5 Strategies to Make Meal Planning a Reality

                                         
I've been meal planning for a few years now. It's just one of those things I do every Sunday as soon as the new grocery store sales ads come out because:

1) We're on a budget, so I need to see what meats and vegetables are on sale in order to plan our meals for the week; and

2) I like having a plan in place so that when Monday afternoon rolls around, I'm not scratching my head and scanning the pantry shelves trying to decide what's for supper in the midst of children and a home that need my attention. 

Having a meal plan makes life a little easier for me. 

If it doesn't for you, then DON'T do it.

That being said I know there are lots of people who don't meal plan because (1) they think it's too much work; (2) they like to be spontaneous; and/or (3) they don't know how. 

In a previous post, I explain how meal planning works if you fall in camp #3. If you're in camp #2, I can only say that you can meal plan and be spontaneous. I'd much prefer to have a plan in place first, and if I want to change it, then I can. 

For those of you who think it's too much work, here are 5 strategies that might help make meal planning a reality:

1. Don't think you have to plan every meal. 
I know some people plan breakfast, lunch, dinner, even snacks. I've tried that in the past, and it just didn't work for me because we eat the same things for breakfast, lunch, and snack every day or I let the kids choose among what's available. I simply make sure we have those foods on hand each week. 

2. Repetition isn't boring; it can be good. 
I like variety in my menu, but my children do not. Perhaps yours don't either? I think mine would eat spaghetti or macaroni every night if I'd fix it. We have about 10-12 meals that we all like, so I fix them frequently because my husband and I like to eat our meals in peace. Trying to convince a child to "just try it" is not conducive to peace in my opinion.

3. A master list of your family's favorite meals will save you time & lots of heartache. 
While I like to try new recipes, I do not like to be the only one who will eat them, and, as mentioned above, new recipes often lead to headache. It frustrates me to no end when my family finds the food I've prepared repulsive. So, I stick with tried and true family favorites most nights of the week. I do, however, try to take one night each week to experiment with a new recipe. 

Right now, most of our family-favorite recipes are on my Menu Plan and Pinned Recipes I've Tried boards on Pinterest and in various cookbooks I own. Simply make a list and keep it handy for meal planning.

4. A different meal idea for each night of the week can be a lifesaver. 
At our house, I rely on this schedule:

Sundays = Leftovers or Daddy cooks

Mondays = Try something new

Tuesdays = Pasta or Stir-Fry

Wednesdays = Meat-less (usually beans)

Thursdays = Mexican (usually fish tacos)

Fridays = Pizza Night

Saturdays = Dinner Out

Consider the foods your family loves, and devise a similar schedule {if it works for you! If it doesn't work, then don't do it!} For me, meal planning is so much easier when I have a schedule to rely on.

5. Find new recipes to add to your repertoire of family favorites. 
I recently made this black bean sweet potato enchilada dish, and my husband requested that we add it to the rotation. The kids agreed. So, now I have another recipe I know my family likes. If you get tired of fixing and eating the same 5 meals, then try out something new. You'll discover quickly if it's a keeper or not.

Meal planning does take a little time and effort, but the rewards are amazing. Not only will you save money by eating out less and buying what's on sale, but you'll also feel good knowing you're fixing meals your family will eat. 

I encourage you to have a meal planning day and set aside 30-45 minutes to do the following: 

(1) Make a list of your family's favorite meals.

(2) Devise a "schedule" for each night of the week.

(3) Peruse grocery store sales ads to find out what's on sale.

(4) Plan your menu for the week according to your family's favorite meals, your meal "schedule", and what's on sale. 

(5) Find 1 new recipe to try each week.

Of course, do what works for you in your present season. After having a new baby, I stopped searching sales ads for deals and relied on easy-to-fix meals. 

Overall, though, if you commit to meal planning, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Do YOU meal plan? Why or why not? If you do, what advice would you give to someone new to meal planning?

Blessings to you, homemaker, as you manage your home and take good care of the money God has blessed you with!

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Creating a Library of Good Children's Books: #2 Find Them Frugally

Last week I shared with you how to establish criteria for building a library of good books for children. Once you've determined the kinds of books you want for your children, then you need to find them! 

