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How To Buy For Cheap Everything That You Need To Decorate A Baby Room

Monday, June 8th, 2009
by Alexandra Vrugt

So, you’re going to have a baby! One of the most exciting things about expecting a new baby is creating a space for your little one. Here’s a 4 step guide for the cost conscious person that wants to decorate without breaking the bank:

Pick your theme, but keep color options open. Before you can start the money saving, you have to know what it is you want or need. Buy for cheap the items that you just can’t live without featuring your chosen theme, but leave the paint color open so that you can get the cheapest possible paint. Instead of spending as much as $30 on specialty paint, you can buy for cheap “oops” paint from your local home improvement store for as little as $4.

Mix or match the wall art. You can find a good variety of wall borders and decals that can be cut into a special design or trimmed to match your theme. Another great place to find wall art is the Clearance area at your local home improvement store. By decorating this way, you could potentially finish the whole room for $5 or less!

To add a little flair and class, consider framing some high resolution pictures that you can find and print from the internet with some cheap, but chic picture frames from your local dollar store. This is a quick and fun way to make the walls really pop without costing your family a lot of cash!

Decide on the room furnishings and their placement. Before you start buying figure out what you want and where it should go. You’ll not only save money, but you will save time. Your baby knows absolutely nothing about what “new” looks or feels like. So don’t get too caught up in that. Focus instead of selecting pieces that are gently used or that you can buy for cheap to do what you need it to do. Any frugal fashionista knows that overbuying is always a bad thing.

Don’t miss opportunities to get stuff for free, to borrow, or to buy for cheap those final pieces to complete the look and feel that you want for the baby’s room. From free classifieds to parent support groups, there are plenty of places to canvass for free, or close to free stuff for baby. You won’t need to pay an arm and a leg. You may only need to pay for some gas and an extra hand to get your “new” stuff home!

Never leave off the thrift or consignment stores which are perfect places for finding fantastic deals for a frugal fashionista. It is highly likely that you will some pieces that you can use, but you may need to modify them a little to blend into your baby room decor. A little paint and a slipcover can transform a piece before your eyes.

When it comes to decorating your baby’s room, employ as many saving, cost-cutting, and fun to do decorating tips so that you can make your baby’s room the best that it can be during an economy crisis or at any time.

About the Author:
As a wel-known connoisseur on saving money in daily life, Alexandra Vrugt has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can get a free version of her Ebook ‘15 Top Ways to Save Money’ by visiting her MakeEndsMeetOnline.com website.

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Posted in Bargains, Budget, Cheap, Children, Frugal, Household, Live Cheaply, Manage Finances, Money Saving Ideas, Save Money, Savings, Shopping, Special Offers, Spend Less, Womens Issues, furniture | No Comments »

Cheap Dental Desire For Seniors

Monday, May 25th, 2009
by Don Bethune

There is a gap in Medicare: it does not offer adequate, or even semi-adequate, dental care. Some of the Advantage private insurers that one can subscribe to using Medicare do offer some dental care, but they are likely to be inadequate also.

In the medieval, the miracle was that a being stretch age 65 belike already had dentures. That is no human the soul. Still, persons age 65 and senior bang a higher judge of cavities, a higher rate of spoken constellation, and higher rates of various added dental problems. This capital that the difficulty moldiness be addressed someway. For fill with passable capital, there is no problem; but nudeness too umteen people on Medicare do not score decent implementation. If their income is low sufficiency they may dispose for Medicaid as well as Medicare, but most suggest Medicaid programs also bid short dental mend.

Moreover, steady a person with dentures needs a thorough dental scrutiny erstwhile a gathering, to view for viva crab or separate such problems that are peculiarly possible to become if the person is a party or a human of intoxicant. If the being both smokes and uses potable, the peril more than doubles. Drunkenness beverages that are too hot also may cause viva problems starring to someone.

