The Frugal Townie

Frugal in Wisconsin, new adventures

2016-09-18T17:00:00.002-05:00

2 years later, a little update. My household is bigger- I now have 3 children. My daughter is 3, and I have 9 month old twin boys. We now live in Baraboo, WI and have my sister in law with us, as a live in nanny. I guess I'll have to rebrand this blog if I'm going to keep posting, aren't I? During my tough twin pregnancy and the infancy of the twins, not to mention the cross country move, many of my formerly frugal habits fell by the wayside. Is it strange to feel guilty for not being frugal? Here is a list of things I'm still doing frugally, in an effort to remind myself. I hope to regain more frugal habits again now that things are calming down.

Frugal things I still do (that require little effort/time!):
-I grocery shop almost exclusively at Aldi because I can trust they have the lowest prices in town without having to do any research.
-I buy almost all of my clothes second hand, recently more online at swap.com)
-I say YES PLEASE to any and all hand-me-downs for my kids. Just this week I was given a fabulous dollhouse that a colleague's granddaughter outgrew.
-When my kids outgrow things, I give away what I can to friends/family (what goes around comes around!) and then sell what I can of the remainder at consignment shops or online. What I can't pass to my crew or sell, I donate. At this time in my life yard sales take too much time to be worthwhile.
-I stock up on things like groceries and diapers when I find a great deal (though I need to get in the habit of doing more of this again since I've got more storage space again now!)
-When I can (which hasn't been a lot in the last 2 years) I do batch cooking and freeze prepared food for quick meals later. This saves time of course but also money- quick meals from the store or takeout are usually pricey! Today I did a double batch of baked oatmeal (muffin size servings) and froze most of them) for quick breakfasts this week.

Frugal fall activity for toddler / preschool age children

2014-09-16T10:58:00.000-05:00

Print or trace a leaf onto heavy card-stock or cardboard (cereal boxes work well) and cut out. Punch holes along the edges, and you've got yourself a lace-up! Kids love lacing, and they can do it over and over again. A set of these could make a fun gift.

Stock Up Diaper Price at Target! Expires 3/15

2014-03-14T09:35:00.000-05:00

There is an in-ad coupon on last page of the Target ad in Sunday paper: $15 off up & up purchase of $40 or more. Valid in-store only. Coupon expires 3/15/14. OR To get this coupon on your smartphone, text UPANDUP to 827438 (message and data rates may apply).

Combine the $15 off coupon with PLUS 5% off Up&Up diapers through Cartwheel app, and you can get 2 cases of diapers at a great price. Example: Size 4 Up & Up diapers are coming out to 11 cents each which is a great price!

A lesson on why to always check the price per unit!

2014-02-28T10:19:00.001-06:00

And this is why I always check the price per unit!

If you can't read the small type... on the left is HyVee's flyer for this week. They have Charmin Basic toilet paper on sale for $5.99, for 12 rolls. On the right is Checker's flyer. They also have Charmin Basic toilet paper on sale, for $5.88, for 20 rolls!

Share this post:

Bulk Buys: Week of 2/26 (Broccoli, chicken, coffee, potatoes, sugar, toilet paper)

2014-02-26T11:22:00.000-06:00

Some nice bulk buys for this week. As always, buy as much as you can use before it expires. Or, in the case of toilet paper, as much as you can store.

Broccoli (florets/crown only):

Checkers / 0.78 per lb (fresh) / 2/26/14
(Chop it up and freeze what you can't use right away!)

Chicken (boneless, skinless breasts)
Aldi/ 5lb fresh/ 1.59 per lb / 2/26/14
(Freeze what you can't use right away)

Coffee:
Checkers/ 1.50 per 11.5 oz tub/ 2.08 per lb / 2/26/14

Potatoes (Russet):
Checkers/ 10lbs for 2.68/ 0.27 per lb / 2/26/14
HyVee/ 5lbs for 1.18/ 0.24 per lb/ 2/26/14

Sugar (granulated):
HyVee / 1.48 per 4lb bag/ 0.37 per lb/ 2/26/14

Toilet Paper:
Checkers/ Charmin Basic 20pk for 5.88/ 0.30 per roll / 2/26/14

How do I come up with bulk buys? I compare the current price with the prices I've recorded in my Price Book. When a price dips below (or sometimes when it meets) the lowest price I've got recorded, I know to stock up. This way I "lock-in" that price for however long my supply lasts me. That means I'm paying $0.78 per pound for broccoli all year long, even when the price jumps in a few months from now to $1.09 per pound. See what I'm saying?

Share this post:

Frugal Acts: a few simple things I did to save money this week. Windfall Week!

2014-02-25T14:32:00.001-06:00

This week was different as it is a Windfall Week (we received our tax return). While we saved most of it,
we did spend some of it paying off debt, necessities, and things that will save us money in the future.

