Cheap Cheese at IGA

Yowsers!!Cheap cheese at Rutland IGA! I was there at 1230 am today(Mar 31)and there was lots left! This is the 907g and the regular price is $10.98 and it's 50% off of or $5.50. It expires April 3,2011. I got 4 bricks and I will quickly shred it in my food processor and freeze it! Hope you can get some!!!

Wants versus Needs

I was reading How to Survive Without a Salary when I came across something Charles Long said about needs. He said needs are defined differently depending on who you are. It was kind of an aha moment for me. For some reason this explanation really hit home. Often times we come at things from such different mindsets. Some of the biggest problems in marriages arise from money disagreements. What if we could find a way to communicate wants and needs better?
Now, real true needs are of course food, clothing, and shelter but then there are all the other things that are needs for one person and not for the next. For example: a car. One person living far away from their work, may need a car in order to get to their place of employment, while the next person(maybe someone living in a big city with high parking rates and efficient public transportation)may not see a vehicle as a need. When you are building your spending plan your needs and wants both come into play. Many things we consider needs, may actually be wants, but if you listen to our language....I need that flat screen 52" TV....maybe want is the correct term here?

How often does my language convince me to spend more??? I guess it comes down to our goals which can be a starting point to work backwards from. If our goal is big and important enough to us then we can probably be convinced to postpone some of our wants. Then again, we may also decide that some of our wants are so important that we just make allowances in our spending plan for them.

 The book Uncommon Cents is one of my favorites. I have read through it many times. It is a simple, clear plan for money management. A quote from the book is Buy now-Want later! To avoid this situation there are some great ideas. One way to distinguish your wants and needs is this nicely categorized chart below. It is something you(and your spouse if you have one)can use as a tool for communication and clarity. Even if you are single it is still a great tool to show you where your priorities lie. Suddenly, you see in black and white your financial priorities.

The first step is to fill out the badly scanned form(you can click on the forms to enlarge them) at the bottom of this post(seems scanning a book is harder than it looks) On the form put 10 things you wish to purchase between now and the next couple of years.

 After you are done, go back and fill in the Priority column with either A-Vital, B-Important, C-Nice, or D-Worthless. Then using the chart at the left of this page plug in the shopping list into the right column, ABCD and Present or Future.

Having things clearly spelled out this way is very helpful when a big impulse buy comes along. A quick look at the charts of YOUR spending window, shows where your priorities are. If a couple takes time to do this it can provide a lot of topics for discussion. There is only a limited amount of money, so where should it go? Can you imagine if it wasn't a mystery and your money did what you told it to. Every one's spending window looks different as every one's priorities are different. But wouldn't it be great for your family to have your priorities clearly spelled out? I hope you take the time to try it, who knows maybe it will be the first step to your financial peace?????

This Week's Sales

Superstore 25-31
Gas Coupon is on the front of the flyer again. Spend $100 on groceries and get .10/L off
                                                                                $150                                .15/Loff
                                                                                $250                                .25/Loff
Turkey .96/lb
Mangoes 4Kg case $5.88
Black Diamond Cheese 500g $4.99
Green Onions 3/.96
Onions 3lb .96
Cucumbers 3for $2.58
NN BBQ Sauce 455ml $1
Foremost Yogurt 3/$1
Campbell's Soup .50

Safeway 25-31

Chicken Breasts 4Kg $26.36
10lbs oranges $3.99 if you buy 2

Quality Greens 23-28
Fuji Nicola Apples .49/lb
Green or Red Lettuce .99
Broccoli Crowns .99

Walmart 25-31
Grapes $1/47/lb
Celery.97

Shoppers is having a 20X the points day on Sat March 26. Spend $50 and you get 20X the points.
SAT ONLY SALES
Life Brand Paper Towel 8 rolls $1.99 limit 4
Life Brand TP 24 roll $4.99
Cottonelle 12 doubles $4.99($1 coupon)
Nature Valley Granola Bars or Simply Food Crackers $1.69 limit 4
Christie Cookie and Crackers $1.79 limit 4
Everyday Market Butter 454g 2/$5 limit 4!!!!

This Week's Sales

This week's sales are short and sweet as my life is very full right now!

Superstore Mar 18-24
Pineapples $1.98
Broccoli Crowns .96/lb
Inside Round Roast $2.98/lb(lowest $2.28/lb)
Stewing Beef $2.98/lb
NN BBQ sauce 455ml $1
NN Beans or pasta in tomato sauce 5/$3(.60)
NN Apple Juice 1l $1
Bassili Lasagna 907g $3.98(I don't usually buy this but it looks like a good price?)
McCain's Pizza Premiere or Ultra Thin 347g-540g $3.99
Mushrooms 454g $2
NN Ice cream 4L $3.98 limit 2
5lb Grapefruit $2.67(.53/lb)


Walmart
Cucunbers $1
Mangoes .67
Broccoli $1
Mastro Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1L $4.97

Japan's Earthquake and Shaw TV Japan

Japan's earthquake and the aftermath probably have your attention, as it has mine! If you are a Shaw Digital customer in these areas, they have unscrambled Japan TV for you on channel 514. Thanks Shaw.

