 20 minutes.  Although cars drive faster, the lights, signs, and other the traffic congestion cause you to drive much slower than the speed limits.  Obviously, lots of highway time at 50-60 mph will cause your ride to be way slower than your drive. 
   - Another option is to do a partial commute.  You could drive a vehicle to a park and ride, or ride your bike and take public transport for part of the trip. 
• Road conditions and safety
  The most important advice I can offer in this regards, is to take a test ride of your entire route.  Know what conditions you will face when you ride, and know how you can get to your destination safely.  If you can't, then you'll probably have to try a different commuting option.
• Cleaning up before work
  A couple of suggestions on getting cleaned up and smelling nice before work.
   - Always give yourself at least 15 minutes of cool-down time.  If you can have some kind of personal fan, this is even better. 
   - If your company offers a shower, then definitely use it.
   - Alcohol wipes - The alcohol acts as a coolant as it evaporates on your skin, and the wipes will help you clean up - in case you get a bit 'ripe' from the ride.
   - Another options, instead of alcohol wipes is to bring wash cloths from home.  You can use one per day, and take it home with you to clean it. 
   - Additionally, I have about eight sets of work clothes that I keep at my office.  I can wear them once or twice before I have to clean them
  

Bike Commuting Essentials:

• Safety clothes and gear
   - Helmet -
  Although they can be hot and uncomfortable, ALWAYS wear one.  You never know when an unexpected crash could occur.  My worst commuting accident, occurred about 18 months ago.  The helmet I was wearing had large gashes along the side.  If I wasn't wearing the helmet, that would have been my head and a potential concussion, or maybe worse?
  
   - Bright clothes -
  It is always a good idea to bright colored shirts and reflective vests or jackets.  You want to be as visible as possible when you are on the road.  Most drivers pay very little attention to what is happening around them, so the more chances you give yourself to be seen - the better. 
  
   - Comfortable clothes -
  In addition to brightly colored and reflective clothing, I prefer padded and fitted biking clothes.  For long term commuting and riding, padded shorts are essential.  And the seams on bike gear aren't in all the wrong places, so you don't get rubbing and wear issues like you would with normal clothing.  (Bulky seams right up your crotch, while riding, don't feel good after a mile or two - just in case you were wondering?)
  
   - Rain / cold weather gear  -
  For cold or rainy weather, you want to look into getting a brightly colored rain-jacket.  You might also want to get some long gloves.  Standard biking gloves don't usually have fingers on them.  They are fine for warmer weather.  But if it gets cold, you want to have full-fingered gloves for your ride.  Even in Florida, I have to wear full gloves at times.
  
   - Glasses -
  I suggest wearing glasses for safety when you ride.  Sunglasses or normal, everyday wear can work.  The best choice is a large lens that covers as much of your eye as possible.  In Oregon, I got a piece of metal stuck in my eye during my morning ride, and I had to go in to a clinic to have it removed when it started hurting later that day.   
  
   - Flashing / solid lightsYou should definitely install lights onto your bike.  At the minimum, you should have a flashing light on the back of your bike.  This allows you to be seen by cars coming up behind you.  And since, as a cyclist, you will biking with the flow of traffic you want the drivers to see you ahead of them. 
  You should also think about getting a headlight as well.  For you, the headlight will only really be helpful in lower light conditions at dusk or at night.  But - you never know when you might be stuck out past dark on your bike.  So, it's a good idea to have some form of light to guide you. 
  Additionally, the light on the front of the bike helps cars see you coming towards them.  This is especially important, for cross-roads and streets.  MANY bike accidents  
  
  
• Carrying your gear
  It is preferential for you to have panniers, rather than a backpack.  The backpack will make you hotter, and will move all over as you ride.  You will constantly be shifting and adjusting it to make yourself more comfortable.  In the long run, a backpack will make your commute less enjoyable.
  The panniers, mounted on your bike, can carry a lot more supplies, all of which you can use at work or to maintain your ride.  It will easily carry things like work clothes for the day, your small lunch, tools, and drinks to keep you hydrated. 
  The rear rack and panniers can carry about 50 pounds of total weight.  So, you could have about 25 pounds for each bag, per side. You can even ride with only one side pannier.  In fact that is how I normally ride.  You don't want to overfill one side, and make your ride lopsided.  So, if you have a lot of weight,  you should plan on having bags on both sides and splitting up the weight evenly. 
  