Windfall Expenditures:

Paid off 2 medical bills- obviously they needed to be paid off, but we chose to pay them off in a lump-sum now while we could, rather than paying monthly. This saved us money on interest, plus cut over $100 per month from our monthly overhead.

Made a larger than usual payment on our credit card debt (accrued last year when my husband was unemployed.)

Had our dog vetted- she needed her vaccines updated. We would have of course done this anyway, but we put it off by a month until we received our tax return, rather than stretch our tight monthly budget to do it.

I am researching bulk meat purchasing possibilities. I find that meat is one of the most difficult grocery items for me to find great deals on. Anyone in N.E. Kansas have a line on a great deal for bulk meat?

"Regular" Frugal Acts:

Made banana-bread muffins with bananas from the freezer.

Used up the last of my bulk-purchased apples that were starting to go soft in an Apple Crisp. (It was sooo good! I used this recipe I found on Pinterest.)

Bulk-purchased dog food when I found a great deal. (31lbs of Beneful from WalMart for $26)

Waited until end of season clearance to buy new winter boots, and did price-comparisons online before purchasing.

Made my own natural laundry detergent (way cheaper and less chemicals!). I used this recipe, again from Pinterest.

Share this post:

Bulk Buys: Week of 2/19/14

2014-02-20T11:57:00.004-06:00

Items that have hit STOCK UP PRICES this week:

Brownie Mix (Betty Crocker):
HyVee/ Betty Crocker 18.3 oz for 0.99/ 5c per oz / 2/20/14 (sale goes through 2/22).
Check the "best by" date on these and buy as many as you will use by that date. I don't know about your family... but for us that might be quite a few. I will also note that it is still cheaper to make brownies from scratch, especially if you bulk buy the ingredients. However, if, like me, you are not quite up for that, this is a great price for the ready mix.

Butter:
HyVee AND Dillons/ 1.99 per lb/ 2/20/14
Butter keeps a month in the fridge and 6-9 months in the freezer! This is a pretty darn good price, though it's possible it will dip a little lower in the summer months. So, I plan to buy about a 4 month supply.

Clementines:
Aldi/ 2.99 per 2lb bag/ 1.50 per lb/ 2/15/13
Walmart/ 6.97 per 5lb bag/ 1.40 per lb/ 2/15/13
Possibly on sale other places too. This is the last hurrah for these little sweeties this year- they are going out of season so the prices will be going up from here. Buy what you can use in a couple weeks from the fridge, or freeze some to last up to a year!

Red/New Potatoes:
Aldi/ 0.99 for 5lb bag/ 20c per lb/ 2/19/14
Great price on these! Buy what you can use from the pantry in a week or two, or cook potatoes to freeze for up to a year!

Shampoo/Conditioner
~~HyVee/ Suave 30oz for 1.00/ 3c per oz/ 2/20/14~~
Sale price through 2/22.
I don't post a lot of non-food items but this is a great deal I had to share! If you have coupons this will be even better, but it's definitely a STOCK UP PRICE without coupons! Price per ounce for the least expensive shampoos are usually twice this much. I plan to buy about a year's worth.
I went to HyVee to get this, and found that it was no longer listed on their sale flyer, and were on the shelf at regular price. :( BOOO!

Have you spotted any STOCK UP priced foods I missed?

Share this post:

Frugal Acts: a few simple things I did to save money this week.

2014-02-20T10:23:00.000-06:00

Things I did to save money this week:

Paid 7 bills with free online bill pay through my credit union (saved $3.43 on stamps).
Asked for a discount at a store (and got it! It really doesn't hurt to ask.)
Put vegetables in the freezer that we couldn't use up before they went bad, to use later in stir-fry or soup.
Went on a date to an art museum with free admission.
Borrowed several books from the library.
Cooked chicken to shred for wraps for my work lunches (cheaper and healthier than lunch meat).
Used my price book to find the stock up price on a few items last week. Stock-up prices here.
Fixed my own vacuum cleaner (watched how-to videos on Youtube, ordered replacement parts from Amazon- I have a Kirby).
Checked prices at Dollar Tree (found out several things I thought were really good prices are actually just pretty good...).
Researched disposable diaper prices (results here!)

Share this post:

Check your wireless carrier for new plans to save money!

2014-02-17T14:43:00.000-06:00

I recently discovered that Verizon has a new monthly plan called the More Everything Plan- I took a look at it and ended up saving a good chunk of money by switching to the new plan.

My friend Erin P just let me know that AT&T has a new plan that saved her money, too. Mobile Share Value Plan.

I don't get any credit or anything for telling you all about these new plans, just wanted to give a heads-up on a way to potentially save some money on your cell bill. Look them over closely and see if you will save money with a new plan.

Anyone else saved money lately on their cell bill by using a new plan or switching companies?

