Money Saving Monday

Each week I will be giving you an update on how I did on sticking to my $100 budget. I am happy to tell you, that I have $7.32 to spare! Here is what I bought and some tips on getting a lot for a little:

ShopRite:

• 1 Hammermill Copy Paper
• 4 Oscar Myer Angus Hot Dogs
• 2 Mission Tortillas Wraps
• 1Friendship Cottage Cheese
• 1 Friendship Light Sour Cream
• 6 DelMonte Ready to Blend Fruit Smoothie Kit (Free after coupon)
• 1 Large Package of London Broil
• 1 Large Package of Ground Beef
•  Thai Kitchen Instant Noodle Soup (Free after coupon)
• 1 Carolina Rice (Free after coupon)
•  4 Ears of Corn

Aldi:

• Half and Half
• 2 Orange Juice
• 1 Gallon Milk
• 1 Oregano
• 1 Paprika
• 2 Dozen Eggs
• 2 Blocks of Mozzarella cheese (that I'll grate myself)
• 1 Pack of Hamburger and Hot Dog Rolls
• 2 Bags of onions

Produce Junction:

• Ton of Banana's
• 2 Cantaloupe
• 1 Pineapple
• Celery
• Red Peppers
• Potatoes
• 1 bag of white onion
• 2 Large Eggplant
• Large bag Plum Tomatoes
• 3 lbs carrots
• 3 Bundles of Scallions
• 3 Heads of Romaine Lettuce

 Styer Orchard

• 13 Pounds of Veggies
• 12 Pounds of Tomatoes for Homemade Sauce
• 3 White Eggplants
• A few small peppers
•  10 Pounds of Peaches

By the time I was done, I got enough produce to last us well into the following week. One way I save money is by using coupons.  If you would like to learn more about using coupons, check out Living Rich With Coupons. It is a great blog that will teach you the ins and outs in the beginners section. Then each week, the deals for multiple supermarkets are listed. Including where you can find the coupons that you need.

Another way to save is by getting to know your prices. While I saved this week at shop rite buy using coupons, it saved me even more by not buying my produce there.  It is unbelievable how much cheaper Produce Junction is then buying from a supermarket. Check out whatever local produce stand that you have, and find which one is cheapest!

Aldi is a supermarket that dells mostly Aldi brand items.  There products are either exactly the same as the original or very close. I shop there for anything that I can't get on sale. Again, if you get to know your prices, you will be able to see what is cheaper here compared to the regular supermarket.

This weekend was the first time that I visited Styer Orchard, a local "Pick your own" farm.  My husband and I had so much fun picking our own produce! I would really recommend looking into local farms, especially if you have children.  It was so refreshing to hear a very young girl get off of the hayride and exclaim, "Oooh Mom!! Peppers!! They have peppers!!". By the time we left, we had 23 pounds of produce and only spent $16. Plus, the atmosphere is so different then from living in a city. The employees of the farm are so friendly and caring. We will definitely be going back a few more times before winter hits.

This coming week is going to be a pricey one. I've found some good prices for meat to stock up on for the up coming month, so most of the budget will be going towards that.

Anyone have a great shopping trip this week to share? I'd love to hear about it!