• Commuting tips
  Always plan on arriving early - at least 15 minutes for a proper cool down. 
  A couple minutes (about 5-10 minutes) for cleaning up and getting dressed.
  Radial fan for help cooling off during your cool down.
  Shower if possible, or wash clothes and wipes for your clean up.
  Drive 1 or 2 days per week to make carrying clothes, food, drinks, or other essential heavy items easier to deal with.

My typical bike commute:

• Normal time is about 20-25 minutes for a 5 mile ride at a fairly slow pace.    25-30 minutes for a 7-8 mile ride.
• Cleaning strategy in Florida
  15 minute cool off, with fan.
  5 minutes to clean up with wash cloth and wipes. 
  And then getting dressed in work clothes that I leave in the office, and bring home for cleaning about every 2 weeks.  Currently, I have about 7-8 pairs of work clothing that I keep at the office. 

Here are Five safety rules I totally agree with, as posted at syracuse.com:

1. Always wear a helmet.
2. Follow the rules of the road. Don't ignore traffic lights and stop signs.
3. Practice defensive riding. Be aware of vehicles around you at all times. Always assume that drivers do not see you and will not yield.
4. Make eye contact with drivers. Once you establish eye-to-eye contact, motorists will be more aware of you.
5. Make animated hand signals when turning. Big, broad gestures are hard to miss.

Finally - one last tip for the road. 
This one could come in handy for anyone who has trouble getting comfortable riding your bike.


Raise your seat. 
No ... Seriously. Raise your seat.


Do you remember when you were a kid, and you could ride those short, BMX bikes?  Well, when you ride a small bike like that, your legs rarely leave a 90-degree right angle when you pedal.  This is NOT how you are supposed to ride your bike, especially for long-distance rides, or for commuting.   On your down stroke, when your foot is at the bottom of your stroke, your leg should be almost fully extending, with only a slight bend in your knee.  So, if you ever see someone riding along the highway, with their knees bouncing off of their chest as they pedal, that's dumb.  Don't you ride like that.  


This one change could revolutionize your riding experience.

Great grocery savings this week!

It seems like it has been a few weeks since I have had a really good savings week but this week was awesome! It was just great. And I have seen a sneak peek of next weeks sales and I think it will be good as well.
One of  the things that helped make it a good week was a Winn Dixie coupon for $5.00 off $30.00 or more purchase that I was able to use at Publix. I love that!! So because of that coupon I split my purchases into 2 different transactions. Then on Sunday there was another great surprise, There was a Publix coupon for $5.00 off $30.00 or more on the front of the Sunday Tampa newspaper!! Score! And because I get multiple copy of the paper I have a few to use and they are good until the Forth of July! So I can use them for the upcoming sales week as well! I also did 2 other transactions as well. So I will give a total savings for this week! Before sales and coupons my total, for all 4 transactions, would have been $221.67. And after sales and coupons I paid $4.76!! That is a total saving of 98%!! AWESOME!
Here are the first 2 transactions...

• 18- Great Grains Cereal!! This is Kaits Favorite cereal and I was able to get a great deal so I had to hook her up! They were $4.39 BOGO and I used manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making them $1.19 each
• 12- Sundown Vitamins $2.99 each I used Publix Store coupons for $6.00 off 2 and Manufactures    coupons for $1.00 off each making a total OVERAGE of $12.12! 
• 4- Power aid drinks $1.25 BOGO I used a manufactures coupons for BOGO making them all FREE! 
• 4- 2 Liter Cokes $1.89 each Buy 2 get 1 Free I used 2 manufactures coupons for BOGO making them .47    each.