Share this post:

My Frugal Acts of the past Week:

2014-02-13T11:00:00.000-06:00

Here are the frugal things I did in the last week or so. What did you do to save money this week?

I started keeping a price book again (which I shared here.)

I made some homemade All Purpose Cleaner. (Listed here with other solvent recipes.)

I bought a Thermos (with a giftcard I got for Christmas) so I don't spend $5 per week on coffee at work anymore.

I made my own Valentine's cards with materials I already had.

I baked banana bread/muffins with overripe bananas from the freezer.

I made a list of items that I am going to look for in thrift stores (and yard sales when the season begins!)

Brought leftovers from home for lunch every day at work.

Combined trips/errands to save gas.

I would love to see your comments on what you did to save money this week!

Share this post:

Bulk Buys: Week of 2/12/14

2014-02-12T11:11:00.004-06:00

Items that have hit STOCK UP PRICES this week:

Apples:
Aldi (mixed bag of red/gala/granny smith)/ 1.88 per 3lb bag/ 63c per lb / 2/12/14
Apples stay fresh in the fridge for 1-2 months, so buy as many as you will use in that time.

Carrots:
Checkers/ 48c per lb- fresh/whole/ 2/12/14
Carrots stay fresh in the fridge for 4-5 weeks, so buy as many as you will use in that time. This is a good enough price that it beats frozen carrots prices, so if you've got the time, chop them up and freeze them. They'll last in the freezer 8-10 months!

Grapefruit:
Checkers/ 3/$1 / 33c each/ 2/12/14
Grapefruit stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 weeks so buy as many as you will use in that time. This is a good enough price that it beats frozen grapefruit prices, so if you've got the time, chop them up and freeze them. They'll last in the freezer 8-10 months! Click the link to find out how to prepare for freezing.

Hot Dogs:
Checkers (Bar-S brand)/ 88c per 1lb pk/ 2/12/14
Check the use by date on the package. Buy as many as you will use by that date. Also, they can be frozen for 1-2 months if you freeze them before the use by date.

Onions:
Aldi (yellow)/ 79c per 3lb bag/ 27c per lb / 2/12/14
Onions can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 months. Buy as many as you can use in that time. Also, this price beats BY FAR the pre-chopped frozen onions. Chop them up in the food processor and freeze- they will stay good in the freezer 10-12 months.

(Maybe) Pork (chops):
Checkers/ 1.68 per lb in econopk / 2/12/14

I'm not completely sure this is a GREAT price on pork chops, but I know it's a pretty darn good price. If you are needing some meat, this is a good price. They last up to 5 days in the fridge, but up to 4-6 months in the freezer so buy as many as you can use/store in the freezer.

Have you spotted any STOCK UP priced foods I missed?

Share this post:

My Price Book

2014-02-07T14:48:00.001-06:00

Wanted to share with you all what I've got in my Price Book so far. (What is a Price Book!?) Feel free to use this, and please comment if/when you find better prices in Lawrence or online. I will also take suggestions of items to add- this is just my "staples list". Obviously this list is incomplete, please fill me in on the great prices you find elsewhere! Unless noted otherwise, the prices are for store-brand items and without coupon use. Update: I've made a Price Book page that I will keep updated. Click here, share, and bookmark!

Item: Store/Price/Price per Unit/Date

Beans (black, canned):
Checkers / 70c per 15oz can/ 5c per oz 2/1/14

Beans (chili/kidney, canned):
Aldi / 59c per 15oz can / 4c per oz / 2/1/14
Checkers/ 49c per 15oz can/ 3c per oz / 2/1/ 14

Beans (white/canellini/butter, canned):
Aldi/ 69c per 15oz can/ 5c per oz / 2/3/14
Checkers/ 69c per 15oz can/ 5c per oz / 2/1/14

Beans (refried):
Checkers/ 0.70 per can / 2/1/14

Beef (ground, 85% lean):
Aldi / 2.89lb (frozen) / 2/1/14

Bread (multi-grain or whole wheat):
Aldi/ 1.69 per loaf 2/3/14
Dillons/ 2.89 per loaf 2/1/14

Broccoli (florets/crown only):
Aldi / 1.09lb (frozen) / 2/3/14

Brownie Mix (family size):
Aldi /$1.29 / 2/3/14
Checkers/ $1.19 / 2/1/14

Buns (dog or burger):
Aldi / 0.89 8pk / 11c each 2/1/14
Dillons/ 0.99 8pk/ 13c each 2/1/14

Butter:
Aldi / 2.49 per lb/ 2/3/14
Checkers / 2.69 per lb/ 1/28/14

Cheese:
Aldi/ 1.99 per 8oz / 4.00 per lb / 2/3/14
Checkers/ 1.67 per 8oz / 3.38 per lb / 2/1/14
HyVee/ 1.00 per 8oz/ 2.00 per lb/ 1/31/14

