Money Saving Monday-April 11, 2011 & Money Saving Tips included

Money Saving:I am listing the links to where you can find the deals for the week.  Since, I am going to share a few tips of what I have learned and what I am doing to save money besides coupons.
CVS: here
GIANT: here
WEIS: here
DARRENKAMPS: circular here
TARGET: here

Tips-Sorry some of these may be repeated from before:
1. Look carefully at those On-Sale Items.
Sometimes a sale isn't really a sale. It just looks like a sale. Plus, sale prices can be very different store to store. This is where it is important to know the stock up prices!

2. Bulk Shoppers Beware
 Figure out the price per ounce. Those bulk items may not save you money. Plus, if you only use 1/2 of it before it goes bad is it really a savings? But, sometimes you can really score some great deals in the bulk section.

3. Look High and Low
Scan the whole shelf. Often good deals are higher or lower and not at eye level.

4. Shop the Outer Perimeter First
Prepackaged foods usually sit in the middle of the store. For your health stock up on the perimeter of the store items first. It's better to spend your budgeted amount there than on those packaged items.

5. Spend wisely
Simply think about what you need versus what you want. Consider the amount of calories and nutrients you're getting for the price you are paying. You'll find that perimeter becomes your friend quickly.

6. Remember that not all food is created equal! When you think about your food budget, think about the foods you are putting into your body. It's an adjustment to move away from processed foods and although we have some in our house, I am making an effort to move us even further away from them. (In doing so, I think the budget may need an adjustment, not huge, but a tweak.) Watching the labels and mostly buying foods that don't require a box/label (you know those good for you whole foods). We are a work in progress at our house--not everything in my fridge is organic and neither is everything on my shelves. But, I'm working on watching what we are putting into our bodies and improving that for my family.

7. Buy in season, on sale and locally I am excited that spring is here and summer is upon us. This means more items at the local markets and that will be our first stop this summer when produce shopping. At least that is the plan.

8. Plan ahead If you set good plans, most of the time that will help you. Go into a store without a plan and you will leave with more than you need. Take a look at your freezer, refrige, shelves before you go. What do you really need?

9. Shop the reduced section I can't tell you how much money this has saved my family. Of course, this is hit or miss and you can't depend on it for the savings. But, when you do get a good deal, it just makes your bill even lower!

10. Stockpile, but know when to STOP! Honestly, stockpiling is a good thing when you get the rock bottom price. You can save a lot of money over a period of time that way. But, you have to know that price (hoping to put more work into the stockpile page for you all) and know when your stockpile is getting too big. My stockpile and food shopping would not win me a spot on the newest TV show, but I am more than OK with that. Stockpiling is for more than food. Think shampoo, hairspray, etc.
The $20 Challenge update:
Instead of posting my weekly $20 challenge results, I will post an end of the month wrap up. I feel you all could get quickly board of my ramblings. So, I will do a wrap up post. Does that sound about right? We can do a check in with eachother. I will say I overspent this week. But, it was worth it.

This week's menu-Little Man helped to plan it:

• Chicken Fajitas (I know they were just last week, but I was begged to make them again!)
• Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner)-Egg Fiesta (eggs with peppers and onions), sausage (for the boys), whole grain toast, sliced apples
• Sloppy Amy's ;) (Think healthier version of Sloppy Joe's)
• Mexican Fiesta, fresh veggies
• Fish, Potatoes, fresh veggies (We didn't have that last week--we had pizza instead!)
• Pork Chops, Rice and Salad (This has been on the list before, but always booted off for leftovers or something.) I'll grill up some Chicken for me this night.
• Spaghetti with meatballs (for the boys) I'll have leftover chicken instead. Served with fresh fruit

Last week we also didn't have one of the new recipes (BBQ Breaded Chicken Tenders) as we ended up with more leftovers than I thought. So, that will be put into the following week as I have the ingredients on hand for it. I'll let you know how it turns out.
The Sweet and Hot Pepper Chicken was OK. Not great. Not spicy that's for sure. I did adapt a few things in the recipe. But, it's not a home run, so not worth sharing really. Not even sure I'd ever make it again.

I wish we had a Whole Foods market around here. I hear it's quite the place! Anyone know of some good Natural Food Stores around here? If so, PLEASE post them for me! Also, please post your favorite Farmers Markets. Do you have favorite venders? Know of organic venders? This will help all of us.
I am done with the Mega Post. Happy Monday!!!