tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post2445030433545972912..comments2024-03-28T03:58:48.788-07:00Comments on creative savv: July 2016 Grocery Spending JournalLilihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-64739124012584326122016-08-02T13:51:12.821-07:002016-08-02T13:51:12.821-07:00Oh, I know those! I'd never heard the name Hel...Oh, I know those! I'd never heard the name Hello Dollies. Yes, they are expensive to make. I've only made them a couple of times. I make a substitute condensed milk, and have used homemade graham crackers, in the past. They would be a nice gift at the holidays, even as stocking stuffers, individually wrapped, for my kids, in lieu of candy.<br /><br />I get it. I sometimes can't find the freebies either. The week they had the gatorade bars, it took me about 30 minutes just to find them. The cashier said she didn't think they'd even gotten them in, as no one was able to find them. I did notice last week, when the freebie was the sparkling iced tea, they had a large display right at the door. Maybe they only do that when they get enough stock.<br /><br />Thanks for enlightening me on the Hello Dollies!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-13991560964015538352016-08-02T13:40:57.516-07:002016-08-02T13:40:57.516-07:00Hello Dollies are another name for seven layer or ...Hello Dollies are another name for seven layer or magic bars. They're expensive to make with the nuts, chocolate & butterscotch chips, coconut & condensed milk, but they're a tradition of my husband's family. They go together easily & they're always a huge hit. Yes, I have had Fred's make a sub on one of those freebies (a manager did it for me once), but a lot of times a store worker just says, "Sorry, never got it in." More often than not, I don't really care about whatever it is. It's stuff I normally don't buy (I know you don't either), but it's kind of nice to have that stuff to stick in a gift or as stocking stuffers. Another thing is those freebies can be ridiculously hard to find, so I often run out of time & give up. MelissaMatt Macduff Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11043554569369923416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-57291172115305096582016-08-02T08:14:54.825-07:002016-08-02T08:14:54.825-07:00Hi Patti,
I've seen those meal boxes advertise...Hi Patti,<br />I've seen those meal boxes advertised. It's a great business idea. Does each box make one meal? I'm glad your daughter found the coupon codes for these. A nice diversion from "regular" cooking for the two of you.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-86436976733703611652016-08-02T08:12:29.489-07:002016-08-02T08:12:29.489-07:00Hi YHF,
Yeah, both my daughters chose career field...Hi YHF,<br />Yeah, both my daughters chose career fields that aren't exactly lucrative. So, if they want to do things like travel or have a nice home, they'll have to make sacrifices somewhere. And the grocery budget is an area most folks can cut back, and save some money. But the idea of finding substitutes also works with clothing. You see something in a magazine or in a store that you like, then find a way to replicate it, for a fraction of the original cost.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-77909270978572509602016-08-02T08:08:29.251-07:002016-08-02T08:08:29.251-07:00Hi Melissa,
I'll check again, but I thought I ...Hi Melissa,<br />I'll check again, but I thought I checked graham cracker prices at our WinCo. Maybe I missed that one. So, thanks! I'll be going by WinCo later this week, or over the weekend. What are Hello Dollies?<br />The problem I've found with our Fred Meyer and the Friday Freebie is if it's a good one (like the month before Easter with all of the Easter/candy freebies), they run out very quickly. So, when It's good, I try to get out early the morning the Freebie is issued. Will your Fred Meyer make a substitution? I've asked them to do that for me a couple of times, and they've been happy to, for the most part.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-54624462959734206302016-08-02T08:03:24.215-07:002016-08-02T08:03:24.215-07:00Hi Belinda,
I'm working hard at putting aside ...Hi Belinda,<br />I'm working hard at putting aside as much as I can for stocking up, in late summer through fall. But you're right, it does take a lot more time in the kitchen. I like that Amy D quote. Sometimes that's all we need to know, that it is working for us.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-23279693079378533022016-08-02T07:50:30.911-07:002016-08-02T07:50:30.911-07:00Hi Jayne,
I hope its helpful. I sometimes wonder i...Hi Jayne,<br />I hope its helpful. I sometimes wonder if I'm too detailed in my thoughts, here. Thank you for your kind words!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-20525268763106658692016-08-02T07:49:48.021-07:002016-08-02T07:49:48.021-07:00Lili,
