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Shopping Trips

99 Cents Only Store Shopping Trip 3/20

by Julia on March 21, 2012
99 Cents StoreShopping Trips

Sweet savings are Spring-ing up at the 99 Cents Only Store!  Oreo just celebrated a huge birthday, so there’s a surge of all-things-Oreo at the Clayton Rd store.  Stocked up on (and hiding) cookies for $1, no coupons necessary.

1.   Oreo Fudge Creme Cookies, 11.3 oz.
2.   Oreo Golden Fudge Creme Cookies, 11.3 oz.
3.   Chips Ahoy Chunky Cookies, 13 oz.
4.   Nabisco Grahams, 14.4 oz.
5.   Hot Pockets Snackers 12-pieces, 10 oz.
6.   Snapple Sweet Tea, 64 oz.
7.   Yoplait Greek Yogurt/ Coconut (my favorite), 4 pk.
8.   Cracker Barrel White Cheddar/Jalapeno Cheese, 10 oz.
9.   Philadelphia Cream Cheese Bar, 8 oz.
Not pictured:  Philadelphia Indulgences, 4 pk. and traditional Oreo Cookies

How about Breakfast Burritos using the White Cheddar/Jalapeno Cheese and the FREE breakfast sausage from Safeway this week.  The 99 Cents Only Store reliably stocks tortillas (regular & whole wheat), potatoes, eggs, sour cream, tomatoes, and cilantro.  Have you seen the new posts by The Seaside Baker?  Great recipe ideas using ingredients from our beloved 99 Cents Only Store — check it out!

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.  

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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You’re Invited to a Frugal Find Shop-along Event! (SF California!)

by Julia on March 15, 2012
Grocery OutletShopping Trips

UPDATE: Well boo! We have to postpone the RSVP for the SF Grocery Outlet shop-along. Too many awesome details to finish working out, trust me this is going to be fun! We’re going to open it up on Monday instead. More details to come…

I’m excited to announce that I’m coming to California on Saturday March 31st to help Grocery Outlet launch there new South City SF store and I’d LOVE to invite you to join me!  They’ve given me the great opportunity to open up their store to a slew of TFF readers for a Frugal Find Shop Along!  We’ll spend an hour together shopping (on Grocery Outlet’s tab!) yes that’s right you’ll get a bit of spending money too.

We have some really exciting events planned for the day including some kind of a dinner/coffee/dessert date where a smaller group of you will have the opportunity to pick my brain and relax with a bunch of other frugalites.  Space is limited, we will be opening the event up for RSVPs tomorrow 3/16 at noon.  So please check back in then if you’d like to sign up.

I’ve long been a HUGE fan of Grocery Outlet not just because of the incredible deals they have but even moreso because of WHO they are as a company.   I’ve been shopping there since I was newly married 10+ years ago, well before I knew how to use coupons and I still shop there weekly!  Grocery Outlet is a third-generation family run business and they truly keep the term family close to heart.  They have 150+ independently owned and operated stores with the majority of he owners being husband and wife couples.

Here is a little snippet from Grocery Outlet:

The premise is simple: We offer brand name products at 40% to 60% below traditional retailers. Our offering is wide: groceries, frozen, deli & refrigerated, produce, fresh meat (selected stores), general merchandise — seasonal products, housewares, toys, and gifts — health & beauty, and a most impressive inventory of beer & wine. Our buyers shop the nation and the world by traveling thousands of miles each year just so we can offer the best brand-named products for less than you would pay conventionally. We love to save you money.

So stay tuned, we’ll open the RSVP list tomorrow and will do our best to accomodate as many people as possible.  I can’t wait to meet everyone!

