So, this past week, I was reading about the SNAP challenge from Panera's CEO. Given the challenge does illustrate a few things such as this guy should not be allowed to shop for himself on a budget.. ever. He bought crazy items that - yeah would not go far to keeping one full.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=732006746824789&set=o.339795970622&type=1&theater¬if_t=wall
Spanish olive oils, lentils and chickpeas?
So, I decided I would help those less fortunate, not by going hungry but by informing.
Let's get real up close and personal. You see, I was a daughter of a multimillionaire in the 80s.. Then he passed and I was penniless due to the greed of my family and his business partner. I lived in despair. I survived by my wits. I lived in the ghetto, barrio and such. I made my way back up (with education) to a 6 figure salary within a decade of completing my Bachelors. However, I am not a waster and I only work a few months out of the year full time. The rest of the year, I spend homeschooling my children, writing, creating Droid apps and with my family.
So, here is my SNAP CHALLENGE.
If I would be so blessed as to have 31.50 a week per person for 4 people... in a month, that would be something in the neighborhood of 500 a month. That is a lot of money.
I know food stamp people get free lunches. The school my children attended didn't know what to do with me because my children were not eligible and every single child in that school but mine were eligible for food stamps (we lived on the college campus). After years of struggling as a single parent of 3, I can definitely show you how to make the most of your SNAP benefit.
SNAP Challenge - Eating awesome for 31.50 per person per week.
Example: Family of 4 = $126 for the week (are you serious? That is an obscene amount of food)
504/month
$140
Walmart Cost = approx $ (some here do not charge tax on food - San Tan Valley(for sure) and Mesa(?)) See if you can find one that doesn't charge tax near you.
(3) 10 lb bag of Potatoes (ad match) $4.50
1 Gallon Oil - 7.36
6 dozen eggs $6 (albertsons, ad match or walgreens)
36 pack Ramen $6 (ad match)
10 Avocados $2 (ad match)
2 pk Radish .50 (ad match)
6 head lettuce $2 (ad match)
Cabbage approx. 6lbs $4(ad match)
6 bags Mini Peeled Carrots $6 (ad match)
Mini Onions in jar $1.99
9lbs Fresh Brown or yellow onion $3 (ad match)
Split Chicken Breasts 10 lbs @.99lb (Bashas or Smart/Final ad match) $10.00
Beef Back Ribs 10lbs @.99lb (Pros ad match) $10
10 Milk 1/2 gallon (safeway ad match) @$1 each = $10
Store saltines 6 boxes (ad match) = $6
10 Powerade .59 = 5.90
5 boxes of Taco shells = $6
1 20lb bag of rice = $10
25lb bag Flour $8
10 lb bag sugar $5.48
45 oz margarine $4
3 Sour Cream = $3 or Mexican Creama (yum!) $3
Olives = $3
Tortillas = $3
Refried Beans $1
$5 more in fruits or veg
Roma Tomatoes (ad match) 9lbs = $3 or Red Tomatoes 9lbs for $4.50
Here is the trick with the tomatoes - simple you could have figured it out or have... here goes anyway - get tomatoes that are ripe and not ripe.
Approx $100
Sams Club (get a membership or ride a complimentary _ *Students, military get $15 card after membership sign up - tell them you are student or military. )
10lb box of frozen 1/4lb patties = $28
2 BOXES Breaded cod fillets (40 fillets)- $24
Mushrooms = $5
Coleslaw mix - $3
5lb block Cheese = $11
2lb block Colby Cheese = $6
Box of pasta - elbow macaroni = $6
12 bags Frozen Veg - $10
5lb bag peas or some other frozen veg = $6
That's $240. That is a TON of food for the month. This leaves approx $260
So, now, you can get a sandwich pack for $8 at Sams and bread for 4 = $12 for a treat each week.
48 dollars which leaves approx. $190
Here's your menu. To make it simple eat the same type of items each week just as an example.
Remember to eat veggies with your food. So - Salad or veg pack works.
Week 1
Chicken Chicken Fish Burger Tacos Pasta/Casserole Sandwiches
1 lb 1lb 8 fillet 4 4 or 1lb 4 or 1lb
Rice Potatoes rice bread taco shells pasta bag
Week 2
Chicken Chicken Fish Meatloaf Tacos Salad Pasta/Casserole Sandwiches
1 lb 1lb 8 fillet 4 4 or 1lb 4 or 1lb
Rice Potatoes rice bread tortilla pasta bag
Week3
Chicken Chicken Fish Burger tostadas Pasta/Casserole Sandwiches
1 lb 1lb 8 fillet 4 4 or 1lb 4 or 1lb
Rice Potatoes rice bread tortilla pasta bag
Week 4
Chicken Chicken Fish Burger 7 layer dip Spaghetti Sandwiches
1 lb 1lb 8 fillet 4 4 or 1lb 4 or 1lb
Rice Potatoes rice bread chips/tortilla pasta bag
Left with 2lbs of Chicken
Left with 2lbs of Hamburger
Left with 8 fillets
Some quick dinners.
