Splurge vs Save---Wednesday's Tip Day from pro chefs

A recent Women's Health magazine article featured a splurge vs. save page from the mouths of pro chefs.

Here's what they have to say:

Re-stocking on chicken = over-budget for May

Well,  I went just a few dollars over budget for May, but it was totally worth it!  Today starts a new 4 day sale at Adams and chicken breast was only $1.59/lb.  It hasn't been below $1.99/lb in some time, so I sent my husband to pick up several packages.  I picked up some random deals this week and had $20 in Cats to use up at Stop & Shop.  They helped me re-stock on staples like milk, yogurt and quinoa.

Total Spending this week = $51.84

Total Savings this week = $167.85 or 76% Savings

Total Spending May (April 30-May 27) = $163.68

Total Savings May = $535.93 or 77% Savings

$3 and change over budget isn't so bad when you know your freezer is stocked with chicken and fish to last a month! :)

It's Chicken Time!

Adams Farms Deals 5/27-5/30

$1.59/lb-boneless,skinless chicken breast

99c/lb-tomatoes on the vine

99c/box-blackberries

For the full Adams' ad head on over to the store's website!

Wednesday Tip Day- Don't forget to visit regional blogs when you travel!

 

We've just returned from a visit to see family out in Arizona.  While it is nice to take a break from the frugal routine, we still want to find a way to stretch our dollars.  Some meals were taken with family and we made reservations at hotels that offered continental breakfast, but we knew there were still going to be a few/several times when we would need to eat out or have snacks on hand.  I first did a quick search of the names of the grocery stores at our first destination.  I then searched for a blog that covered those stores.  I found  Saving Cents with Sense.  After a quick browse of the best snack food deals at a single store, I took a look around the blog and found a great coupon for a Free Taco at Del Taco.  A quick visit to Del Taco's site revealed several restaurants in the areas we are visiting.  I also noticed that Del Taco offers a club with two free tacos for joining.  A stop at Restaurant.com landed me a discount gift card for another restaurant.

The lesson:  visit local blogs and sites to find regional deals when you are traveling.  They will likely lead you right into great savings!

Shopping Week ending 5/20/11--nothing remarkable!

Here it is with not much to say, since its pretty boring on the deals front.

RiteAid: $6.35

Shoprite:$11.48

Shoprite: $6.35

Total Spending this week = $24.18

Total Savings this week = $74.07 or 75% Savings

Total Spending May (April 30-May 27) = $111.84

Total Savings this week = $368.08 or 77% Savings

Remaining Budget for May = $48.16



May 21-22---Magic, Drums, and Sales!

Saturday, May 21st 10:30am
Magic Variety Show with Steve Johnson
Magic, comedy and thrilling juggling with lots of opportunities for participation!
Kingston Library
55 Franklin St
Kingston, NY 12401

(845) 331-0507
Free for all!
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Saturday, May 21st 2pm
Robbi K: Osebo's Drum Storytelling
Interactive movement, singing, chanting, and humor as Robbi sets the stage for this African folktale.
Hudson Opera House
327 Warren Street
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 822-1438
Free for all!

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Saturday, May 21st 9am-4pm
Sunday, May 22nd  10am-4pm (Bag Sale $3)
Town of Esopus Library
189 Broadway
Port Ewen, NY 12466
(845) 338-5580


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Saturday and Sunday, May 21st and 22nd 9am-4pm
Town Wide Tag Sale: Hyde Park, NY
For more information visit the
Hyde Park Chamber site.

Myth or Fact: Premium-Grade Gas is Better

 

According to AAA the difference between grades of gasoline is octane.  An engine with a higher compression ratio needs more of that pricey octane.  Most engines don't need the extra octane, so skip it and save.  

Disclaimer: I'm clearly not your mechanic, so consult a pro, but use this as a catalyst to look deeper into what YOUR engine needs!

May 18th---Green Awareness for the Consumer---Port Ewen, NY

5/18/2011 6-9pm
Ulster Boces Adult Education Center
Port Ewen, NY 12466
845-331-5050

What does the word "green" mean for average consumer? This course will look at how you can maximize the energy efficiency of existing equipment and explore available options for more efficient systems for both fuel sources and water consumption. Learn how to reduce energy costs and explore "green" concepts from green heating to green plumbing. Free

YoCrunch Honey Greek Yogurt is superb!

I am not a huge yogurt fan, so for me to find a yogurt that I LOVE is a rarity.
I picked up two YoCrunch Greek Yogurts at Shoprite as part of the 77c 4-day sale. (I had a free and 50c catalina, so they were a steal!)  I tried the honey and the strawberry and I have to tell you that the honey is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! I think I just might write to let them know and see if I might score some more coupons!

Hallmark Stock-Up!

Well, nothing too exciting this week besides the Hallmark card deal at Stop & Shop.
Here's the evidence!

Adams: $10.94
Mother Earth's:$1.27
Walmart: $0.72
Stop & Shop: $1.04
Shoprite: $8.52 (Hooray for a $1.99 4lb bag of oranges!)

Look at that stack of cards!!!
Stop & Shop: $2.78 (There was more yogurt and a frozen meal, but they reached our stomachs before the camera reached them!)

Total Spending this week = $25.27

Total Savings this week = $59.97 or 70% Savings

 

Total Spending May (April 30-May 27) = $87.66

Total Savings this week = $294.01 or 77% Savings

Remaining Budget for May = $72.34

 

 

I still have to get to Shoprite for the toilet paper sale, but that will now count towards next weeks budget. I have $25 in Cats for Stop & Shop, but I'm not seeing anything too exciting for the coming week, so I think I'll hold on to them 'til the very end!

 

May 14th-15th---A busy weekend in the Valley!

