Frugal shopping in this week's ads

There are some frugal buys in many of the stores Weekly Ads just in time for the Memorial Day holiday and summer vacation plans. Plus, the kid's heading to camp will need a few things to update their gear.

This week's Target ad is full of great buys from tees, tanks, Bermuda shorts, or tie-dye tees which are so colorful. Spending time at the lake or beach will be a favorite all summer long. Check out the specials on swimwear for not just the kid's, but adults too. Remember to check the "clearance" racks for deals.

How long has it been since you updated the pool floats and recliners for relaxing while floating in the water? It's been that long you say:-) Well, Target has a lot of the items you will need for the backyard pool or for taking  along to the beach rental. Oh, don't forget the teens like those "Super Soaker" water blasters. They are loads of fun and on sale too.

Check out this week's Walgreens ad for buy 1 get 1 50% off on sandals for the entire family and sunscreen. Make the picnic table pretty with colorful tablecloths, plates and more by stopping by the local dollar store for all those accessories to make the outings sparkle. Don't forget to stock up on bottled water for the cooler.

It's that time of the year where spending time outdoors is the place to be!

Wise shopping for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday and bet ideas on a gift are swirling around. I remember trying to get some ideas from my Mom during conversations or shopping together. These days low budgets and some people still out of work makes cash flow even tighter.

The saying "it's not the gift, but the thought that counts" rings true for any occasion. Our Mom's are special and on Mother's Day we want show just how much we appreciate their love. A card across the miles with $5 or $10 slipped inside will bring a smile to her face. Remember, it's the little things that count the most and add to the precious memories on Mother's Day. Shop wise for Mom!

Frugal Tip of the Day

When it comes to buying produce and veggies at the store, make sure not to overbuy. Keep in mind how much of the fruits will be eaten within a few days like bananas for instance. On those, buy two or three that are ripe and ready to eat and a couple that are greener. Those will ripen up after a few days just in time to get peeled for eating. The same goes for veggies. Check the dinner plans for the week and how much of those veggies will be used. With groceries getting more expensive every time we shop, not letting food go to waste is frugal indeed.

Plus this ->Place a bowl of sliced pears, apples or strawberries in the refrigerator so the kids or spouse can grab a few when they are looking for something to snack on between meals.

Frugal Tip of the Day

As the holiday shopping gears up, the most important thing to do now is set the spending budget so you know just how much money you will need for gifts this season. Start a list with the names of the people you will be buying gifts and if you already have a gift idea in mind, jot it down by their name. Keep an eye out for sale fliers and internet deals from stores who have already started advertising Black Friday bargains. Also, plan to shop without credit cards unless you can pay the balance off the next month. Don't fear the mailbox, be Frugal!

Credit: Free photos from acobox.com

Not So Frugal Buy

I've been wondering just what saltines are made of these days. I may have stumbled upon a not so frugal buy with the latest box of saltine crackers I purchased. I love saltines especially for spreading peanut butter on top for a quick & healthy energy snack. While grocery shopping down the aisle, I spotted an off-brand box of crackers along with the name and store brands on the shelf. In an attempt to stretch the dollars, I bought the off-brand box. Well, that purchase did not turn out as the crackers completely fell apart when pulling them out of their packaging. I tried to spread some peanut butter on the few crackers that stayed intact, but they too crumbled. I don't mind buying off-brand items to give them a try and the price is usually lower. This did not turn out to be a frugal buy, but I won't just throw them away. I will use them in bowls of soup & chili to finish them off, crumbling already done.



Photo credit: clarita from morguefile.com

Frugal Freebies

Be on the lookout for those Buy-One-Get-One-Free deals when grocery shopping. As the temps cool even more in the next few months, there should be good buys on canned tomatoes & soups, frozen veggies, beans, carrots and more. It's never too early to stock the pantry and freezer in preparation for crock pot meals, stews, chili, or any meal planning. These freebies will help stretch the food budget even further.

Credit: Free images from acobox.com

Frugal Tip ->Fall Fruit

I have been on the lookout in the grocery stores for the prices to take a tumble on the fall fruits especially apples. Now that the fall season is here, some grocers have had weekly specials on apples and pears. Just last week, Publix had pears for $.88 cents/lb and I snagged several during the sale. I just took a look at the new Publix ad that comes out on Thursday's and notice they have gala apples for $1.29/lb, that's not a bad price as some grocery stores are still higher. Be frugal and wait until the prices are within reason before settling on the high prices even on your favorites. Also, there are lots of fall festivals happening on the weekends these days. Check the community calendar for one in your area. There might be orchard farm growers at the festival with baskets of apples for purchase. Get ready to enjoy the crunchy goodness of fall's harvest!


Photo credit: seemann from morguefile.com

My Yard Sale Find

I found this dress at a yard sale recently. It's perfect for many occasions like an afternoon wedding or evening outing. It has splits on each side that adds a pop to the look and show a little bit of leg:) I love the color and length!