First of all, I would recommend sitting down and making a list of specific books and authors you're looking for. Otherwise, when you're out looking, you will become overwhelmed by all the choices and may pick a few that don't meet your criteria at all.

Here are some great book lists that I've used for building our library:

• Ambleside Online Booklists By Year
• Charlotte Mason Help Books By Year 
• 10 Twaddle-Free Books for Young Children
• Favorite Read-Aloud Books for Preschoolers
• List of Picture Books for Primary Ages
• Character-Building Books for Girls

But finding a good book list is just the starting point. Unless you have a photographic memory (I do not), then when you're out hunting for good children's books, you will inevitably forget the titles and authors on these lists. 

That's why I recommend 3 things:

(1) Print out your book list or jot down a few titles & keep them in your car or purse.

(2) Plug titles into the "Notes" section on your phone. 

(3) Make a Goodreads shelf specifically for books for your children. There's a Goodreads app for your phone, so you can access these books while out and about.

My Goodreads Shelf of Books-For-My-Girls

Now when you're out searching for "new" books you will have an idea of what you're looking for and not just pick up something that looks good.


#1: Make a book list!

#2: Find your books!

As a book hoarder, I love browsing at Barnes & Noble, but thoughts of paying full price for a book give me the shivers.

Here are a few of my favorite sources for finding good children's books for a steal:

Yard Sales
Unless I have a specific item I'm hunting for, I don't frequent yard sales very much right now. However, they are an excellent source for children's books. I am always amazed the books people get rid of and for ridiculously cheap prices. For instance, when my oldest was 1, I found the complete set of Little House on the Prairie books in perfect condition for $5 at a yard sale. 

Library Book Sales
This year I attended my first ever library book sale with our oldest daughter. All I can say is A-MAY-ZING! Our public library offered a paper sack full of books for $5, so for 5 bucks you could take home as many books as you could cram into the bag. You can't beat the price! 

One thing I learned though: Get there early! I saw a woman with a sack full of American Girl books. I hate I missed those! Next time I'll be there before the sale starts.

Used Bookstores 
People tend to hear "used books" and think moth balls and dust, but I'm here to tell you that used bookstores are a book lover's best friend. Just because something is "cheap" doesn't make it "lesser than." It just means a good deal and a little extra pocket change. So, don't bypass a used bookstore because of their reputation: usually the prices are great, the quality above-par, and the variety excellent.   

However, with SO many books in one location, you can easily get overwhelmed and completely forget who you are, why you're there, and what you're looking for. I call it "used bookstore amnesia." It's a real malady, people! That's why having a book list is essential.
 
Goodwill & Other Thrift/Consignment Stores
I've never been much of a thrift store shopper, but clothing children is expensive and thrift & consignment stores are my favorite shopping places. Did you know you can buy books there too? Yes, yes, you can, and for a fraction of the price of a brand new book.  

Next time you're out thrift store shopping, take your book list and scrounge around in the children's book section. You just might find  a few gems. I've bought numerous Five in a Row books at our Goodwill. 

Free & Cheap Books on Kindle 
I'm a diehard paperback girl. While I've read a few books on my iPhone and laptop, I prefer turning pages and highlighting key thoughts. However, since there are apps for reading on virtually any device imaginable, it only makes economic sense to be aware of the free books out there. 

At Amazon you can download FREE books, including classics like David Copperfield and Jane Eyre among others. Other e-options with a good selection of classics for children include Project Gutenberg & Free-eBooks.net.

 
Amazon using Swagbucks
I've been using Swagbucks for years now, and if you aren't familiar with Swagbucks but like new books as much as I do, then you need to sign up. It's free and easy. Every time you type a search into the Swagbucks search bar, you have an opportunity to earn bucks. Those bucks accumulate and you can cash them in for gift cards to Amazon (or other stores like Starbucks and Target). There are other ways to earn bucks, but I only use the search bar and earn between $20 and $40 worth of gift cards for Amazon a year. That means free money for FREE BOOKS! 

Other Options
My Facebook friends and fans also mentioned these places for finding good children's books:

Half.com

Ebay

HSDLA's Curriculum Market

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Scholastics

Other than Dolly Parton's free books from birth -- We have this awesome program in TN, but I'm not sure if it's available to residents from other states, I haven't had any experience with the others. But those are options you might check in to as you start building your library of good children's books. 

