What did you do to save money this week (2/4/07)?

[katerkat]

I don't know how long you've been commissary shopping, but in case you haven't seen one, every few months they have a "case lot sale". I've seen them set up in the parking lot or on the sidewalk in front of the store.

I was going to say the same thing - at our base, the case lots sales are May and September - and people line up EARLY for the good stuff. I remember fairly large two-packs of Heinz at all the ones I've gone too. And I've been working through a case of shampoo and conditioner for almost three years - good deal for $13 total!!

Today I bought a peacoat for 50% off the original price - a good deal because it'll be cold enough for it for a bit longer this winter!! I needed a nice winter coat anyway, and even though I loved the burgundy fabric, I went with boring grey to match more clothing.

 

[carissanboys]

I don't know how long you've been commissary shopping, but in case you haven't seen one, every few months they have a "case lot sale".

Yes, I've seen these advertised, but haven't attended one yet. I'll have to do that next time.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I was going to say the same thing - at our base, the case lots sales are May and September - and people line up EARLY for the good stuff. I remember fairly large two-packs of Heinz at all the ones I've gone too. And I've been working through a case of shampoo and conditioner for almost three years - good deal for $13 total!!

Today I bought a peacoat for 50% off the original price - a good deal because it'll be cold enough for it for a bit longer this winter!! I needed a nice winter coat anyway, and even though I loved the burgundy fabric, I went with boring grey to match more clothing.

I see you're in "eastern WA", I wonder if we're at the same base... I won't say what it is, though, in case you don't want it out there.

 

[happypooh]

I just returned $160 of things that were really good buys at Macy's (ralph lauren pants for $6, cords for $2.50 etc) but were things we really didn't need. Also did the CVS thing and although I spent $72 I got a $25 gift certificate and $27 in ECB so really only spent $20 (or at least trying to get my mind to think I only spent $20!) and then found some great foam art racing car projects at Michaels for $1 each (reduced from $8) for my son's Car's theme birthday party today! I made the cake too (only have to frost it - pray I can get the red icing to look red and not pink!) so I figure I saved some just on the cake and am making my own hor d'ovres instead of buying them (figure I save $20 there on that part of the menu.)
Still have stuff to return at Target, Gap, Childrens place and JC penney so hope to get another $80 back at least - wow impulse buying is so bad for one's budget!

 

[ducklite]

Today is Day 27 of the IPCEO! I figure I've saved well over $500 and I've lost nine pounds!

As of right now I've got no plans on even leaving the house today. I'm going to get the house squeaky-clean, and then do some writing--which makes me money. And maybe I'll get around to putting some thing up on ebay.

My son has two pair of DIckies work pants that he wore once each before deciding he didn't like the way they felt--any idea what I should put them up for? I've done a lot of buying but not much selling on ebay. I've also got some cosmetics and skin care stuff that was given to me that I don't want that I'm going to sell off.

Anne

 

[OceanAnnie]

I've also got some cosmetics and skin care stuff that was given to me that I don't want that I'm going to sell off. Anne

Health and beauty stuff sells pretty well on ebay. I do my own highlights and had a ton of conditioner left over from the highlighting kits. They sold! I had also only used the highlight part of a two part kit. The all over color (1/2 of the kit) sold! I was surprised.

 

[DisneyMomJen]

I returned 5 items to Lord & Taylor that I purchased right after Christmas on sale for a total of approximately $250 (yes I know expensive, but it is a designer that I love, Lilly Pulitzer, and I know I should not have purchased in the first place). Since I have been reading this thread for the past month and am in a SUPER saving mode, I figured I would have them taken off of my Visa and use Gift Cards that I had for $125. I asked the sales woman if I could return them and repurchase them using my gift cards. Sure! The items had gone down further in price for a total of $12 out of pocket after GC's. $238 savings!!!

We have gone through the whole week without any takeout which is really amazing! I also spent very little at the grocery store this week (maybe $30 at the most) since the sales were not that good and we have been stocked up from the previous weeks with all of the grocery deals. One of my DSIL called at 5:15 last night to see if we wanted to meet at a local restaurant. I REALLY wanted to. but knew it would be at least $50. We did not go, I had my parents over and made DiGiorno pizzas, shrimp cocktail and Bruschetta for probably about a total of $8 (the pizzas were almost free with coupons). This was for 8 people!

I really am surprised at how well I have been doing this past month, especially when I call in to see what my Visa balance is for the month (I pay it off every month). I am great bargain shopper, my goal in grocery shopping is to try to get the item as close to $0 as possible. I guess I can do better just by questioning whatever I am buying - "Do we really need this?" - especially with clothing and not doing the takeout a few times a week.