Cash Really is King

I read a story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution yesterday about a couple who climbed their way out of $83,000 worth of credit card debt. By the way, that's no typo on the dollar figure of their debt. I was amazed and thought to myself how anyone could get themselves into that much debt. I applaud their efforts in shaving down their debt and are now spending with cash. I know some people who use their credit cards and pay the balance off each month and this is smart. But, not everyone can and it doesn't take long for the balance to creep up with interest to where the minimum monthly payment is all that can be paid each month. By using cash, you're more aware of just how much money you have for purchases. Simply knowing that you can reach into your wallet and use a credit card is an easy way to begin the cycle of debt. Don't fall into that trap, use cash instead. You don't need to carry around wads of cash in your wallet, that's not safe anyway. I suggest carrying enough to pay for the purchases on your list. If you see a 'must-have' while shopping and don't have enough cash to buy it, think about it a day or two before heading back to the store to buy it. By then, you may not even bother.

Frugal Tip of the Day

I read in the news yesterday that clothing prices will probably rise due to the higher cost of cotton. As you know, many clothes are made with cotton fabric. This brings me to my Frugal Tip of the Day:

Make consignment shops, thrift stores, and the Goodwill your shopping spots for buying clothes. I bet many of you already shop at these stores not only for yourself, but the entire family. I can't tell you how many nice items I have found especially at my favorite neighborhood consignment shops. Be frugal and save money by shopping at some of these stores. Your friends and co-workers might just say "I like that outfit you're wearing today."

Frugal Hello

Hello Monday and the start of a new week. I hope everyone enjoyed a nice weekend filled with fun and relaxation. The weather in Atlanta over the weekend was gorgeous with temperatures near 70 degrees on both days. Today there is light rain, but the sun keeps wanting to peek out from the clouds. I have become fascinated with the weather and wonder if I should have studied Meteorology instead of Psychology in college. I can always be mindful of the proper way to dress before heading out the door for the day.

I want to pass along a great website that has lots of weekly ads and other deals from various stores. It's ->cheapcheapcheap.com. You can flip through the fliers online to see what's on sale to help plan your weekly shopping and scout out deals.

Always remember my fave frugal advice ->Go one day out of the week without spending any money. I live by it and save by it as well. You will too!

Weekend Shopping Tip

Before you head out and about on the last weekend of holiday shopping before Christmas, remember to make a list and check it twice for gifts you have already purchased. In the hustle and bustle of it all, stick to your holiday budget and don't overspend. Keep in mind that there will be plenty of deals after Christmas where lots of stuff will be 50% off. So, save some cash for more good bargains later. Frugal, that's You!

Tuesday Tip

I love to find good bargains and there are plenty of them inside the Dollar Tree stores. I am sure there is one in your shopping area and it's worth a trip. The variety of items are endless from food, snacks, dishes, cleaning products, cards, toys, and more. No reason to ask the price of an item because everything is a dollar. Frugal is In!

Clothes Shopping Tip

Try to avoid buying clothes that are Dry Clean Only. Instead, purchase clothes that you can machine wash. The cost of dry cleaning can be expensive and really put a dent in your wallet. I think you get more wear from your wardrobe when you can easily machine wash them. Simply check the clothing label for proper washing. You may find that you don't wear certain clothes in your wardrobe often because you don't want to spend money dry cleaning them. Trust me, your wallet will thank you for it!

Frugal Tip of the Day

My trip to the grocery store yesterday inspired this blog post because I was shocked at the higher prices on all my favorites. It was like the store had my buying habits pegged and decided enough bargain shopping for her. I'm kidding of course, but grocery prices are rising and will continue.

So my Frugal Tip of the Day is to always make a shopping list when heading to the grocery store and stick to the list. This will help keep you from overspending. It's easy to wander down aisles and browse. Before you know it, your cart is full of items you had no intention of buying at least not on this shopping trip.

Cool Ways to Shop Frugal

I think you will agree that weekend plans involve some form of shopping probably more for groceries as you plan for the week ahead. Here are some cool ways to shop frugal that don't involve pushing a shopping cart.

1. Garage/Yard Sales: These have become my favorite thing to do on Saturdays. I have stumbled upon signs out on Fridays as people get a jump start on the bargain hunters. I find some interesting items at these sales and the prices are really good. You may find that piece of furnishing that will fit nicely in your decor. If you are handy, this will be the best find and a future weekend project for you.

2. Consignment Shops: There are several consignment shops in my city that I stop by frequently to see what's new. As the fall/winter items have moved out and spring/summer is in, you can find some great bargains at these stores. Start thinking about upcoming travel for Memorial Day, July 4th, or week-long summer vacations and clothing you will need for your trips. I find lots of shorts, t-shirts, capri pants, etc. that are in very good shape and the prices can't be beat. Why spend lots of money on fancy new clothes when everyone will be enjoying bumming out on the sandy beaches.

3. In-Store Sale Fliers: Don't forget to check your favorite store fliers before their weekly sales end which is usually on Saturday. I find lots of coupons and deals in these weekly fliers and always make sure I don't miss out on the sales.

Hope you find great bargains while shopping. And remember, Frugal is Cool!