Stock Up Diaper Price at Target! Expires 3/15

There is an in-ad coupon on last page of the Target ad in Sunday paper: $15 off up & up purchase of $40 or more. Valid in-store only.  Coupon expires 3/15/14. OR To get this coupon on your smartphone, text UPANDUP to 827438  (message and data rates may apply).

Combine the $15 off coupon with PLUS 5% off Up&Up diapers through Cartwheel app, and you can get 2 cases of diapers at a great price.  Example: Size 4 Up & Up diapers are coming out to 11 cents each which is a great price! 

Bulk Buys: Week of 2/12/14

Items that have hit STOCK UP PRICES this week:

Apples:
Aldi (mixed bag of red/gala/granny smith)/ 1.88 per 3lb bag/ 63c per lb / 2/12/14
Apples stay fresh in the fridge for 1-2 months, so buy as many as you will use in that time.

Carrots:
Checkers/ 48c per lb- fresh/whole/ 2/12/14
Carrots stay fresh in the fridge for 4-5 weeks, so buy as many as you will use in that time. This is a good enough price that it beats frozen carrots prices, so if you've got the time, chop them up and freeze them. They'll last in the freezer 8-10 months!

Grapefruit:
Checkers/ 3/$1 / 33c each/ 2/12/14
Grapefruit stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 weeks so buy as many as you will use in that time. This is a good enough price that it beats frozen grapefruit prices, so if you've got the time, chop them up and freeze them. They'll last in the freezer 8-10 months!  Click the link to find out how to prepare for freezing.

Hot Dogs:
Checkers (Bar-S brand)/ 88c per 1lb pk/ 2/12/14
Check the use by date on the package. Buy as many as you will use by that date. Also, they can be frozen for 1-2 months if you freeze them before the use by date.

Onions:
Aldi (yellow)/ 79c per 3lb bag/ 27c per lb / 2/12/14
Onions can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 months. Buy as many as you can use in that time. Also, this price beats BY FAR the pre-chopped frozen onions.  Chop them up in the food processor and freeze- they will stay good in the freezer 10-12 months. 

(Maybe) Pork (chops):
Checkers/ 1.68 per lb in econopk / 2/12/14

I'm not completely sure this is a GREAT price on pork chops, but I know it's a pretty darn good price. If you are needing some meat, this is a good price.  They last up to 5 days in the fridge, but up to 4-6 months in the freezer so buy as many as you can use/store in the freezer. 

Have you spotted any STOCK UP priced foods I missed?

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Keeping A Price Book

How a Price Books saves money:
This works on the bulk buying principle.  When you find the very best price you can, you buy in bulk to "lock in" that price for yourself for as long as that price lasts you. For example, a few weeks ago Hy-Vee had a sale on shredded cheese, $1.00 per 8 oz. package. This was really a HELL of a deal, as I regularly pay $1.99 for 8oz of cheese at Aldi or on sale other places. I have payed upwards of $2.49 for 8oz of cheese when I was in a pinch and needed it right away for an event.

I bought TWELVE 8oz bags of shredded cheese. That seems crazy, right? Let me tell you why I did that. The expiration date on the bags were all August 2014 or later. So I calculated how much cheese I would use between now and August.  2 bags a month was my (conservative) estimate, so I bought enough cheese to maybe last us the 6 months, effectively locking in my cheese cost for the next 6 months at $1.00 per 8oz.

Had I not had a price book, I may not have realized what a great deal this was. I knew within seconds that I had been recently paying $1.99 or more for 8oz of cheese, so I could easily see this was HALF PRICE CHEESE and folks, it doesn't get better than that.

How I Keep My Price Book:
Since I've now got a 3rd eater at my house, it was high time for me to pick up the price book I started a few years ago and make it work. My original book was paper/pencil, though I've now advanced to an iPhone app: ValueTracker, which costs $0.99.  The buck was worth it to me to always have my price book with me (since I've always got my phone.)  The price book doesn't really work unless you always have it with you when you are at stores.

I put in prices using my receipt after I get home, and calculate the per unit (ounce, pound, whatever) price. I also update prices using the weekly sale flyers. If I used a coupon I note that (though really I don't use coupons often).  (I Plan to share my personal price book here soon!)


