Shopping with Saving Green Mom: Is Aldi's really cheaper??

I have been asked this question at least a dozen times...
Is Aldi's really that much cheaper than buying generic or name brand (when possible) at other grocery stores?

Well, I took the test yesterday.

Here is what I bought at Aldi's yesterday:

1 bag of Yellow Onions 32 oz. $1.49
1 Seedless Watermelon $1.99
2 Ready-To-Serve Bacon packages @ $2.19 each
3 Mama Cozzi 12" Frozen Pizzas @ $2.29 each
1 Baby Carrots 1 lb. package $0.99
2 Strawberries 1 lb. packages @ $0.99 each
1 dozen Large Eggs $0.89
1 Honey Buns 8 ct. package $0.89
1 Friendly Farms Vanilla Coffee Creamer 32 oz. $1.99
1 AppleSauce 6 ct. Cups $1.29
1 Saltines package $0.89
1 Cashew Halves/Pieces 9.5 oz. $2.69
2 Potato Chips Bags 11 oz. @ $1.39 each
1 gallon Skim Milk $2.25
-------------------------------------------
= $30.38

Then I went to Festival Foods and priced the SAME items.
Obviously, I had to buy "Aldi's brands" at Aldi's. So, I tried to match up generic brands at Festival.

1 bag of Yellow Onions 32 oz. $1.59
1 Seedless Watermelon $4.99
2 Hormel Ready-To-Serve Bacon packages @ $2.99 each -- Sale Price
3 Orv's 12" Frozen Pizzas @ $2.75 each -- Sale Price
1 Baby Peeled Fresh Carrots 1 lb. $1.49
2 Strawberries 1 lb. packages @ $1.99 each
1 dozen Large Flavorite Eggs $1.09
1 Little Debbie Honey Buns 6 ct. $1.59
1 Flavorite non-dairy Vanilla Coffee Creamer 32 oz. $2.49 -- Sale Price
1 Musselman's 6 ct. Apple Sauce cups $2.57
1 Flavorite Saltine Crackers package $1.75 -- Sale Price
1 Eilliens Cashew Pieces $3.79
2 Classic Potato Chips 12 oz. @ $2.00 each
1 gallon Festival Skim Milk $2.55
-------------------------------------------
= $46.11

A difference of $15.73.

I am sure that if I went to Wal-Mart and compared prices, the prices MIGHT have been a bit closer to the Aldi prices.
I LOVE to shop Festival Foods for their in-ad coupon deals and their deli, fresh produce and their meats. In my opinion they have THE best meat case in town!

Now, I RARELY visit Aldi's, but since I was in the neighborhood, I decided to stop in and I was glad that I did! To find such ripe and red Strawberries for ONLY $0.99 AND a HUUUGE Seedless WHOLE Watermelon for ONLY $1.99!!!?!?!?!
I did get some pretty good deals at Aldi's yesterday.

Coupon Organization: Changin' it up again!

Yikes! What a mess!

For the past couple of days, I have been thinking about how I can get more organized with my coupons. I had to think about what I wanted and what I didn't want.
I knew I wanted something different, but not quite sure what kind of different...
I have been mainly using the clip-less method, as my 1st method of coupon organization, and it was working out pretty nice for me, but my folders were just falling apart :(

What IS the clip-less method, you ask?
Well, it's keeping your Sunday coupon inserts intact and not clipping/cutting the coupons out of the inserts until you are going to use them.

How in the world would I know which coupons are where, if I don't clip them right away?
I use the website Coupontom.com. I just type in the product and this handy-dandy website tells me exactly where I can find the coupon!

The 2nd part of my coupon organization was my accordian file. It has a "shorter" file area with the full-size file area. The shorter file area took care of my clipped coupons, either from internet printables, catalinas or coupons I received in the mail or peelie coupons from products. The full-size area kept my Target printable coupons and internet coupons that I didn't clip yet and store coupon policies.
I actually REALLY love this file system, so it will be a LITTLE difficult to give it up!
Here is a pic of mine...all that hard work of making my own little sub-categories....ughhhh...LOL

It worked for me and was pretty easy to use...BUT it didn't have enough room for ALL of my inserts, SO my inserts would stay home when I would go out shopping. (which is NOT a good thing...especially when you come up on some awesome clearance deals and you remember...hey...I have a coupon for that!! BUT it's at home in my 12/12 SS insert...ughhhh...)

Now, back to what I want and don't want in coupon organization...