1. chicken in a crockpot - use broth to make a soup
2. fish tacos are an option
3. Chicken with rice and cabbage/veg to make asian dish
4. Burgers or meatloaf or even shepherd's pie
5. Taco or tostada night !
6. Pasta or casserole dish
7. Sandwiches or whatever $12 treat
Breakfasts - eggs, cheese, milk and you still have like 190 dollars which amounts to about 50 a week more for other stuff.
I mean, let's get real. It really is more than enough if you stretch it.
The problem I think and I see around here is this:
At the beginning of the month people tend to get their food SNAP benefits through about the middle of the month. You see them with their multiple full baskets. Sometimes kids will eat a lot if a parent is working. So, getting food they can easily eat could be a challenge in keeping food in the house.
Solution I found with consuming is - don't get easy to cook items like burritos, corn dogs, sandwich meat or even a roast (yeah... they ate a pot roast for a snack one day).
What I did was get some frozen dinners and let them put their names on it and just have those if they were going out or missing dinner or I was exhausted from work.
To be honest, before I had a mother's helper, all I gave them was frozen dinners.
If you want to go that direction - you can get dinners for about $2 each.
7x2 = 14
14x4 = 56
56x4 = 224 dollars for dinners.
You still have 275 dollars for other food for the month....
There are a lot of options and ways to make the most out of your benefits or money, even without couponing.
Also, did you know that you can buy plants and seeds for planting with your SNAP. I heard that in Alaska you can buy a bow and arrow!
Plants would be great because you would have fresh food free... like parsley, rosemary, other items. I saw a website where you can grow potatoes, strawberries and mushrooms in buckets! Of course, mushroom picking or growing should be done with caution. I wouldn't do it.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Ad matching - Round 159 - Tips
Well, here it is, now there is a new policy at Walmart which has its advantages and disadvantages. They actually state in the new policy that it must be each for each and pound for pound matching on produce, etc.
Now, that being taken into consideration, Walmart is accepting competitor coupons that have a price included. For Arizonans, this means that the Fresh and Easy coupons can be used at Walmart. At least, this is what the clerk in Gilbert told me! I am very excited about that one.
Tip:
When you have a BOGO or Buy two get one - and the clerk needs to enter the cost, if that cost is around 4 dollars, the clerk will need to manually enter this as a vendor coupon.
Today, I went to Walmart to ad match Frys (Kroger) for Gillette and Secret products as that someone had already raided my Frys by 9am this morning. The coupons expired today so I could not play the "raincheck game".
Just as an FYI, there is some confusion about the "clarification" of the raincheck policy on Fry's Facebook page. According to the employee, only items in the ad can get a raincheck and if there is a coupon for the item, you cannot get a raincheck. That seems a bit odd. Then, the person stated you can use coupons with a raincheck. It's all so not worth the trouble when you ad match at Walmart or Target.
So, I purchased the Secret deoderant and had coupons for:
$1/2 secret
Buy 2 secret - get free secret spray
$2 off Gillette.
Well, the Gillette was ad matched for 1.99 and the $2 off coupons scanned fine (4 of them).
The System did not like the Free secret spray coupon because the value was too high. So, the clerk entered these as Vendor coupon. Since this was entered as a vendor coupon, the $1/2 Secret coupons scanned without any issue.
4 Gillette Body Wash
4 Secret Deoderant
2 Secret spray
$3 and change.
Now, at the Frys earlier today, I purchased
4 Old Spice Body Wash
8 Old Spice deoderants
for $8
Frys also took the $1 off 2 and the Buy one Old spice body wash, get one deoderant free.
In the past, I have always had issues combining coupons. However, today was an odd day for combinations!
Now, that being taken into consideration, Walmart is accepting competitor coupons that have a price included. For Arizonans, this means that the Fresh and Easy coupons can be used at Walmart. At least, this is what the clerk in Gilbert told me! I am very excited about that one.
Tip:
When you have a BOGO or Buy two get one - and the clerk needs to enter the cost, if that cost is around 4 dollars, the clerk will need to manually enter this as a vendor coupon.
