Watch the register

I love Target, but sometimes it seems their scanners are wrong. Today it paid off to be observant.

Target cereal bars were on substitute special for $1.75 because whatever was supposed to be on sale was not available. We are running out of cereal bars, and this is a fair price. Its about what I pay at TJs and Harris Teeter.

I remembered the price reduction and when the salesclerk rang up, it came up as the regular price of $2.19. I told her immediately it was a sale and gave her the price. She just overrode the price and gave me the reduced rate.

So, you are thinking...wow Mary, you saved a whopping 44 cents. Big deal. You are right, its not a big deal in today's universe, but in the grand scheme of things, these 44 cents add up. The point being, watch when your salesclerk rings up items and don't be afraid to speak up. It can save you money!

Just remember to always be polite and don't take the malfunction out on the clerk.

Coming later this week: suggest sites from a reader in Georgia and another in PA.

A good shopping day...

Wow, I am sorry. I started this post Friday night and no idea where the time has gone. I know I have been slammed recently and the next week is not likely to be any better, but hope once this insanity dies down, I can get back to regular posts.

So FRIDAY was a good shopping day. First, I learned that Bed, Bath & Beyond lets you double dip coupons. Meaning, if you have one from them for $5 off and another thats 20% off, as long as you have two items (or more) you can use both coupons. Before when I tried this they always told me either or.

I did some serious (well as much serious as you can with a toddler) shopping at Target. I saved receipt to do some comparison pricing with the other generic brands. I was disappointed though, their cereal bars are about 50 cents more than Trader Joes. Yes, you get two more, but not worth it to me...at least not yet.

I also returned my aluminum foil. For whatever reason they sell 50 sf of foil for the same price as 75 sf. So exchanged my 50 for 75. They were fine about it, since I had receipt. Another example of how it is important to always save receipts.

Costco came in super handy as well. Was able to buy Word 2007 for a project I am beginning in the next few weeks, and it was about $30 less than what I would pay at Staples or Office Depot.

Finally, on Sunday, Nov. 1, I made a resolution. This time next year we will be living someplace else. I am going to scrimp and save as much as I can to make that possible because our 800sf of love is just too small for an active toddler. And its not fair to him.

Hope you all had a nice Halloween.

Costco vs...Round 1

In the baby category, at least diapers and wipes (and NOT the aforemnetioned clothes), Costco loses big.

Target sells 704 wipes for about $11. Costco sells 900 wipes for $18.

Costco diapers are under $40, but since they are like Huggies -- so says a very trusted reader -- they won't work for us, because Huggies leaks (I still love their new commercial though with the running Dad) we will stick with Diapers.com.

*** Target adendum

Yesterday I talked about saving my TJs receipt, or I should say not saving it. For the last week or so I have been saving a Target receipt because I *knew* I was overcharged for aluminum foil.

As I was shopping during my trip in peace, I calculated in my head how much everything was going to cost in the end. I read that 50 feet of Target foil was $1.79 (or so). But when I got home, I noticed I had been charged $2.69. Today I went back and checked. Turns out the 75 feet foil is $2.69. I must have the 75 feet option? When I got home I checked. Nope, its 50 feet.

I'll let you know how that return trip goes. And since I ran out of foil tonight, chances are that trip will be sooner rather than later.

Frugality, yesterday's news?

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a nice weekend. Here in NoVa we were pretty much drowned rats.

Short post tonight.

First, saw this article today in Washington Post. Ironically I was just talking about this very issue with a girlfriend yesterday. I sincerely hope this is not the case.

On Saturday I had a rare trip to Target where I was not rushing around and did not have my son with me. Unfortunately it was 9:30 at night and not only was I exhausted from a long day of cabin fever inside our 800 sf of love with a sick hubby and a rambunctious monkey, the store was just about to close at 10, so I didn't have that much time. What I noticed though really surprised me.

For example, Yoplait yogurt is regularly .52, this is significantly cheaper than all the grocery stores I have shopped in. Some will have this as a sale price, but not a regular price.

Target brand tomatoes, the ones I would use make pasta, are less than $1!

There were others too, but I can't remember. There were also much more expensive items as well.

Bottom line, I have decided I need to plan a trip to Target sans son and not up against a time clock, so that I can really examine their prices more closely. I might have to make it one of my must stops.

Following up on last week's Magruder post, I did receive my coupon today for $1 gallon of milk. Also in the same post, I talked about reusing my green peppers from a Chinese delivery order for pasta sauce and Shepard's pie. The verdict: can't tell the difference. I washed off all the kung pao sauce and both items turned out great.

Finally, I off tomorrow to visit my old roommates for a few days. They are doing super loud construction here and not only can my son not nap, but I can't think. I will have sporadic Internet access. I am going to try to post while away, but if not, that's the reason.

The Master List

This is a list of where I buy my staples and how much I pay for them. I will update this list regularly, and list the update 'date' below, as well as mark new items with an asterick.

UPDATE >>> Sept. 25, 2009

Bananas .19/each -- Trader Joe's
Chix Breast 5 lbs $10 -- Harris Teeter (when they have their BOGO sale, about once every six weeks or so)
Coffee 39 oz Ground $5.69 -- Target
Eggs (12 Large) 1.19 -- Trader Joe's
Ground Beef 90/10 -- Wegman's (must buy in bulk, minimum 6 lbs)
Half & Half (Lucerne) $3.99 1/2 gallon -- Safeway
Pizza Dough (TJ brand) .99 -- Trader Joe's
Whole Wheat Spaghetti $1.29 -- Trader Joe's
Yogurt (Lucerne) .50/each -- Safeway