 

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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99 Cents Only Store Shopping Trip 3-13

by Julia on March 13, 2012
99 Cents StoreShopping Trips


After too many cheese & cereal transactions at Safeway, I was relieved to shop at the 99 Cents Only Store today for a change of scenery.  My mom used to say, “When it rains, it pours” and this is certainly the case with the tons of grocery deals we’ve seen on TFF lately!  Here’s what I found for $1 at the Clayton Rd store:

1.   4 lbs. of Sugar Pears from WA
2.   Snapple, 64 oz.
3.   Martinelli’s Sparkling Lemonade, 25.4 oz.
4.   Luigi’s Rasperry Sherbet, 14 oz.
5.   Dole Fruit Crisp, 2 pk., shelf-stable
6.   Oreo Ultimate Icing, 7 oz.
7.   Mrs. Smith’s Pie Shell, frozen
8.   Whac-A-Mole card game by Mattel, age 5+
9.   Qwitch card game by Mattel, age 7+
Not pictured, but a great deal if you need them:
10.  Polly-O String Cheese Tomato/Basil, 12 pk.
11.  Cinnamon Burst Cheerios, 10 oz.
12.  Knudsen Cottage Cheese, 16 oz.
13.  Ritz Crackers

I’m thinking ahead to Easter celebrations already.  The Mattel card games would make nice Easter basket stuffers.  Use Mrs. Smith’s Pie Shell for an elegant quiche for brunch, or for desserts.  And Martinelli’s Sparkling Lemonade would be a special beverage for kids and adults alike at family celebrations.

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.  

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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99 Cents Only Store Shopping Trip 3-6

by Julia on March 6, 2012
99 Cents StoreShopping Trips

Water is the frugal beverage-of-choice, but we often crave something different.  So I was glad to find enhanced beverages today at the 99 Cents Only Store!  Great deals for us lunch-packing moms:

1.   Silk Pure Almond Chocolate Almond Milk, a 4-pk of 8oz single-serves!!
2.   Jamba O.N.E. Coconut Water Fruit Juice w/Boost, 16.9 oz
3.   V8 Splash, 1 qt
4.   Minute Maid Soft Frozen Cups, 12 oz
5.   California Strawberries, 8 oz
6.   Eggplant
7.   Gold Idaho Potatoes, 3 lbs
8.   Mountain High Natural Yogurt, 32 oz

The 4-pack of Almond Milk for $1 is especially well priced.  Safeway is selling ONE single-serve for $1.25.  My kids bring single-serve drinks in their lunch bag every day, so I’m always hunting down bargains for these.  {At Concord Grocery Outlet, I found single-serve MegaMoo milk priced 6/$1 & scored a case of 24 for $4.}  If you love smoothies, use Almond Milk in Julia’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie recipe.  This Almond Milk has 50%-more calcium than milk!  With afternoon temperatures soaring into the 70s here in the East Bay, a Minute Maid Soft Frozen Cup would be a welcomed afterschool refreshment.

I’m using my Gold Idaho Potatoes to make Smashed Potatoes for tonight.  The buttery gold color tricks our eyes into thinking that our Smashed Potatoes are swimming in butter, when it really isn’t.  Later in the week, I’ll use my eggplant, my cheap tofu from Whole Foods, & ground turkey from my freezer to make an Asian-inspired dish.  If anyone wants that recipe, let me know and I’ll share!

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.  

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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99 Cents Only Store Shopping Trip 2-28

by Julia on February 28, 2012
99 Cents StoreShopping Trips

Did you see Julia’s Lettuce Wrap Tacos?  Well, who knew, but there is a special lettuce designed especially for this purpose.  It’s called Artisan Romaine by Tanimura & Antle and it won Best New Product.  The leaves are cup-shaped and your fillings won’t fall out!  Check out more recipes for Artisan Romaine (the grilled Romaine sounds interesting) here.   This lettuce and more spotted today at the 99 Cents Only Store:
.
1.    Artisan Romaine, 2 pk.
2.    Barbara’s Organic Crunchy Granola Bars Peanut Butter
3.    Barbara’s Organic Crunchy Granola Bars Oat Honey
4.    Back To Nature Almonds, 8 oz.
5.    Hawaii’s Own Mango-Orange Juice, 12 oz.
6.    Potatoes, 5 lbs.
7.    Pasilla Chili Peppers, 8 ct.
8.    Bananas
9.    Avocados, 3 pk.
10.  Asparagus
11.  Dannon Pure Yogurt, 32 oz.
.
I should mention that the Barbara’s is short-dated (Best By 3-11-12).  And I was pleasantly surprised to see my first credits from Endorse!  Last year, I submitted my 99 Cents Only Store receipts hoping (but not expecting) to get credited 10% for certain products.  Happily, my Endorse account is showing cute little $0.09 credits all from my purchases at this store!  I’m tickled pink.  Saving up front by shopping here, and then saving again with Endorse!
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.  
This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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Weekly Grocery Shopping Trip for a Family of 6 – $78.70 Spent