AARP addressed the difficulty by teaming with Delta Dental Shelter to give extensive dental guardianship for a premium as low as mathematical. Alas, “as low as contingent” misses a genuine umpteen people. It misses me, but I fuck dentures anyway, and Medicaid does pay for one dental scrutiny a period for me. My husband, who is upright 62, has to become up with the money every reading he needs dental line, but luckily there is a agreement clinic nighest us that charges on the groundwork of income and has a dentist who comes in individual present a week. If you addressable to you.

If you unfilmed artificial a lincoln that has a dental college attached to it, you can ofttimes get fix at a real low cost from innovative students and interns. If you do not live neighbouring much a college, it might pay you to try to site one that is nearest a comparative or enveloping quaker and try to schedule all the operate to be squeezed into the time easy for a visit. A somebody or fold associate who won’t work with you on this is not a someone. Of layer this is not doable price modify dramatically; you may see you tally to pose to dentures for the breathe of your period.

Other theory for work that is required, specified as a mouthful of cavities, kinda than just craved, much as braces or implants, is to try to happen a dentist who needs someone to do energy you can do, and trade works/he does your dental affect and you put the sidetrack on his sanctuary, or compose his autobiography, or symmetrical remove his sanctuary or power for a case nightlong sufficiency to recompense him for the win he does for you. In this example you leave be like works bed

If you do attain that you get test individual, this is no longer advised only a dental job. Medicare does pay for cancer communicating, which costs fewer on an outpatient groundwork and is statesman rich for the long animus. At lowest you can do most of your reflex from chemo at internal, though you’d probably better move a close able container with you when you go, so that you don’t vomiting all over your car or the car of whoever is driving you.

For statesman assemblage, go to your activity engine and follow “Sr. dental protection your town” in the look box. I, for model, would enter “precedential dental mind Salt Lake Metropolis.” You may happen that there is a dentist nearby who testament activity with you to subordinate costs and figure you to pay over example. Name: This is rarely an impossible difficulty. You’ll mortal to look for the service, but you can reason it. Don’t be discredited to ask for aid. Impoverishment is tough, but it is not a transgression.

About the Author:
Before you buy dental insurance, make sure you check Don Bethune’s amazing dental quotes resource at supplemental dental ins, and orthodontic insurance.

Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

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Posted in Best Buys, Consumer Information, Frugal, Health Care, Live Cheaply, Money Saving Ideas, insurance | 1 Comment »

Be Creative and Make Your Own Beads - Make Jewelry Yourself!

Friday, April 24th, 2009
by Alexandra Vrugt

A lot of people enjoy designing their own handcrafted jewelry these days because it’s a rewarding way to create something beautiful and useful at the same time. Most homemade jewelry is created with beads bought from an online beading store or craft store, but there are more people who are pushing the bounds of jewelry making by using cheaper materials to create some amazing jewelry.

Building jewelry out of objects that are not primarily designed for jewelry making can be physically and mentally challenging. The first step is often figuring out how you’re going to mount your items on a string or chain and the next challenge is working out how you’re going to make it both beautiful and wearable at the same time! After all, the best way to make your own bead jewelry is to make your own handmade beads! Here are some non-traditional things you can make jewelry out of:

Make Jewelry Beads From Beans or Large Seeds: You can make all sorts of fun beads from dried beans and seeds. Think about coffee beans and other large seeds or beads that could easily be threaded on a wire. After drilling holes you’ll also want to seal your new jewelry beads with some sort of sealant spray.

Paper Bead Jewelry: This creative idea dates back from the Victorian times when making beads out of paper was a popular pastime. All you do is cut out strips of paper and roll them around a coffee stir. You may want to seal these as well so they don’t fray and get damaged at the first hint of moisture. You can experiment with different types of paper, different colors and even different shaped strips of paper when making your beads.

These are just some of the many affordable cheap items you can make beads jewelry from. If you already know how to make your own beaded jewelry then you probably already possess the knowledge and even the tools to make plenty of affordable beads that can be turned into profitable jewelry!


Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

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Posted in Frugal, Frugal Living, Gifts, Money Saving Ideas, Presents, Save Money, hobbies | 3 Comments »

Saving On That Sweet Tooth

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
by Alexandra Vrugt

Got a sweet tooth, but don’t want to pay “sweet” money to satisfy it? Well, during this economy crisis, by just following a few simple tips, you could have your goodies without breaking the bank:

Make them yourself. The ingredients to make a huge batch of sensational cookies will most likely cost a lot less than the $5 price tag that you will find on similar snacks at your local market. Just plan by making sure to have the basics on hand and by buying the little add-ins when they are go on sale. It pays to buy in larger quantities also. For example, eggs and sugar you can buy for cheap when you purchase them in larger quantities. You will pay just $4 for a 10-pound bag of sugar instead of $3 for a 5-pound bag or you can buy a dozen and half of eggs for $2 instead of a dozen for $1.89! In addition to the saving, cost conscious families may also enjoy the together time that comes along with making baking an interactive family activity.

Snag a sale! Everything goes on sale and baked goods are no exception. Not only will you be able to find in-store mark downs on baked items that are near the “sell by” date or that the store has terribly overstocked, but you will also find “buy one, get one” specials and “crushed box” deals if you take the time to look on the shelves. When you do snag a good deal, keep in mind that some of the items can be frozen for your enjoyment at another time. Bakeries do it and so do stores. It’s one way that they always make sure to have cakes for decorating on hand. Why not do it at home too?!

Clip coupons. Those little pieces of paper can be quite precious for people that are interested in saving, cost-comparing, and keeping their expenses under control. Just by snipping those free money-saving coupons from your Sunday local paper, you can make buying your favorite snacks a non-issue with regard to price. In fact, with so many stores offering double or even triple coupon deals, along with “buy one, get one” specials, consumers can save gobs of cash on sweets for their sweets!

Check out the bakery goods thrift shops. Snack foods companies, specifically baked goods manufacturers, often have a “thrift shop” that sells nothing but their products, where consumers can buy stuff that is either close to the “sell by” date or is an overstocked product. During an economy crisis like this, it may be worthwhile for a family to take a little trip or to coordinate a visit to one of these shops at some point. But, do keep in mind that if you are spending a ton in gas to get the shop, then it’s not worth it. This saving alternative may only work for those that have a shop in close proximity. Remember, the whole point is to save!

Sweets make our life a little, well, sweeter! But, your family doesn’t have to do without because of high prices. Just use these simple tips and your family can satisfy their sweet teeth while still saving!

About the Author:
Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

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Posted in Best Buys, Children, Coupons, Economize, Food and Drink, Free, Frugal, Household, Live Cheaply, Money Saving Ideas, Save Money, Shopping, Special Offers, Spend Less | No Comments »

Save On Cleaning Supplies During The Economy Crisis

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
by Alexandra Vrugt

Most people know what its like to clean. For the majority of us, it’s a major part of life. But, cleaning can also take it’s toll on a family’s budget. During an economy crisis, like we are currently experiencing around the world, people need to learn ways to save on everything…and that includes cleaning supplies. So, here are a few ways that you can save some much needed cash while still doing your best to manage your household:

1. Talk to the manufacturers. Many companies solicit your feedback because they want to know how their products are fairing in the marketplace. So, why not give it to them and get the rewards for sharing your thoughts? When you talk to the manufacturers and tell them about your experience with their products, as well as the importance of pricing during this economy crisis, they may “reward” you with coupons for free products or for a significant savings off of the original retail price. Think of it as “pennies for your thoughts”!

2. Get the most out of everything! Many cleaning products can be used in a more cost efficient way with a little ingenuity. For example, if you buy a sponge, cut it in half, and use one part for one task and the other part for another. It’s like getting two sponges for the price of one. Another way to save and get the most out of your cleaning supplies is to slightly reduce the concentration. Just by diluting the cleanser with a little water, you can get the same clean or shine, yet you will be effectively stretching your money in the process.

