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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So Pinteresting...

Hello Friends! I am back from my summer hiatus. Wednesday I will have my regular Grocery Deals Round-Up posted.

I've been keeping up my Pinterest boards, which include my Frugal! board, Gardenable board, and Clever Ideas. Check them out and see you Wednesday!

Grocery Deals Round-Up: Fresh & Healthy

Here are the extra-great deals I noticed in the grocery stores this week, with a focus on fresh & healthy.

Prices good Jan 25- Jan 31

Avocados- $0.29/ea @ Aldi
Baby Carrots- $0.49/16 oz bag @ Aldi
Broccoli Crowns- $0.88/ea @ Checkers
Celery- $0.69/bunch @ Aldi
Grapefruit- $2.48/ 6lb bag @ Checkers
Peppers (Red)- 2/$3 @ HyVee
Pineapple (whole)- $0.99/ea @ Aldi
Radishes $1/ 2 bunches @ HyVee
Roma Tomatoes- $0.58/lb @ Checkers

Chicken Breasts (boneless)- $1.69/lb @ Aldi
Chicken Breasts (bone-in)- $0.98/lb @ Checkers
Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs- $0.97/lb @ HyVee
Hummus - $1.69/ea @ Aldi
Peanuts (In-shell, salted)- $1.69/16oz @ Aldi
Soy Milk (Silk)- 2/$5 @ Checkers
V8 Juice (Weekly pack)- $2.69/ea @ Aldi
Yogurt (Weight Watchers) 10/$5 @ HyVee

Also remember to check the January: Month by Month Guide to Sales before doing your shopping.

I looked at Aldi, Checkers, Dillons, and Hy-Vee. If you see great deals elsewhere, please comment! Also note these prices are all without coupons. I only rarely use coupons because I am specific about what I want, and there are infrequently coupons for those items that make them a better deal than store-brand or sale prices. Though I do always look at them to double-check.

Stay tuned for the next Grocery Deals Round-Up, typically posted on Wednesdays.

photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1206145

DIY Cleaning Solvents and Laundry Tips

Make a New Year's resolution to get your home in shape? Vow to save money on household expenses? Or maybe like me you can't stand the chemical smell of commercial cleaners? Perhaps you're interested in environmentally-friendly products? Then this list is for you! A good source for spray-bottles and other containers for your cleaners is a dollar store (Dollar Tree is the only one in Lawrence, I believe.)

• Hand Sanitizer, Yoga mat cleaner, Produce Wash from Fit Sugar -- I particularly love the idea of making your own produce wash. 
• To clean grills, oven racks, etc.- "On a hot, sunny day place them in a dark plastic bag. Pour a cup of ammonia into the bag, seal with a twist tie, and leave out to cook in the sun. At the end of the day take out the grills and wash under hose water. Most of the crud will wipe off. - Marian Hukle Tonganoxie, KS" (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)
• Bathtub Scrub "Wet the surface, sprinkle it with cream of tartar, and rub this with the cut surface of a lemon. Then, with some elbow grease, the tub will be as white as new within 20-30 minutes. I use two lemons and about 1/2 can of cream of tartar on my tub, and it does not have to be done very often. -Sally Weitlauf Dayton, OH." (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)
• Pots, Pans, Burner Plates "Here's a tip for pots with burned-on gook: Put enough water in the pot  to cover the stain. Add 2 tablespoon of any brand of powdered dishwashing detergent. Boil for 15 to 30 minutes. This also works for dirty burner plates if boiled in a pot of water.-Anna Johnson Kingfield, ME" (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)
• Drain Cleaner "When drains get sluggish, use this tested, inexpensive remedy: 1. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain. 2. Follow the soda with 1 cup of vinegar. 3. Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain and follow through with the plunger. -Jan Mitchell Salinas, CA" (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)
• All Purpose Cleaner  1/2 cup ammonia, 1 pint rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon blue Dawn dish soap, add water to make a gallon. From my Great Aunt Daisy Atteberry! (She says blue Dawn specifically- but perhaps another soap would work.)
• Hardwood Floor Cleaner "Mix 1 cup of distilled vinegar with 1 cup of vegetable oil, says the Michigan State University Extension Service. Apply a thin film of it to your floor. Rub it thoroughly. The N.Y. Consumer Site says that even without the oil, vinegar is a great hardwood floor cleaner. Simply add 1 cup of it to a pail of hot water, and damp mop your floors. The vinegar's odor will evaporate with the water. This cleaner is suitable for other floor surfaces as well." from Ehow.com
• Swiffer mop refill alternative:  use old socks, towels, or rags cut to size and dampened with your DIY all-purpose cleaner or hardwood floor cleaner. When it gets too dirty, just drop it in the washing machine with whatever else you're washing. 