by Julia on February 26, 2012
Shopping Trips

Today I thought I’d take the time to post our ENTIRE shopping trip for the week.  I know there was quite the discussion here about just how in the world our family (and many of yours) can live on so little per week for groceries.  I’ve come to show you how!  Now here’s the deal though – you won’t find every single morsel that we’ll be eating for the week here in this post.  Why’s that?  Because we have a generous stockpile from previous weeks and that is exactly how we’re able to spend so little per week.  I didn’t need to buy any meat, with the exception of the Tilapia because my freezer is sill full from the Safeway Turkey sale and other clearance meat finds like these that Sumiko shared last week. This week take for example the 7 boxes of cereal I bought pictured above.  We will not go through all of them in one week because we’ll have eggs one day and oatmeal another, etc.  This allows us to add a few boxes to our stockpile.

Another thing to note is that I shopped at several stores, I did this through out the week as I had time.  The bulk of my shopping is however done on the weekends.   I’m not going to list the specific coupons I used for each item but you can find them detailed in the links following.

Target
Whole Foods
Fred Meyer
Albertsons
Safeway
Grocery Outlet (no coupons – always great deals!)

Here are the deals I purchased with the totals listed below each store.  I spent a total of $78.70, which is over our weekly budget of $75 by $3.70.  I didn’t have to buy the Tilapia, but I’m trying new things with my diet this week and needed to expand my options a bit.

Grocery Outlet

Nature Valley Granola Thins, 36ct – $2.99
Del Monte Jarred Pears – $0.99
Del Monte Jarred Peaches – $0.99
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls – 3/$1 (already used 1)
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Minis – $0.99
Powerbars, 12pk – $6.00
Sweet Mini Peppers
______________________________________________
Total: $15.97

Target

Massive Box of Goldfish – Clearance for $3.18
Target OJ – $1.38
2 Activia Yogurt 4pks, FREE (not pictured because they’ve already been eaten!)
______________________________________________
Total: $4.56

Safeway

Bagels, 6pk – $2.79
YoKids Yogurt Tubes – $0.88 after clearance and coupon
______________________________________________
Total: $3.67

Fred Meyer

Tilapia Filets, 2.5lbs – $9.99
*This seems really expensive, but I’ve never priced Tilapia and I really wanted to try them this week. Going to X out the Eggplant Parmesan sine Eggplant isn’t in season, who knew?! :)

5 Boxes Frosted Mini Wheats – $0.75 each
This deal was super cool because I got a raincheck on teh 50% off sale that ended yesterday, they were sold out when I went. Today the regular prices was lowered to $3.49, so $1.75 per box. Used my $5/5 coupon AND my FREE Gallon of milk coupon = $3.75 for all 6 items!

3 Loaves Whole Wheat Bread – 3/$4
Silk Pure Almond – $1.68
Silk Pure Coconut – $1.43 (old catalina coupon)
(2) Fage Greek Yogurt – Clearance $2.19 each
Asparagus – $0.99/lb – 3.5lbs total
Ruby Red Grapefruit – 3/$1
Organic Kiki – 6/$2
Celery – $0.89
Cucumbers – 2/$1
Green Beans – $1.49/lb ($1 worth)
Green Bell Pepper – $0.50
18ct Eggs – $2.19
Cuties, 5lb Box – $5.88
Brussels Sprouts – $1.49/lb (1lb)
______________________________________________
Total: $44.65

Whole Foods

Nasoya Tofu – FREE
Garden of Eatin’ Chips – $1.69
______________________________________________
Total: $1.69

Albertsons

2 Honey Nut Cheerios – $1.75 for both
2 Yoplait Greek Yogurt – $0.99 each
1 Gallon of Milk – FREE!
2 MckCormic Recipe Inspirations – $0.25 each
Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta – $0.45
2 Wholly Guacamole – $1.00 each
2 Greek Oikos Yogurt – FREE
______________________________________________
Total: $4.69