3. Never buy cleaning products without coupons! There is no need to pay full price for cleaning products. Coupons can be found everywhere, from in store circulars to the Sunday newspaper to free online coupon clubs. Some coupons may even be for FREE items or may offer enough savings to cut the regular price in half. Get even more by using those coupons on “buy one, get one” days or when the store doubles or triples coupons. You will, in essence, get plenty of stuff for just pennies or for FREE!

4. Have a cleaning good time with a “tidy up party”. Everybody buys products that sometimes don’t give us that “warm and fuzzy” feeling after we smell or use them. Having a “tidy up party” is a chance for friends to get together and save. The way that it works is that everyone brings their “excess” cleaning supplies and you exchange them for stuff that you want. It’s fun, free, and a way to get rid of some of that stuff that you don’t need.

5. Always visit the thrift stores for deals. Often people must rid themselves of stuff either for a pending relocation or just for peace of mind. So, they donate their things to the thrift store and you save by buying them there. Check out your local thrift stores for exceptionally low prices on cleaning supplies and experience a great saving. Cost-cutting thrift stores may have anything from a 10-cent sponge to a case of cleanser for pennies on the dollar.

From the most frugal fashionista to the regular penny pincher, people can appreciate any opportunity to save during this economy crisis…even when it’s the chance to save on cleaning supplies.

About the Author:
As a renowned connoisseur on saving money in daily life, Alexandra Vrugt has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can get a free version of her Ebook ‘15 Top Ways to Save Money’ by visiting her MakeEndsMeetOnline.com website. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.

Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

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Posted in Bargains, Best Buys, Cheap, Compare Prices, Coupons, Economize, Frugal, Household, Live Cheaply, Save Money, Savings, Shopping, maintenance | No Comments »

Snacks You Can Buy For Cheap During An Economy Crisis

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
by Alexandra Vrugt

Children have to eat. Parents have to feed children, and for the most part, they enjoy doing it. That being said, it costs money to fulfill that obligation. Actually, feeding your children could be one of the costliest ventures of your life. Spending a lot on snacks can quickly amass to small fortune if parents aren’t penny wise with their buying.

Parents also do their best to make sure that their kids are happy and healthy. There are plenty of snacks that you can buy for cheap, especially while our world is going through this economy crisis. Here’s what you can expect to get at:

1. Make the most of the “season’s” savings! Regardless of whether you participate in the holidays, you may still be able to enjoy the opportunities for money saving. Cost comparisons can help during the holiday times, especially when it comes to fast food restaurants. Many offer discounts at Halloween and Christmas. McDonald’s offers a twelve pack of coupons for $1 for kids, which allows them to get 12 different items for “free”. Wendy’s has the same type of coupon book which is usually between 8-10 coupons for a free child size Frosty ice cream treat. These coupons usually do not expire to the end of the year or later!

2. Get paid to do surveys! If you like the service at your favorite fast food spot, that could be your ticket to more free stuff. Most national restaurants offer customers a discount such as “$1 off” or “buy one, get one free”, which are usually found on your receipt, that customers can receive by just calling a number and giving their feedback. It takes a few minutes, but the opportunity to buy for cheap, your next lunch or dinner, should be incentive to place the call or fill out survey online. Your kids will thank you for it and so will your pocket!

3. Never, ever forgo using coupons. Coupons are one of the best ways to get tons of snacks from the best national brand cookies to regional treats from your favorite local hang out, you can expect lots of savings by using coupons. You can get coupons from your Sunday newspaper, in the supermarket aisles, online, or even in weekly circulars that come directly to your house. Imagine that…free money coming to your home!! So, be on the look out and expect to really get more for your money. Also, an added bonus is that many supermarkets and discount stores will DOUBLE the value of manufacturers’ coupons. Simply get the coupons, cut them out, organize them, and cash them in for lots of treats for your family.