Chicken (boneless, skinless thighs)
Aldi/ 6.29 per 2.10lb bag /2.10 per lb / 2/3/14

Chili Powder:
Aldi/ 0.99 per 8oz / 25c per oz/ 2/3/14

Coffee:
Aldi/ 5.49 per 32oz/ 2.75 per lb / 2/3/14

Corn:
Aldi/ 0.99 per 16 oz frozen/ 0.99 per lb / 2/3/14

Crackers (saltine type):
Aldi/ 89c per box / 2/3/14
Checkers/ 99c per box/ 2/1/14

Cream Cheese:
Aldi/ 0.89 per 8oz block/ 2/3/14
Checkers/ 0.99 per 8oz block / 2/1/14
HyVee/ 0.99 per 8oz block / 2/1/14

Eggs:
Aldi/ 1.33 per doz / 11c per egg / 2/3/14
Checkers/ 1.34 per doz / 11c per egg/ 2/1/14

Flour:
Aldi/ 1.19 per 5lb/ 24c per lb/ 2/3/14

Green Beans (canned):
Checkers/ 45c per can/ 2/1/14

Macaroni and Cheese:
Aldi/ 39c per box / 2/3/14

Olive Oil:
Aldi/ 3.49 per 25oz / 14c per oz/ 2/3/14

Orange Juice (frozen concentrate):
Aldi/ 1.29 each / 2/3/14
Checkers/ 1.49 each/ 2/1/14
Dillons/ 1.21 each/ 2/1/14

Parsley (dried seasoning):
Aldi/ 0.99 per 0.5 oz / 1.98 per oz/ 2/3/14

Pasta (white durham, any shape):
Aldi/ 1.69 per alb box/ 85c per lb / 2/3/14
Dillons/ 99c per lb box/ 99c per lb/ 2/1/14

Peas:
Aldi/ 0.99 per 16 oz frozen/ 0.99 per lb / 2/3/14

Pork (ground):
Checkers/ 2.28 per lb/ 2/1/14

Rice (long grain white):
Aldi/ 1.59 per lb bag / 53c per lb / 2/3/14

Sour Cream:
Checkers/ 2.29 per 16oz/ 14c per oz/ 2/1/14

Sugar (granulated):
Aldi/ 1.79 per alb bag/ 45c per lb / 2/3/14
Checkers/ 1.69 per alb bag/ 43c per lb/ 2/1/14

Sugar (powdered):
Aldi/ 1.69 per alb bag / 85c per lb / 2/3/14

Taco Shells:
Aldi/ 99c for box of 12/ 8c each/ 2/3/14

Tofu (firm/v. firm):
Checkers/ 2.89 per cube / 2/1/14

Tomatoes (canned):
Aldi/ 59c per 15oz can/ 4c per oz/ 2/1/14

Tortillas (soft taco size):
Aldi/ 99c per 10 pack / 9c each / 2/3/14
Checkers 1.79 per 10 pack/ 18c each/ 2/1/14

Tuna (in water):
Aldi/ 68c per can/ 2/3/14

Turkey (ground):
Aldi/ 1.69 per lb frozen / 2/3/14
Checkers/ 2.68 per lb fresh / 2/1/14

Turkey (deli meat):
Aldi/ 2.49 per 7oz/ 36c per oz/ 2/3/14

Vanilla Extract:
Aldi/ 1.99 per 2oz bottle/ 99c per oz / 2/3/14

Vegetable Oil (soy):
Aldi/ 2/39 per 48 oz bottle/ 5c per oz / 2/3/14

________________________________________________
Non-Food Items:

Ammonia:
Checkers/ 1.26 per 64oz jug/ 2c per oz/ 2/1/14

Diapers:
Aldi/ 31ct size 4/ 4.99 pk/ 16c each / 2/3/14
(Click here for Diaper Prices Page!)

Dish Soap:
Amazon.com/ Dawn NonUltra $32.37 per 448oz in 8 bottle case / 7c per oz / 1/31/14
Dollar Tree/ unknown brand 1.00 per 24oz bottle/ 4c per oz/ 1/31/14

Tampons:
Amazon/ Femtex brand $38.34 per 480ct box/ 8c each 1/30/14

Vinegar:
Checkers/ 1.78 per 64oz jug/ 3c per oz / 2/1/14

Share this post:

Keeping A Price Book

2014-02-07T13:53:00.002-06:00

How a Price Books saves money:
This works on the bulk buying principle. When you find the very best price you can, you buy in bulk to "lock in" that price for yourself for as long as that price lasts you. For example, a few weeks ago Hy-Vee had a sale on shredded cheese, $1.00 per 8 oz. package. This was really a HELL of a deal, as I regularly pay $1.99 for 8oz of cheese at Aldi or on sale other places. I have payed upwards of $2.49 for 8oz of cheese when I was in a pinch and needed it right away for an event.

