Today’s trip to the 99 Cents Only Store helped me finalize this week’s meal plan.  I’ll share my strategy for dove-tailing my 99 Cent Only bargains with my mainstream store shopping.1.    Hunts Whole Tomatoes No Salt, 28 oz.
2.    Cilantro, 3 pk.
3.    Potatoes, 5 lbs.
4.    Brussels Sprouts, 1 lb.
5.    Kiwi Fruit
6.    Velveeta Chipotle Cheese Dip, 15 oz.
7.    Ritz Crackerfuls Big Stuff
8.    Ore Ida Sweet Potato Fries, 19 oz.
9.    LaCreme French Vanilla Creamer, pint
10.  International Delight Breve Creamer, pint
Not pictured:  Green Split Peas 1 lb, Gala Apples 1.5 lb.
Re-stocked for those who were searching:  Kelloggs cereal, and the toys that were posted around Christmas

I tend to use proteins as a springboard for meal plans.  Split Chicken Breast was $0.60/lb in a deal I spotted at Nob Hill/Raley’s.  It’s raining outside, but we’ve got a pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup simmering!  I simply added the Hunts Whole Tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, and whole wheat tortillas gathered from the 99 Cents Only Store!  So, my strategy was buying the protein from a mainstream store (Nob Hill) & buy the other ingredients from the 99 Cents Only Store.  About $5 for a pot of soup that’ll last us two meals!  Also from Nob Hill, I bought the Jennie-O Turkey Burgers with E-coupon + $2/1 printable coupon.  My find today of Sweet Potato Fries will pair well with those burgers.

A final example of dove-tailing involves Fresh & Easy Market.  Last month they offered half hams at only $0.49/lb.  I’ll make Ham & Potato Casserole using the potatoes from today’s trip, and Split Pea & Ham Soup as the final dish I’ll squeeze out of my ingredients!

This week’s shopping trip highlight was brought to you by Jolene, the  TFF 99 Cents Only Store expert! Find a 99 Cents Store location near you.  We’re looking for a Winco store expert, could that be YOU?  If so contact me for more details. 

So we took some time out this morning to check out JCPenney’s new permanently lower 40% price cut.  The idea behind this is that you’ll no longer have to hunt for a good buy, their everyday low prices are a deal in themselves.  I had my reservations, quite frankly I love to hunt for the deal and scour the clearance racks.  I love going to the store armed with a $10 off $25 coupon just to see what kind of crazy buys I can find.  I was not expecting to find any good deals at all.  Mr. Frugal  however had quite the opposite expectations, he had a feeling the prices were going to be good and loved the idea of less time spent shopping – hmmm, see the differences here?  I love to shop, he pretty much doesn’t.

When we got there, I was right away impressed by the price signs I saw.  Everywhere I looked in the children’s department I found signs for $4, $6, and $10 clothing items.  Now of course thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance racks CAN beat these prices but if you need something and you need it now it’s nice to know you can get a great deal at any time.

With that said there were a few things that I thought were a STEAL such as these cute Dearfoam Women’s Slippers priced at, grab a seat…$5!  The exact same pair is selling on Amazon for $25!  Mr. Frugal needed some slippers too and we found a pair of Dockers Moccasins for $12 at JCPenney’s new every day low price, they retailed originally for $36!

Ok this is one of my FAVORITE deals so far though, a Columbia ‘Holly Mountain’ Jacket currently selling for just $24!  From there we found many other great buys, such as girl’s jeans regularly priced at $12 (some even cheaper!) and a girl’s 4in1 Arizona Jacket for just $20.

We also found several things that were NOT what I would consider to be a good buy.  First of all appliances like the Keurig were not marked down and socks seemed be very pricey.  We’re looking for a good buy on quality socks for our boys who seem to get holes in them after just a couple weeks worth of wear.  They had a  6pk of socks, but they were priced at $12.  I could get socks elsewhere for less, I’ll likely check Costco.