Saturday, May 14th at 2pm

Norrie Point Environmental Center
256 Norrie Point Way
P.O. Box 315
Staatsburg, NY 12580

Discover Norrie: Bugs, Bugs, and More bugs! Lady bugs, black flies, and mourning cloak butterflies: the good, not-so-good and the beautiful. This walk will focus on emerging insects and how their re-appearance affects other creatures coming to life. Free. Family-friendly. No registration required. For more information: 845-889-4745 x109.

 Saturday May 14th, 1-4pm

Contact Information One Clermont Avenue
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-4240

Welcome Clermont's newest arrival in the Visitor's Center - a working model of Fulton's steam engine - with light refreshments and live music by Rich Bala.  Free.

Sustainable Living, 17th and 18th Century Hudson Valley Style

Saturday, May 14th 10:00 AM - 04:30 PM 
Senate House State Historic Site
296 Fair Street
Kingston, NY 12401 What can our past tell us about better living today and for the future? A festival of demonstrations, tours and living history interpreters, presented at Senate House State Historic Site. Designed for the whole family, this outdoor event will offer fun and quirky ways for people of all ages to learn about practices of the past and their relevance to choices we make today. This FREE event is perfect for families and people of all ages, and occurs rain or shine. Phone: (845) 338-2786

 Sunday, May 15th 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Taconic Outdoor Education Center
75 Mountain Laurel Lane
Cold Spring, NY 10516
(845) 265-3773

Be part of the 2011 National Get Outdoors Day and enjoy a spring day outdoors with family and friends! The event starts at 9 am with Master Birder Rich Guthrie. He will mist-net and band songbirds.  Kids and parents can observe songbirds up close and personal. It’s a great educational experience
for all. Please call before traveling (845) 265-3773 No pets! Event Donation: Adults – $2 Kids – $1

Wednesday Tip Day--The Library is not just for books!

We recently decided to cancel our Blockbuster by mail subscription.  Instead, we now primarily request movies through our local library and definitely make use of the occasional free codes for Blockbuster kiosk or Redbox.
We find it's good practice to periodically evaluate expenses, even the small ones, and see if the expense is worth it.  This small item is saving us around $15/month, which totals $170 annually.  We aren't missing the movie subscription, so it's definitely a great place to save!

May 12th-Recycled Bowls in Poughkeepsie, NY

Photo Source

Thursday, May 12th 4-4:45pm

Go green with this fun craft! Learn how to turn old magazines into a beautiful bowl! 

Adriance Memorial Library
93 Market Street

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

(845) 485-3445 

Register here!

May 10th--New Postpartum Positivity Group- Rhinebeck, NY

A NEW support group for women experiencing depression, sadness or anxiety, following the birth of their baby. Peer-led with a focus on expression, healing and recovery.
"Speak Up When You're Down"
2nd Tuesday of month (May 10, June 14) 10 – 11am
Community Room @ Starr Library, 68 West Market St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572

For more information visit the site.

WOW! I spent a pretty penny this week!

I spent a lot of money this week!  It sure does add up fast some weeks.

Shoprite: $1.10

Rite Aid: $0.52

 Walmart: $7.75 (some supplies for the vegetable garden are not pictured)

Ollie's: $4.31 (less than half price for sunblock!)

Shoprite: $1.87

Adams: $4.20

Aldi: $7.58 (see that in the back there?  it's a blackberry bush!)

Target: $5.31 (I got back a $5 giftcard, too!)

Shoprite: $17.55 (I got back $20 in Cats!)

Shoprite: $9.37 (time to fire up the grill)

I also spent around $3 on a Hallmark card deal at Stop and Shop!  I'll continue to roll this deal next week and post a picture of all my cards when I am done rolling!

Total Spending this week = $62.39

Total Savings this week = $234.04 or 79% Savings

 

There are some decent sales next week on some much needed household items, like toilet paper, so I'm thinking that it will be another higher spending week.  I was almost $20 under budget last month, so I've got a little extra wiggle room in the budget.

May 7th---Book Festival---Hudson, NY

2011 Book Festival - May 7th! - Hudson, NY

Join us for the third annual 2011 Hudson Children's Book Festival at the Hudson Junior and Senior High School on May 7th from 10 am to 4 pm in Hudson, New York. There will be over 100 children's and young adult authors and illustrators, hundreds of books to browse, author and illustrator presentations, arts & crafts, cooking and workshops. Great music will be provided by Radio Disney and there will be food and other treats available! Admission is FREE!
Visit their website for more information.

May 7th---Earth Day Celebration & Plant Sale---Wappingers Falls, NY

 

May 7, 11:00 AM  to 3:00 PM
Earth Day Celebration & Plant Sale

Demonstrations, Crafts for Children, Live Music,

Open Barn Tours, Food, Bake Sale, Information,
Vegetables & Plants for Sale

Stony Kill Farm

79 Farmstead Lane

Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

(845)231-4424

Produce Deals at Adams Farms 5/6-5/9, 2011

99c/3-Cucumbers
69c/lb- Zucchini

99c/lb- Broccoli
$1.49/hd- White Cauliflower

For the full ad visit Adams' website !

Wednesday Tip Day---Shop on Tuesday!

 

Photo Source

Avoid the lines by shopping on Tuesday.  According to shoppertrak.com Tuesday is the lightest shopping day with Thursday night and Saturday afternoon being the busiest.

 

May4-5--Rummage Sale--Kingston, NY

Source

Wednesday, May 4th 9am-8pm

Thursday, May 5th 9am-noon

St. James United Methodist Church 

35 Pearl Street, Kingston, NY 12401

(845) 331-3030

‎ 

My experience has been limited stock (very hit or miss) but very reasonable prices.