#10 Cans

I know that most coupon blogs will tell you not to buy bulk items.  But remember, I'm trying to show you how to save money without having to always resort to coupons.
Believe it or not, there are some bulk items that are cheaper per ounce than the smaller versions. 
Sam's is our bulk item store here in OK.  But most of the stuff in there is waayyy too high to be considered a good deal. 

Ketchup-Hunt's is $3.28 for 114 ounces.  That is right at $.03 an ounce.  Right now, ketchup is on sale at Warehouse Market at $.79 for 24 ounces.  That is also $.03 an ounce.  On sale.  If the normal price is $.99 that is $.04 an ounce.  If your family uses a lot of ketchup AND its worth your drive to Sam's, the large ketchup will be the better way to go.  Wal Mart also sells a #10 can of ketchup.  Be sure to do the math per ounce to see if it is a better deal!

Mustard- French's #10 at Sam's is $3.88 for 105 ounces.  That is $.04 an ounce.  Typically grocery store price will be around $2 for 30 ounces, equaling $.06 an ounce.  Its a maybe.  Especially if you have a lot of summer activites with grilling, picnics, etc. 

Chip Flavor Pack- if you pack a lot of lunches, this will be a cost saver.  Yes, it is cheaper to buy the chips at a grocery store and bag them yourself, but if you do not have the time, this is a good option.  At $11.22 for 50 bags, that is $.22 per bag.  At Wal Mart, a single bag of chips is $.33 per bag.

Fruit in season is usually a pretty good deal at Sam's.  Price will vary.

The big box salad is pretty good at $5 a box.  It about $7 at Reasor's for a smaller box.


What is never a good deal:

• Cereals.  Too expensive when the grocery store has generic brands and runs sales on a regular basis.
• Canned veggies in the 6-9 pk
• Mayo.  Those are specifically for those who use a lot of mayo.  We've looked into it, and even as a family of 6, it is not worth it to us. 

I will update good bulk items.  This is a good start IF and ONLY IF you shop at Sam's.

Update to my list:

1. Finished!  And I love it.  I still have some ideas for the closet, like getting a plastic drawer system for socks & other items, but for now, it is finished!
Finish organizing my closet. I am going to try to organize my scarves and earrings like in the videos. Such cute ideas! Since I get ready before anyone else in the mornings, I want to be able to have most of my jewelry in the closet so I'm not trying to look for something in the dark.




2. Hahahahaha.....no school for two weeks and working a bunch of hours with no days off will make one mom weary.  We just did fun things at home, like video games, books, crafts, and some snowman making. 
 Make an after school schedule and stick to it. I doubt we will but at least I'm going to make an effort. I don't always like schedules because our day can change quickly.



3.  I've missed a few days, but I'm back on track with this one.
 Read one Psalm in the mornings. I've started this one and I'm liking it.



4.  See #2.  Most of the time, my children stayed in PJ's.  We're working on this one.
Pick out everyone's outfit the night before.



5. Stupid snow really ruined my goals.  But this one started today. 
Pack lunches. Why is this so hard? Is it because I have to pack for 4, counting myself? Ugh...I hate doing this but leads me to the next one...

Can I just give up at this point?  One only has so many hours in the day... 
6. Pack my freezer/plan ahead meals. I want to take a day and bake muffins, snacks, meals for the freezer. I also want to freeze some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to make packing lunches a little easier. Oddly enough, it does not make the sandwich soggy and are pretty good. Take one out and its thawed by lunch time. I really love Bentos, but trying to do 4 of them at a time while trying to do Round 2 (after work when I get home and at home) duties makes me tired thinking about it. I'm aiming for stocking my freezer to make meals easier, so maybe in a few months (like next school year) I can try Bentos.


I'm getting there...I'm using it more and more.
7. Utilizing my planner more. I have pretty large planner with the intent of writing EVERYTHING down, but I haven't been able to do this yet. Since I need to work on not procrastinating, this one I need to do first. This one will be an ongoing goal, but maybe I can get into the habit of using it.


Its a constant learning curve...
8. Lastly, learning more how to update the blog. I went to a more simple look for now until I learn more about how to make it look nice. I loved the look of the other but not how the columns were aligned. My goal is to devote one night to doing this. For now. To at least get a jump start on the fun stuff.



I'll revisit this on Feb. 10th to see what I did and didn't quite get too.  (Yeah, its Feb 17th...)

Clothes

According to latest news report, the price of clothes are expected to rise.  With 4 kids that are still growing, this worries me.  Kind of.  Here are some ideas to combat the cost.