VitaCost

3 Jars of Peanut Butter & Co. – $3.47 Shipped (credit deal HERE)

So I’m sure you’re wondering how cost effective it is to drive from store to store.  That really depends on your location, gas prices, proximity to stores, etc.   If I had purchased everything pictured above at one store regardless of the price I’m CERTAIN that my total would have at the minimum doubled – so right off the bat that is a $75 savings.  I surely didn’t spend $75 in gas going from store to store.  So again, this is something you’re going to have to figure out for yourself.  Do you have the time and resources to shop around, if you do I’ll bet you see your spending drop drastically.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments about a specific deal or anything in general about this shopping trip.  Please feel free to share your tips too, I know so many of you are even more frugal than I am!  We can all learn so much from each other.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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What would YOU do in this situation?

by Julia on February 25, 2012
Shopping Trips

This afternoon I was at the grocery store and they had marked down the Wholly Guacamole to just $1 per package!  My typical coupon organizational method is that I only clip/print coupons for products that my family uses regularly, that I have plans for in a specific meal, or if it is a particularly high value and there is a great free/stockpile price coming up.  Wholly Guacamole is one of those items that doesn’t go on sale all that often so I didn’t have any coupons with me.

When I found them for $1 today at the grocery store and I knew there were coupons I could have printed/clipped to get these for free I  began to wonder how many times you find yourselves in this same dilemma.  What do you do in these situations?

For me the grocery store is about 5 minutes away, so I’ll likely go back and see if there are any left this evening after dinner.  I did buy a couple just in case because $1 is still a really good deal.  Worst case if they’re sold out I’ll go to customer service to see if they’ll accept my coupons after the fact.

In case you want a coupon too, these are the ones I plan to print…

$1.50/1 Wholly Guacamole, Wholly Salsa or Wholly Queso Product

$1/1 Wholly Product

I’d love to know though what YOU would have done in this situation as I know it comes up often for many of us.

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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99 Cents Only Store Shopping Trip 2-21

by Julia on February 21, 2012
99 Cents StoreShopping Trips

Fresh veggies were the core of my 99 Cents Only Store trip. Maybe it’s because of the hint of spring in the East Bay today.  Have you ever seen a purple cauliflower?!  Today’s display of cauliflower (white & purple), broccoflower (bright green), and broccoli was reminiscent of colorful Easter eggs.  A delight for the eyes & your plate. Easy on the wallet at only $1 each:

1.   Purple Cauliflower
2.   Organic Romaine Hearts, 3 ct.
3.   Fresh Spinach, 5 oz.
4.   English Cucumber
5.   Roma Tomatoes, 8 ct.
6.   Quaker Oat Granola Cookies, 8 to-go packs
7.   Honey Maid Low Fat Cinn. Grahams, 14.4 oz.
8.   Minute Maid Premium Raspberry Lemonade, 64oz.
9.   Knudsen Cottage Cheese w/Pineapple, 16 oz.

Not pictured:  V8 V-Fusion + Tea, 64oz. on endcap, asparagus, Oscar Mayer deli meats, Pillsbury Crescents, Breakstones whipped cream cheese

I’m planning to make a Spinach, Potato & Ham Frittata using the spinach from today’s trip, plus the $0.69/dozen eggs from Lucky (Wednesday’s Deal). Frittata & a crisp green salad.  An easy swap-out for spinach, would be asparagus which is also available at the 99 Cents Only Store.  I love having the cottage cheese w/pineapple for an easy lunch on-the-go.  Have fun saving money on produce by shopping here first!

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.  

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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99 Cents Only Store Shopping Trip 2-14

by Julia on February 14, 2012
99 Cents StoreShopping Trips

The 99 Cents Only Store has me covered for Valentine’s Day.  I found all the ingredients for a DIY heart-shaped pizza like the Papa Murphy’s deal. Everything was $1 each, no coupons needed at the Clayton Rd store:

1.    Pillsbury Pizza Crust, 11 oz.
2.    Polly-O Mozzarella Cheese, 1 lb.
3.    Prego Pizza Sauce
4.    Armour Pepperoni, 3 oz.
5.    Polly-O Ricotta Cheese, 2 lbs (Sell by Feb 19)
6.    Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon, 12 oz
7.    Dannon Pure Yogurt, 2 lbs.
8.    Artisan Butter Lettuce
9.    Mott’s Medley’s Juice, 46 oz.
10.  Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Sugar Cookies, 1 lb.
Not pictured:  Happy shoppers were buying Valentine helium balloons & balloon bouquets!  They charge $1 per balloon + $.49 to fill with helium.