 

[ducklite]

I guess I can do better just by questioning whatever I am buying - "Do we really need this?" - especially with clothing and not doing the takeout a few times a week.

I've been doing that as well. I'm getting to the point where I do need to replace on of the pairs of chino's I wear to work. But I'm pretty set on one style from one place, and unfortunately they run $100 for the pair, and never go on sale. The good thing is that they've got an ongoing "spend $2000 and get a $100 GC" promo. So at least I'm working towards that. These pants usually last me three plus years of weekly wearing, and never need ironing, and are incredibly comfy, so to me, spending the $100 is a bargain over spending $30 on a pair at Old Navy, having them last one year, and having to iron them after each washing. When I think in those terms, the more expensive pair really is a bargain.

I'm also in pretty desperate need of a pair of loafers, the ones I've got are about 2.5 years old and have been worn into thier grave. but I HATE shopping for shoes. It seems that I never find anything anymore. I've got balance problems and can't wear certain types of heels, a high arch so can't wear certain styles, a low heel bone so again can't wear certain styles, and need a rear strap on any sandals that aren't a thong style--but thong sandals bother me to wear for any length of time or a lot of walking. :::::heavy sigh:::::

Anne

 

[nzdisneymom]

I've been doing that as well. I'm getting to the point where I do need to replace on of the pairs of chino's I wear to work. But I'm pretty set on one style from one place, and unfortunately they run $100 for the pair, and never go on sale. The good thing is that they've got an ongoing "spend $2000 and get a $100 GC" promo. So at least I'm working towards that. These pants usually last me three plus years of weekly wearing, and never need ironing, and are incredibly comfy, so to me, spending the $100 is a bargain over spending $30 on a pair at Old Navy, having them last one year, and having to iron them after each washing. When I think in those terms, the more expensive pair really is a bargain.

Anne

OK Anne - you can't tell us about these pants and NOT tell us what brand / style they are.

 

[ducklite]

OK Anne - you can't tell us about these pants and NOT tell us what brand / style they are.

Oh sorry! Eileen Fisher is the brand/designer--you'll find the prices, fit, and quality comparable to Ralph Lauren. In other words the price is a good value for the level of quality, and the clothes are cut for curves not sticks. Even as a size 6 with a super low BMI I'm curvy, it's the way God made me! I love the casual elegance of her designs, and have found that they are extremely versatile!

www.eileenfisher.com

Here's a direct link to the pants--and the price has gone up to $118. Still worth it IMHO. As long as you take them out of the dryer and hang them up, they do'nt need ironing. I've got long legs and a short waist and I like the way they fit in the rise, and because they are ankle length, they don't look like floodwaters on me like a lot of other chino's do.

The stone is actually a little more light tan than it looks online.

Anne

 

[maggiew]

I made the cake too (only have to frost it - pray I can get the red icing to look red and not pink!)

If you want it to look red and not pink, I recommend you get the red icing colors from a cake decorating area (like Michaels or JoAnns). They are made by Wilton I think. I don't think you will be able to get the red color by using those little red food dye things (like you might use to color eggs at Easter). You would need to add WAY too much and that will change the consistancy of the icing.

I decorate cakes as a hobby. The icing colors from Wilton are more of a thick paste or glue like consistency and so are more concentrated. One small tub isn't very expensive either.

Maggie

 

[carissanboys]

I went to the commissary this morning (once again with the 3 boys...can't wait until my dh comes home!). I spent $100, but $27 of that was for 3 Pur filters for my faucet. I filter our water that way and keep two pitchers in the fridge instead of buying bottled water (those 3 filters should last me about 9 months). I bought a lot of items that I can use to make large quantities of things. As time goes on and I start stockpiling and learning more about the best prices at which places, I know I'll spend a lot less on groceries (and once my husband can watch the boys while I shop!).

This morning I made a big batch of spaghetti sauce to freeze. I'm also soaking some beans that I'm going to cook later so that I can make a big batch of baked beans and then freeze in individual containers. I mixed up some powdered milk to use in cooking (I'm really not sure powdered milk is going to save me much money since I can buy a gallon at the commissary for $1.65). I'm going to make some homemade granola bars instead of buying them. I also plan on making some bread in the bread machine.

I started doing some research online about container gardening. I'd like to start growing my own veggies and herbs in containers on my front patio. I have a black thumb though so I really want to do my research and read up on it. I'm tempted to buy a book on it, but there's so much info on the web that I shouldn't need to. And there's always the library.

I cooked up some mini meatloafs for dinner tonight and made a regular meatloaf at the same time to freeze. I'm looking forward to the grocery game list coming out tomorrow!