I bought TWELVE 8oz bags of shredded cheese. That seems crazy, right? Let me tell you why I did that. The expiration date on the bags were all August 2014 or later. So I calculated how much cheese I would use between now and August. 2 bags a month was my (conservative) estimate, so I bought enough cheese to maybe last us the 6 months, effectively locking in my cheese cost for the next 6 months at $1.00 per 8oz.

Had I not had a price book, I may not have realized what a great deal this was. I knew within seconds that I had been recently paying $1.99 or more for 8oz of cheese, so I could easily see this was HALF PRICE CHEESE and folks, it doesn't get better than that.

How I Keep My Price Book:
Since I've now got a 3rd eater at my house, it was high time for me to pick up the price book I started a few years ago and make it work. My original book was paper/pencil, though I've now advanced to an iPhone app: ValueTracker, which costs $0.99. The buck was worth it to me to always have my price book with me (since I've always got my phone.) The price book doesn't really work unless you always have it with you when you are at stores.

I put in prices using my receipt after I get home, and calculate the per unit (ounce, pound, whatever) price. I also update prices using the weekly sale flyers. If I used a coupon I note that (though really I don't use coupons often). (I Plan to share my personal price book here soon!)

Share this post:

The Frugal Townie returns!

2014-02-03T10:21:00.000-06:00

Hello readers (if there are any of you left)- I'm back with a quick note on Price Books, but first, to fill you in.

I abandoned my blog because I was pregnant and sick/miserable the whole time. The good news is I now have a 10-month-old daughter who is happy and healthy, and my life is returning to a "new normal" as I like to think of it. I didn't have time have time for a lot of active frugal pursuits, though I did get baby stuff as frugally as I could. I will perhaps post about that at a later time. So, now you're caught up! As I start to have a little more time again, I plan to post here occasionally.

BareMinerals Foundation Deal

2013-01-23T09:09:00.002-06:00

One of the items that it is worth it to me to not buy the very cheapest option is foundation make-up. I use BareMinerals foundation, and I just wanted to share the place to get the best price. Just because I'm willing to pay for it doesn't mean I want to OVER pay for it! This make up is regularly priced at $27 most anywhere you can find it- and if it is online it, it is $27 PLUS SHIPPING.

However, for the last few years I have been buying it on amazon.com for way less. The price varies at any given time, but I regularly get it for $20 or less.

I just ordered some today, and it was $15.88 (including shipping!) By doing a simple amazon search to see what price I could get, I saved more than $11 on this makeup.

bareMinerals ORIGINAL SPF 15 Foundation with Click, Lock, Go Sifter - Fairly Light

Yes, that is an Amazon affiliates link. :) Even if you don't use my link, I wanted to share this good deal with everyone!

Freebies for Christmas

2012-10-28T17:29:00.000-05:00

Despite that fact that it is not even quite Halloween yet, I've been thinking about Christmas. For several years now I have occasionally gone to "freebie" sites and signed up to be sent free samples of various items. This year, I decided to do this again, but with Christmas in mind.

While I do not recommend giving people on your gift list ONLY random free samples, I think they can be a fun way to add some fun extras to a gift, or to help fill a gift bag or stocking.

Pictured: freebies I have received in the last month or so.

Lindt chocolate truffes- got a coupon for a free bag by liking their facebook page during promotion.
Harley-Davidson sticker (free by mail. I have some Harley lovers in my family).
Ponds wipes samples and blue make-up bag of cosmetics samples (free by mail from Target during promo). Aero Shot energy gel sample (free by mail).
Eucerin lotion sample (free by mail).
Solar grasshopper (not actually free, but less than $1 on Amazon and thinking a kid in my family would love it.)
Not pictured: free mini-candle from Bed Bath and Beyond (got coupon online and picked up in-store).

I've signed up for another dozen or so that I'm expecting in the mail soon, plus I am keeping my eyes peeled for more to sign up for.

These are the sites I check regularly that tip me off to these freebies (I use Google Reader for most of my blog reading, so I'm not actually going to each of these everyday, they just come up in my feed. Easiest way to do it in my opinion.) Not all of these are exclusively freebies, but I have found them all to be useful for this purpose.

Absurdly Cool Freebie Finder
Freebie Shark
FreeSamples.org
FrugalFritzi e (Actually more of a coupon blog, but does post good freebies sometimes)
HeyIt'sFree!
JustFreeStuff
Living Richly on a Budget (Again not exclusively freebies, but does include sometimes.)
MommySavers (Not exclusively freebies, but does include good ones sometimes.)
Who Said Nothing In Life is Free (Not all freebies, but good.)

