Because most people have the whole day off from work on Christmas Eve, it’s expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Some 23 million shoppers are expected to be out there rounding up gifts today. But the recipients don’t need to know you waited until the last minute to buy their presents, do they?
supermarket
223 Tips: Snag Freebies, Save Money, Salvage Food About to Spoil, Get Your Adult Kid Out of the House, and More
This week’s links cover topics ranging from school fundraisers that aren’t worth your time (and don’t raise much money), to resources for finding the best Black Friday deals, to effective, low-effort, low-cost ways to clean the bathroom.
Food Is Way Cheaper Today, Relatively Speaking
From the 1950s to the 2000s, the amount of money a family spent on food roughly increased by a factor of five, from $1,130 to $5,347 annually. During this same time frame, average family income has increased more than tenfold, from $4,237 to $50,302.
Q&A: America’s Cheapest Family Reveals How to ‘Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half’
Steve and Annette Economides have five kids and a monthly food bill that totals a mere $350. How do they do it? Among other things, through lots and lots of planning, strategic buying in bulk, utilization of their freezer, pantry, and Ziploc bags, and the occasional purchase of something called a chub.
Supermarket Scene: Shopping Baskets (Not Carts) Filled with Cheap Store Brands
According to a recent survey, 93% of grocery store shoppers say their habits have changed due to the recession. For the most part, the changes involve people choosing cheaper brands for necessities like shampoo and cereal (often generic store-brand products). Many shoppers are also simply buying less period, and to force themselves to do …
Shout Out: ShopSmart Mag’s ‘Supermarket Smarts’
The September 2010 issue has a feature detailing 50 or so tips for saving on groceries, rounded up with the help of bargain-shopping experts and coupon aficionados.
Q&A: 100 Days, $100 for Food, and Lots and Lots of Coupons
This week, a blogger successfully completed a self-imposed challenge: For 100 days, he allotted himself a daily allowance of $1 for food. To fill in the gaps (and his belly), he used coupons—ones available to anybody in Sunday newspapers and the Internet—and he used them creatively, at one point using a coupon to buy tampons in order …
Big Expansion for Grocery Outlet, a Favorite among Frugal Foodies in the West
The store’s nickname may be “Gross Out,” but fans swear by the chain for its great values and decent selection of fresh produce, meats, and dairy products. Like other discount supermarkets, the tradeoff at Grocery Outlet is cheaper prices but less selection—”like a blend of a dollar store and Trader Joe’s,” in one observer’s opinion.
8 Ways to Teach Kids about Money
Before scaring them with concepts like debit card overdrafts and bank foreclosure, you can start by taking them shopping and making them aware that advertising exists to try and part fools with their money.
What You Get at Discount Supermarkets: Fewer Choices, Better Prices
Grocery stores such as Aldi and Save-A-Lot offer a tradeoff that plenty of shoppers can live with: Compared to a standard supermarket, they stock far fewer products, but, compared to a standard supermarket, shopping there can save you a ton of money.
It’s a Deal: $5 Off $25 Purchase at Save-A-Lot Food Stores
Sign up to receive e-mails with deals and promotions from discount supermarket Save-A-Lot, and you’ll receive a coupon knocking $5 off your next purchase of $25 or more (thanks Buxr).
Round-up: 82 Money Saving Tips
Strategies for saving at the supermarket and the warehouse membership store, for cutting expenses in retirement and returning items that aren’t up to snuff—and also for snooping on your spendthrift spouse.