I’m hopelessly devoted to the 99 Cents Only Store!  I can get in, get out, and get a great deal consistently.  No coupons, no Catalinas, no hassle.  And the timing was perfect.  My kids will have heart-shaped pizza & Valentine sugar cookies as a special treat.  Frugal tip:  Whenever I use my oven to bake pizza or other main dishes, I try to bake at least 2 things to maximize the energy.  If the items require different oven temps, I bake one right after the other.

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. 

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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My Albertsons Shopping Trip with a Coupon Newbie!

by Julia on February 12, 2012
AlbertsonsShopping Trips

I was honored to show my new friend Teresa (who is a total blessing might I add!) the ropes of couponing today.  I’m pretty certain she’s never grocery shopped with coupons, she was fascinated by what to me is a very normal way to shop.  It’s been years since I’ve shopped without coupons, unless it’s Grocery Outlet or the 99 Cents Only Store.  I can’t remember what’s it was like to be in her shoes :)  I told her I would post today’s quick shopping trip so she could have a visual of what I showed her in the store.  I know many of you have asked me to share more of my shopping trips too, so here you go!

1st Transaction:

Buy (4) General Mills Cheerios – $2.50
Get a FREE Gallon of Milk OYNO Coupon plus a bonus $2 OYNO Coupon!
$1.75/2 General Mills Cereal coupon (no longer available, but there are many other coupon options here)
Final Price: as low as  $6.50 out of pocket PLUS a FREE Milk Catalina and a $2 OYNO Catalina!

Yoplait Multipack Yogurt, 2-4pk – $2.00
Get a $1 OYNO Coupon wyb 3
(1) $0.75/1 Yoplait Light Yogurt with Granola 
(2) $0.75/1 Yoplait Light Yogurt with Granola 02/05/2012 GM Insert (exp 03/31/2012)
Use 3 Albertsons doubles (-$2.25)
Final Price: $0.50 for all 3 packs!

Brawny Paper Towels, Single Roll - $0.99
Use $1/1 Brawny Paper Towels 
Final Price: FREE after coupon

2nd Transaction:

Bananas  - $1.36

(2) Kikkoman Marinades – $2.29
Buy 2, Get $2 Catalina (I only got a $1.50 catalina)
Use (2) $1/1 Kikkoman coupons (click the offers tab)
Use 2 Albertsons doubles (-$2)
Pay $.58, Get $1.50 Catalina
Final Price: FREE plus a $0.92 Money Maker

Mitchum Men’s or Women’s Deodorant – $1.99
$1/1 Mitchum or Mitchum for Women Product 
Use Albertsons double (-$.99)
Final Price: FREE!

All in all I paid $9.94 out of pocket and I got back $4.50 in OYNO (on your next order) Catalina Coupons and a Catalina Coupon for a FREE Gallon of milk (up to $4.50).  Not a bad shopping trip at all, who said coupons are just for junk food?  To that I say, Bah!

 

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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99 Cents Only Store Shopping Trip 2-7

by Julia on February 7, 2012
99 Cents StoreShopping Trips

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. 

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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JCPenney’s New Prices Tested and our Shopping Trip Results…

by Julia on February 7, 2012
Retail SavingsShopping Trips

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…

 

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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99 Cents Only Store Shopping Trip 1/31

by Julia on January 31, 2012
99 Cents StoreShopping Trips

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. 

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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Albertsons: $1.86 Shopping Trip (Chobani Greek Yogurt, Luna Bar, Mission Tortillas, and more!)

by Julia on January 26, 2012
AlbertsonsShopping Trips

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!

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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99 Cents Only Store Shopping Trip 1-24

by Julia on January 24, 2012
99 Cents StoreShopping Trips

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. 

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them, you support The Frugal Find. Thank you! Disclosure policy.

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