More Sales this week and Salad Recipe

Pictured here is one of our favorite salads. It's so yummy and so easy. All you need are some peppers(they are on sale again this week at Old Town Market), some tomato, cucumber, red onion and feta. Add a little red wine vinegar and olive oil and you have a tasty and beautiful salad.
I have been trying to get the sales up earlier by looking at the flyers online. The problem with this is that several do not post their online flyer in entirety or they don't put it up until later in the weekend. So, when I got my flyers to the door I saw some deals that were worth posting.
Save On has it's 3 day sale 11-13 only Pink Salmon Fillets are .79/100g(limit 2)This is a fantastic deal as the lowest tracked price is $7.55/kg!
Robin Hood Flour is only for $3.99 for a 5Kg(This works out to $7.98 for 10kg)you can usually get it at Costco for $5.48-$6.48 for a 10kg of their brand, but if you prefer this brand it's a good deal as it is usually expensive. limit 4
13-19
Russet Potatoes 20lb $4.99
Dr.Oetker Pizza 420g-450g $3.99(with Save On card)
WF Frozen Vegetables 2Kg $3.99
WF canned soups 12x284ml $4.48(works out to .38/can)
Plantation Rice 8Kg $6.99

Cooper's 13-19
Plantation Rice 8kg $6.99
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 4Kg $26.36
Pink Salmon Head off .49/100g(not the lowest price)
Red Grapes $1.49/lb
Navel Oranges .59/lb
Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup 12x284ml $4.99(limit 1)

This Week's Sales

The sunrise this morning! The birds are singing so loudly they must be celebrating the coming spring time!
Superstore 11-17
Asparagus $1.46/lb!!!! I have never seen it go lower than $1.67/lb
NN Cheese 800g $7.98(not the best price)limit 4
PC Zipper back shrimp 907g $7.99 limit 4
French Bread $1
Garden Wafers 200g .98 limit 8
Fresh Spinach or Watercress bunches .88
NN Frozen OJ or Apple juice $1
Exact Pads, liners or tampons $1.99
20lb Russet potatoes $4.88
10lb yellow onions $3.46
Cantaloupe $1.66 each

Safeway 11-17
Jumbo cantaloupe .49/lb
Lucerene 4L Ice cream $3.99
Lucerene Large Eggs $1.99
Green Grapes $1.49/lb

Shoppers 12-18
Spend $50 get $10 gift card
Shoppers is having a bonus redemption where you can trade in your points for more than their normal value 50,000 points are worth $100 and 95,000 $200
Sun-Mon only
LB TP 24 $4.99 limit 4
Kraft Peanut Butter 1Kg $2.49(lowest is $2)limit 4

Walmart 11-17
2 chickens for $12(This is a great deal if you can find a package that is 7-8lbs(15-16Kg)
Delissio Pizza are $4.99
Red or Green Grapes are $1.47/lb
Green Onions are .33
Lettuce $1
Advil Nighttime is $3.99 for the 10 pack(there are still $4 off coupons at Shopper's)
Close up and Aim100ml toothpaste are .72
Irish Spring Soap 6X90g $2.50(use the $2 off coupon that just came in the Smartsource flyer and get this for .50!)
Sunlight dish detergent 750ml-950ml $1.50

Bonus Air Miles

I am posting this because IF you get it(not sure how they decide who gets it)you may decide to throw it out without looking at it first. It came in my mailbox and looked like an envelope of junk mail. I opened it and inside was this. Now, before I decided to blog it, you can see I did a little figuring on it. I wondered, how much are airmiles worth anyways? Well, if you use them for the entertainment vouchers, for movie nights out, here's how it tallies up.

Cineplex movie night out for two package 175 airmiles

Actual value? 2 Admissions $9.50x2=$19.00(these are based on the prices at our Cineplex)

One regular popcorn $5.99

Two regular pops $3.49x2=$7.98

Total cost $32.97

$32.97/175=.19/airmile

So, these free 100 airmiles are worth $18.84

Now, normally we buy our gas at Superstore and get gas bucks. So, if you figure out about 24 litres per fill(to spend the $30)and you do that 4 times then you would have received $4.32(4.5cents/litre). So, now the $18.84-$4.32=$14.52 actual value

Option Two:Let's say you went on cheap Tuesday. This same package would cost $18.98(you get an extra popcorn as it's 50% off)

Option Three:Finally, you could go to Costco and buy the Cineplex Entertainment Package for $24.99

So basically, all told it looks like you would profit about $14.52 to fill up 4 times at Shell. If this looks good to you, I hope you get it in your mail box!

