A Smart Shopper's Back-To-School Last-Minute Shopping Survival Guide

For most schools, the new school year is already back in session. In my city, school starts in two weeks. My child did not want to be reminded, as do I - tough! -  but the "cycle of life" will heave forward like a wrecking ball whose only main goal is to destroy every attempt we do to ignore and deny it. We'll just sing Hakuna Matata! Maybe that will ease the "pain" as we embrace the reality of the impending arrival of the new school year and the challenge of surviving mass stampede inside the stores from frantic parents doing last-minute BTS shopping!

But you don't need to be included in the casualty list. Here's my trustworthy survival guide to make sure you don't end up the object of a shopping roadkill.

Healthy Living Healthy Savings: Great deals on Organic products

 My Earth Fare Bounty of the week

Living on organic or natural products doesn't come cheap. I can attest to that! And while couponing is a great money-saving tool, it is not always a luxury offered on most organic products. So when I find a great deal on organic finds, I'm more than happy to share them.

Earth Fare: Free 5 pound bag is coupon is good until Tuesday, May 16. The $1 OFF coupon is good until 3/24/10 - Got mine today!

To print this coupon: Highlight the image and then check "print selection" option before printing.

Deals on my bounty:
Stonyfield: 5/$4 Sale ends 3/30/10
Milk Chocolate covered Almond: $6.99 lb Sale ends 3/30/10
Sunspire Sundrops: $6.99 lb Sale ends 3/30/10
Gaia Essential Oils: $2.00 off coupons while supply last 

Check this out for more deals:

• Fare Deals
• Weekly Deals

SuperTarget :  Free Physicians Formula All Natural Bamboo Compact Mirror and Brush - after mail-in rebate. $5.99 value. Great for the Eco-conscious!

My Bamboo compact and Bamboo Silk Face Powder Refill

 Peek-a-Boo!

The compact is innovative and the design is very attractive! Both top and bottom swivels to open and is refillable. Magnets are used to lock the compact and hold the powder refill in place. The powder refill is $8.99 and also made of Bamboo powder.

Enjoy! If you have any deals on organic products, please share them. I would love to get my hands on them. 

Contingent Option for Minor Health Care needs

For many of us who could not afford Health Care coverage and don't have any health insurance, getting sick is not an option. But what if you do get sick? Where would you go?

Let me share to you a classic example: My little girl got sick last week. When she started complaining of ear ache, running a fever and not sleeping at night due to pain, we knew she needed medical attention. We suspected she's got ear infection but we have to be sure.

Now we could not afford to go to just any urgent clinics that charges absurd fees especially if you don't have health insurance, so we did our homework and discovered Minute Clinic by CVS Pharmacy. They charge a very nominal fee of $62 for Minor care needs. Melissa Herrington, the Physician Assistant who attended to my Little Miss Sasserfrass was very thorough and concise with her examination and diagnosis. We were definitely happy and relieved with the result and pleased with the experience.

Minute Clinic is definitely our first choice now if we do need minor medical care. And we're not the only ones apparently. There were a lot of people lined up at that clinic that day and according to Herrington, their clinic is always busy everytime! In this current economic times, I was not at all surprised. More and more people are opting for services like these and this might just be the answer we need to completely eradicate the tight rein of Health Insurance companies on us! A drastic strategy used by private-owned clinics in Canada offering memberships to their facility to eliminate the use of health insurance. Do you think this can be a sensible approach here in the US especially with this dysfunctional health care system we have?

How to conquer the Farmer's Market - Buyer's Guide 101

If you're following my posts, as promised: here is the addendum for my previous post Ways to beat soaring prices where I cited shopping at your local farmer's market is one way of saving some bucks!- Which I can vouch for, being a farmer's market shopper for a time now. Shopping at the farmer's market not only keeps the money in your local economy , helping your friendly farmer neighbors but also improves your diet since it ends up cutting all sorts of processed and packaged foods in favor of raw, whole ingredients. Best of all, since they're locally produce, they're cheaper & fresher compared to store bought ones. Whether you're a new convert to the joy's of farmer's market or a long time supporter, here are some expert tip I have collected along with my own experience to help you buy wisely and make the most of the experience:

1. Be prepared - plan your day ahead. If you prefer to pay in cash, make sure you have enough small bills (Most vendors/farmers accepts credit card payments anyway, so no worry there, if you don't have cash) - but to be in the safe side, hubby & I usually stash some cash in our pockets for instances where we encounter cash only vendors. We also bring our own recyclable, reusable bags. If you love mother earth, ditch the plastic bags and provide your own eco-green bags. Put a cooler in your car too, to store perishable produce especially when you'll have to do longer rounds. Aim to arrive early to get the freshest variety available or late in the day, just before closing, to get the best bargain (but may not be as fresh).