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BareMinerals Foundation Deal

One of the items that it is worth it to me to not buy the very cheapest option is foundation make-up.  I use BareMinerals foundation, and I just wanted to share the place to get the best price.  Just because I'm willing to pay for it doesn't mean I want to OVER pay for it!  This make up is regularly priced at $27 most anywhere you can find it- and if it is online it, it is $27 PLUS SHIPPING.

However, for the last few years I have been buying it on amazon.com for way less.  The price varies at any given time, but I regularly get it for $20 or less.

I just ordered some today, and it was $15.88 (including shipping!) By doing a simple amazon search to see what price I could get, I saved more than $11 on this makeup.

bareMinerals ORIGINAL SPF 15 Foundation with Click, Lock, Go Sifter - Fairly Light

Yes, that is an Amazon affiliates link. :) Even if you don't use my link, I wanted to share this good deal with everyone!

Temporary hiatus- follow on Facebook!

 Hi all- for the next few months, I won't be regularly updating this blog. However, I will continue to update the Frugal Townie facebook page with deals I find, so be sure to follow and tune in there.

 Remember to check out the grocery ads before you go shopping!

Weekly Ads for Lawrence:

• Aldi Weekly Ad
• Checkers Weekly Ad  
• HyVee Weekly Ad
• Dillon's Weekly Ad
• Target Weekly Ad
• Wal-Mart Weekly Ad

Weekly Grocery Deals Round-Up: 8/1 - 8/6

Pleased to see ALDI has produce in their ad again this week!

Baby Carrots- $0.49/ 1lb bag @ Aldi
Cantaloupe- $0.99/ea @ Aldi
Celery - $0.69/lb @ Checkers
Corn (Sweet)- 6/ $2 @ Dillons
Grapes (green or red)- $0.94/lb @ Aldi
Kiwi- 5/$1 @ Checkers
Leaf Lettuce- $0.88/ea @ Checkers
Mangoes- 2/ $1 @ Checkers
Onions (Sweet)- $0.69/lb @ Checkers
Potatoes, Russet- $0.99/ 5lb bag @ Checkers


Frosted Shredded Wheat Cereal- $1.99/ 18oz box @ Aldi or Dillons or HyVee or Checkers
Coffee (Kroger)- $5.99/ 32oz  @ Dillons
Cottage Cheese (HyVee)- $1.39/ea @ HyVee
Crispy Oats (Cheerios style) Cereal- $1.50/ 14oz box @ Aldi
Orance Juice (half gallon) - $0.99 w/ coupon @ HyVee
Orange Juice (frozen)- $1.68/ea @ HyVee
Premium Fruit Bars Popsicles- $1.99/ box @ Aldi
Sausage (Farmland)- 3/$4.00 16oz roll @ HyVee
String Cheese- $4.99/ 24oz bag @ HyVee
Vegetables (frozen)- $1.00/bag @ Dillon's or Aldi or HyVee

Deodorant (Dove or Degree)- $0.99/ea @ HyVee
Deodorant (Secret or Old Spice)- 2/$3.00 @ HyVee
Shampoo (Suave or VO5)- $0.77/ea @ HyVee
Toothpaste (Colgate, Aim, Pepsodent)- $0.77/ea @ HyVee
Kids Backpacks (w/ 2 yr warranty)- $9.99 ea @ Aldi

**Special deals at HyVee- buy 3 Pepsi Co items, get a free backpack, or  buy 3 Oscar Meyer deli meats, get a free lunch bag.  If you are in the market for a lunch bag or backpack, these might be worth your time.**

Photo credit

Grocery Deal Round-Up: 7/18 to 7/24

I am completely perplexed- Aldi did not list ANY produce in their ad this week, and it is pretty much all processed food. What is up with that? So anyway, I did not add any items from Aldi to my list this week and it feels so strange! "Dollar Days" is this week at HyVee- I've listed the dollar items I think are a great deal here, but see the ad for the rest. 

A word about coupons- as far as I know, Dillon's is the only grocery in Lawrence that doubles coupons. Does anyone have information to the contrary?