What a wonderful month you had with your sho...Lili,<br />What a wonderful month you had with your shopping. Your always do so well finding great deals. This month<br />we had a few of the meal boxes with all the dinner stuffs and the directions at our door. ONE was FREE<br />and the other was deeply discounted. My daughter tried a starter box and had a coupon code. This saved us lots of money and I got to try some new dishes win win. If I was very wealthy I might use this service. It was a lot of fun and we found some new dishes we really like.<br />Blessings,<br />PattiPrecious People Preschoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284398084100195331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-68942960987205801342016-08-02T07:47:20.336-07:002016-08-02T07:47:20.336-07:00Hi Sara,
What a wonderful gift from your friends, ...Hi Sara,<br />What a wonderful gift from your friends, the raspberries and cherry jam! I'm sure those items did indeed make an ordinary meal seem special. <br />Good luck on all of your work. I can imagine just how busy you are, right now.<br /><br />Have a good week, too!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-83275141295960829162016-08-02T07:45:08.722-07:002016-08-02T07:45:08.722-07:00Hi Alice,
Those smoothies your kids make sound del...Hi Alice,<br />Those smoothies your kids make sound delicious and refreshing, as does your mango and raspberry-flavored water.<br /><br />I hope your farewell party for your daughter goes well. Whatever else you plan for the meal part will be fine, I'm sure, as what friends and family really want is the opportunity to wish her well and hear about her plans. It must be emotional for you, though. Sending you hugs.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-27051310939774769702016-08-02T07:41:26.367-07:002016-08-02T07:41:26.367-07:00Hi Carol,
We don't ave Aldi here, unfortunatel...Hi Carol,<br />We don't ave Aldi here, unfortunately. But that's a great tip for anyone living near that chain!<br />I'll find that sloppy Joe recipe. It's in my email somewhere.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-64325439612564830442016-08-02T07:40:03.094-07:002016-08-02T07:40:03.094-07:00Hi live and learn,
Kick Start has has caffeine, co...Hi live and learn,<br />Kick Start has has caffeine, coconut water and fruit juice added to soda. I don't know if it's any good. I was thinking of giving this can to someone I know who does drink things like Redbull. It would be way too much caffeine for me. I take the freebies, then figure out afterward what to do with them. Like the week I got cat food (no cats, here). I suppose I should NOT take them, and help the store in choosing things I'd like better, by making my preferences known. But I think the store has little choice over what's a freebie and what's not. I think these products are mostly promotional/new items. Most of them are products I'd never heard of before.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-51560146955128950872016-08-02T04:47:16.913-07:002016-08-02T04:47:16.913-07:00Hmmmm...not clearly said. I meant that if you don...Hmmmm...not clearly said. I meant that if you don't learn to live on less, you are trapped having fewer job choices, because you would then have to take jobs that you don't like but do it only for the money. Is that what you meant? This is so obvious, buy many don't think it is possible. Easier to grow the pie, than shrink one's appetite....or so it seems. But I as well as you, think shrinking one's appetite is the easier, safer, saner... <br /><br />YHF Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-38895993629298986202016-08-01T08:09:35.690-07:002016-08-01T08:09:35.690-07:00I love what you wrote in the final paragraphs....S...I love what you wrote in the final paragraphs....So true. Just as you wrote so well, good paying AND fulfilling jobs are not a given, so learning how to live on less will open vistas not otherwise available....not the other way around, which may or may not end well. <br /><br />I haven't figured our July spending. It is never a true reflection for just the two of us since we buy everything for my father, and have the grandkids over on weekends and vacation. I shift some dollars out of our food spending onto their spending columns, just to arrive at a ballpark spending for us, and have an estimate on how much of spending is on our grandkids. That way, I am fully aware and willing when we make our commitments, that is we are not doing it blindly. Spending on our grandkids should be with our eyes wide open, are we making good use of dollars there too?