CUT YOUR GROCERY BILL IN HALF, CHEAPER PRESCRIPTIONS AND MORE!
We know from experience how hard it is to manage our family on a tight budget. We all got together and spent weeks researching how to save the most money locally. So now we want to share with you our secrets to saving hundreds of dollars a month. All you need is an hour preparation time and a computer to start, then an extra half hour before every shopping trip.
First, consult with you practitioner about your diet. Make sure you get the right foods, because that is more important than saving money.
Next you need to go to your computer. Every store has a website that not only offers the coupons you get in your mail, but special offers you can only find online. They have these new coupon programs that take about 5 minutes to install, that allow you to add and print all the coupons you need. You can also view the weekly and monthly mailings and offers. If you print these from each store, along with your coupons, you then use this to make your list. Compare which store has the item cheaper and then sort the lists. I use a coupon organizer I got from Longs for .80 cents and a simple lined note pad. You have to be willing to go to more than one store to save a significant amount of money. Yesterday, I saved $22 by getting half of my list from Times and half from Safeway!
Here are the links you need:
Install coupon printer from Safeway.
http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Print-Coupons#iframetop
Times coupon printer here:
http://coupons.smartsource.com/WEB/index.aspx?Link=S3LAQQX4AQ2DY
Down to earth flyer:
Click to access 0309_dte_flyer.pdf
Mr. Cheap Stuff is a local boy who offers weekly cheap and free stuff!
Whole foods: Most think whole foods is out of their budget, but you would be surprised to learn they have a generic organic brand called “365” that in some cases is cheaper then some of the Safeway brand items! For instance – 365 Everyday Value® Organic Taco Shells are only $2.69 for 12-ct box. Yellow Corn or Blue Corn which is 80cents cheaper than the Safeway generic! To see the available items and prices go here: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/list.php?CID=1
COSTCO-Costco memberships can be as low as $50 a year and sometimes they have a special for $39. You can save on things like, gas, phonebills, photo printing, prescriptions and more. Gas prices at Costco are 25 cents less a gallon than any other gas station around here, a knew membership would be worth it for the gas alone.
One additional benefit to buying in bulk was brought to my attention by Jennae at Green Your Decor. Bulk items use less packaging, and so you’re doing the environment a favor by not buying small packages.
However, there are drawbacks to shopping at warehouse stores. You have to be incredibly disciplined in order to keep your spending within your budget. There are lots of temptations at Costco. Books, clothes, household items, electronics. It helps to have a list of things you need, so if you see a deal you can buy it. But if you don’t need it, don’t buy! A deal isn’t a deal if you don’t need the item! To join online go to: http://www.costco.com/Service/FeaturePage.aspx?ProductNo=11315018
Be sure to check out this link first to get free stuff just for joining: http://mm.news-record.com/legacy/indepth/09/costco.pdf
Farmers Markets
Don’t forget the farmers market. Every Thursday in Kailua from 5-7 is the famers market. Not only is it better to buy local, but some items are significantly cheaper. For instance, you can get a whole bag of garlic for $1.00!
Food Sealers – Best $50 I ever spent. A food sealer not only keeps your food fresher longer, but it allows you to buy in larger quantities without wasting, prepare portions for diets, and prepare meals ahead of time. Also good if you shop at Costco.
Prescriptions: Safeway has a frequent fill card. If you have them stamp you every time you pick up you get $5 off a prescription once your card is full. Also a little know secret is that most pharmacies will match the cost of a prescription and not all pharmacies prices are the same. In fact, some are significantly different. Call around and get the lowest price, then tell your pharmacy. If they aren’t willing to match it, call the District Manager of the pharmacy and they almost always will help you. Also, some drug companies offer special programs that pay for your medicines if you can’t afford them. You can find those programs here: http://www.rxassist.org/
Pets: Another little know fact that the vets wont tell you unless you ask is that they will also match 1-800- PETMEDS. You have to print out the cost from the website, and you have to do it everytime (they don’t make it easy) but this will save you so much money.
How to save money on pet food:
A slow cooker and rice cooker can be used to help save money on pet food. Finding meat that is $1.00-$1.50 a pound, throw in potatoes and rice and veggies (be sure to check my website for veggies that are safe: http://www.myspace.com/goldenretrieverfreedom
Using the web to get FREE STUFF: Manufacturers offer free stuff for answering marketing surveys and signing up for their websites. Create an email just for signing up for these things so you don’t get bombarded by SPAM. Then go to: http://www.bestfreestuffonline.com/ and start applying. You can get free sippy cups, free stockings, jelly bellys and so much more.
Windward for Wellness 
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