Today, I went to Walmart to ad match Frys (Kroger) for Gillette and Secret products as that someone had already raided my Frys by 9am this morning. The coupons expired today so I could not play the "raincheck game".
Just as an FYI, there is some confusion about the "clarification" of the raincheck policy on Fry's Facebook page. According to the employee, only items in the ad can get a raincheck and if there is a coupon for the item, you cannot get a raincheck. That seems a bit odd. Then, the person stated you can use coupons with a raincheck. It's all so not worth the trouble when you ad match at Walmart or Target.
So, I purchased the Secret deoderant and had coupons for:
$1/2 secret
Buy 2 secret - get free secret spray
$2 off Gillette.
Well, the Gillette was ad matched for 1.99 and the $2 off coupons scanned fine (4 of them).
The System did not like the Free secret spray coupon because the value was too high. So, the clerk entered these as Vendor coupon. Since this was entered as a vendor coupon, the $1/2 Secret coupons scanned without any issue.
4 Gillette Body Wash
4 Secret Deoderant
2 Secret spray
$3 and change.
Now, at the Frys earlier today, I purchased
4 Old Spice Body Wash
8 Old Spice deoderants
for $8
Frys also took the $1 off 2 and the Buy one Old spice body wash, get one deoderant free.
In the past, I have always had issues combining coupons. However, today was an odd day for combinations!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Snackwells! Yum.
These were 3.29 at Frys.
Order 1:
Purchase 2 boxes of Snackwells Cereal bars.
Use $1/1 coupon. 2.29 ea.
Total = 4.58 OOP
Get $3 OYNO wyb 2.
Order 2:
Oscar Mayer hot dogs found on sale at certain Frys for $1.99.
Buy 5 packs of hot dogs for $9.95
If you have the Target Buy 3 get one free, even better!
Use $3 OYNO snackwells.
Pay $4.96 (approx)OOP
Get $4 OYNO.
Purchase 2 boxes of Snackwells Cereal bars.
Use $1/1 coupon. 2.29 ea.
Use $4 OYNO
Total = .58
Get $3 OYNO wyb 2.
You still have $3 OYNO to use also.
So for about $10 OOP (but you still have the $3 off you can use so $7) you can get 5 packages of hot dogs and 4 boxes of cereal bars.
This is not a great deal when you consider that in the past, cereal bars were either free or less than 10 cents before the recession.
However, this deal may work for you, if you like snackwells.
Remember, at some stores you can use these OYNO at Starbucks if they have one inside!
Order 1:
Purchase 2 boxes of Snackwells Cereal bars.
Use $1/1 coupon. 2.29 ea.
Total = 4.58 OOP
Get $3 OYNO wyb 2.
Order 2:
Oscar Mayer hot dogs found on sale at certain Frys for $1.99.
Buy 5 packs of hot dogs for $9.95
If you have the Target Buy 3 get one free, even better!
Use $3 OYNO snackwells.
Pay $4.96 (approx)OOP
Get $4 OYNO.
Purchase 2 boxes of Snackwells Cereal bars.
Use $1/1 coupon. 2.29 ea.
Use $4 OYNO
Total = .58
Get $3 OYNO wyb 2.
You still have $3 OYNO to use also.
So for about $10 OOP (but you still have the $3 off you can use so $7) you can get 5 packages of hot dogs and 4 boxes of cereal bars.
This is not a great deal when you consider that in the past, cereal bars were either free or less than 10 cents before the recession.
However, this deal may work for you, if you like snackwells.
Remember, at some stores you can use these OYNO at Starbucks if they have one inside!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Ad matching - Target:NO, Walmart:OK
About a month ago, I started taking the Pros ranch market and Food City flyers to Walmart and Target and ad matching.
After all 7lbs of Navel oranges for $1, 10 cucumbers for $1 and 4lbs of Fuji apples for $.96 was a great deal. The fresh produce at Food City and Pros leave a little to be desired. They are, in my opinion, bottom of the barrel.
Also, I was able to get heads of lettuce 3/$1 at walmart.
So, here is the breakdown.
I go to Target and Ad match apples with no problems.
So, another day, I go to Target to ad match some chicken.
Well, according to the customer service, I cannot ad match chicken because Target's chicken is Market Pantry brand and the ad was generic. It was just Chicken Breasts.
So, I left the store. I said to the rep, "Well, I can just go to Walmart or to the store directly. Tell me, what is my incentive then, to shop here?"
So, I called the store later to find out if this is really the policy. I was informed that a Target Watermelon is different from an Albertsons Watermelon and they would not ad match that. What????