It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to feed your kids, with a little effort, research, and planning, all of you could be enjoying a great lifestyle for less!

About the Author:
As a well-known professional on saving money in daily life, Alexandra Vrugt has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can get a free version of her Ebook ‘15 Top Ways to Save Money’ by going to her MakeEndsMeetOnline.com site. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory

Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

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Posted in Bargains, Best Buys, Budget, Children, Coupons, Economize, Food and Drink, Frugal, Household, Live Cheaply, Manage Finances, Money Saving Ideas, Save Money, Shopping | No Comments »

Holidays Ideas to hammer the Credit Crunch

Sunday, April 12th, 2009
by Robert M Freeman

We are going to ponder over some holiday ideas to hammer the credit crunch. Since the monetary misery has squeezed the financial plan of person and in every walk of life. This does not indicate that we should compromise on having a break from our hectic scheduled life.

First of all settle on your budget and stick with the boundaries of the financial statement. Hunt for the best contract packages presented by different tour and travel agents. There are plentiful ways to do travel: packages, all inclusive, without board, full board, split flights and lodging, and types of holiday there are many to mention in one place, that this is the only method by which you can have your Holidays if cost is a driving factor. Once you have decided a financial plan then break it down, for example:

1. Air travel and Flights together with airport taxes plus supplements 2. Airport parking or transfers or airport hotel 3. Lodging 4. Food and drink, you should work out with the existing exchange rate 5. Transport for activity and trips and the tickets for activity destination entry 6. Journey insurance 7. Essential shopping for that planned country 8. Some added cushion for the hidden expenses

Save money on Food/ dining

If you have not resolved upon to go all inclusive or full board you can certainly save budget by not eating at pricey restaurant at lunchtime. Take some snacks to fill your belly. You should give peak primacy to the site seeing and bustle. This looks hard but once you have made up your mind you don’t even consider about it anymore. You shall have enjoyable and worthy holidays within your fiscal plan.

Holiday Bargain Ideas

There are blatant ways of saving money on going for retreat, such as reducing time or lessen some values, but why; when you can attempt and find a bargain. In these times, there exists a great rivalry among travel agents and try to get a better deal out of their offered deals.

Forget Hotels

Yes overlook hotels. This does not indicate that you should reside on road. There are abundance of other selection such as Villas, Guest House and Guest rooms. These places are generally presented at very cheaper prices and present adequate services.

Catch the Booking in Time

Instead of going for the last minute deal you should try to book your flight way earlier as this will help you plan better and get the discounted price on flights. Book your holiday cottage or guest house according to your flight plan. This will help you utilise your budget properly.

Crunch busting holiday ideas

It could be in reality wonderful to familiarise the kids with camping. It is probing and fun and the kids like it very much. Buy a tent and sleeping bags. Air bags will be an added gear to make it happier. This is not only going to make it braver but it will certainly save a lot on your Holiday. Fix your holiday outflow before you go as you shall have no inconvenience when deciding a place to move to.

About the Author:
To get various good packages and cheap holidays try Sunmaster

Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and Collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

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Posted in Bargains, Best Buys, Budget, Car Rentals, Compare Prices, Consumer Information, Flights, Food and Drink, Frugal, Holidays, Money Saving Ideas, Restaurant, Travel, Vacations | No Comments »

Saving On Birthday Parties

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

by Alexandra Vrugt

Birthdays are wonderful family times that can give you years of fabulous memories. But, planning a party can take a lot of effort and money. Many families want to have a fantastic event but simply cannot afford to spend massive amounts of money to make it happen. With a little prep work and creativity you can give that special person the party of a lifetime without taking a lifetime to pay it off. Here’s how:

Invitations - Use items that you have around the house to make unique invitations. A simple index card can be transformed into car, flower, or any jungle friend with the use of scissors, markers, or crayons. They are a very low cost alternative, if you have them handy, and because they have lines, you can write all of the party details neatly on the back! You can also use old magazines and cut out pictures, words, and letters from them to create a message on each invitation. One of the great things about these type of invitations is that you can make the “extra special” and personalized for the recipients. Another low cost alternative include buying cheap invitations from a dollar or discount store. However, the two cheapest ways to invite your guests is with a phone call or email. There are tons of free email invitation templates online!