What's up with all these group buying companies?

I thought a blog about Groupon was probably due as I previously blogged about Twongo. What's up with these collective buying groups? Well, it seems to be a great way for you to save money on things both in your area as well as anywhere Groupon and Twongo are. I have used both companies to get great deals on services for myself as well as gifts for people in other cities!!! What a great way to get someone something a little more than you usually would spend!! For example, today's deal in our city with Groupon is a 60 minute massage($45 value) or $40 worth of waxing services for $20! What a great gift!
You can sign up for other city's emails so that if you have friends of family there you can see what the deals are for great gifts!!!
Groupon differs from Twongo in that they give you a $10 referral bonus if you use your link to invite someone else to join. Once they make their first order you get $10. Twongo, however makes it a little more advantageous for both you and the person who signs up, as you both get $5 for their first purchase.
The things I have seen offered are pizza, second cup, golfing, beauty service, massage, chiropractor services, entertainment, restaurants, just to name a few!
Also, if you are going to another city for vacation sign up for that city's emails and pick up your attractions and eating out at a discounted rate! For example, right now in Edmonton the Groupon deal is $15 for $30 worth of admissions, skate rentals and more at Sportsworld. If that was some place you were planning on going to on vacation, well you just spent $15 less!
Another example is in Vancouver today the deal is $20 for 2 adult admissions to the zoo, regular price $40. So, if you are planning on going to Vancouver for the zoo this summer, well here's a deal for you!(Clicking on the city at the top of Twongo or Groupon will take you to their list of available cities, you can also sign up to get emails from all the cities of your choosing.)
It seems that pretty much all of the certificates you receive are good for one year.
Christmas and birthdays could be a lot more fun this year!!!
Twongo is not yet in all cities(not in Edmonton yet)but you can presign up and then as soon as they are up and running you will be notified.
Interested in trying it? Groupon link is here. Twongo link is here.
When you get to the main page choose your city at the top, and away you go! Happy Saving!

I've got lots of sick people....I mean noodles

We seem to be smack dab in cold season at our house. One by one, week by week, a new person has caught this awful cold. Both the kids have had it, now our home stay has it.......that only leaves hubby and I. So, today I pulled out the handy daddy home remedy, chicken soup. I have learned from our dear house guest that pe-tsai(a Chinese cabbage) makes a lovely addition to our soup! But, I am getting ahead of myself. First, I must give credit where credit is due. I was blessed to have an aunt and uncle let me live with them in my senor year of high school. My aunt made the most fantastic soup, and from her I learned to make easy, quick scratch soups!

Yummy Chicken Noodle Soup

To start you can use your leftover chicken(or turkey) carcass. Put in in lots of water, bring to a boil and then let simmer as long as you can. If you don't have a chicken carcass(I like to have chicken noodle soup shortly after roasting a chicken, when I menu plan)you can take two boneless skinless chicken breast and put it in the water. At this point I add some onion, chopped and some minced garlic(garlic is a food group at our house and I like to buy the big minced garlic at Costco). I learned years later that my other auntie was amazed that I wasn't adding star anise, which she believes makes the soup! So, I always add a few stars! Then I generously salt and pepper it and let it simmer. About an hour later, I toss in spaghetti noddles, that I have broken up. Today, there was broccoli hanging around so it went in the pot, but it can be celery, or frozen corn, whatever you fancy! Next, I cut up some Chinese cabbage and some cilantro(I just love cilantro). Throw it all in and then test in 10 minutes to see if the noodles are soft. Taste for saltiness and viola! Homemade cold(I mean cough cough) comfort food!

$25 for your kids!

BMO is offering a $25 bonus to children under 16 when you open an account before April 30,2011 and deposit $25. Bonus will be paid in 60 days.
Details are here. My kids are excited as this is an easy $25 and they need a bank account where they can go into a branch as their other one is an online account. I hope your kids can cash in!!

This Week's Sales and Shopper's Shopping list

This Week's Sales
Superstore 4-10
Spend $250 get a free 4Kg Box of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts value $27.77
T Bone Steaks(Jackie!!!Ken will be happy)$4.97!!! Lowest price ever
Oranges .56/lb
Terra Delyssa Olive Oil 1L $4.99
Special K Bars $2.00
Catelli Healthy Harvest Pasta 3/$4.98
Pork Shoulder Blade Steaks $1.98
NN Pasta 900g .98 limit 2
NN Marg 454g $1
Mushrooms 454g $1.98

Safeway Mar 4-10 Spend $100 get 100 Airmiles

Walmart 4-10
Strawberries 1lb $1.97
Red Onions .47/lb

Cooper's 6-12
Turkey Frozen min 11kg .89/lb!!!!!
Green Grapes $1.39/lb
Strawberries 1lb $1.99