Yes. They will ad match name brand items but if you can get them to match fruit, vegetables or meat... consider yourself fortunate.
Well, I called Corporate and they confirmed this.
Walmart does ad match apples for apples but if you try to ad match oranges for oranges, they might try to say no.
Remember, they have a new policy for ad matching that came out in April.
"If you can find a lower price anywhere, we will be sure to match it."
Anywhere? Well, that seems a little like misrepresentation. I found an item in Mesa, and Chandler Walmart tried to deny me. I was like, "I have your ad on my phone, would you like to see it?" Then, I was told that since oranges are sold per item and not by the pound, that could not be matched. This changed quickly as I recited the ad matching policy and told a lower level manager that I had spoken to a manager in Gilbert who informed me that, "Yes, they are supposed to match it."
The fact is that they can and have ad matched this in some stores with no problems. I think the cashiers are either misinformed or simply do not know how to manage the register to get the price in lbs rather than per item.
Overall, it is a little bit of a pain in these situations but getting 1.79 Romaine lettuce for .50 or getting $13 dollars in oranges for $3 does save my family a substantial amount of money and the kids can have fresh fruit and veggies that are decent quality.
After all 7lbs of Navel oranges for $1, 10 cucumbers for $1 and 4lbs of Fuji apples for $.96 was a great deal. The fresh produce at Food City and Pros leave a little to be desired. They are, in my opinion, bottom of the barrel.
Also, I was able to get heads of lettuce 3/$1 at walmart.
So, here is the breakdown.
I go to Target and Ad match apples with no problems.
So, another day, I go to Target to ad match some chicken.
Well, according to the customer service, I cannot ad match chicken because Target's chicken is Market Pantry brand and the ad was generic. It was just Chicken Breasts.
So, I left the store. I said to the rep, "Well, I can just go to Walmart or to the store directly. Tell me, what is my incentive then, to shop here?"
So, I called the store later to find out if this is really the policy. I was informed that a Target Watermelon is different from an Albertsons Watermelon and they would not ad match that. What????
Yes. They will ad match name brand items but if you can get them to match fruit, vegetables or meat... consider yourself fortunate.
Well, I called Corporate and they confirmed this.
Walmart does ad match apples for apples but if you try to ad match oranges for oranges, they might try to say no.
Remember, they have a new policy for ad matching that came out in April.
"If you can find a lower price anywhere, we will be sure to match it."
Anywhere? Well, that seems a little like misrepresentation. I found an item in Mesa, and Chandler Walmart tried to deny me. I was like, "I have your ad on my phone, would you like to see it?" Then, I was told that since oranges are sold per item and not by the pound, that could not be matched. This changed quickly as I recited the ad matching policy and told a lower level manager that I had spoken to a manager in Gilbert who informed me that, "Yes, they are supposed to match it."
The fact is that they can and have ad matched this in some stores with no problems. I think the cashiers are either misinformed or simply do not know how to manage the register to get the price in lbs rather than per item.
Overall, it is a little bit of a pain in these situations but getting 1.79 Romaine lettuce for .50 or getting $13 dollars in oranges for $3 does save my family a substantial amount of money and the kids can have fresh fruit and veggies that are decent quality.
A Year almost? Really
Wow.
In the past year, I have not needed to buy any cleaning supplies, except for Swiffer wipes, sponges and the occassional dish soap that was a bargain for like 4 cents.
The Kmart doubles deal on Scrubbing bubbles, soap, shampoo, hair products, Windex, and other cleaners has lasted me for over a year. That's crazy, right!
So, when you find those great deals and people may treat you like you are one of those extreme couponers, who cares! Stocking up can really save a load of cash.
Don't buy what you don't need. The trick is to get enough to last and that you can afford.
In the past year, I have not needed to buy any cleaning supplies, except for Swiffer wipes, sponges and the occassional dish soap that was a bargain for like 4 cents.
The Kmart doubles deal on Scrubbing bubbles, soap, shampoo, hair products, Windex, and other cleaners has lasted me for over a year. That's crazy, right!
So, when you find those great deals and people may treat you like you are one of those extreme couponers, who cares! Stocking up can really save a load of cash.
Don't buy what you don't need. The trick is to get enough to last and that you can afford.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Update - Kraft free cheese
I don't know what happened but the machine did not roll the coupon at my local store.
The first trip was at 1AM. The second trip at 2AM. These worked fine with roll overs.
The trip at 5AM was not as good.