So all in all, I really like the lower prices but it’s not going to be a one-stop, grab all of my clothing needs kind of store.  It was sure fun though finding the diamonds like my new Dearfoam slippers, which are just so cute.  The very first picture is what we purchased today: 1 pair of girl’s jeans ($12), 1 pair of girl’s long leggings ($5), 1 pair of women’s slippers ($5), 1 pair of men’s slippers ($12) for a total of $34 out of pocket.  The retail price on the men’s slippers is $36, so we got everything for less than the pair of slippers would have originally cost.  Not bad at all!

I should note we were not asked by JCPenney to write this review, it was actually more Mr. Frugal’s idea than even mine – go figure!  So have you stopped by the store since they’ve changed their prices?  I’d love to hear what you think…

If yogurt is on your list this week, shop first at 99 Cents Only Stores.  I spotted a mind-boggling variety of yogurt — lactose free, fiber added, crunchy topping added, and large bonus sizes — all for $1, no coupon necessary!

1.   Danimals Crunchers Yogurt, 4 pk.
2.   Dannon Pure Multipack Yogurt, 6 pk.
3.   Mountain High Natural Strawberry Yogurt, 2 lbs.!
4.   Kellogg’s All Bran Complete Wheat Flakes, 17.3 oz.
5.   Quaker Granola Bars Variety Pack, 18 ct.!
6.   Schwann’s Pumpkin Pie, 46 oz. frozen
7.   Yves Veggie Cuisine Meatless Turkey, 5.5 oz.
8.   Gilroy Farms Crushed Garlic, 4.5 oz.

I’m inspired to use my 2-pounds of Mountain High yogurt to make DIY Frozen Yogurt!  My kids love to visit those boutique Fro-Yo stores where you choose toppings … but it’s spendy!  With my $1 yogurt, some milk, and sugar I can use my Cuisinart to turn out Fro-Yo at home.  Looking through my pantry, I see toppings (chocolate chips from that Whole Foods deal, banana chips, raisins, cookies that can be crumbled, fresh berries/fruit).  Perhaps I’ll organize all the toppings in a muffin tin.  For a fun dessert night, the kid’s will make their own Fro-Yo creations.  Afterall, I think the lure of those boutique Fro-Yo stores is getting to choose your own toppings.

This week’s shopping trip highlight was brought to you by Jolene, the  TFF 99 Cents Only Store expert! Find a 99 Cents Store location near you.  We’re looking for a Winco store expert, could that be YOU?  If so contact me for more details. 

I took a quick trip to Albertsons today to score some of the great deals I shared in this post, I also found a few more!  Mission tortillas are on sale; $1.50 for corn and $2.00 for 8ct flour.  I found $0.50/1 peelies which will currently round up to $1 making them as low as $0.50 a pack!  I had a $0.50/1 Luna Bar coupon that rounded up to a $1 and made the bar completely FREE!  The rest of the deals you’ll find over here.

Remember the great thing about Albertsons is that they allow you to apply the overage from your order to the rest of the items as long as you’re not in the negative at the end of the transaction.  I found the charmin wipes on clearance for $0.69 so with that overage my final total was just $1.86 for everything pictured above!

Cold, wet weather calls for meals to build my family’s immunity & to warm their tummies.  I gathered healthy ingredients at the 99 Cents Only Store & have meal inspirations already percolating:

1.   Oranges, 3 lb. bag of immunity
2.   Cauliflower, the largest I’ve ever seen!
3.   Oscar Mayer Variety Pack, 8 oz.
4.   Oscar Mayer Turkey Kielbasa, 14 oz. (1/3 Less Fat)
5.   Cracker Barrel White Cheddar/Jalapeno Cheese, 8 oz.
6.   Whole Wheat Tortillas (use w/#5 to make quesadillas)
7.   Cascadian Farms Organic Choco/Cranberry Bars, 5 ct.
8.   Cake Craft Valentine sprinkles, icing, sparkle gel
9.   Not pictured: Cabbage, Lentils, Large AA Eggs (usually Medium Eggs sold here)

