I decided to start a post on "how I save money" hoping we can all share our little tips and save even more.
I shop at Aldi so much I think I should change my home address to theirs. I love their brands more than name brands most of the time and their produce is way cheaper.
Some of the products I've found and like are:
Tuscan brand thousand island dressing, American cheese slices (not singles), ravioli, produce, milk, eggs, sour cream, ham steaks, willow brand toilet paper (just like Scott) and so much more.
I've also discovered the "everyday essentials" brand foods. They sell them here at my Shop N Save and I think Dierberg's sells a few. Their mayo is 2.69 everyday price and I like it just as well as Hellmann's, which is over $2 more! Their cottage cheese is great and they sell the "large curd" which I like, where some brands only sell the small curd. I just try one product at a time and if I like it I keep buying it, if I don't no biggie.
Found ketchup at Save a Lot for .79 that I really like.
Basically I've just been on a quest for off brand products that I like just as much and sometimes better and save more money than I thought I would. There are so many more products I've found but just can't remember all of them now.
If anyone else has found some good deals, or any other little tips on how they save money, I'd love for you to share with all of us.
Thanks guys!
Donna
1|1|I like the 85/20 burger in the freezer dept/ only $2.99 at Aldi|STEVE|dawnbolthuis@gmail.com|14:40:58|06/23/2014|
Plus postage to all my handling fees
Please send your address on first email so the trade can be made faster.
Sorry no pay pal reg mail works for me
I accept cash, check or MO but if the check bounces you will owe me double plus the fees of the bank. No refunds on trades unless I made a mistack if you ordered them and I mailed them they are yours and I will be waiting for the trade that you promised.
Please leave feedback for me under STEVE I opened a feedback link April 2011 2|2|sorry 85/15 burger|STEVE|dawnbolthuis@gmail.com|14:41:41|06/23/2014|
Plus postage to all my handling fees
Please send your address on first email so the trade can be made faster.
Sorry no pay pal reg mail works for me
I accept cash, check or MO but if the check bounces you will owe me double plus the fees of the bank. No refunds on trades unless I made a mistack if you ordered them and I mailed them they are yours and I will be waiting for the trade that you promised.
Please leave feedback for me under STEVE I opened a feedback link April 2011 3|1|I hit the clearance in the Dairy.....|Quietwaters|Quietwaters39@hotmail.com|18:09:13|06/23/2014|
a couple mornings a week, in my small town expensive store. Yogurt goes way past the sell by date, and I get all the greek yogurts for .20 a piece, also the drinkable kids yogurts, will be .99 for the 8 pack, my grandkids can wipe out one of those in a day. When they have cheese it is .99 a block, if I am not going to use it I freeze it. Also they have cottage cheese all the time, I have never had it go bad on me before I ate it.
At Jewel they have been putting coupons on the meat that is close to the sell by date,2.00 and 3.00 off, I buy that and throw it in the freezer.
Love Aldi too.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lets-Learn-Smore
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:D
SandyC
5|1|I save on dryer sheets/liquid softener|fbutte|fyb33@yahoo.com|20:30:59|06/23/2014|
I have been using the same bottle of fabric softeners for 8 years now.
Here's how. Take a rag/wash cloth/old dryer sheets. tip the liquid softener(lid on) upside down. Wipe the inside of the cap with rag. I usually do it only once, but if you want more softener repeat until you got what you want. toss in dryer with clothes.
Most of the liquid softener goes down the drain anyway when you put it in the washer.
6|1|I only fix as much as we will eat|LindaOH|Lindafmartin47@gmail.com|14:21:32|06/24/2014|
we're not much for left overs but I have discovered you can fix half a box of Mac & Cheese we like the shells & cheese I just measure out half the shells and cook them then put half the cheese pk in when they are done. I put the rest of the macs in a sandwich bag in the cabnit put a chip clip on the cheese sauce and put it in the frig its good for a week or so, also have done this with noodle dinners. half a pk is enough for me, hubby and grandson
7|1|Love Aldi's, but shop all over ...|Jorainna|jorainna@aol.com|16:33:00|06/24/2014|
I get different things from different places. I try not to run out extra gas, so try and make different routes for when I leave work. I agree that Aldi's produce is the greatest! It's been the cheapest around for eggs, and most times on milk, too. I buy their bagels, canned mushrooms, and sugar free jams. We use sausage patties and bagels, for quick on the go breakfasts and Aldi sells frozen pre-cooked about 18 patties to a bag for 4.99
The Kroger fat free cottage cheese is better than name brand and tastes "real" and the curds are pretty large ... I try to get it when it's on sale for $1.25 AND the Kroger Carbmaster yogurt is practically sugar free - maybe 3g in the cup.
I watch the Kroger marked down items really close and can get meat, frozen, bread and staples pretty cheap. Our stores use red and yellow stickers on the clearance marked down items; so they are easy to spot. Also watch the little white tags go up for discontinued items.
With Meijer, I just have to get their sale ad items as they tend to run high on most things.