I don't want to carry my coupons around in a little bin or recipe box.
I don't want a big, bulky bag or HUGE binder that I would have to fling around.
I want to be able to keep ALL of my coupons with me when I shop.
I want just ONE thing that I would need to carry around with me.
I want to reduce the clutter of coupons around my dining room! LOL

Finally, today, I began my re-organization.
First, I went through ALL of my inserts, looked at all of the ones dated 11/21 or earlier to make sure there were no coupons that were still "good", then chucked them. They all have a new home in my binder.
When I first started out, I used the binder method of coupon organization and I would clip EVERY SINGLE coupon and put them in the baseball card sleeves. It just got to be too much for me...so I went to the clip-less method. Then I moved on to the 1/2 clip-less and 1/2 file method. Yes. I think I just made that up! LOL
NOW, I am going to be EXCLUSIVELY using the binder method. My coupons will ALWAYS be with me. This way, I can keep ALL of my coupons in ONE area. Yea, I know. I am no way the first person to do this...lol...but it's a first for me :)
I really hope it works, because I don't want to organize again...

I just have to say, use whatever works for you.
I go grocery shopping and I see a bunch of ladies with their coupons in portable bins and it just looks so crazy...but hey, if it works for them, it's all good!
That's another thing you will want to think of.
Is your coupon organization method handy enough to keep with you in the store?...handy enough to hang out/sit in the front part of the shopping cart, so it's easily accessible?

How do you organize all of your coupons?

Welcome New Readers!!! :)

Just wanted to give a little shout out to any and all of my new blog readers who have come to check out Saving Green in the Bay, thanks to Erin Davisson and WFRV :)

I hope you like it here!
I do EVERYTHING I can to make sure you get to see THE HOT DEALS available to you, AS SOON as they are out there :)
I am extremely PASSIONATE about helping you save money. I WANT to help you save money.
SO, if there is ever a deal you don't understand...or have a question about a coupon or a match-up, PLEASE EMAIL ME!!
I am here to help :)

In the meantime, make yourself at home...get to know me a little by checking out my 'about me' page.
Check out the 'Contents' links, you may just find some GREAT DEALS! No. You WILL find some GREAT DEALS! :)

Thank you so much for checking out my blog. I hope you will begin to start keeping more of your money AND are able to save money on the things you NEED, so that you can afford the things you WANT :)

AND in case you missed the 5pm news on WFRV Channel 5...OR are not in Green Bay to see it, you can it out here... WFRV channel 5 Mommy Blogger Online TV segment with Saving Green in the Bay 
The segment also featured The Bargain Sleuth! You can check her blog out HERE.

Here's to Saving GREEN in the BAY!!! :)

My Television Debut :)

A couple weeks ago, Erin Davisson from WFRV Channel 5 in Green Bay, WI, came on over and had a nice little chat with me :)
OH, and she brought along a Videographer and a BIG ol' Video Camera, too! Actually, it probably wasn't old...lol...
ANYWAY ...
She interviewed me on why I started up this blog and why I do it, what I want people to learn from it, etc...
You will learn ALL of the answers to those questions if you watch the Online with Erin segment on WFRV Channel 5 tomorrow night (Tuesday 12/7) at 5pm!
I was super nervous, and you will probably see that...lol :)

I am hoping this gets the word out to MORE people in the Green Bay area, so that they may learn to use coupons and save money like me! :)

It saddens me when I hear of people going without the basics. (shampoo, toilet paper, soaps, and even food!) This is one HUGE reason why I am a BIG advocate of donating..."When I am blessed beyond what I need, the extra is not for me but for someone in need" ;)
AND
This is my little way of teaching you to be able to save money on the things you NEED, so that you can afford the things you WANT!

I know a lot of people don't think couponing is worth their time. But for some, it has to be...and this is where I come in. I simplify it for you. I show you what coupons to use on what items and when. I can also answer any and all of your questions about my blog, couponing, and deal seeking...just EMAIL ME and I will get back to you within hours, shoot...sometimes minutes!

I hope you all will share my blog with your family and friends. I hope it will mean the world to them, to be able to learn how to save money on the things they need, so they can afford the things they want! :)

Thank you, everyone, for all of your support! :)

Subscribe to my blog by Email!

Ever wanted to be able to get an email that updates you on my blog?
Well, there are a few ways...

1. You can ALWAYS be refreshing my front blog page (but this is NOT always possible...lol)
2. "Like" me on Facebook and my updates should show up on your 'Most Recent' page
3.  NOW, you can sign up your email with my blog to get automatic updates everyday on my new blog posts!

Just follow these directions :)

Enter your email in the box and it will load up my blog feed. THEN, underneath where it says 'Subscribe Now!', one of the last options is 'Get Saving Green in the Bay delivered by email'. Click on that and VOILA! You are all set :)

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

NOW, you are able to get your deals delivered EVERYDAY! :)

WHY do you have so much stuff?

I hear that question a lot.

Why do we have so much stuff? Why do we have so much shampoo, conditioner and body wash? Why do we have so many deodorants, toothbrushes, toothpaste, laundry detergent and body spray? Why do we have more than 15 boxes of cereal...15 cans of soup...and so on?
 