• Static Eliminator "Mix 1 part fabric softener and 20 parts water. Put in a spritzer bottle and spray just the amount that is needed. -Elaine Hodgman Ludlow, MA" (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn) Note: I am trying this SOON- I hate the smell of StaticGuard! -jgb
• Laundry Pretreatment "1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup Wisk, 1/2 cup water. Spray on grease or food spots, or dirty collars and cuffs. Wash garment as usual." (from The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn)

photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1193877

DIY Holiday Decor Papercraft

I'm really into paper crafts this year! These are my favorite easy & beautiful holiday paper crafts. Great paper can be had pretty cheaply- this week at Michael's I got pretty 12"x12" scrapbooking paper for 4 sheets/ $1.00. Click the links for the tutorials!

3D Paper Stars

Mod-style tree ornaments (love these!)

Spiky wrapping paper stars

Easy and great-looking looped-paper wreath

Great selection of paper-wreaths! Love the ones from book pages & sheet music

Grocery Deals Round-Up: Fresh Produce and Nuts!

I can tell by the sales going on that the winter crops are coming in. It is usually the most frugal to buy in-season produce, plus it is the most fresh & tasty! Look here for what is in season now. 



Here are the best prices on fresh produce & nuts this week. (Prices good  through 12/20 unless otherwise noted.)

Apples- Royal Gala $0.99/lb @ Checkers, Washington Jazz $1.18/lb @ HyVee

Avocados- $0.79/ea @ Aldi,  $1.00/ea @ Dillons

Bananas- $0.19/lb @ Checkers on Thursdays! (Not “in season” but a great deal.)

Bell Peppers (Red, Yellow, Orange)- $0.98/each @ Checkers (This is a great price! I got a bunch and cut them up and froze them. Perfect for homemade pizza, stirfry, enchiladas, etc.)

Bell Peppers (Green)- $0.48/each @ Checkers

Broccoli- $0.99/lb @ Aldi

Cabbage- $0.33/lb @ Checkers, $1.29/head @ Aldi

Carrots (Baby)- $0.88/lb @ Checkers, $0.99 @ Aldi

Clementines (Cuties)- $4.98/5lb @ Checkers,  $3.99 @ Dillons    

Cranberries- $1.49/12oz @ Aldi, $1.69/12oz @ HyVee

Cucumbers- $0.48/each @ Checkers, $0.49 @ Aldi

Grapefruit- $0.33/each @ Checkers, $3.99/10lb @ Dillons

Grapes (Red Seedless) $2.18/lb @ HyVee, $2.99/2lbs @ Aldi

Mangoes- $0.99/each @ HyVee & Aldi

Oranges (Navel)- $1.48/4lb @ Aldi

Pears- $1.99/2lbs @ Aldi, $1.25/lb @ Dillons

Pineapple (whole)- $0.99/each @ Aldi

Potatoes- $1.99/10lb @ Aldi, $1.99/10lb @ Dillons

Sweet Potatoes- $0.99/3lb @ Aldi

Almonds $4.99/16oz @ Dillons, $3.99/12oz @ Aldi

Pecans $6.99/14oz @ Dillons, $3.99/6oz @ Aldi

Walnuts $6.99/14oz @ Dillons, $6.53/16oz @ Target

photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1172300

Free entertainment in Lawrence, KS

Lawrence is a great place to live for frugal entertainment. You may be aware of some of these no-cost recurring events, but hopefully you will learn something new too. If you know of other fun, free things to do, please leave a comment!


Free Music: 

• Acoustic Music - Tuesday Nights 7:30p @ Lawrence Arts Center - Free (suggested donation) 
• Lonnie Ray's Open Jam Session- Tuesday Nights 6:00p @ Slow Ride Roadhouse - Free
•  KU School of Music Student Recital Series- varies, see calendar of events @ KU Campus - Free
• Junkyard Jazz - Thursday Nights 7:00p @ American Legion - Free
• Jazz Quintet - Thursday Nights 7:00p @ iBar at Ingredient - Free
• Live Music- Most Friday & Saturday Nights 9:00p @ Slow Ride Roadhouse - Free
• December Music Series - Saturdays in December 1:00p @ Watkins Community Museum - Free
• The Mariachi Band- Every Other Sunday 8:00p @ Cielito Lindo - Free

Free Art:

• Art Exhibition - Daily 9:00a to 9:00p @ Lawrence Arts Center - Free, exhibitions change frequently.
• Kids Programming @ Spencer Museum of Art - Most are Free - see calendar
• Lectures, Gallery Talks & Peformances @ Spencer Museum of Art - Most are Free - see calendar
• Final Fridays Artwalk - Last Friday of the Month 5:00p - 8:00p @ Downtown Lawrence - Free

Other Free Activities:

• Free Kid's Programs - Saturdays 10:00a & Sundays 1:30p @ Prairie Park Nature Center- Free
• Holiday Activites List @ Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau Website- Many free- see list
• Poetry Social - third Wednesday of the Month 7:00p @ Lawrence Public Library Gallery - Free
• Book Signings, Book Talks, Readings- Free Events @ The Raven Bookstore - Free- see list
• Salsa Dancing - Wednesdays 9:00p @ Taste Lounge - Free

I found many of these events at Lawrence.com Events and Visit Lawrence Events - check them out for more ideas! 

My Frugal Holiday Baking shopping list

Hi all! I've researched the best deals on baking supplies in Lawrence (prices good through 12/3 unless otherwise noted.) I have not gotten to Checkers to get their baking goods prices yet- please let me know if you go before I do and see some deals that beat these. Their ad did show a lot of good deals on fresh produce this week. Also, I did check Target, but they did not make the list on any item. Happy shopping!

My Holiday Baking List:

• Butter Quarter- Aldi 16oz $1.99
• Candy Canes - Walgreens 32 pk Mini $0.99 (with in-ad coupon)
• Chocolate Chips-  HyVee 10oz. $1.38 // Aldi 12 oz. $1.69
• Corn Bread Mix- Walgreens $0.34 (with in-ad coupon)
• Eggs dzn - Aldi $1.59
• Flour 5lbs- Hy-Vee $0.88 (12/1 &12/2 only, limit 2) // Aldi $0.94
• Icing, Betty Crocker cookie squeeze icing, 7oz.- Aldi $1.99 // Walmart $2.98
• Icing, Spreadable- Aldi 16 oz. $1.29
• Oil, Cooking Spray 5 oz- Aldi. $1.29
• Oil, Vegetable - Aldi 48oz $2.49
• Oil, Olive - Aldi 16oz $3.49 // Walgreens 17oz $3.49 ($2.99 w/coupon)
• Pie Crust (2pk) - Walmart $2.46 Pilsbury ($2.21 w/coupon) // Aldi $1.89
• Pumpkin, canned- Aldi 15oz $0.99
• Sandwich or Storage bags - Walgreens $1.19 (with in-ad coupon)
• Sugar, Granulated- HyVee 4lb $1.49 (limit 1) // Aldi 5lbs $2.49
• Sugar, Brown- WalMart (Dixie Crystals brand) 1lb/ $1.18 ($0.63 w/coupon) // Aldi 2lb/ $1.49
• Sugar, Powdered- WalMart (Dixie Crystals brand) 1lb/ $1.18 ($0.63 w/coupon) // Aldi 2lb/ $1.49
• Whipped Topping- Aldi (regular or lite) $0.89
• Vanilla Extract- Didn't spot any deals, but you can make your own!

See this weeks ads here: Aldi Weekly Ad, Dillons Weekly Ad, HyVee Weekly Ad, Target Weekly Ad, Walgreens Weekly Ad, Walmart Weekly Ad. As always, Couponmom.com was a great help in my research!

Photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/591704

Ask and you shall receive. Really.

I have a theory that if you wait long enough and you tell enough people, you can get almost anything you need. I've been wanting two bulletin boards for diy Christmas gifts. I found a large one almost right away for $2 at an estate auction (would have been at least $20 new), but I've been struggling to find a second board.

A few weeks ago I posted a "Wanted" ad for a bulletin board on Lawrence Freecycle (if you don't know about this, check it out!). I hadn't heard anything, and started feeling desperate because I want to start on the project. Last night when I was at Wal-Mart I was thisclose to buying a bulletin board. I actually put it in my cart and took it back out again a few seconds later, because it had a plastic frame and I really wanted one with a wooden frame. Plus I really did not want to fork over $10 to Wal-Mart if I didn't have to.

Then just a few minutes ago, I got a reply to my Freecycle post, and someone is offering me two bulletin boards that they no longer need after moving. Thanks fellow Freecyclers! This, my friends, is a WIN, and not the first time this type of thing has happened to me. Do you have any tales of finding the exact thing you need for free or super cheap?

Image from http://groups.freecycle.org/lawrencefreecycle