Jan312012
By Tracy on January 31, 2012
Have you ever bought a large container of laundry detergent, but it was either too heavy to lift or messy to use? Well, I have found a quick and inexpensive solution. First you take an empty dish soap container. Then pour the laundry detergent into the dish soap container. Use the dish soap container to squirt the laundry detergent into your machine. Easy to do and doesn’t cost anything to make.
So the next time you are contemplating buying a small or large container of laundry detergent; buy the larger one. Just make sure to save an empty dish soap container.
Posted in Mommy Insights, Money Saving Tips Tagged cheap ways to deal with laundry detergent, dish soap, laundry detergent, laundry soap, new use for dish soap container, save money
Jan312012
By Tracy on January 31, 2012
Last night I took my youngest son to the local Animal Rescue League or ARL for a Cub Scout field trip. Our family visits our local ARL frequently, but I didn’t know to much about the “behind the scenes.” I learned last night that it truly takes a village to take care of dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, etc. Our ARL runs on financial donations and help from volunteers.
If you are like us, money is extremely tight, but if you want to help your local ARL there are many ways to do so such as:
* Donate newspapers
* Donate old towels (that have been cleaned)
* Donate pet food (use coupons to purchase them for little to nothing)
* Become a volunteer (many will allow children ages 10 and up to volunteer)
It doesn’t take a money to help out the ARL; just a little time.
Posted in Mommy Insights Tagged donate money, donate time, help animals, help out animal rescue leagues
Jan312012
By Tracy on January 31, 2012
It is important to not forget to shop locally. Today I did this twice. First I went to a new local pet store (that also does grooming and boarding) to pick up some dog food for our pup. I received great service and the prices were comparable…actually less than at the large discount store. I also found out that they have a great deal on dog food; for every twelve bags you buy, you get one free.
Then this afternoon we stopped by our coffee shop, Being There, and had a snack. My kids and I enjoy going there. Great service, food, and atmosphere all in one. My oldest son enjoyed his snack and then off to the refrigerator door (don’t worry it was for decoration) to make fun sentences with magnetic words.
It’s a win, win situation to shop locally. You get receive great customer service and products/food at comparable prices while supporting local businesses. How many large discount stores or restaurants provide this? Not many….
Posted in Mommy Insights Tagged great customer service, great products, local businesses, save money, shop local, shop locally
Jan122012
By Tracy on January 12, 2012
Hy-Vee has advertised having a Dollar Days Deals within our local Hy-Vee store. I have asked employees, looked on the Internet, and have looked at Hy-Vee grocery ads, but no luck. The only information I have on these daily deals for this Friday through Sunday is that they are suppose to have $3.00 freshly baked cookies at the bakery, 2 for $1.00 A&E dips, etc. That’s it. If you hear anything more, please let me know. I’m hoping that the secrecy of these deals means we are going to find a lot of great deals this weekend.
Posted in Hy-Vee Food Stores, Shopping Deals Tagged Hy-Vee Dollar Day Deals, Hy-Vee Dollar Days Deals, Hy-Vee Three Day Deals, save money on food, save money on groceries
Jan122012
By Tracy on January 12, 2012
Hy-Vee will have a 15% off Meat Sack Sale this Saturday, January 14th and Sunday, January 15th. The following items are included in this sale:
* lunchmeat
* sliced cheese
* hot dogs
* smoked sausages
* pork chops
* Amana beef
* chicken breasts
* seafood
* ground meats
* shredded cheese
* roasts
* brats
* shaved meats
* Deli sliced meats
* steaks
and much, much, more…
So if you are running low on any of these items, it is time to stock up. Hy-Vee usually will have paper sack bags near the areas of the deli, meat, and dairy departments. It is important to remember that each customer can have one bag. If you need to stock up on a lot of meat, cheese, lunchmeats, etc., take a family member or friend and have each of you stuff the paper bags and purchase them through two different purchases. My husband and I do this when we are low on those items. Happy shopping.