Because I stock up on things I KNOW my family will use, when it is very cheap or even free.
Because we give bags of stuff to my church's pantry.
Because we give our family members lots of stuff, too. None of my family members leave my house without a bag or 2 of food or necessities.

I even took 5 months off of "stock-pile shopping" and had ZERO need to go shopping for cereal, canned/non-perishable, shampoo/conditioners, soap, deodorant, toothpaste/brushes, cleanser, laundry soap, etc...AND I kept up with my giving. Yes, I did have to shop for things like milk, fresh produce and fresh meats...but that was it!

I give because it makes my heart happy to know that I am helping others have what they need. I don't like to hear of ANYONE having to go without their basic needs.

I know there are a lot of us out there who would LOVE to help and give to those less fortunate and just don't have a way to do that. Well, if you keep up with my blog and keep getting those deals and shopping for FREE or even for pennies...you will be able to give away your excess! Your local pantry and the people in your community would be so appreciative :)

"When I am blessed beyond what I need, the extra is not for me, but for someone in need"
*I LOVE this quote. My Pastor used it in one of our church sermons, and I invite you to use it as well :)

CVS: How to make Extra Bucks (EB's) work for you!

Are you new to the CVS ExtraBucks Program?
Well, I have put a few helpful hints together for you :)

• To take advantage of all of the sales or Extra Buck (EB) promotions, you will need a CVS ExtraCare Card. All you need to do is ask your cashier for an application, fill it out and VOILA! She/He will hand you your card, on the spot, for FREE.

• You will always want to have your card handy since they will need to scan it before every transaction.

Now, you are all set to earn your ExtraBucks!

• Make sure you have a plan of action before you leave for CVS. I always make a list of what I want to spend my current EB's on and how much the item(s) will cost, how many transactions I will have to make and how many EB's I will earn...oh and of course what coupons I will be using.
  
  
• When you begin to EB shop with CVS, you will have an initial OOP expense of at least $10. But trust me...it will be the BEST $10 that you will spend! :)
  
  
• You ALWAYS want to have has little OOP expense as possible.
  
  
• Treat EB's as you would cash. That is pretty much what they are...CVS "cash". You can buy pretty much ANYTHING at CVS with your EB's. (except prescriptions, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, etc...)
  
  
• When you buy something that says "buy AA, receive $BB in ExtraBucks", (you will see these items in the weekly ads or on the shelf) you will earn EB's and they will print at the end of your receipt.
  
  
• Most of the time CVS limits the amount of product that you can buy and earn EB's on. Your limits will print out on your receipt. If you have reached the limit of items that you can buy and earn EB's in that sale period, it will say **offer limit reached**, on your receipt.
  
  
• To earn some EB's, you will need to spend a certain amount on the items included in the EB promotion. For example, one week CVS might has this sale: "Spend $10 on Nivea products, get $5 EB's". Let's say that Nivea boday wash is $5 and you want to buy 2 of them. AND you also have 2 $2 off MQ's to use on this transaction...and that would bring your total down to $6...so you may think you aren't eligible for the EB deal. But you are wrong! The total for the EB's to print is BEFORE coupons...which is wonderful news because NOW you are only paying $6 OOP and you will earn $5 back in EB's. Making the Nivea body washes only .50 each after EB's!!!
  
  
• ExtraBucks (EB's) expire 4 weeks from the date of earning them. So be sure to use them before they expire! If you don't see any good EB deals in the future ads, that's OK. Just use the EB's on other items you need. You don't HAVE to "roll" your EB's into earning MORE EB's. This is just the way I, and many others, like to do it since it's absolutely FREE to do so :)
  
  Any questions?
  Be sure to let me know!
  I want to be able to help you all out as much as possible!! :)

Fisher-Price recalls 10Million toys, trikes, high chairs

One of the recalled items is this Fisher-Price Diego Trike, which is sitting in my garage right now!

Read up more about this HUGE recall HERE, in the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Walgreens Helpful Hints :)

I found Walgreen's Coupon Policy on their website. It has LOTS of helpful information for us couponers :)
Check it out HERE

I am sure many of you have questions about Walgreen's Register Rewards (RR's) program, so I have put together a little "how to" for you :)

How It Works

What are the Walgreens Register Rewards?
Register Rewards are catalina coupons that print out from a catalina machine after your transaction is completed. They only print for you, if you make the required purchases.
(check the weekly ad)

The RR's can be used on almost anything in the store, except Tobacco/Alcohol products, Prescriptions, Lottery Tickets, etc...you can find the complete list in their Coupon Policy.
If you want to "roll" your RR's, you should not buy the same item that you earned with the RR that you are using to pay with. But I will talk about that more below :)

Here is an example:  
I purchased an Herbal Essences Shampoo and earned a $2 RR. If I would use THAT $2 RR on ANOTHER bottle of Herbal Essences, another RR would NOT print.
Also, I have found that if you buy one P&G (Procter & Gamble) item and earn an RR, you can't roll that RR into another/more RR's for a P&G product. Now, this doesn't happen all the time, but for me, it's just safer to avoid using RR's that I have earned on P&G products, to pay for other P&G products.