I’m planning to make Lentil Stew using the lentils, turkey kielbasa, and cabbage.  I already have canned tomatoes & cumin, and that’s an easy stew to serve on a cold, rainy night.  If my cauliflower entered a beauty contest, it would surely win — creamy white, perfectly round, and super large.  I was reading online recipes that utilize cauliflower, and found Macaroni & Cheese.  The recipe swaps the milk for pureed cauliflower!  Has anyone tried that?  Seems like an idea to get kids to eat more veggies like cauliflower.  Did you get Market Pantry Mac ‘n Cheese free after coupon from Target?  I did, and I might try adding pureed cauliflower to that.

Valentine’s Day is coming, and if you’re doing cupcakes or cookies for family or school, check out the 99 Cents Only Store.  I found name-brand cake mix, cookie mix, cupcake liners, and more.  Up the cuteness factor in your baked goods with Cake Craft sprinkles, colored icing, and sparkle gel.  Go early for the best selection!

This week’s shopping trip highlight was brought to you by Jolene, the  TFF 99 Cents Only Store expert! Find a 99 Cents Store location near you.  We’re looking for a Winco store expert, could that be YOU?  If so contact me for more details. 

These shopping list staples constantly need replenishing, so I was happy to find them all for $1 at the 99 Cents Only Store on Clayton Road:

1. Oscar Mayer DeliFresh Turkey Breast, 16 oz. Family-Size (Thanks Lynda!)
2. Oscar Mayer Natural Smoked Ham, 8 oz.
3. Motts Medleys No Sugar Added Applesauce, 6 pk. (brown bag lunches anyone?)
4. Kraft 2% Colby Chunk Cheese, 7 oz. bar
5. Quaker Squares Cereal, 16 oz.
6. Earthbound Farms Organic Blueberries, 6 oz.
7. Green Onions from Salinas, CA
8. Large AA Eggs from CA, one dozen
9. Not pictured: Butterball Deep Fried Turkey, 8 oz., Organic Romaine Hearts, Organic Salsa, and Hanes Textured Tights for Girls

Just yesterday, I was reading Sumiko’s post about homemade refried beans — wouldn’t they be yummy with some shredded cheese melted on top? I want to mention that the Quaker Squares Cereal is short-dated (exp. 2-7-12) and was manufactured in the U.S. but the packaging has Spanish/English text. So, because of the short date, I only picked up three boxes. Read labels and adjust your stockpiling accordingly whenever shopping anywhere.

I am very passionate about 99 Cents Only Stores, and cannot pass up an opportunity to visit a branch. This weekend I found myself in San Jose, with some time to kill. My yelp app told me that a 99 Cents Only was nearby so I eagerly visited the one on 1915 West San Carlos. The employees at that store are kind, helpful, and warm! Any readers in San Jose? I picked up Kraft Mild Cheddar Cheese Chunks and a small package of pears (priced only $.50 in the San Jose store). I hope to visit many more store locations! What did you find today?

This week’s shopping trip highlight was brought to you by Jolene, the new TFF 99 Cents Only Store expert! Find a 99 Cents Store location near you.

The following is a guest post from Juli at BargainBeliver.com.  She submitted this post recently and thought her idea was very clever, I hope you find it helpful too!  If you’d like to submit a guest post, you can read more about what we offer in exchanged and what we’re looking for over here. 