Will test to see if this was the store, the card or really not rolling. However, I find it hard to believe that a Kraft cat doesn't roll. In the past these have always rolled.
*** UPDATE***
These are rolling just fine. It seems that the 4 pack is not included on philadelphia cream cheese. Worked the deal 6 more times rolling over that first $5 thing.
Now, if you get the coupons online:
Spaghettios - campbellskitchen.com
Softsoap - find online printable
you can bring the order down to about 50 cents!
The first trip was at 1AM. The second trip at 2AM. These worked fine with roll overs.
The trip at 5AM was not as good.
Will test to see if this was the store, the card or really not rolling. However, I find it hard to believe that a Kraft cat doesn't roll. In the past these have always rolled.
*** UPDATE***
These are rolling just fine. It seems that the 4 pack is not included on philadelphia cream cheese. Worked the deal 6 more times rolling over that first $5 thing.
Now, if you get the coupons online:
Spaghettios - campbellskitchen.com
Softsoap - find online printable
you can bring the order down to about 50 cents!
Free Cheese at Frys Food - Kroger
This week, Frys Food in Arizona has a deal going on: Buy 10 participating item, get $5 off instantly.
This coincides with a promotion from Kraft - Buy 5+ items get $5 On your next order.
Some Frys have the blinkie machine for $1 off 2 Kraft Natural Cheese
Buy 4 Kraft Natural Cheese and 1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese (this qualifies for the 5 items)
Purchase 5 other items to get the instant $5 off. Some of the .49 cent items include diced tomatoes, easy mac, Glaceau water, Quaker Quakes, etc. (some items have coupons such as the easy mac after playing the Noodlette game. See your ad for more .49 cent items)
Get the 10 items.
Scenario:
Buy 4 Kraft Natural Cheese (1.38)
Buy 1 Philadelphia cream cheese (small tubs count) (.99)
Buy 5 Glaceau water (.49)
Total = 8.96
Use (2) $1 off cheese coupons (blinkies)
Total = 6. 96 OOP
So, the first order will cost 6.96 but you can roll the $5 coupon and have the $5 coupon at the end.
Get 5 OYNO
These Roll Over!
Next order:
Buy 4 Kraft natural cheese (1.38 each)
Buy 1 Philadelphia cream Cheese (.99)
Buy 5 Diced tomatoes (.49 each)
Total = 8.96
Use $5 coupon from last visit
Use (2) $1 cheese coupons
Total OOP = 1.96
Get $5 Coupon for your next order
Keep it going... there may be tax in your area, but not in some areas, so YMMV.
However, this could turn out to be an awesome deal if you find yourself some blinkies and coupons for other items.
Good luck and remember, you can freeze shredded cheese.
There are also some $1 off one Kraft Italian Natural cheese on the packages. Good luck finding some though. Better focus on finding the blinkie machines. The odds are better. The payout is less, but odds are greater.
This coincides with a promotion from Kraft - Buy 5+ items get $5 On your next order.
Some Frys have the blinkie machine for $1 off 2 Kraft Natural Cheese
Buy 4 Kraft Natural Cheese and 1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese (this qualifies for the 5 items)
Purchase 5 other items to get the instant $5 off. Some of the .49 cent items include diced tomatoes, easy mac, Glaceau water, Quaker Quakes, etc. (some items have coupons such as the easy mac after playing the Noodlette game. See your ad for more .49 cent items)
Get the 10 items.
Scenario:
Buy 4 Kraft Natural Cheese (1.38)
Buy 1 Philadelphia cream cheese (small tubs count) (.99)
Buy 5 Glaceau water (.49)
Total = 8.96
Use (2) $1 off cheese coupons (blinkies)
Total = 6. 96 OOP
So, the first order will cost 6.96 but you can roll the $5 coupon and have the $5 coupon at the end.
Get 5 OYNO
These Roll Over!
Next order:
Buy 4 Kraft natural cheese (1.38 each)
Buy 1 Philadelphia cream Cheese (.99)
Buy 5 Diced tomatoes (.49 each)
Total = 8.96
Use $5 coupon from last visit
Use (2) $1 cheese coupons
Total OOP = 1.96
Get $5 Coupon for your next order
Keep it going... there may be tax in your area, but not in some areas, so YMMV.
However, this could turn out to be an awesome deal if you find yourself some blinkies and coupons for other items.
Good luck and remember, you can freeze shredded cheese.
There are also some $1 off one Kraft Italian Natural cheese on the packages. Good luck finding some though. Better focus on finding the blinkie machines. The odds are better. The payout is less, but odds are greater.
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