RR's DO expire. It is usually 2 weeks from the date that you earned them. Watch the dates so you don't lose out on that "free money"!

How do you know what products to buy to earn RR's?

All you have to do is check the Walgreens Weekly Ad.

It will usually say something like this...
Sale Price $5.99 REGISTER REWARDS Good on next purchase $5 - Like Paying .99
Now, you will initially have that $5.99 OOP, but you will get a $5 RR that you can use for your 2nd transaction OR for another day.

Are there limits placed on the number of RR’s you can receive for specific items?
You can only purchase one RR item per transaction. For instance, if Pantene Shampoo is on sale with RR's, you can only buy one bottle per transaction. If you were to buy 2 in the same transaction, only 1 RR would print.

Walgreen’s technically does not set limits for earning RR’s on certain products. It would be difficult for them to do this because, unlike CVS, you do not have a store card for them to know what you have purchased during the course of the week.
However, this is one reason why you can’t use the same RR you received for the purchase of a product to buy another of the same product. This is Walgreen’s attempt to limit the number of RR deals per person.

What is the best way to spend my Register Rewards?
You can either use them for whatever you need or save them (make sure you use them by the expiration date) to use on products to earn more RR's.
Since RR’s typically have a short expiration period, I personally tend to do multiple transactions in one trip. But if there is a line of people stacking up behind me, I will usually let the others go first and then get back in line to do my 2nd transaction.
Or you could check out at the Beauty Counter, there is never a line there :)

Have a question about the RR program? Please contact me at SavingGreen@new.rr.com. I will help you as much as I can!! (and I am HAPPY to do so!)

Join Festival Foods Mobile Club for FREE Stuff!

Did you know Festival Foods has a Mobile Club?
They send out texts with AWESOME deals to your phone a day or 2 before you can take advantage of it.
Just now, I received a text for a FREE loaf of Festival White Bread!!! (valid 9/30 only)
ALL you have to do is show the Cashier your text and she types in the PLU code...and VOILA! FREE BREAD!

Click HERE fore more info and to sign up!

Other past texts included FREE milk, FREE Hamburger/Hot Dog buns and much, much more!

They only send one text per week and the promotion is good for one day only and it's usually Thursdays.

Have you signed up for Vocalpoint?

If not...what are you waiting for?

Vocalpoint is a website that has GOBS and GOBS of helpful information for everyone.
Parenting tips, tips on how to talk to your kids, cleaning tips...it has everything!

Oh, and ONE MORE AWESOME thing about this website....
They have Try & Tells!
If you participate in a T&T, Vocalpoint will send you a FREE sample of a product and LOTS of HIGH VALUE coupons for that product.

Here are a few I have received:
Bounce Dryer Bar
Crystal Light
Pampers
Crest
and much, much more!

The coupons that come with the product are wonderful! Usually over $2!
So what are you waiting for? Head on over there and sign up!

How to organize your Coupons :)

Are you new to using coupons?
OR
Are you looking for a new way to organize?

Click HERE for a nice article about organizing your coupons.

If you're wondering how I organize mine, I don't clip my coupons until I am ready to use them.
I have folders that I store them (the whole inserts) and clip them when I need them.
I also use this website to help me find the coupons I need for my shopping trip(s).
You just type in the name of the brand of product and WHAM...up comes a list of what inserts had that coupon, or how you can buy a bunch of them...because we ALL know that having just ONE coupon of an item is just not enough :)

Lots of deals to be had...ya just gotta know where to find them!!

...and I am so glad to say that I know how to find them!
But I could never find any local deals!!
Well, NOW I do! Right here with Saving GREEN in the BAY!

There are SO many money-saving/couponing blogs that I follow and all of them have local deals for THEIR local stores. I could never take advantage of those deals, because they were local only.

So...me and a good friend of mine thought, Hey, since I could never find anyone through searching on google that has a blog in the Green Bay area for couponing, etc...why don't I just do it??

I have saved THOUSANDS with couponing, these past 12 months.
I only started hard-core couponing last year...and I have donated lots to my church's pantry and to my own family; brothers, sisters and friends.
This is a wonderful gift, to be able to give to those who appreciate it :)
And I hope, with reading this blog and taking advantage of all the deals, you too will be able to stock up on lots of cheap and free stuff for you and your family :)