2. Talk to Strangers - Strike up a conversation with the vendor: It may land you a better deal & discounts too. I usually chat with either the vendor or his assistants to get "inside" scoops on his produce which makes for essential choices. It also creates a relationship which will be beneficial in the long run. Also, connect with other shoppers, they are the best tools for finding best priced produce & customer-friendly vendors.

3. Be mindful of Prices - Don't jump on the 1st banana you see on sight. Some vendors sell their produce higher than others. Scour the premises for price comparison first & as soon as you find the best deal, then dude, you can grab that banana! A tactic hubby & I learn when perusing the farmer's market is to "divide & conquer". I prowl half of the premise while he scours the other half of it, then we meet in the middle and compare notes. By doing this, we get the best deals & getting the best produce we needed.

4. Sample the Goods - I love this portion especially when watermelon is in season! Since most vendors will encourage you to stop, smell and taste before you buy- just go for it! My daughter loves the free-tasting too. It makes for an instant snack! Keeps her happy, makes our shopping a happy experience! There's also nothing compared to savoring the goodness of something you're paying good dollars for before actually buying it. It's worth each penny you spend!

5. Bring the Kids - taking the kids can be fun & educational. Kids are a lot more likely to eat their veggies if they help pick them out. Not to say, if you have a toddler, the stroller becomes a useful tool for hanging your grocery bags! My daughter loves looking at all the fruits she knows and loves being able to help select the veggies & fruits when we do buy them. It keeps her entertained & also learning a few other things in between.

6. Don't insist on organic - A lot of small farms don't get certified because the process is just too burdensome and expensive. Most of them are pesticide free or no spray. If you're not sure about the produce you're buying, you can always ask the farmer. This is where striking up a conversation with them comes in handy.

7. Make it last - Buy fruits & veggies you can pickle or jar or freeze them to use as jams & sauces later on. I don't have the talent for this, so I just buy what we need. Sorry, not perfect! (",) - but hey, if you do - go crazy and stock up on seasonal fruits & veggies that you can make use of at any given season.

8. Be a composter -If you don't know how to do it or care to do it, some markets provide compost stands. Composting helps prevent pollution, cleans up contaminated soil and reduces the need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides. If your market doesn't offer a composting drop-off, suggest one.

I hope this will make your trip to the Farmer's market an exciting experience. Do you have any shopping tips to share to make shopping at the farmer's market pleasant? I would love to hear them.

*complimentary resource: vegetarian times

Ways to beat Soaring Prices

I was at a friend's house last night and our sentiments about the soaring gas prices and how it is affecting our staple commodities and our BUDGETS were imminent. I know that every household right now not just in the US but globally, are suffering from the unprecedented upsurge of an unstable economy due to high gas prices. It has enforced drastic lifestyle changes and most of all a tighter budget. I want to qoute a zen mantra, that I hear from every parents, growing up and timely appropriate in this day of financial crisis : "kung maigsi ang kumot, mamaluktot" . Roughly translated in english, it means: "If the blanket is short, curl yourself in."- It's a valuable lesson in life. To put this in action, here are some fool-proof ways to save money & gas to loosen the belt just a bit :

a) Eat out (or take out ) 1-a week - it will save you at least $40 or more each week (depending where you go and how often you do it) and if you're say, a household of 4, multiply that with the total amount spent, and you'll have enough saved to either go to your gas or grocery budget at the end of the week. No time to cook ? - cook a big batch when you do, freeze it (especially stews, pasta or meats) and voila! you have a ready-to-eat meal next time.

b) Make your own Coffee - Saves you approximately $3.99 each time you refrain from doing your starbuck's or Caribou run. Not much you say, but add the cost each time you dabble on your coffee addiction and you'll be amazed with what you come up with. Go buy a bag of coffee beans, a handy coffee press, a grinder and you're good to go!- and saving money & gas too.

c) Turn off lights and unplug appliances - According to US Climate Emergency Council, these little electric suckers still suck energy out of the grid even when they're off which adds up to your electric bill. So make it a habit to turn your lights off and unplug appliances when not in use. To be more cost and energy-efficient, replace your bulbs with compact flourscent ones.

d) Save water - save money. Don't leave the water running when brushing or shampooing your hair or soaping up yourself. Turn it on, only when needed. Also, it's summer, save the hot water for winter! If your using gas heater, using cool water saves you gas and not tough on your gas and water bills.

e) Use the AC only when appropriate - if you know you're going to be away all day, turn it off. And if you are home, insulate your house by hanging thick curtain or those that repel sun glare on your biggest windows in the house. It helps stabilize the cool temp in your house and not much work for your AC. And when its' cool enough outside, open your windows and patio doors to air and cool off your home. This is also applicable to your car - except the thick curtain of course! Heat will not kill you but your gas bill will !