Are any of you freebie collectors? What are you favorite sites? Please share in the comments!

Temporary hiatus- follow on Facebook!

2012-08-29T08:18:00.002-05:00

Hi all- for the next few months, I won't be regularly updating this blog. However, I will continue to update the Frugal Townie facebook page with deals I find, so be sure to follow and tune in there.

Remember to check out the grocery ads before you go shopping!

Weekly Ads for Lawrence:

Grocery Deals Round-Up: 8/15-8/21

2012-08-15T13:19:00.001-05:00

Some good deals this week. I'm looking forward to having clementines again! Dillon's is doing their buy 10 items get $5 off promotion. There are a lot of snack foods and ready-to-eat foods on this list, so take a look if you are in the market for those. Also includes some toiletries. The prices with this deal are pretty good, and are GREAT if you have a coupon also.And it looks like HyVee is doing a similar promotion on toiletries and household products.

Romance on a Dime's Frugal Recipe this week is homemade Healthy Granola. Yum!

Avocados (large)- $0.88/ea @ Checkers
Bananas- $0.33/lb @Aldi (any day) or $0.19/lb @ Checkers (Thurs only)
Clementines- $2.98/3lb bag @ Checkers
Cucumbers- 2/$1 @ Checkers
Grapes (green or red)- $0.79/lb @ Aldi
Green Bell Peppers- 2/$1 @ Checkers
Kiwi- $0.99/ 16oz pk @ Aldi
Mangoes- $0.39/ea @ Aldi
Peaches, Plums, Nectarines- $0.25/ea @ Aldi
Sweet Corn (local)- 3/$1 @ Checkers

Bacon (Best Choice)- $1.98/lb @ Checkers
Beans (black or refried)- $0.69/ can @ HyVee
Bone-In Pork Butt Roast- $1.59/lb @ Aldi (Wed only, Special Meat Buy)
Cheese (Kroger)- $3.99/ 24oz bag or block
Chicken Breasts- $1.68/lb @ Checkers
Chicken Leg Quarters- $0.78/lb @ Checkers
Sugar- $1.88/ 4lb bag @ HyVee
Taco Shells- $0.99/box @ HyVee
Vegetables (frozen Kroger or Bird's Eye)- $1/ bag @ Dillons

photo credit

Weekly Grocery Deals Round-Up: 8/1 - 8/6

2012-08-01T10:24:00.000-05:00

Pleased to see ALDI has produce in their ad again this week!

Baby Carrots- $0.49/ 1lb bag @ Aldi
Cantaloupe- $0.99/ea @ Aldi
Celery - $0.69/lb @ Checkers
Corn (Sweet)- 6/ $2 @ Dillons
Grapes (green or red)- $0.94/lb @ Aldi
Kiwi- 5/$1 @ Checkers
Leaf Lettuce- $0.88/ea @ Checkers
Mangoes- 2/ $1 @ Checkers
Onions (Sweet)- $0.69/lb @ Checkers
Potatoes, Russet- $0.99/ 5lb bag @ Checkers

Frosted Shredded Wheat Cereal- $1.99/ 18oz box @ Aldi or Dillons or HyVee or Checkers
Coffee (Kroger)- $5.99/ 32oz @ Dillons
Cottage Cheese (HyVee)- $1.39/ea @ HyVee
Crispy Oats (Cheerios style) Cereal- $1.50/ 14oz box @ Aldi
Orance Juice (half gallon) - $0.99 w/ coupon @ HyVee
Orange Juice (frozen)- $1.68/ea @ HyVee
Premium Fruit Bars Popsicles- $1.99/ box @ Aldi
Sausage (Farmland)- 3/$4.00 16oz roll @ HyVee
String Cheese- $4.99/ 24oz bag @ HyVee
Vegetables (frozen)- $1.00/bag @ Dillon's or Aldi or HyVee

Deodorant (Dove or Degree)- $0.99/ea @ HyVee
Deodorant (Secret or Old Spice)- 2/$3.00 @ HyVee
Shampoo (Suave or VO5)- $0.77/ea @ HyVee
Toothpaste (Colgate, Aim, Pepsodent)- $0.77/ea @ HyVee
Kids Backpacks (w/ 2 yr warranty)- $9.99 ea @ Aldi

**Special deals at HyVee- buy 3 Pepsi Co items, get a free backpack, or buy 3 Oscar Meyer deli meats, get a free lunch bag. If you are in the market for a lunch bag or backpack, these might be worth your time.**

Photo credit

Weekly Grocery Ads

2012-07-24T10:38:00.000-05:00

The Frugal Townie's weekly Grocery Deals Round-Up will be back next week. In the meantime, here are the links to the weekly ads, which will go up Wednesday morning.