Because I split this into 2 transactions I was able to use 2 Winn Dixie coupons for $5.00 off $30.00 or more. Now remember the $30.00 is counted BEFORE all other coupons. So the $5.00 comes off first then all other coupons! That is the beauty of these coupons!

And here are the other 2 transactions that I did...

• 4- Pepsi and Mtn. Dew 12 packs. $3.66 each Buy 3 get one Free. I use manufactures coupons for $1.00/2 12 packs. $2.24 each
  
• 12- Vitamins $2.99 each I used a Publix store coupons for $6.00 off 2 and manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each making a total OVERAGE of $12.12!
  
• 2- Great Grains Cereals $4.39 BOGO I used Manufactures coupons for $1.00 off each and store coupons for .75 off each Making them .44 each Sadly I only had 2 manufactures coupons left or I would have gotten more.
  
• 2- 5 lb Dixie Crystals Sugars $2.99 each I used a Store coupon for .55 off each making them $2.44 each
  
• 6- Pioneer Gravy Mixes .99 and 1.19 each I used a Store coupon for .55 off 2 making them .71 and .91
  
• 4- Rosetto Raviolis $3.99 each BOGO I used manufactures coupons for $1.50 off 2 making them $1.24 each. These are great for easy quick meals!
  
• 1- Jello Temptations $2.89 I used a manufactures coupon for one free making it FREE!

And here is a photo of my Sunday Morning Suprise!!

I know that it does not seem like much to make healthy family meals with but this is the best way to stretch you grocery budget by taking advantage of what is on sale and stocking up when it is at the Rock bottom price. I have plenty of things that will keep us going for healthy meals and snacks from previous weeks sales. I also have started using local produce stands, and even local farmers that sell on the side of the road, To get fresh produce. This helped a ton because the sale at the grocery store for produce have been terrible and not the prices that I am willing to pay. SO this has been a great help for that! I will write more on this another time.
If you have any questions please just ask and I will be happy to help out!

Chris

Dirt-cheap Drano - Try this Vinegar and Baking Soda Drain Cleaner

Image via WikipediaIn this article you'll learn how three common household items can save you from blowing $45, wasting 90 minutes of your time, and protect you from the trauma of plumber's crack.


Have you ever had a sink, tub, or shower drain that just wouldn't let the water flow right?  No matter what you do... scrub it, clean it, remove all the debris you can, or scrape with a knife - it just won't drain right?  Before you scour your newspaper for drano coupons, you owe it to yourself to try this dirt-cheap Drain-o solution first.

We have used this technique on three different bathroom tubs that were sluggishly draining when we took baths or showers.  By the end of our showers, the drain was so slow we'd have an inch or two of water in the bottom of our tub.  That's not to say that all drains can be fixed this way.  BUT, before you decide to spend a bunch of money, this might be a good, cheap option you can try?

1. (Come back to read more after you do this step)  Right now, stop reading, set this page down, and go put a medium pot of water on high to boil.
   
2. Now that your water is on to boil, go sprinkle a half cup of baking soda down into your clogged drain. 
   
3. Follow the baking soda with a half cup of regular, cheap white vinegar.  Let them sit in your drain a few minutes - 5-10 minutes - until your water starts to boil.
   
4. ** VERY IMPORTANT ** Walk very carefully when you do this step - NO TRIPPING!  Carry your boiling water to your plugged drain, and pour it slowly down the drain.  

BAM - your drain should have instantly improved its draining abilities.  If it's still a little slower than you think it should be, you can repeat the steps again.  Sometimes a third treatment can help.

After this treatment, your drain should flow like a spring of river water.  If it doesn't, then you know it's time to call in the big guns - like Mr. Roto Rooter.  At least you tried a much cheaper alternative first.  Right?