we can do it

Friday, May 25, 2012

Coscto: what TO buy and NOT to buy

I have been spending a lot of time on Pintrest looking for some great summer ideas for the boys and tripped over this pinn..  


The best deals:


  • Dog food (about 1/2 the price)
  • Olive Oil
  • Diapers & wipes ($6 off per box when you use their coupons, I buy whatever brand is on sale that month.)
  • Milk
  • Laundry detergent / fabric softener/ dryer sheets  - with coupons (I make my own for much less)
  • Cheese (I buy their huge bags of shredded Kirkland mozarella and cheddar. I divide them into small sandwich baggies and freeze them; pull out one bag at a time as needed.
  • 3lb bags of Mission tortilla chips (the boys love these)
  • Bags of frozen fruit and veggies (not only cheaper, but much better than stores' frozen veggies.)
  • Seasonings, minced garlic (their containers are HUGE are are much cheaper than other stores!)
  • Prescriptions & vitamins - with coupon when possible. (Much cheaper at Costco!! And you don't need a membership to buy them. Click HERE for info.)
  • Birthday cake ($17 for their MASSIVE, semi-customizable cakes
Other great deals that I buy:
  • Bananas
  • Potatoes
  • Strawberries (...when in season. They are the biggest and best strawberries EVER.)
  • Bread/rolls/buns (if I dont make them myself)
  • Frozen chicken (if I am out and not able to buy on sale)
  • String cheese 
  • Romaine lettuce and bagged spinach (if not from the backyard)
  • Postage stamps (when I need a lot of them)
  • Eggs)
  • Juice (with coupon when possible)
  • Rice/quinoa
  • Baking items (flour, sugar,
  • Butter
  • I also get my photos printed there.
  • Plants and outdoor equipment (when in season)
  • Socks
  • Rotisserie chicken
  • Frozen salmon
  • Gas (will save you major $$ over time.)
  • Electronics.
What I avoid buying at Costco:
  • Ground beef (when on sale I just buy as much as I can and freeze it into 1 lb bags)
  • Other meat ( they go on sale at the grocery store.)
  • Cereal (they have coupons occasionally, but still more expensive.)
  • Most canned food (the small cans) (it's convenient to have them in a big box, but price per can is higher than Walmart.)
  • Condiments (condiments go on sale like CRAZY in grocery stores around holidays. Stock up on ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce at stores when they go on sale and you'll save way more.)
  • Pasta & sauce. (You can typically get 1lb for $1 and sauce you can get on sale for $1 per jar at Walmart. Costco is nearly always more expensive.) 
  • Most produce. (Costco's produce is awesome, huge, often organic, and high-quality...BUT it's typically more expensive. There are times when their produce is cheaper, but you just need to learn your prices. For example, their 3lb bags of spinach is a great deal. And when in-season, their strawberries are competitively priced. They might not be the cheapest, but the size and quality make them a good deal. However, their apples, oranges, grapefruits, grapes, and other produce will cost you a lot more. How to know the difference? See the next tip...)

What to buy When at the Grocery Store

I saw this pinned on Pintrest.  I thought of all of you.... 

January

National Oatmeal Month: Quaker
Diet Foods: Healthy Choice, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Special K, Kashi, Smart Start, 100 Calorie Packs, Yogurt
Super Bowl Sunday: Pepsi, Coke, Chips, Dips, Cheese, Sandwich Items, Crackers, Snacks, Wings
Seasonal Produce: Oranges, Pears, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Cabbage, Spinach
Clearance: Christmas Decorations, Toys, Wrapping Papers,
Winter Health: Cold Medicines and Vitamins

February

National Canned Food Month: Canned Fruit, Pie Fillings, Vegetables, Meats: Tuna, Chicken, Salmon
National Hot Breakfast Month:  Malt O Meal, Oatmeal, Eggo Waffles, Syrup
Valentines:  Chocolate, Hershey’s, KY Lubricant, etc
Chinese New Year: Soy Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Noodles, Canned Water Chestnuts
Seasonal Produce:  Artichoke, Asparagus, Raspberries, Potatoes, Strawberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Spinach

March

Frozen Food Month: Ice Cream, Frozen Vegetables (Boxed, Bag, or Steam), Frozen Meals, Foster Farms Chicken, Waffles, Pizza
Seasonal Produce: Artichoke, Asparagus, Haas Avocado, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lemon, Lime, Mushrooms, Spring Onions, Orange, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Tangerine

April

Easter:  Ham, Eggs, Spices, Baking Supplies: Sugar, Spices, Baking Mixes, Chocolate Chips, Butter, Coconut, Marshmallows, Brownie Mix, Cake Mix
Earth Day: Organic Foods, Energy Saver, Reusable Totes
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbages, Carrots, Grapefruit, Haas Avocado, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas, Rhubarb
Clearance: After Easter sales