Weekly Ads for Lawrence:

Birthday Freebies Update

2012-07-19T21:00:00.000-05:00

Since my birthday was this week, I am taking this opportunity to test out the claims of all the birthday freebies that restaurants and other places say they will give you if you sign up. Last year I posted Lawrence KS Birthday Freebies so I am retesting the links found there plus trying out some new ones!

Feel free to leave a comment if you know of other Lawrence KS (or nearby) birthday deals.

UPDATE:
Here is what I got for my birthday this year from signing up on these businesses websites. Click the business name to go to the sign up page. Also a lot of these give you a freebie when you first sign up in addition to a birthday gift! Enjoy!

TacoJohn’s- Free Cini-Sopapilla Bites
Sephora- Free Gift (mine was lip gloss. Coupon comes in the mail)
Swagbucks- 50 Swagbucks
Hollywood Movie Theater (Southwind) - Free Medium Popcorn
Dempsey's Burger Pub- Free House Burger
Liberty Hall- Free movie, free popcorn & drink & candy. (No sign-up, just show up with your ID on your birthday)
World Market- 10% off (I think that is lame.)
EinsteinBros Bagels- Free bagel & schmear with drink purchase
Arby’s – Free 12oz Shake
IHOP- Free Rooty Tooty Fresh N Fruity breakfast
Panera- Free Pastry or Sweet
Noodles& Co – Buy 1 Get 1 Entrée (came via snail mail)

Reader Suggestions:
Sports Clips- Free Haircut (thanks Josh!)

Share this post:

Grocery Deal Round-Up: 7/18 to 7/24

2012-07-18T08:52:00.000-05:00

I am completely perplexed- Aldi did not list ANY produce in their ad this week, and it is pretty much all processed food. What is up with that? So anyway, I did not add any items from Aldi to my list this week and it feels so strange! "Dollar Days" is this week at HyVee- I've listed the dollar items I think are a great deal here, but see the ad for the rest.

A word about coupons- as far as I know, Dillon's is the only grocery in Lawrence that doubles coupons. Does anyone have information to the contrary?

Produce
Baby Carrots- $1/bag @ HyVee
Cantaloupe- $1.88/ea @ Checkers
Clementines- $3.88/ 3lb bag @ Checkers (I'm so glad these are back!)
Cucumbers- 2/$1 @ Checkers
Grapes (Red or Green)- $1.48/lb @ Checkers
Green Bell Peppers- 2/$1 @ Checkers
Onions (Yellow, Organic)- $1.88/ 3lb bag @ Checkers
Mangoes- 2/$1 @ Checkers
Peaches- $1.00/lb @ HyVee OR Dillons
Plums- $1.28/lb @ Checkers
Potatoes (Russet)- $0.99/ 5lb bag @ Checkers
Roma Tomatoes- $1.00/lb @ HyVee
Strawberries- $1.48/lb @ Checkers
Sweet Corn- 5/$2.00 @ Dillons

Other Grocery:
Bacon (Best Choice)- $1.98/lb @ Checkers
Cheese (Kroger, block or shred)- $1.79/ 6 to 8oz pkg @ Dillons
Chicken (whole)- $0.98/lb @ Checkers
Chicken (split breast, drumsticks, or thighs)- $1/lb @ HyVee
Cottage Cheese (Kroger)- 2/$4.00 @ Dillons
Franks (Jumbo Farmland)- $1/pkg @ HyVee
Frozen Vegetables- $1/bag @ HyVee
Greek Yogurt (A&E)- $0.99/ea @ HyVee OR Checkers
Sherbet - $1.00/ pkg @ HyVee

photo credit

Back To School Supplies- check out Frugal Fritzie

2012-07-17T09:36:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Frugal Fritzie for being so organized- she has put up a chart of where to get the best deal on each different kind of school supply! Generally with this kind of update I would just put it on the Frugal Townie facebook page or Twitter page, but this is so cool I thought it deserved it's own blog entry.

P.S. Other people are as obsessed with school supplies as I am, right? :)

photo credit

Grocery Deals Round-Up: 7/11 - 7/17 Back To School Already?!

2012-07-11T09:03:00.000-05:00

Can't believe it's back to school time already. But it is one of my favorite times of the year because I love school supplies. :)

Aldi is selling back to school college dorm room gear this week including a great deal on collapsible storage cubes $5.99 for 2 and nice prices on bedding and cheap kitchen stuff.

Dillons has back to school supplies in their ad, including Crayola Crayons 24 pk for $0.29 and notebooks for $0.19.

HyVee is doing a "One Day" sale on Friday July 13- click the link for the ad, but the highlights include half gallon milk for $0.99 (limit 2) and Banquet meals for $0.69. I'm not sure the prices on the other stuff is anything to get super excited about when you compare to Aldi or Checkers.

Great deals on strawberries abound. Romance on a Dime is featuring a 30 Minute Strawberry Freezer Jam this week- check it out!

