Frugal Pages

Showing posts with label Groceries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Groceries. Show all posts

Tuesday

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.

Friday

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

Thursday

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.

Monday

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