Walmart has the best prices for the sugar free Russel Stover's pegged candies, Ortega Taco Sauce, Tai Pei, or most store brand items. 8|1|food prices|joseph|parkerjoe3@yahoo.com|13:52:32|06/27/2014|
going up milk was 4.89 a gallon and meat way up there.Bacon was 7.99 other things up also like cheese things you don't have coupons for.Try to shop at 99cent store or big lots.Would like to stock up more like on coffee heard its going up so if yuban is 2.50 a can that will be a good price. 9|2|How I save on Milk, Bacon, etc.|COVE|mcdonna3@gmail.com|16:41:09|06/29/2014|
I buy my milk at Aldi, so if you have one near you check them out, it's always about $1 cheaper than most stores. Bacon I don't buy often, but Target has had the "Market Pantry" brand bacon for $3.99.
Of course all areas are differently priced, I'm in Missouri, not sure about prices in other places.
I had a good day at work last night and today and got a $10 bonus on food purchases. I got a gallon of milk, a tub of Oscar Meyer Deli Rotiss Chicken deli meat, 2 boxes of honey chicken poppers(they were B1G1F)and some bagged lettuce all FREE! Thank you God!
Donna 10|3|Have you tried the bacon at Aldi...|Quietwaters|Quietwaters39@hotmail.com|18:09:50|06/29/2014|
there is one I buy there but for the life of me, I can not remember what it is called. I like it though.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lets-Learn-Smore
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thanks!
donna
12|2|I get all the shampoo/conditioner/lotion samples..|kam726|shy1inmi@yahoo.com|15:03:55|07/04/2014|
I can find, to sign up for. Then stockpile them. We are not picky on what we use (and they are usually for good brand names) So I haven't had to buy any shampoo, conditioner or lotion in a year! 13|1|For Essential Everyday items, use cpns ..inside..|Skaytes|skaytez@gmail.com|08:30:53|07/05/2014|
We have the Essential Everyday items here at my family owned (and ONLY grocery store in town). I always use coupons when buying those items if possible and luckily my store will double to $.50 everyday so that helps. You can print coupons for Ess. Everyday items online at these store websites: Shaw, Shop n Save and FarmFresh. Cubs foods coupons are not working right now..trouble with their site and they are getting ready to totally revamp it the gentlemand I spoke with told me. You can get 2 coupons from each printing at the other sites but if you print them from one site you will not be able to get those same cpns at another site. Also the Essential Everyday product website..check there often as they change their coupons often as well and have some great ones from time to time. I didnt get there in time and just missed being able to get/print $2/1 EE toilet paper. :(
If you have any Amish store in your area, check them out. Every so often I make the hour one way trip to a Amish store and stock up. I can get just about any baking item there much cheaper than any other store..Aldi's included...and that includes sales with a coupon normally as well at other stores. I can get small plastic containers ..like smallest from the deli...of the colored sugar for sugar cookies for example for around $1 each. I can buy even jello there in bags super cheap and even some meats, cheese etc is much cheaper and is of great quality as well. Can't use coupons but again cheaper than I can get in stores here normally with coupons and sale.
If you have a GFS (Gordon's Food Service) near you watch their sales etc as you can find some good buys there and marked down items too. I have a discount card to use with it and often they have coupons out to use with items on special as well. I can sometimes get things there with all that much cheaper than I can make from scratch at home. I just watch the coupons/sales etc if I am in that area to see if I can find a good deal. Pays to keep a eye open on it.
Also be sure to check out any food manufacturing companies in your area. I know there is a Red Gold factory that has a outlet open to public about 1 1/2 hrs from me..also there is a popcorn factory that does that as well. Used to have factory about 45 min from me that did the Chef Boy Ar Dee and Del Monte veggies you could buy cheap from but they closed. Pays to check them out
Also a FYI...at Aldi's..most ice cream items and dairy items in general are contracted from Deans Milk. All their products are contracted by major brand name product firms so if you have issues with anything be SURE to call/write Aldi's and they will make good on it and you will also be contacted by the contracted company for the item with the issue and be compensated from them as well. I have had several issues within the past year and they were more than generous in resolving the issues. Pays to let them know about it.
Best tarter sauce I have found is at Save a Lot. MUCH better tasting than Kraft etc. In fact a few years back was at the Red Gold outlet and they had something like 10 bottles left of the tarter sauce there and bought them for $.50 each. Yep..that is $.50 each!! Got home ..read the label...it was packaged for Save a Lot and had a long exp date on the bottles too. Red Gold..as a lot of companies...does different labels for other companies but is their product. I remember Tutteroso is one but also they did some for Kroger and others. They had samples on display in their ordering/outlet room of items they packed etc. 14|2|Interesting about the Dean's products|COVE|mcdonna3@gmail.com|22:51:30|07/05/2014|
Thanks for the info, and I will definitely have to try the Tartar Sauce at Save a Lot, I never was crazy about the Kraft but could never find anyone else I liked better.
Very interesting about Aldi's Ice Cream products, thanks for the info!
Donna