Produce
Baby Carrots- $1/bag @ HyVee
Cantaloupe- $1.88/ea @ Checkers
Clementines- $3.88/ 3lb bag @ Checkers (I'm so glad these are back!)
Cucumbers- 2/$1 @ Checkers
Grapes (Red or Green)- $1.48/lb @ Checkers
Green Bell Peppers- 2/$1 @ Checkers
Onions (Yellow, Organic)- $1.88/ 3lb bag @ Checkers
Mangoes- 2/$1 @ Checkers
Peaches- $1.00/lb @ HyVee OR Dillons
Plums- $1.28/lb @ Checkers
Potatoes (Russet)- $0.99/ 5lb bag @ Checkers
Roma Tomatoes-  $1.00/lb @ HyVee
Strawberries- $1.48/lb @ Checkers
Sweet Corn- 5/$2.00 @ Dillons


Other Grocery:
Bacon (Best Choice)- $1.98/lb @ Checkers
Cheese (Kroger, block or shred)- $1.79/ 6 to 8oz pkg @ Dillons
Chicken (whole)- $0.98/lb @ Checkers
Chicken (split breast, drumsticks, or thighs)- $1/lb @ HyVee
Cottage Cheese (Kroger)- 2/$4.00 @ Dillons
Franks (Jumbo Farmland)- $1/pkg @ HyVee
 Frozen Vegetables- $1/bag @ HyVee
Greek Yogurt (A&E)- $0.99/ea @ HyVee OR Checkers
Sherbet - $1.00/ pkg @ HyVee

photo credit

Back To School Supplies- check out Frugal Fritzie

Thanks to Frugal Fritzie for being so organized- she has put up a chart of where to get the best deal on each different kind of school supply! Generally with this kind of update I would just put it on the Frugal Townie facebook page or Twitter page, but this is so cool I thought it deserved it's own blog entry.

P.S. Other people are as obsessed with school supplies as I am, right? :)


photo credit

Grocery Deals Round-Up: 5/23- 5/29

Ice cream and outdoor/pool toys are on sale everywhere (especially cheap at Aldi), so time to stock up on those if you are interested. Lots of good deals on grilling/bbq foods- get them now for the holiday weekend.

Lots of berries on sale, so try Berry Yogurt Popsicles, this weeks frugal recipe from Romance on a Dime. 

Blueberries- $1.49/ pint @ Aldi
Cantaloupe- $1.49/ea @ Aldi
Carrots (baby)- $0.88/lb @ Checkers
Grapes- $1.48/ lb @ Checkers
Limes- 10/ $1 @ Checkers
Raspberries or Blackberries- $1.88/ 6oz @ Checkers
Strawberries- $0.99/lb @ Aldi
Sweet Corn- $0.99/ 4pk @ Aldi
Vidalia Onions- $0.99/ 2lb bag @ Aldi
Watermelon (seedless)- $3.69/ea @ Aldi


Bratwurst- $1.99/lb pk @ Aldi
Bologna (Bar-S)- $0.88/ 12oz pk @ Checkers
Buns (Burger or Dog)- $0.79/ 8pk @ Aldi
Chicken (boneless breast)- $1.69/lb @ Aldi (Weds 5/23 only!) OR Checkers (all week)
Chicken (thighs or drumsticks)- $0.99/lb @ Aldi
Chicken (leg quarters)- $5.90/ 10lb bag ($0.59/lb) @ Dillons
Eggs- $0.74/doz @ Aldi (unadvertised, not sure how long this will last! I got some last night.)
Franks (Jumbo)- $0.99/lb pk @ Aldi
Fruit (frozen) (mango, strawberries, etc.)- $3.29/ 32oz bag @ Aldi
Ketchup (Hunts)- $0.69/ea (limit 2) @ HyVee
Pickle (relish, slices, chips, etc.)- $0.99/ 16oz jar @ Aldi
Pickle (spears, chips) - $1.19/ 24-36oz jars @ Aldi
Pork Chops- $1.98/lb @ Checkers
Pork Spare Ribs- $1.88/lb @ Checkers
Vegetables (frozen, Country Fare)- $0.88/ea @ HyVee

photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/814097

Grocery Deal Round Up: 5/2 - 5/8

Both Aldi and HyVee had big ads this week with a lot of picnic/ grilling foods and things, I didn’t list them all here, so be sure to look at their ads if you are in the market for those items. Also HyVee has a lot of paper goods (cups, napkins, tp, etc.) on sale, so check the ad for those as well.  All the stores have sales on frozen chicken breast this week, but I've done the research for you and HyVee has the best price with their store ad coupon.  Is it just me or is HyVee starting to be a real contender? The only thing they lack, in my opinion, are great deals on produce. See also the monthly sale items for May.