May

Print what’s on sale for May only here.
Memorial Day: BBQ Sauce, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips, Grilling Meats, Hot Dogs, Hamburger Meat, Marinade, Salad Greens
Paper Products: Plates, Utensils, Insect Repellant, Sunscreen
Cinco De Mayo: Salsa, tortillas
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Green, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Peas, New Potatoes, Raspberries, Strawberries

June

National Dairy Month: Eggs, Milk, Ice Cream, Cheese, Cream Cheese, Butter, Yogurt, Whipping Cream, Whipped Cream, Cool Whip
End of June is Fourth or July Sales: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips
Seasonal Produce: Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cherries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Potatoes, Raspberries, Red Onions, Squash, Summer, Strawberries, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Tomatoes, Watermelon

July

National Ice Cream Month
More 4th of July BBQ Sales: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips
End of July: Back to School Sales Begin: Crayons, Pencils, Folders, Binders
Seasonal Produce: Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Beans, Green, Blueberries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Garlic, Grapes, Nectarines, Onions, Red, Valencia Oranges, Peaches, Sweet/Bell Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Watermelon

August

Back to School: Pudding cups, Lunch meat, Lunchables, Bread, Cold Cereal, Waffles, Lunchboxes
Disinfectant:  Clorox, Purell
Clearance:  Insect Repellant, Sunscreen, charcoal
Seasonal Produce: Gravenstein Apple, Haas Avocado, Green Beans, Beans, Berries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Grapes, Melons, Onion, Peaches, Bartlett Pears, Bell Pepper, Plums, Raspberries, Squash, Summer, Tomatillo, Tomato

September

Back to School Sales through Labor Day:  Crayons, Pencils, Folders, Binders
Diabetes: Bayer Glucose Meters, Glucerna Cereal
Seasonal Produce: Apples, Artichokes, Beans, Bell Peppers, Chili Peppers, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Onion, Valencia Orange, Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Pomegranate, Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes, Winter Squash
Baby Items: Major Baby Equipment, Baby Safety

October

Halloween: Candy, Fresh Pumpkin
Beginning of the Baking Sales: Canned pumpkin, Evaporated Milk, Baking Chips
Daylight Savings Time Ends Promotions: Alarm Clocks, Batteries, Safety Equipment, Smoke Detectors
National Seafood Month
Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month: Pedigree, Purina
Seasonal Produce: Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Chard, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Lemons, Parsnip, Pears, Pomegranate, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Winter, Turnips, Yams

November

Hot Cocoa, Coffee, Tea
Baking Sales in Full Swing: Nuts, Chocolate Chips, Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut, Cake Mixes
Canned foods: Soup, Broth, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce
Thanksgiving Items: Turkey, Canned Pumpkin, Stovetop Stuffing, Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Comice Pears, Cranberries, Kiwi, Lemons, Orange, Potato, Squash, Yams
Clearance: After Halloween Sales

December

Holiday Dinner: Egg Nog, Deli Platters, Instant Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows. Sour Cream Dips, Crackers, Chips, Soda, Ham
Baking: Flour, Sugar, Butter, Cream, Cake Mix, Brownie Mix, Muffin Mix, Breads, Pie Crust, Marshmallow, Whipped cream
Canned Foods: Soup, Broth, Condensed Milk, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Bok Choy, Bosc Pears, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Dates, Grapefruit, Haas Avocados, Kale, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lemon, Napa Cabbage, Oranges, Sweet Potatoes, Red Cabbage, Rutabaga, Savoy Cabbage, Spinach, Winter Squash, Yams, Turnips, White Potato
Clearance: After Thanksgiving and After Christmas Sales




To read the rest of the article please Clike here

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Free Slurpie Day

May 23rd is free slurpie day!  That is tomorrow!!  we will have to get one after school!!  The boys will be sooooo happy

Monday, May 21, 2012

Monday, May 14, 2012

Fun way to make summer go by FAST!

With summer on it's way I have been searching for great ideas for the boys to do without driving me crazy..  Yes, we have lots of fun things to do out the back yard like the trampoline, two tree swings, crazy painting stuff, water balloons, sprinklers and access to a friend's pool.  There is going to be down time that the kiddos need to be able to do SOMETHING!!

I have seen theses "I'm Bored Jars" and went searching for one that was age appropriate for my two.  With all the scrap booking paper (that I already have), a snazzy paper cutter, a great laser printer and a mason jar (again I have) I was able to make one for the boys..  I was able to find a site that had the template in a PDF and all I had to do was cut my paper, load the printer and hit print.... ok there are a few more steps  than that but it was that simple and I have a jar full of great ideas that the boys can do and NOT drive me up the walls.  Here is the I'm Bored LINK so you too can make one for your kids.

 More summer Ideas to come