<br /><br />YHFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-28100911975102441362016-08-01T06:55:30.052-07:002016-08-01T06:55:30.052-07:00Great job, as always, Lili! I find it so frustrat...Great job, as always, Lili! I find it so frustrating that our Fred Meyer often times doesn't get the freebie stocked before the coupon expires. I think it has to do with customer demographics. Anyhow, have you ever tried the WinCo brand of graham crackers? I think they're a pretty decent deal (this time of year anyway) & I usually buy a couple of extra boxes & hide them for Christmas time when we make Hello Dollies. I like how you're gettting your girls to think about purchases. I'm trying to get my kids to do the same thing. MelissaMatt Macduff Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11043554569369923416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-3475006221707029772016-08-01T06:41:45.998-07:002016-08-01T06:41:45.998-07:00$130.66 for a month of groceries is terrific, Lili...$130.66 for a month of groceries is terrific, Lili. It takes a great level of frugality to meet a goal like that. It does mean more time in the kitchen, but it's worth it and it works. Like Amy D said, "to the core of my being I know it works". Great job. :)Belindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17486895127003368291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-72313768514953776362016-08-01T06:26:10.740-07:002016-08-01T06:26:10.740-07:00today's detailed blog is very helpful, regardl...today's detailed blog is very helpful, regardless of the level of frugality of your readers. We can all learn (or be reminded) frugal lessons from the information you've provided, both in terms of how one can stretch their dollars through careful shopping and/or making/searching for substitutes. Thank you!Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627803031033137170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-2613774334892916152016-08-01T05:23:50.708-07:002016-08-01T05:23:50.708-07:00Hi, Lili--
Homemade milkshakes are delicious! :) ...Hi, Lili--<br /><br />Homemade milkshakes are delicious! :) And I think if we knew what was in the fast food versions, we'd be even happier to drink our own! ;) <br /><br />Looks like another good grocery month, Lili. I'm always impressed. We spent very little on food this month, making do using up what was on-hand, packing take-along meals when we were going out, and frankly being too busy to do a lot of fancier cooking. Some fresh raspberries and some cherry jam, given to us by generous friends, helped spice up our meals, too. :) <br /><br />Have a good week! Sara<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-43291660367240094892016-08-01T04:49:48.919-07:002016-08-01T04:49:48.919-07:00I calculated my grocery (all inclusive) spending f...I calculated my grocery (all inclusive) spending for July and it was a whopping $800 and little bit. but this included some grocery deals and I stocked up a bit for two kids to start living in their own apartments. Non-perishable foods that can be stored for a few weeks so about $145 less on one grocery trip and then a few smaller groceries totalling about $30 each so I'm guessing my costs were about $595 which is within what I budget for each month.<br /><br />I'm like Lili in that I don't buy all the pre-packaged snacky foods nor ice cream or milkshakes just for a special treat. Make it yourself is my motto. Last night one kid what a rip open package of alfredo and noodles but since I don't buy them she found a way to make her own from ingredients in the house. My kids like smoothies at night during our hot spells so they had frozen a bunch of diced up fruit a long time ago and now use those in smoothies almost every night. No ice cream, just greek yogurt, milk, OJ and whatever else. Some even use peanut butter or chocolate syrup and protein powder. That's not for me! What I do like is a frozen chunk of mango or raspberry in my ice cold water!<br /><br />I will be buying a few more things this week for an open house/farewell get-together for my daughter who leaves next week. I already bought hot dogs/chili/buns but now I need to get a few more plates and cups. I think maybe some chips but I just don't know what else to have as a light supper.<br /><br />AliceAlicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12660543650879805736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-86342033095639283422016-08-01T04:21:37.221-07:002016-08-01T04:21:37.221-07:00Lili, Have you ever tried Aldi's graham cracke...Lili, Have you ever tried Aldi's graham crackers? I think* they retail for $1.49 or $1.79 the usual, large box. Also, can you share the sloppy joe recipe using ketchup? TIA Carol in CTCTMOMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04825780992878036362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-13999788063388961262016-08-01T04:05:58.807-07:002016-08-01T04:05:58.807-07:00Well, if example is the best teacher, your family ...Well, if example is the best teacher, your family sees one of the best in finding less expensive ways to do things. You certainly model that behavior well. I'm not surprised your daughters are figuring it out too.<br /><br />I noticed one of your freebies was Mt. Dew Kick Start. Is that like Red Bull? Mt. Dew already has the most caffeine in it of any regular soft drink. I wonder what they do to kick start it? Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.com