The frugal recipe this week from Romance on a Dime is Spring Salad with Grilled Veggies. Check it out!

 

Avocados- $0.29/ea @ Aldi

Bananas- $0.19/lb @ Checkers

Broccoli Crowns- $0.78/lb @ Checkers

Carrots- $1.98/ 5lb bag @ Checkers

Carrots (baby)- $0.88/lb @ HyVee (coupon in store ad)

Corn- $1/ 3 ($0.33 ea) @ Checkers

Grapes (Red)- $1.88/lb @Checkers

Mangoes- $0.29/ ea @ Aldi

Mushrooms (Monterey, sliced)- $1.49/ 8oz pk @ HyVee (coupon in store ad)

Pears- $0.99/ 4 pk @ Aldi

Peppers (hot varieties)- $0.68/lb @ Checkers

Strawberries- $0.99/lb @ Aldi

Tomatoes- Roma- $0.99/ 20oz pk @ Aldi

Bacon (Farmland)- $3.99/ 16oz @HyVee

Beef Chuck Filet (bacon wrapped)- $5/2 @ Dillons

Beef Franks (Farmland)- $0.98/ea

Cauliflower Florets (frozen)- $1.39/lb bag @ HyVee

Chicken (whole fryer)- $0.69/lb @ Aldi (WEDS ONLY)

Chicken (breasts frozen)- $3.99/ 2.5/lb @ HyVee (coupon in store ad)

Cottage Cheese- $0.88/ea @ HyVee (coupon in store ad)

Eggs- $10/ 10 ($1.00/ea) @ Dillons OR $0.88/ea @ HyVee May 3 & 4 only

Smart Ones frozen meals- $10/6 ($1.66/ea) @ Dillons

Three Bean Salad (can)- $0.99/ea @ Aldi

Tomato Sauce- $1/4 ($0.25 ea) @ HyVee (coupon in store ad)

Turkey Franks- $1.29/pk @ Aldi

Vegetables (frozen, Kroger)- $10/10 ($1.00ea) @ Dillons

Yogurt (Kroger)- $1/ 3 @ Dillons



photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/631904

Grocery deals 4/25 - 5/1

Summer produce is coming into season now, including berries, so prices are lower on those this week. Here is the list of In Season produce from Frugal Living. Not grocery items, but lots of garden supplies and plants at low prices at Aldi. At HyVee make note of sales on pet foods. My favorite deals are in bold. Enjoy!

This week's coordinating frugal recipe from Romance on a Dime is Tropical Fruit Toss - give it a try!

Artichokes- $1.50ea @ HyVee
Bananas- $0.19/lb Thursday Only @ Checkers
Blueberries $2.99/ 6oz pk @ Dillons
Blackberries- 3pks / $5 ($1.66 ea) @ HyVee
Broccoli Crowns- $0.78/lb @ Checkers
Carrots (baby)- $0.88/lb @ Chekcers
Corn on the Cob (Sweet)- $0.33/ea @ Dillons OR HyVee
Green Beans- $0.88/lb @ Checkers
Mangoes - $0.59/ea @ Chekcers
Pineapple (whole)- $1.29/each @ Aldi
Strawberries- $0.99/ 16oz @ Aldi
Tomatoes (Grape)- $0.88/pint @ Checkers
Zucchini (or yellow squash)- $0.49/lb @ Checkers


Bacon (Kroger)- $3.50/ea @ Dillons
Black Beans (canned)- $0.69/ea @ HyVee
Cheese (string)- $2.98/ 12oz @ HyVee
Chicken Breast (boneless/skinless)- $1.88/lb @ HyVee
Coffee (Folgers)- $6.99/ 34oz @ HyVee
Crab (imitation)- $1.66/ea @ HyVee
Milk (Kroger brand)- $1.00/ea for half gallons @ Dillons
Pork Sirloin Roast or Chops- $1.88/lb @ Checkers
Shrimp (large, fresh)- $5.98/ 1lb bag @ Checkers
Sugar (white)- $1.99/ 4lb bag @ HyVee
Swai fillets- $2.49/lb @ Dillons

Photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/379531