Posted in Hy-Vee Food Stores, Shopping Deals Tagged Hy-vee 15% off meat bag sale, Hy-Vee cheese sale, Hy-vee meat sack sale, Hy-Vee meat sale, save money on food, save money on groceries
Jan122012
By Tracy on January 12, 2012
Hy-Vee is having a 13 hour sale tomorrow on Friday The Thirteenth. The following items are on sale:
Jacks Pizza $1.88 (limit 5)
Banquet TV Dinners $0.59 (limit 12)
Ragu Pasta Sauce $0.99 (limit 3)
Hy-Vee Cottage Cheese $1.48 (the larger container; no limits)
Wonder White or 100% Whole Wheat Bread $0.99 (limit 2)
At these low prices, I would consider stocking up. I believe there are coupons for the Banquet TV Dinners from previous packages of Banquet TV Dinners and Ragu Pasta Sauce (coupons from the Sunday newspaper inserts). Remember, you can always make more than one trip to the store.
Posted in Hy-Vee Food Stores, Shopping Deals Tagged Hy-Vee 13 hour sale, Hy-Vee Friday the 13th Sale, Hy-Vee One Day Sale, Hy-Vee sale, save money on groceries
Jan062012
By Tracy on January 6, 2012
This afternoon I went to Old Navy to see if our local store had the additional percent off of clearance. Unfortunately they did not. They do still have the up to 75% off of regular prices in their clearance section and much to my surprise there were still a lot of items to choose from.
Posted in Money Saving Tips, Shopping Deals Tagged Old Navy clearance, Old Navy Deals, save money of adult clothes, save money on children's clothes, save money on womens clothes
Jan042012
By Tracy on January 4, 2012
It’s amazing what you can find out by calling a clothing store. My oldest daughter is going through another growth spurt and I am on the hunt for a good deals on jeans. I saw on Old Navy’s website that they had clearance for up to 75% off original price. So I decided to call Old Navy.
I asked if they were participating with the up to 75% off regular price and the Old Navy employee stated that they were doing this. Then I was informed that Old Navy will start having an additional percent off of the clearance price (a specific percent was not provided to me over the phone) starting this Friday. So if you are near an Old Navy store on Friday, I would make a quick stop to check it out; I know I will
Also I was told that they have more in stock in the clearance section for the smaller sizes and the larger sizes. Many of the in between sizes (i.e. sizes 8, 10, and 12) have been picked over, but that was just at one location that I called; you never know.
Posted in Money Saving Tips, Shopping Deals Tagged Old Navy additional percent off of clearance, Old Navy clearance, save money, save money on adult clothes, save money on children's clothes, save money on clothes, save money on kids clothes, save money on mens clothes, save money on womens clothes
Jan022012
By Tracy on January 2, 2012
Well on New Year’s Eve, I added my total amount saved by using coupons and I saved my family $5040.00. That is with no doubling of coupons too. I used coupons for groceries, prescriptions, hair cuts, eating out, toys, clothes, health and beauty/make-up, etc.
My goal for 2012 is $6000. What is your goal?
Posted in Mommy Insights Tagged save lots of money with coupons, save money, save money with coupons
Dec212011
By Tracy on December 21, 2011
We assume when we buy groceries that we are purchasing products that are not expired. This is not the case. In five days, I bought milk from Hy-Vee and oatmeal (individual packets) from Walgreens. In both case I got hot me and found out that the products were expired and I did take them back to the stores. Fortunately, in both cases I received excellent customer service. At Hy-Vee, they allowed me to get a new half gallon of milk as well as received a refund for the spoiled milk. At Walgreens, I was refunded my money (the other boxes of oatmeal were expired too).
So the next time you are purchasing groceries, whether at a grocery store or a pharmacy, always make sure to check the expiration dates. I know it may seem time consuming, but in the long run it could save you time and money (plus your well-being).
Posted in Money Saving Tips Tagged check expiration dates, customer service, expired groceries, expired products, great customer service, Hy-Vee, save money, save time, Walgreens, weekly tip