Do you ever feel like giving-up couponing?  I felt so humiliated at Safeway yesterday trying to use coupons for the Barilla Pasta Sauce deal.  The $.75 coupons were beeping wildly, my Personalized Prices were deducting, and suddenly … the register froze!  My entire order had to be re-rung with the manager and cashier, and a line of customers staring.  The air was thick with contempt & tension.  I just wanted to leave my groceries on the belt and run away!  Now I am a seasoned couponer, but this experience shook me to the core & I question if couponing is worth the hits to my dignity.  So it was sooo liberating & relaxing to shop today at the 99 Cents Only Store, my safe haven for excellent deals… without the drama.  Look at these gems, all $1, no coupons necessary:

1. Oscar Mayer Ready-to-Serve Bacon, 2.1 oz.
2. Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon, 16 oz.
3. Fiber One Bars, 10 pk.
4. Yoplait Go Gurt, 8 pk. (Tip: Enjoy them frozen)
5. Yoplait Greek 2X Protein Yogurt, 4 pk. (0% Fat!)
6. Red Seedless Grapes, 2 lbs.
7. Kiwi Fruit
8. Baby Carrots, 20 oz.

Today I have a storage tip to share.  Outer packaging on food products eats-up precious freezer space.  My goal is to remove unnecessary packaging so that I can fit more product into my freezer, especially when I get a great price & want to stock up.  For example, the bacon I purchased today could be taken out of its outer cardboard box & frozen within its inner plastic pouch (see my photo) — they stacked tidily and compactly.  I cut-out from the outer packaging the cooking instructions & keep it posted on the door of my refrigerator for later reference.  A good photo to study is the Freezer Meal post where the items are stacked compactly & neatly in her freezer.

This week’s shopping trip highlight was brought to you by Jolene, the new TFF 99 Cents Only Store expert! Find a 99 Cents Store location near you.

This is a screaming good deal and this is exactly what keeps me coming back to Grocery Outlet.  Today I found these 5 count boxes of Whole Grain PowerBar Harvest Energy Chocolate/Toffee Bars for just $0.50 – yes you read that right $0.50 or $0.10 per bar!   They don’t expire until May of 2012 either!  What crazy good deals have you found at Grocery Outlet recently?

Please note that these were at the Bend, OR store and stock/prices do vary by location.

Stay tuned for a Grocery Outlet gift card giveaway…

Shopping at the 99 Cents Only Stores is unique.  I don’t bring a shopping list of items & certainly no coupons. It is a free-flowing “sh-opportunity” to see what’s good on a particular day, and then taking advantage of deals that I stumble upon.  Today, however, I HAD a mission … I really need a wall calendar for 2012.  Guess what?  I found the perfect calendar & so much more:

1. Strawberries from Watsonville, 1 lb.
2. Apples from Washington, 3 lbs.
3. Kraft Grated Parmesan & Romano Cheese, 5 oz. (also, only Parm available)
4. Stouffer’s Stuffed Melt & Soup Combo, 10 oz.
5. Lean Cuisine Roasted Veggie Pizza, 6 oz.
6. Pillsbury Gingerbread Cookie Dough, 16.5 oz (also, holiday design cookies)
7. Kellogg’s Egg & Cheese Biscuit Scramblers, 4 pk
8. Athenos Greek Yogurt, 16 oz.
9. Not pictured: Tons of Lunchables in all varieties, and four different coffee creamer options

Thank you to Francee for posting in comments last week about finding the Egg & Cheese Biscuits at the Antioch store!  I love that TFF readers are sharing their 99 Cents Only finds here!  The Athenos Greek Yogurt is diet-friendly because it contains 23 g (46%) protein, which keeps me feeling less hungry through the day–use it in smoothies, as a topping w/fruit, or as a dip for carrot sticks.  I am soooo happy with this 2012 calendar because it has boxes for me (Mom) plus each child–it is called “Mom’s Family Calenda:r Who does what and goes where when” by Sandra Boynton.  At a glance, I can see all my children’s activities & mine so easily.  Unfolded, it is about 2 feet long and very high quality.  Look in the stationery aisle on spinner racks, if you’re a mom this is your essential organizing calendar for the new year:

1. Mom’s Family Calendar, Aug ’11 to Dec ’12 (retail $13.99)

Happy New Year to everyone, and let’s keep sharing our finds in 2012!  This week’s shopping trip highlight was brought to you by Jolene, the new TFF 99 Cents Only Store expert! Find a 99 Cents Store location near you.