Save On 6-12
Lean Ground Beef $1.99/lb(not the lowest)
Strawberries 2lb $3.89($1.94/lb)
Cheeze Whiz 1Kg $4.99
Schneider's Chicken Breasts $2.99/lb

Shopper's 5-11
6-7 only
Lay's and Doritos $1.99 limit 4
Paper Towels 8 roll $1.99 limit 4
Everyday market tuna .59 limit 4
Butter 4554g $2.99 limit 4
Rest of the week $1.99(.50 coupon
Royale Facial Tissue .49 limit 4(go coupons$1.00 coupon)
Kotex Pads 3/$9.99 Smartsource coupons for $2 when you buy 2
Colgate Total toothpaste .99($1 off coupon websaver)
Special K Bars (.50 coupon websaver)
Dempster's Bread $1.99
Christie cookies and crackers $1.49
Simply Foods chips $1.49

Rexall 4-10
Snack ups 140g .59

My Shoppers List
So as you know Shopper's is having their spend $75 get 18500 points. Is it worth it? Well if you wait to cash out until you get to 95000 points, you would get $170. At that rate this 18500 points would be worth $33.10. If you waited until there was a bonus redemption you would get $38.95.
Now, if you combine this with the MIR for the Lysol Hands Free Soap, and buy lost leaders, sales and use coupons, yes it could be well worth it.
Here's a shopping list idea
Royale Facial Tissue Buy 6, 4@.49 and 2@1.19 and use the $1 off coupon from go coupons
Colgate Total Toothpaste .99(use $1 off coupon from websaver)
Tuna buy 4@.59
Paper Towels Buy 4@$1.99
Kellogg's Special K bars use .50 websaver coupon $1.99
Lysol $14.96(MIR)
Kotex Pads Buy 6 @3/9.99 use Smart source coupons $2.00 off when you buy 2
Butter $2.99
Blistex Buy 2for1.99 use smartcource coupon for .50
Christie Crackers Buy 7 @ 1.49
Dempster's Bread Buy 4@1.99
Grand total is $75.94
Less Coupons of $9.00
Less MIR $14.95
Total Point value is $38.95 @max
So all of these groceries end up cost $13.04(plus taxes)
Remember there are the Physician's Formula MIRs also.

Free Things

Lysol has a free no touch hand soap mail in rebate available in the Smart Source coupon flyer. To see which paper it comes out in in your area look here. Shopper's is having another points event next week so it might be a good one to help you reach their minimum spending. I hear it's about $14.95.

Free coffee at McDonald's all across Canada Feb 28-March 6.

A Facebook offer, one Dove offer here. For
a daily treatment conditioner sample.
Kellogg's has a new cereal sample here.

I'd talk more but my day has already begun without me! Have a good one!

Do Mail in Rebates Cheques Actually Come?

People have asked me whether or not Mail in Rebates work. Do the cheques actually come? How long does it take? Is it worth it? Well, I have decided to post a few examples. First of all the Accudial one was an email rebate. I blogged about it here. It is now over.They only asked for you to take a picture of your purchase and email it in along with the answers to 3 product oriented questions. They are promoting dosing of medicine by the child's weight, not just age. They reimbursed me $10 for this. The product cost was $5.99 plus tax(.65) or $6.64. I purchased it at Safeway on 10% off day in order to get my total to the minimum $35 required to get 10% off. So, I saved the .60 this way. Total in my pocket? $10-$6.04 =$3.96 plus a full size free product! How long did it take? I bought it Feb 2 and received my cheque Feb 18th! Only 16 days.

This is the Air Wick MIR that I blogged about. I bought it on Dec 11th for $11.49 plus tax $1.38 which is $12.87. I combined this by buying it at Shopper's at a 20X the points which in dollar amount are worth $2.05 or $2.41 depending on whether or not there's a bonus redemption. I received my cheque for $12.87 on Jan 24th. 44 days.

Below is the recent Nutrogena MIR. I blogged it here. They allowed one per person, not household. We bought 2 different kinds on Jan 22. One was $45.99 plus tax $5.52 =$51.50, the cheque for $52.10 came on Feb 28th. A total of 37 days. The other was $59.99 + $7.20 =$67.18 The cheque for $67.78 came the same day as the other one. We combined these with a 20X the points day at Shopper's so again the points are worth a total of $18.96 - $22.31 again depending on when I use them.( I wait until the maximum redemption possible which is a bonus redemption of 95000 points for $200. )I have used this twice, once at Christmas and once in Feburary.

You can keep track of all the most recent MIRs at the Smart Canuck's website, here.
Ready to try MIRs for yourself? Right now there are a few out there! I blogged about the Febreze one at the bottom of this post. The Physician's Formula one is here.