• Thrift stores:  Goodwill runs excellent sales throughout the year between 25-50% clothes, shoes, and purses.  Here is their Feburary schedule.  There is also the Salvation Army, Value Thrift (they are open until 9pm!), and the Animal Aid Thrift Store.   
• Consignment stores:  I heart the one in Sapulpa called Second Times a Charm.  She is so sweet and has pretty good prices and sales.  Her kids' clothes selection is amazing.  She has the Justice brand that my girls are into.  A few of them still have the tags on! 
• Garage sales:  I know a lot of people are against this one, including my husband.  But if you select the right ones, you can find some nice clothes very cheap!  Pet peeve is when people think highly of their items.  1.  its used, 2. its a garage sale, and 3. its a garage sale!  If you want ebay or craigslist items, post them there.  I will buy more if the price is reasonable!  Also, consider the house.  I've been to a few where the host was smoking (that equals smelly items) and a garage that strongly smell like cat urine.  I actually smelled the items.  Yuck.  We walked away from that one.  
• Sewing:  ah...the big one.  Now, I know it can cost more to get the material needed to make a dress than to actually go by one.  But you can get items from a thrift store and change them up!  There are ton of tutorials on how to do this, like get an ugly dress and change it to a cute shirt!  They even sell these on esty.  So cute and so thrifty!  If you don't know how to sew (like me) then maybe its time to learn.  I have my eye on a sewing maching at Wal Mart that I want.  Not only to teach my girls and boy how to sew, but for myself.  Why not?
• Hand me downs:  get some ladies together and have a swap of sorts at your home or church!
• Sales racks:  I know it should be a given, but you might find some great deals on clothes!
• Coupons for Department Stores:  sign up to receive emails from your favorite stores and you will probably get coupons!  Belk's always send us coupons.  Just remember to use the lost leader rule:  they sent the coupon to get you in the store!  Go with a list of items you NEED and stick to it.  If it is a good coupon but yet you don't need anything, go buy socks or underwear.  Those are items not only could your family use, but you can donate them to a charity in need.  And of course, look at the sales racks first.  Also, use the coupon on a good weekend sale if it will let you.  The weekend before school starts, you might find some excellent sales plus using the coupon, plus use it on a tax free day, you might have some excellent savings!   

Do you have any secrets to clothes shopping?

Warehouse Market

Yes, it is Wednesday, but as I'm planning my grocery list I thought I'd post some good deals I am seeing.

Best Choice Canned Veggies $.49

• Excellent stock up price!  Most cans are pushing $1.  10 cans are only $4.90!

Yellow Onions $.49 a Pound

• If you have the time, get 5-10 lbs to dice and stick in the freezer.

Russet Potatoes, 10 lb bag is $2.99

Best Choice items on sale (all good stock up items):

• tomato sauce $.25 each
• canned whole tomatoes $.50
• ketchup $.79
• paper towels 8 pk, $4.99
• saltines $.99

Side note:  if your family goes through a lot of ketchup, you also might look into buying the #10 can of ketchup.  Most of the time, its cheaper to buy this and the plastic pump to put on top or pour it into old ketchup bottles or plastic bottles.   Sam's is the cheapest but look at the cost at Wal Mart per oz before committing to this.  You can also buy mustard in the #10 can.

Whew!

What an insane last few weeks, huh?
That snowfall we received here in Oklahoma was unreal.  I am on of the fortunate/unfortunate few that still had to go to work.  I'm considered an essential employee.  My SUV was a trooper and made it all week between going to work and running errands (like trying to search for a snow shovel).  I remember having to go around a Dooley truck because he got stuck and I knew if I stopped, I'd be stuck too.
And I hated hearing on the radio, while I was driving, how "you should not be on the roads."  Ugh, I kept telling the radio "But I'm considered 'essential!"
:)
The one sight I remember of this storm is going to Wal Mart in search of shovel.  Not one car.  Only the large pickups or SUV's like mine.  I felt like I was at some strange rodeo.  That was another sign to me that this was a real bad storm. 

So back to some normalcy.  The kids are back in school, my husband is back (oh, yes. Forgot to mention he was on a business trip for two weeks during the storm), and my hours have stabilized at work.  Whew!

As I'm looking through the ads for this week, I ran across some interesting news.  Not only are food and gas prices rising, now the cost of clothes are going higher.  I have some ideas on how to help with lowering these costs which I will be posting soon.

First things first, stay tuned for the Warehouse Market ad.

Thursday

No updates on much this week. 
But I have plans.
My goal are to finish these by Feb 9th.

1.  Finish organizing my closet.  I am going to try to organize my scarves and earrings like in the videos.  Such cute ideas!  Since I get ready before anyone else in the mornings, I want to be able to have most of my jewelry in the closet so I'm not trying to look for something in the dark. 

2.  Make an after school schedule and stick to it.  I doubt we will but at least I'm going to make an effort.  I don't always like schedules because our day can change quickly.

3.  Read one Psalm in the mornings.  I've started this one and I'm liking it.

4.  Pick out everyone's outfit the night before.

5.  Pack lunches.  Why is this so hard?  Is it because I have to pack for 4, counting myself?  Ugh...I hate doing this but leads me to the next one...

6.  Pack my freezer/plan ahead meals.  I want to take a day and bake muffins, snacks, meals for the freezer.  I also want to freeze some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to make packing lunches a little easier.  Oddly enough, it does not make the sandwich soggy and are pretty good.  Take one out and its thawed by lunch time.  I really love Bentos, but trying to do 4 of them at a time while trying to do Round 2 (after work when I get home and at home) duties makes me tired thinking about it.  I'm aiming for stocking my freezer to make meals easier, so maybe in a few months (like next school year) I can try Bentos.

7.  Utilizing my planner more.  I have pretty large planner with the intent of writing EVERYTHING down, but I haven't been able to do this yet.  Since I need to work on not procrastinating, this one I need to do first.  This one will be an ongoing goal, but maybe I can get into the habit of using it.   

8.  Lastly, learning more how to update the blog.   I went to a more simple look for now until I learn more about how to make it look nice.  I loved the look of the other but not how the columns were aligned.  My goal is to devote one night to doing this.  For now.  To at least get a jump start on the fun stuff.      

I'll revisit this on Feb. 10th to see what I did and didn't quite get too.

Diet Dr. Pepper Coupons

For those Diet Dr. Pepper fans, the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at 91st & Delaware has them on sale for $1.  To make this deal even sweeter, there is a peelie for $.55 off a 2 liter bottle!  It says it is only for Diet Dr. Pepper or for Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper but they are found on the regular Dr. Pepper bottles too. 
Nice deal for $.45 per 2 liter bottle!