 

[ducklite]

I just started another bunch of seeds for pot tomatoes. Total cost $1.89 and I"ll have more tomatoes than I know what to do with.

I also grow basil in a pot on my windowsill. Water it once a week, cut off leave as needed for pizza and whatever.

Both couldn't be easier. I'm thinking about growing red peppers in a pot this pring as well.

Anne

 

[lisaross]

i had something to return at Kohls and knew if i went in, i'd probably come out with something, so instead staying home in the warm house and making dnr - so i'm saving there as well because i'd probably be too tied to cook if i ran out to do errands.................

lisa

 

[samanthacatangel]

So, today I cut my dryer sheets in half.

I changed the large kitchen size garbage bag in my small bathroom garbage to a (free) plastic bag from the supermarket that I bag my groceries in.

I sent my DH to Costco, and he only came back with the 2 things on the list. This alone easily saved me over $200, as I always walk in with the best intentions and a list, but always stray. Don't know why - I am pretty good at sticking to the list at the supermarket.

Samantha

 

[lisaross]

So, today I cut my dryer sheets in half.

I changed the large kitchen size garbage bag in my small bathroom garbage to a (free) plastic bag from the supermarket that I bag my groceries in.

I sent my DH to Costco, and he only came back with the 2 things on the list. This alone easily saved me over $200, as I always walk in with the best intentions and a list, but always stray. Don't know why - I am pretty good at sticking to the list at the supermarket.

Samantha

I'm from Staten Island as well..............

lisa

 

[brookelizabeth]

I went grocery shopping and saved over $30 by using store coupons and coupons I printed off the internet (coupons.com). I was so excited, as my DH and I unpacked the groceries I kept spouting off the discounts I got on every item.

I put an item up on eBay (500 TC white sheets), DH and I got it for a wedding present, but we have so many sets of sheets already...these are BEAUTIFUL sheets and sooooooooo soft, but the color isn't ideal for us. I couldn't find where the gift was bought to exchange. I have quite a few items I need to get up on eBay, and we decided that any money we made there would go directly toward paying off debt.

Hit the local DollarTree, only bought what I needed-tissue paper for gifts, Kleenex and some Drain-O. Then exchanged some towels we also got as a gift (again, too many towels, wrong color) at Wal*Mart-they would only give me a gift card, so unfortunatly I bought the rest of my list there so I could use up the gift card. Didn't find any bargins, but only bought what was on my list (acutally less than what was on my list-couldn't find a few items!).

Question about Wal*Mart: have their prices gone up A LOT in the recent years? I used to shop there regularly when I was in college and for a few years after-then stopped due to me disagreeing with a lot of what the store does-now, in the little town I live in-sometimes Wal*Mart is the only option for items, or the only store open. Whenever I go in there, I feel like it's just a rip-off-they preach low-prices, but almost everything I buy seems more expensive, or just as expensive as any other store. And I glanced at the clothing, wow! $25 - $30 for a SHIRT? I get better deals at Macy's and JC Penny! Just wondering if it's this Wal*Mart, or if it's a theme throughout the chain?

I also started putting together our monthly budget, it needs a bit more work, but I have a very good start on it!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Today I saved by doing some mending myself. DH's suit pants had the hem come loose in one leg. I had planned to take it to the Alterations shop I use for my TKD uniforms, but instead decided to hem them myself. Not too bad of a job, and definitely saved a few dollars. He also had lost the collar button off one of his good shirts and was going to just give the shirt to Goodwill. I showed him where the spare buttons are sewn on the shirts so I was able to take the spare collar button and put it on for him, so now he still has the shirt to wear.

Spent most of the morning in DS#1's bedroom (and yes, i survived!). I'm waiting now for the carpet to dry from shampooing and then I'll start loading stuff back in, but in the meanwhile I have a decent size stack of books that the boys don't want any more - trying to decide if I'll consign them, half.com them or what. Some I will give to the school and some hand-me-down to a friend, but the others I would like to at least see if I can get something for.

What do y'all do with books?

 

[brookelizabeth]

What do y'all do with books?

I half.com 'em. I had only three in my inventory, for about a month and then one of those finally sold.

I like half.com when I have lots of random books/movies/CD's to sell because you don't really have to watch it like eBay, and it doesn't cost to list or let them sit out there.

Speaking of which, DH and I have quite a few movies and CD's we don't really use anymore...hmm...

 

[carissanboys]

I usually donate books to the library. I figure it's a worthy cause. But I have a bunch of homeschool/education books that I want to get rid of and I'm thinking of using half.com.