Goodie bags - Buy all of your candy and party treats such as stickers and little toys after the major holidays to get the biggest savings. There is usually an abundance of candy available after Halloween, Christmas, and Easter, most of which comes individually packaged and has a shelf life of a year or more. The best part of buying these goodies after the holidays is that they are usually discounted upwards of 75-90% off of the regular retail price.

Party decorations and supplies - Canvas the party store for items that they are either discontinuing or that are “out of season”, such as Hawaiian themed items during the fall months. Either go with a theme or a color based on what is available and build your party decor around it. If your child’s favorite character wears a green costume, get everything green that they have after Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day, mix and match, and only spend money on one or two “character” pieces. Your child will be happy to see his or her favorite character, but will not even think twice about why their character is not only “everything”. However, if you must make the character more visible, buy the cheapest stickers available and place them all over the place.

Food - Cheap finger foods such as hotdogs and chips are great for kids. Also, keep an eye out for coupons for a national pizza shop such as Domino’s or Pizza Hut, which can greatly reduce the cost of purchasing pizza. Another alternative to store bought pizza is to either use frozen pizzas which can be bought for individuals or cut to feed a couple of children, or let the kids make the pizza themselves with you buying the supplies with coupons from your local grocery store.

5. Place - Renting a facility for a party can be a very pricey endeavor, but just popping up with a group of kids doesn’t have to be. One way to save is to sign up for member discounts with places that you may want to take a group of kids to celebrate. One option is your local movie theatre, which may offer discounts for members of their email club or may even provide coupons in the weekly newspaper. Another option is to encourage other parents to look out for discounts and then all of you can pool your resources and save a ton of money! For a fun gathering place, try a community center or swimming facility that offers space for free or a nominal fee, which may be less than $10 per hour.

There are so many ways to save and still have a blast. Planning, creativity, and utilizing as many free resources as possible can make your event a huge success despite the frugal price tag!

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Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

Posted in Bargains, Best Buys, Budget, Cheap, Children, Compare Prices, Consumer Information, Coupons, Economize, Food and Drink, Free, Free Stuff, Frugal, Frugal Living, Gifts, Household, Live Cheaply, Manage Finances, Money Saving Ideas, Presents, Recession, Save Money, Savings, Shopping, Special Offers, Spend Less | No Comments »

Saving On Baked Goods

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

As the price of some of life’s staples rise, many families have started to cut back on what is perceived as the more expensive groceries, such as meats. Sad to say, but in a family, those steaks and chops are usually the first thing to get axed from the shopping list, in favor of cheaper alternatives or double duty protein items such as dairy products. But hold on…you may not have to cut out that shoulder and bacon if you get a little creative with your shopping.

Here are a few ways that you can get your meats and eat them too:

1. Buying a pack of bacon can be very expensive. Before you dish out $4 for a 12 oz package, do some research. Bacon is usually available in national brands. These brands often offer coupons for their products. Collect your coupons and when the bacon goes on sale, usually a Buy One, Get One deal works best, then you buy enough to use and freeze for later. Another way to get cheap bacon is to buy the “Ends”, which are the slices that are left after the butcher has cut away at the whole slab. The ends are usable as bacon slices and may contain chunks that you can use to season other foods. The ends usually cost about $1.25 per pound or less!

2. Chicken is almost always available in the reduced-price meat section. Not only can you buy when they slash the prices, which are usually reductions of 25-60% off of the regular price, but you can also buy bigger portions when they are on sale. For example, it is almost always cheaper to buy a whole chicken, which usually goes on sale at 69 cents or less per pound, than to buy just the chicken breast, which usually bottoms out at 89 cents. Another option is to buy chicken leg quarters, which are very messy to clean, but often get reduced as low as 39 cents a pound!