f) Go to your Local Farmer's Market - they're cheaper and fresh! you'll get more out of your money's worth. You're also helping your local farmers get by in life like you. And if you're in Charlotte here is one we go to that you can go to : North Carolina Farm Fresh .

g) Create a Shopping List - and stick with it ! you are more prone to impulsive buying when you don't have a list to follow and end up buying what you don't need. Also, it's cheaper to buy store brands than popular ones. Here's a tip: Most often that not, they are made in the same plant by the same manufacturer. So, in reality you're buying the name not the product. Be wise. This applies to clothing as well. Be a smart shopper. Save big bucks.

i) lastly, click here for some wise tips from US Environmental Protection Agency on how to save gas. Some of it are already practiced by people I know. Myself included.

If you have any smart tips, don't hide them. Share it with us...

For more Frugal Shopping Tips : check HERE

Coming next: "How to Shop the Farmer's Market"

Frugal Tip for Smart Shopping at Target

Do you love high-quality expensive items but pay less for them ? There's a place where you can get them 75% off and there is little chance anyone else knows about it. In addition to the fantastic finds on the end caps of most aisles , there are fabulous hidden deals to be had for those of us who really want them. Well, Good News, Target is the place to go to! And if you are like me, who regularly shop at Target, you'll know what I mean. So here is a great tip from frugal shoppers like you and me which would help us "navigate" Target wisely!

Save Big Money - Target has a crazy system of marking down their merchandise. Those that are familiar can get some really great deals before anyone else even knows that they are on sale. Clearance items at Target are usually marked with a red sticker in the upper right-hand corner of the packaging. Sometimes, however, the stickers don’t display the full discount, or there may be no sticker at all.

Secret Deals - Regular Target deal hunters know that it can really be a hit or miss type of deal. Some parts of the country have fantastic deals on high-end items, with no hint of the discount from their sticker price. Other areas never mark these same items down. The only way to really know if an item is on “secret clearance” is to scan it, made handy by the self-scanning stations placed throughout most stores. In order to get an idea of what might be on secret clearance, it is often necessary to browse message boards and web forums of those shoppers that do this regularly. (For a great resource for getting awesome Target deals, do a search for “Target Perimeter Perusing” and see what you may find!)

Daily Markdowns – In addition to the odd lot items that may be lurking among the regular merchandise and could be haphazardly stashed at the end caps, Target has a system for marking down their merchandise weekly:

Monday - Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.
Tuesday - Domestics, Women's Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)

Wednesday - Men's Clothing, Toys, Lawn & Garden, Health and Beauty items

Thursday - House Wares, Lingerie, Sporting Goods, Shoes, Music / Movies, Books, Decor and Luggage

Friday - Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, and Jewelry

By closely following the markdown schedule, and hitting the stores early in the morning, it is possible to get what you want before anyone else knows about it. ( hit the food items on Tuesday morning and come home with armloads of canned goods, boxed dinner kits, and gourmet juices for pennies!)

Holiday Deals – Target participates in a generous markdown after major holidays, as well. Clothing is at a fabulous price during their after-holiday clearance, with many Valentines or Independence Day t-shirts for under a buck. (By picking some generic prints and designs, they can be worn year-round.) Their holiday markdown schedule is usually as follows (with the exception of Christmas, which can vary):

50% off the day after holiday for three days75% off the fourth day after holiday for three days90% off the seventh day after holiday for 1-2 days.
Some additional points to note about Target shopping:
If you find an item at 75% off, and you want it, don’t let it get away! They rarely mark down non-holiday items below this discount.

If it the price ends in the number 4, you may be looking at your last chance to buy. Check to be sure that an item marked “As Is” is worth purchasing. I have been duped on a few occasions by unscrupulous customers who opened a package and swapped out the contents with a knock-off or broken merchandise. Target will not honor returns on “As Is” merchandise. That being said, I have also gotten some great deals on a Graco Pack N’ Play and a car seat simply because they were ordered online and returned to the store. There may not be anything wrong with the item at all!

Don’t buy just to buy. Unless you are planning on reselling merchandise, or need the item anyway, don’t get tempted into buying for the thrill of it. Every penny you spend is that much more work you will have to do to earn it back. Play the game, but don’t lose at it.
The Target shopping game can be very competitive, and there will be others out there trying to get the same deals as you. Get there early, get what you want, and get out. You’ll save a bundle, and maybe even have some fun!

Happy Shopping dear Mom!

hint from another frugal shopper who learnt years ago from a Target store manager. It seems to still hold true.Full prices end in 9. Every time Target discounts, the final digit of the price drops. The lowest the final digit will go is 4. If you see something you want and the price ends in 4, buy it. You won't get it for less.