Produce:
Apricots- $1.48/lb @ Checkers
Avocados (Large)- $0.88/ea
Bananas- $0.19/lb @ Checkers on THURS only.
Bing Cherries- $2.48/lb @ Checkers
Blueberries- $1.29/lb @ Aldi
Cherries - $1.29/lb @ Aldi
Sweet Corn- 5 / $2 @ Dillons
Broccoli Crowns- $0.88/lb@ Checkers
Carrots- $0.88/ 2lb bag @ Checkers
Iceberg Lettuce- $0.78/ head @ Checkers
Limes- 6 / $1 @ Checkers
Peaches or Nectarines- $1.28/lb @ Checkers
Pineapple- $1.29/ea @ Aldi
Strawberries- $0.99/lb @ Aldi

Other Grocery:
Bacon (Private Selection)- $2.88/ lb @ Dillons
Bottled Water- $2.29/ 24 pack @ Aldi
Butter (salted or unsalted)- 2/ $4 @ Dillons
Chicken Breasts (boneless skinless)- $1.88/lb @ Checkers OR Dillons
Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks- $0.98/lb @ Checkers
Cheese (block or shred)- $1.79/ea @ Dillons
Cottage Cheese- $1.49/ea @ HyVee
Feta Cheese- 2/ $5.00 @ Dillons
Greek Yogurt (HyVee brand)- $0.89/ea @ HyVee
Milk (half gal)- $0.99 (limit 2) @ HyVee Friday only, OR Dillons $1.25/ea all week
Pork Steak (Bone in)- $1.98/lb @ Checkers
Vinegar (gallon)- $1.98 @ HyVee (vinegar is SO useful, click here for uses)
Yogurt (Yoplait)- $0.50/ea @ Dillons

photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/984616

Grocery Deals Round-Up: 6/27 - 7/3

2012-06-27T08:40:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Here are your grocery deals for this week- I've focused on my regular whole foods and cook-out foods for July 4th, it's coming up soon!

Produce:
Sweet Corn- 4/$1 @ Dillons
Blueberries- $1.29/ pint @ Aldi
Seedless Watermelon- $3.69 @ Aldi
Watermelon- $2.99 @ HyVee
Strawberries- $0.99/ 16oz @ Aldi
Cantaloupe- $1.69/ea @ Aldi
Cherries- $1.89/ 16oz @ Aldi
Green Beans- $0.88/lb @ Checkers
Red or White Grapes- $1.48/lb @ Checkers
Peaches or Nectarines- $1.48/lb @ Checkers

Other Foods:
Ground Beef 85/15- $2.49/ lb @HyVee
Frozen Chicken Breasts- $5.49/ 48oz @ Aldi
Fresh Split chicken Breasts- $0.99/lb @ Aldi (Weds only) OR Checkers
Jennie-O Turkey Burgers- $5.99/box of 12 patties @ Aldi
Frozen Corn on the Cob- $1.69/ 6 pieces @ Aldi
Cottage Cheese- $1.68 @ HyVee
Sugar - $2.18/ 4lb @ HyVee
Greek Yogurt- 5/$4 Kroger Brand @ Dillons

Cook Out Deals:
Potato Salad- $1.69/ 16oz @ Aldi
Frozen Corn on the Cob- $1.69/ 6 pieces @ Aldi
Salad Dressing- many varieties- $1.29/ea @ Aldi
Ice Cream- 5 quart Bucket- $4.99/ ea @ Aldi OR HyVee
Ground Beef 85/15- $2.49/ lb @HyVee
Frozen Chicken Breasts- $5.49/ 48oz @ Aldi
Fresh Split chicken Breasts- $0.99/lb @ Aldi (Weds only) OR Checkers
Jennie-O Turkey Burgers- $5.99/box of 12 patties @ Aldi
Bratwurst- variety types- $1.99/ 14oz pkgs @ Aldi OR Checkers
Jumbo Franks- $0.99 / 16oz @ Aldi OR Dillons
Sweet Corn- 4/$1 @ Dillons
Seedless Watermelon- $3.69 @ Aldi
Watermelon- $2.99 @ HyVeeWhite Burger or Dog Buns- $0.79/pkg @ Aldi
Kaiser Buns- $1.49/pkg @ Aldi
Mustard- $0.69/ 14oz @ Aldi
BBQ Sauce (KC Masterpiece)- $0.77/ ea @ Checkers
Graham Crackers- $1.49/box @ Aldi
Marshmallows- $0.99/ 10oz @ Aldi OR HyVee
Bottled Water- $2.29/ 24 bottle case @Aldi
Hy-Vee Pop- 3/$2 2 liters @ HyVee
Paper Plate Holders- 3/$1 @ Dillons (I love these things!)

photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/494855