Need a toy for donation or gift?  These were all $1, no coupons necessary, at the 99 Cents Only Store on Clayton Road.  All of them were on an endcap near the stationery aisle, except the Polly Pockets which were in the toy aisle.  In parentheses I list the retail prices that amazon is charging for these toys:

1. Disney Little Einstein Beanz Plush Rocket, ages 6 mos.+ (retail $9.30)
2. Polly Pocket Collect a Cutant (2 figures), ages 4+ (retail $5.99)
3. Dora’s Explorer Girls Fashion Pack (outfits, accessory), ages 5+ (retail $10.99)
4. bizu funky beads, ages 6+ (retail $15.55)

In the paper products aisle, I found Expressions by Hallmark 12-packs of heavyweight colored paper bags with 12 matching stickers.  Another shopper shared with me a really good idea for the colored bags & stickers.  She bakes mini loaves of quick breads and places them in the bags as gifts for the women she mentors at her church MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) group.  Homemade & from the heart!  Here are a few of my grocery deals, too — happy to get coffee creamer, especially:

1. La Creme w/real milk & cream, 1 pt. (I’m excited to try this!)
2. Silk Pumpkin Spice, 1 qt.
3. Yoplait Splitz, 4 pk.
4. Oscar Mayer Turkey Kielbasa, 14 oz.
5. Kraft Thousand Island Dressing, hefty 24 oz.
6. Oranges, 3 lbs.
7. Bananas, 2 lbs.
8. Artichoke
9. 12-pk of colored bags & stickers by Hallmark

Lots of new arrivals at the 99 Cents Only Store!  I’ll share grocery first, and then Gift/Donation items for only $1 each.  See the animal print tissue box?  Wouldn’t it look awesome next to Julia’s computer in her office?!  Just had to snap a photo of it!

Finally, in the Disney aisle, there are tons of paperback books for $1 (retail $4.99).  Pirates of the Caribbean comes in an early reader chapter book-style designed for primary grades (K-2), as well as a version suitable for grades 3-5.  High School Musical books also had a readability of about grades 3-5.  I think books make wonderful gifts…easy to wrap, and no batteries required!  Happy hunting at the 99 Cents Only Store!

This week’s shopping trip highlight was brought to you by Jolene, the new TFF 99 Cents Only Store expert! Find a 99 Cents Store location near you.

This post brought to you by Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine.

We have a wonderful team of readers/writers that step up to the plate from time to time when we have fun opportunities present themselves like this one. Today, Jayme shares her latest TFF task…

Jayme’s challenge:
Fill a stocking (or two or three or infinity) for a loved one using the $25 gift card provided by Dollar General.

I was so excited to receive this assignment, because I have to say, filling one stocking at Dollar General with $25 is in fact no challenge at all! I was able to fill stockings for ALL THREE of my boys with $25!! Well to be completely honest I did have to pay the $2.13 tax out of pocket, but that was due to a miscalculation on my part. I love the $1 toy section at the Dollar General because it allowed me to be able to fill the stockings with lots of the the silly little things that the kids like. In addition they had a large selection of classic family games like Dominoes and Yahtzee in smaller sizes and prices, which are a great option for my 8 and 10 year olds. For my 2 year old there was a great selection of plastic Tonka trucks for $3 each which he will love! In total I was able to purchase six toys for each child’s stocking, which I will add to the free clearance/coupon candy I got after Halloween to fill stockings for each of my three children.

My money saving tip for filling stockings: I use candy and $1 toys as fillers then put the larger toys on top! Also, I include items that I get as freebies with coupons such as character battery toothbrushes.
What items will I save money on this Christmas by shopping a dollar store such as Dollar General? Batteries and Christmas lights, these items ALWAYS cost less at Dollar General!