I've been working on a project, the past few months. I wanted to see how much money I can save by shopping at Aldi's, Save-A-Lot, the local Dollar Stores and the Salvation Army Thrift Store. As opposed to using Coupons at our Local Grocery Stores, which can mark up products to about 300%, the ones that I have mentioned above in the second sentence, only mark prices up to 15%, over retail value.

Now, most think you can save money by couponing on major Grocery Store sales, you can, but they still make a huge profit on the margin of mark ups.

You can't use coupons at Aldi's or the Dollar Store, but you can use them at Save-A-Lot and the Thrift Store. Let me explain...

I went to Aldi's and Save-A-Lot and bought groceries, same as the amount of what I get at the major Stores. Even without the use of coupons, I scored comparable groceries for a lot less than what I would at the major Grocery stores, with their sales and coupon use.

I do want to let you know that most of all the off brand products that they sell, are made by the same companies. They are just packaged differently and priced lower, for people to buy at a lower price. The food is still just as good, if not better tasting. Cheaper always tastes better!!!

Also, I wanted to see what I can get at the Dollar Store, for a cheaper price than our bigger Stores. There are several $ stores that stock up on Major Brands and also products that Hardware and some Retail stores sell. Amazing, you but the products for $1, as opposed to a few more bucks on a sale and use of coupons.

The local Thrift store, as most of you know, sells what people donate for a tax deduction or just out of the Goodness of their Hearts. The kids and I always donate at least twice a year, but never shopped there. We walked in and I was thoroughly impressed. It was like a Giant Garage sale. All the product were in new or gently used condition. Many of us have gone to Garage and Yard sales, but at the thrift store, all the money goes to a Good Cause. A big Bonus is, for every $50 you spend there, you get a $5 off coupon for your next shopping Visit.

I did save a lot of money, not buying several papers weekly for my coupon booklets and also saved on Gas, not running to several stores using Coupons hitting all the Major Grocery Store Chain sales.

Now, I'm not trying to knock down my own blog, but I do want to find deals for all of my readers. I still want you to shop where you feel most comfortable and save money, but I want to pose a CHALLENGE to all my readers....

My CHALLENGE is: for 1-3 months, I want you to shop at Aldi's, Save-A-Lot, the Local $1 Store and local Thrift Stores. I want to read your posts on here and share with other readers, your savings. I want a comparable Price from place to place and let us all know your savings. Good luck Shopping!!!

Are you up to the Challenge?

This will be posted on Face Book as well, so if you're more comfortable Posting on there, Your more than Welcome!!!

Hello, everyone!!! Hope you are all out enjoying the Beautiful weather :).

    I'm sorry I haven't posted a new blog yet, the kids & I were Planting our garden. We are burned up like Beets, but have at least one more week of getting the yard and the rest of the garden settled for the season. New thing I am trying out this year is the Upside Down planter. Wow, it is working like a CHARM. I would suggest you give it a try, if your squeezed in on space. What I found that really works is: Miracle Grow Canadian Peat Moss. It retains moisture for the roots of your plants, even on the HOTTEST of days. Love it and recommend it to you, if your going to start a small patch of Garden. 

    When we are done, I plan on trying to get the blog going. I haven't yet tried a new video clip yet, so when I do, I'll post it for you. Thanks everyone and please stay hydrated in the heat. :) CHERYL

Healing and Coming back!!!

O.k., everyone.... Got a lot done over the past 2-3 weeks. Getting a whole new furnace and getting our systems back to breathing healthy, all of us are doing better. I'm hoping to get the blog running within the next 2 weeks. Thanks for being patient, while we are trying to heal here.

Hope all of you were working on your small stockpiles. Good rule of thumb, is to have 2 or more months of food, water and toiletries on hand, in your household. If you have a big Family, make sure you have enough to provide for all of them. You never know what can happen, from job loss to natural disaster.... Better be safe then sorry. The government recommends 2-3 days of stockpile, but if you need to get by for an extended period of time, make sure you have more.

First recommendation is: Clean WATER. Your body can last long without food, but you need liquid to survive. You can have anything from water bottles to the Gallon size jugs you buy at the local supermarket. I pick the latter, the plastic is food grade and will keep the water clean for years and will not seep the harmful chemicals that aren't good for your body. Used pop & juice containers, are good too. The water will last for a good amount of time. If you plan on using the water that sat for a couple of years, make sure you put 6-8 drops of bleach in there and wait a period of 3 or more hours before use.

Happy Couponing and See you all soon, CHERYL:)

This weeks Grocery deals 3-26-12

    I am sorry, I didn't get this weeks blog out. A lot of things had occurred, so it was hard to worry about writing one for this week.
    First, I didn't get to go through the coupons, as I normally do. A lot of sorting and weeding out, still has to be done. Then, I have to separate the booklets and clip those coupons. 
    Second, I threw my back out and I was hurting really bad, for two days. 
    Third, I had the D.T.E. come out and check on my furnace. They shut down the gas, saying it was too far gone. It wasn't until she wrote up the paper work, that she told me there was a large hole in the first intake. Well, needless to say the last two days, I had to get a contractor out to inspect the furnace. I had them explain what was going on, if anything, and worry about getting a new one put in. So after all the exhaustive research and getting a HVAC man out here, I've learned that we did have a large hole in the furnace. He did show me the residue from the Carbon Monoxide, that was coming up through the intake and also spotted more holes, that the D.T.E. tech did not see. So, this is why we were all sick, the past few weeks. I am HAPPY that it didn't get to a point, where my whole FAMILY, ended up dead.
    I always say, "Things happen for a reason" and I am glad that our Guardian Angels, took time out and SAVED OUR LIVES. I know now that, even when your feeling at your worst, people still care and someone is always looking out for you. 
    I will get back to the blog, for next week. I didn't want you to think I forgot about you, I'm still here, but I have to get to clipping and sorting again. THANK YOU ALL for still following my Blog, it is very much appreciated!!!
    Enjoy the rest of your week- CHERYL :)