Clearance, Clearance, Clearance

In case you are wondering, this post is about the clearance section at stores.  

Generally the clearance section is at the back of the store.  That is where I go first in a store.  I am sure most everybody knows about the clearance rack at department stores.  But did you know about the clearance shelves at grocery stores?  I recently discovered the clearance shelf at Albertson's.  Just today I found kids shampoo for $1 at Albertson's.  Retail for that product generally runs between $3 and $4.  I also found popcorn salt for .50.  Ralph's also has a clearance section in the back of their store.  That is where I buy all my bread.  The store will put the bread that has an expiration date within a few days on clearance.  I usually buy 2-3 loaves and freeze it.  I pull out it out a slice at a time and toast it for sandwiches.  I don't ever spend more than $1 on a loaf of bread.  Bagels are another favorite clearance item of mine.  Bread is a constant clearance item at Ralph's.  However there are many other things that end up on clearance too.  It is always a surprise as to what I will find.

For clothing, my favorite places to go "clearance" shopping is Ann Taylor Loft and Old Navy.  Ann Taylor Loft currently has a 40% the entire store sale going on now.  That includes clearance items.  I was able to find some cute things for inexpensive prices.  The prices were a little higher than what I like to pay for clothes but I had a gift card so I did not spend much out of pocket.  

Old Navy is another favorite.  Currently, they are running a 50% off clearance prices.  I was able to find clothing for my eight year old at rock bottom prices. Shirts for $3 and $4. Capris, jeans, and a denim skirt for $4 each.  Woman's shorts were $6 and I also found a hoodie sweatshirt for $5.  I am starting to track the 50% off sales they run.  So far I am finding Old Navy has the 50% off sale twice- once in January and Memorial Day Weekend.

Happy Saving!

My Grocery List For This Week

Albertson's

Michelinas Frozen Meals .50 each  ($1/5 coupon)  $1.50

Quilted Northern Bath Tissue $4.99

2 boxes Fiber One Bars $2.50 each (.50/ 2 ) $4.50

2  Betty Crocker Muffin Mix $2 each   (.50/ 1)  $3.50

2 Betty Crocker cookie mix $2 each (.40/1) $3.60  

2 Totinos Pizza Rolls $1.50 each (.35/1) $2.65

2 Hershey Brownie Mix $2 each (.75/2) $3.25

1 Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters $2.50 (.50/1) $2.00

Total:  $25.99  I will get a $5 off coupon for my next purchase 

Second Transaction:

3 pounds of ground beef $1.87/pound  $5.61

Use $5 off coupon I received from the first transaction

Total out of pocket : $.61

I will end up donating some of this stuff for our food pantry at church.  

Vons

Bag of frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $5.88

Yoplait 8 pack yogurt after store coupon $3.29 (.40/6) Vons doubles up to $1   $2.49

4 bags of Cheetos $1.29 each  $5.16 (I am stocking up for my daughters birthday party)

4 boxes Life cereal $1each  $4 

Breyers Ice Cream $2.50 each

Cherub Tomatoes $2.50 each (.55/1) coupon doubles to $1  $1.50

Total:  $21.53

I will also end up making a trip to Ralphs to pick up some extras to round out my menu plan.  My plan is to spend $25 at Ralphs.  That would make my total for the week at $73.13.  I also plan on using approximately $10 and make a trip to CVS to stock up on some toiletries and diapers.  

After all is said and done I plan on spending $83.13.

Price Points

I have had several people ask about "price points" for grocery items I buy.  Price points are the prices I look for when shopping.  These are also what I would call my rock bottom prices. 

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.99 per pound

Whole Chicken- .69 per pound

Chicken Breasts(bone-in)- .99 per pound 

Jennie-O Ground Turkey $1.99 per 20 oz. package

Beef roast or steak $1.99 per pound

Milk- $2.39 per gallon

Apples/Oranges- $.99 per pound

Strawberries- .99 per small  container (I believe it is 16 oz)

Watermelon- .19 per pound

Cereal- .99 per box

Granola bars- .99-$1.50 (I dont buy these that often.  I generally make my own)

These prices reflect non organic items.   Also, these are prices I look for at Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons.   

Happy Saving!

Mothers Day Gift

I received a flyer in the mail for a sale going on at Zales Jewelry Stores.  You can probably find one of these stores in your local mall.  My local mall has one. (I went to the mall and discovered in fact my local mall does not have one, even when the Zales website said there was one.) Anyway, they have a necklace advertised at $19.99 that has a retail price of $119.  One thing I do not know is the quality of the necklace.  To me, it is worth the risk that I will get to the store and decide to pass.  The sale starts Thursday April 29  and ends on Sunday May 2.  If you are interested I would suggest going there on Thursday as the flyer did mention "while supplies last".

Happy Saving!

Toys R Us Deals

I wanted to make you aware of a couple really good deals at Toys R Us this week.  There are select lego set for 50% off.  There is even a set of Thomas the Tank Duplos on sale.  Also, select Bionicles are also on sale for 50% off.  Those items rarely go on sale for that amount off.  If it's in your budget, it is a great time to stock up on some gifts.  You can go here to see the ad.  Click the middle right tab that says "Find these super deals in store".

One other item to highlight that I found over at hip2save is Toys R Us has a 50% off sale on select Leapfrog Fridge Toys.  You can go here and sign in or register to print a coupon for $5 off any fridge toy magnet.  The final price would be $4.99.  These make great gifts. 

Restaurants Dot Com

My first restaurants.com certificate was recently purchased for an Italian restaurant in my area called La Toscana.  The gift certificate was $3 (after a 70% discount).  I had heard of restaurants.com before but was reluctant to buy a gift certificate because I had never eaten at any of the restaurants listed.  I was also unsure how it worked.  I did not have to wait for something to be mailed to me.  No waiting as I was able to print the certificate immediately.   Until April 22 nd  you can snag 70% off using code FEAST when checking out.

With the certificate in hand my family and I headed out to dinner.

La Toscana was quaint with only having seating for approximately 30 people.   The food was good.   Service was slow and very laid back.  The kids' meals were a bit pricey and did not come with drinks.  Hubby's and my food was excellent.  We shared a meal and it was plenty for us.  I ordered two kids meals for all four kids to share.  My oldest was still hungry after finishing hers.  That worked out fine because my son did not want to finish his.  So oldest kiddo finished her brothers meal.   Including the cost of the certificate, tax and tip the total bill came to $20.54.  That is exactly what I like to pay when all of us eat out.  All in all it was a good experience and Hubby and I want to go back on a date.  

One thing to mention is for this particular restaurant, there was a minimum amount that had to be spent and an 18% tip was included in the bill.  I thought 18% was a little steep for the service we received but I understand why they do that.  

Lowe's Build and Grow Program

I ventured out by myself with all four kiddos this morning to Lowes for their Build and Grow activity.  I have heard about this many times but never got around to signing the kids up for one of the workshops.  It is entirely free and they supply everything for the project.  Today's project was a planter.  Lowe's even provided soil and tomato seeds. Originally I only signed up the two older kids but once we got there the three year old felt left out.  I did all the work for her and allowed her to hammer the nails a bit.  It was a little crazy as I was trying to help all three kids and read the directions.  But the kids really enjoyed it and were excited to keep the aprons, safety goggles and receive a patch they can put on their aprons.   The kids and I will venture out to the class being offered on May 1st that is a school house.  If you are interested in signing up for a class you can go here.

A kind lady offered to take this picture while 

we were standing in line to receive our soil and seeds.