Nico in the Pursuit of Savings part 1

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My journey began as I was looking over my grocery budget for the month, and I wondered if there was any way that I could save just a little more. I love to shop out of town at Dillons and Aldi, but by the time that I have invested my gas money ($3.15 a gallon), and my time on the road, I don’t know if I am seeing enough profit.

 

Locally we are limited to Five stores to make the grocery dollar stretch. We have the Nationwide chain stores: Walgreens, Dollar General, and Wal-Mart Super-center. We also have two grocery stores that are commonly found in the Midwest: Wood’s and IGA. Before the Super-center arrived I swore off ever shopping at the local grocery stores, they were just too expensive. I would drive once a week, 40 minutes round trip to the nearest Super-center to save those precious grocery dollars. I’m now wondering if the Grocery Store prices have dropped now that there is a little more competition in town.

 

I’m picking Fifteen items that are always on my shopping list, and I’ll be visiting each store to compare the prices, and to find the best deal in town. I’ll also be reviewing each of the stores and listing what I liked, and what I didn’t like at each of the stores.

Here is my list of what I’ll be shopping for:

 

  1. Diapers
  2. Saltine Crackers
  3. Bread
  4. Eggs (one dozen)
  5. Milk (one gallon)
  6. Cat Food
  7. Kitty Litter
  8. Coca-cola (12 pack)
  9. Toilet Paper (4 count)
  10. Baby Food (2 pack)
  11. Baby Food (jar)
  12. White Flour (5 lbs)
  13. Sugar (4-5 lbs)
  14. Kleenexes (single box)
  15. Gerber Puffs

I’m hoping to find a better way to shop and save locally… Stay tuned for the savings 😉

 

 

Wacky Weather and Walgreens Deals

It is a new day, and my migraine is gone 🙂 The sun is shining, and there are adorable yellow Crocus Flowers blooming in the front yard. It is going to get up to 74 degrees today, but then drop off to 33 degrees, yuck. That means there is a pretty good chance of some severe weather today. I think I’ll stay close to home this afternoon.

I did spot a few good deals at Walgreens on sale from 3/2-3/8, I’ll have to go and shop when the better weather returns. Here is what is on my list:

  • Kleenex Facial Tissue 2 for $2.00 (Must use Store Coupon limit 4)
  • Oscar Mayer Ready to Serve Bacon 2 for $4.00 (limit 2)
  • Walgreens Lotion 11 oz 2 for $3.00
  • Folgers Classic Roast Coffee 13 oz 2 for $5.00 (limit 2)

Happy shopping and saving everybody 🙂

Bad Words and Shopping Trips

I’m sad to admit this, I made the third trip to the store this week, today. I had a feeling it was going to be one of those days. I’m still sick, but we had to get out today, the weather will be bad tomorrow. Dylan was out of Rice Cereal, Puffs, and he only had one more day of baby food in the pantry, and then I needed to stock up on Kitty Litter at Dollar General, and I spotted a sale on Milk at Walgreens, so this was going to be three stops guaranteed.

Then I remembered that I needed to run to the post office, and take the water bill by too, so we are now looking at 5 stops. I thought I had better take my hubby’s Jeep, I had a gigantic list, and there is plenty of room in my Hubby’s car. I got everybody loaded up and we headed off to the first stop the Post Office. Letter mailed, and I’m off to City Hall to drop off the Water Bill, I’m approaching a Traffic Light, and yeah its green… Just then I notice something out of the corner of my eye, and I have to lock down the brakes, hard. Two boys on two bikes paying NO ATTENTION as they gun it through their red light, I slam on the brakes so hard it throws my bag into the floorboard, and I say some choice “Tony Stewart” like phrases. Luckily I wasn’t hit from behind, and both of the kids were fine, but my goodness I was mad. We’ve been in an accident before when Thade was just a baby, and I never want that to happen again, and then I’m mad because these irresponsible boys are not paying any attention to TRAFFIC, and they could get themselves seriously hurt! It makes me worry that one day, one of my boys might just be that irresponsible.

I pull over at City Hall and take the bill to the drop off, still upset from the almost accident. I tell both kids to never ever do that, and to pay attention when you are on your bike, and always stop at Stop Lights, they both look at me like I am crazy.

We make it to Dollar General, and then to Wal-Mart. I’m feeling yucky, and both boys are tired of shopping. Thade likes to walk at Wal-Mart, but I try to keep him in the cart as long as possible. I had one item to return, so a quick stop off at Customer Service, and then we are off to shop.  I think it ended up taking about an hour and a half at Wal-Mart, and Thade was finally let out of the cart at Produce, he was thrilled. At check-out he is restless, but he did his best to be patient. I notice Dylan sitting a little funny in his seat, and I soon realize that his diaper has leaked everywhere.

I have a full cart, so stopping off at the rest room for a change isn’t an option, so we head to the car. I get Thade in the Jeep, and grab the supplies out of the diaper bag, I made a makeshift changing table in the back of the Jeep and get Dylan changed, and into a new outfit. I always carry a back-up change of clothes in my bag.  It took awhile, and even one of the cart guys offered to help me out loading all of the groceries. I tried to explain that we had a diaper emergency, and he said “I just thought that you were having a hard time loading all of the groceries”.  I appreciated the help, and he even told me about when his kid’s diaper leaked everywhere too, funny, at least I’m not the only one 😉

One more stop and Dylan was just about asleep. We only had to go about six blocks to Walgreens, so Thade and I did our best to keep Dylan awake. We made it to Walgreens, both kids awake, and Mommy exhausted, time to grab the milk and get home. Only 2 purchases at Walgreens today, and my cell phone was ringing as we headed back to the car. It was my hubby calling, he was worried about us, we had been gone almost 3 hours. I told him all about my adventures, and he met me at the door when I got home to help and unload all of the groceries. He is such a great guy 🙂

So tonight I’ve got a grumpy headache, and my stomach is still a mess, and it is time to go and fix dinner. I’m ready to call it an early day 😉