When buying strawberries these are the main things you need to remember: 1. While you can usually find strawberries at the grocery store year round, their peak season is from late May to early June. 2. If you are picking strawberries yourself off the vine, remember that they will not ripen after being picked. You…
When buying pineapples these are the main things you need to remember: 1. Fresh pineapple should have a firm, hard shell. If the shell is soft in any area then the pineapple is not good and should not be purchased. 2. The “eyes” of the pineapple shell should not be watering. If there is liquid…
When buying grilling steaks these are the main things you need to remember: 1. For grilling, it’s best to buy fresh from the butcher’s shop. 2. The two best cuts of steak for grilling are Ribeye steak and strip steaks (often referred to as New York strip or Kansas City strip). Ribeye steak is tastier,…
When buying fresh chicken these are the main things you need to remember: 1. Don’t worry about the fancy or different types of chicken names. Unless a recipe specifically calls for a certain type of chicken, buy what is least expensive. 2. Don’t worry about the “sell-by” date unless it is past the marked date…
When buying blueberries these are the main things you need to remember: 1. Blueberries should be blue. If they are red or purple, then pass on them. 2. The blueberries in the package should all be about the size (not all different sizes) and they should come with a waxy sheen. 3. You should keep…
It seems that many businesses and stores these days are willing to fight hard for your patronage. I’ve noticed a lot more stores lately that now offer price matching on equal items from a different store. You simply show the ad or online printout showing the item that is less expensive at the rival store,…
I frequently encounter people who don’t use coupons because they feel like it isn’t worth their time. If you’ve run the numbers and found this to be the case, I respect that. Coupon use, like all areas of personal finance, is a personal choice and not everyone will find it beneficial or to their liking.…
I came across this postcard secret which brings up the subject of ethics when using coupons: Is it OK to do things like this? Are there gray areas that you think are OK when using coupons? Is it OK to get away with what you can? Courtesy of postsecret
I've recently discovered the joy of belonging to a special club that gives you discounts at restaurants of half off (and sometimes more). I want to share this saving opportunity with those who are not yet aware so they can save money at restaurants too. It doesn't cost anything to join and it's not a…
More than a few people have nicknamed me the Savings Queen because if there's a way I can save money on something, chances are I'll find it and use it. This is a pretty common occurrence for me, but what really excites me is when I can save money through two different ways on the…
Some people think using a coupon in public is even more embarrassing than, say, accidentally walking into the wrong restroom. I have done both, and I assure you — the latter is far more embarrassing! Here's why I am not the least bit embarrassed by coupons: Companies make coupons available; why shouldn’t we use them?…
The TV show Wife Swap is looking for a coupon clipper that would be willing to be on their show. If you are chosen, you will receive $20,000 for your trouble and if you recommend the person chosen, you will get a $1000 award: The premise of Wife Swap is that one parent from each…
If ever dread going grocery shopping like I do, just be glad you don’t have to do your grocery shopping on e-bay. As a follow up to the Top 10 Ways to Waste Your Money on E-bay, I give you a new list of odd grocery items being offered on e-bay this week. Artistic Foods…
There are a growing number of grocery stores that are offering discounts on gas when you purchase a certain amount of food from them. When you mee the required minimum amount, you receive a coupon for for a specific amount off per gallon of gas at an affiliated gas station in the area. With gas…
Here's a tip when shopping at discount wholesale stores such as BJ's, Costco, Sam's Club. An easy way to tell if an item is on clearance is to see if the price ends in a “1” — if it does then it means it is on clearance, and usually has a significant price reduction (the…
One of the difficult decisions when trying to save money is whether or not to buy organic since organic foods still tend to be more expensive than non organic foods. One way to balance the need to save money and place healthy food on your table is to know which non organic foods have the…