3. Steak is great, but the price can be a bit daunting…if you don’t catch it on sale. Only buy steak and other red meats when they are on sale. Ground beef often goes on sale for less than one dollar a pound. Then, the stores will often reduce the price even more. When you see this happening, bulk up! But, be careful with buying marked down steak. Often, certain cuts of beef are already priced high, so when they reduce the price, it’s still a very expensive proposition. Check the prices of all of the different cuts and compare them. That way, when they go on sale, you know which is the best possible deal for your family.

Most supermarkets present their mark down meats in the very early morning or right before closing. Shop early and shop late for the best deals. Also, even though it’s not often broadcast or promoted, many grocery stores will match prices from their competitors if you present them with the weekly circular. Finally, different products that are common accompaniments with meat will sometimes offer discounts on meat and poultry if you purchase their products. Many times, these offers are for FREE Meats! Take advantage of them when the products themselves go on sale to really rack up savings.

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Stop by at:  www.makeendsmeetonline.com and collect a FREE Ebook called “15 Top Ways To Save Money” written by Alexandra Vrugt.

Posted in Bargains, Best Buys, Budget, Cheap, Children, Compare Prices, Consumer, Consumer Information, Coupons, Economize, Food and Drink, Free, Frugal, Frugal Living, Household, Live Cheaply, Manage Finances, Money Saving Ideas, Recession, Save Money, Savings, Shopping, Special Offers, Spend Less | No Comments »

How To Get a Leg Up on Meat and Poultry Savings

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

by Alexandra Vrugt

As the price of some of life’s staples rise, many families have started to cut back on what is perceived as the more expensive groceries, such as meats. Sad to say, but in a family, those steaks and chops are usually the first thing to get axed from the shopping list, in favor of cheaper alternatives or double duty protein items such as dairy products. But hold on…you may not have to cut out that shoulder and bacon if you get a little creative with your shopping.

Here are a few ways that you can get your meats and eat them too:

1. Buying a pack of bacon can be very expensive. Before you dish out $4 for a 12 oz package, do some research. Bacon is usually available in national brands. These brands often offer coupons for their products. Collect your coupons and when the bacon goes on sale, usually a Buy One, Get One deal works best, then you buy enough to use and freeze for later. Another way to get cheap bacon is to buy the “Ends”, which are the slices that are left after the butcher has cut away at the whole slab. The ends are usable as bacon slices and may contain chunks that you can use to season other foods. The ends usually cost about $1.25 per pound or less!

2. Chicken is almost always available in the reduced-price meat section. Not only can you buy when they slash the prices, which are usually reductions of 25-60% off of the regular price, but you can also buy bigger portions when they are on sale. For example, it is almost always cheaper to buy a whole chicken, which usually goes on sale at 69 cents or less per pound, than to buy just the chicken breast, which usually bottoms out at 89 cents. Another option is to buy chicken leg quarters, which are very messy to clean, but often get reduced as low as 39 cents a pound!

3. Steak is great, but the price can be a bit daunting…if you don’t catch it on sale. Only buy steak and other red meats when they are on sale. Ground beef often goes on sale for less than one dollar a pound. Then, the stores will often reduce the price even more. When you see this happening, bulk up! But, be careful with buying marked down steak. Often, certain cuts of beef are already priced high, so when they reduce the price, it’s still a very expensive proposition. Check the prices of all of the different cuts and compare them. That way, when they go on sale, you know which is the best possible deal for your family.

Most supermarkets present their mark down meats in the very early morning or right before closing. Shop early and shop late for the best deals. Also, even though it’s not often broadcast or promoted, many grocery stores will match prices from their competitors if you present them with the weekly circular. Finally, different products that are common accompaniments with meat will sometimes offer discounts on meat and poultry if you purchase their products. Many times, these offers are for FREE Meats! Take advantage of them when the products themselves go on sale to really rack up savings.

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