What about you? Where do you find your favorite children's books? What advice would you give a novice book hunter looking for good books for a good price?

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting our family's library!

Other Posts in This Series:
Creating a Library of Good Children's Books: #1 Establish Your Criteria

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How to Make Homemade Yogurt the Easy Way

Cora enjoying a yogurt parfait with fresh blueberries & granola

If your family eats a lot of yogurt like mine does, then chances are you've noticed how expensive it has gotten in the stores lately. We used to buy the individual cartons, but for economical reasons have switched to the 32-ounce tubs instead. Still, yogurt isn't cheap.

But after finding a simple recipe for homemade yogurt that doesn't require purchasing a yogurt maker, I started making my own. I have been making our family's yogurt for over two years now and have found it to be very cost-effective, easy, & delicious. Plus, I like that I can control the ingredients including sugars and preservatives.

Yogurt-making may sound intimidating, but, honestly, if you have a slow cooker, then you're all set!

What You Need

The Cast of Characters: A 4-Man Show

• 1/2 gallon pasteurized milk*
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt, with live/active cultures (check label) 
• 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk or 1 packet plain gelatin (optional-to use as a thickener) 
• vanilla bean (optional-for flavoring) 
• 4-quart or 6-quart slow cooker 
• 2-3 large bath towels to wrap slow cooker in

*It is crucial that you do NOT use ultra-pasteurized milk. Check the label on your milk first!

Grade A Pasteurized Homogenized Milk

Directions

1. Pour milk into your slow cooker. You can also scrape in some vanilla bean for extra flavor if you want. Turn the slow cooker on the lowest setting, cover, and cook for 2 1/2 hours.

Bubbly Milky Goodness

Remember: Use the lowest setting

2. Turn slow cooker off. Unplug, and let sit for 3 hours.

And...it's off!

3. After 3 hours, add 1/2 cup yogurt and any thickener you like (if you want). (I have used nonfat dried milk in the past, but currently, I don't use any thickeners.) Whisk everything together thoroughly and return lid to slow cooker.

Yes, that's a 1/2 cup measuring cup

4. Wrap your cooker in towels to hold in the heat. Let yogurt set for 8 hours or overnight.

My girls' princess towel

5. After 8 hours, your yogurt is ready to eat! You will find that it is not as thick as some store-bought yogurt, but if you like it plain, it's ready. 

See those black specks? That's vanilla bean.

However, if you want your yogurt a little thicker, you can strain it using a colander lined with cheese cloth or ultra-absorbent paper towels over a larger bowl. 

For thicker yogurt, just strain it.

Put the yogurt in the refrigerator while it strains; you can strain for as long as you want. The longer it strains, the thicker your yogurt will be. My husband likes his the consistency of Greek yogurt, so sometimes I will strain it for 6-12 hours.

Note: One batch of unstrained homemade yogurt yields a little over two 32-oz. containers. However, if you strain your yogurt for 6-12 hours, you may only make 32 ounces.
   

2 Dannon 32-ounce tubs replaced with homemade organic yogurt

6. Once your yogurt is ready, you can add your own flavorings and sweeteners to it.  Sometimes I will keep one tub plain to use in place of sour cream or in recipes. Then, I will add agave, honey, or raw sugar to the other container of yogurt. 

I like mine with cinnamon & honey.

You can add whatever you have on hand and control how sweet you make your yogurt. That is the beauty of cooking from scratch.

Helpful Hint 

Start yogurt-making in the afternoon, say around 2:00 or 3:00, so that you don't have to stay up late to complete Steps 3 & 4 and so you will have fresh homemade yogurt waiting for you when you wake up! : )

Even the baby loves her yogurt!

Wasn't that easy? If I can do it, so can you! Why don't you give yogurt-making a try? 

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Pursuing Peace Week 3: 5 Tips for a More Peaceful Holiday Shopping Experience

It's already started.

The honking, the name calling, the tailgating, the finger pointing, arms flailing, traffic jams everywhere you go.

You know the holiday season is upon you when people all around you are suddenly in a BIG hurry.

I'm that person a lot of the times. Ask my husband.

But this season I am resolving to...

Slow down.

Keep my cool.

Relax.

Enjoy this time of year.

I don't want to get caught up in all the commotion, the stress, the rush, rush, rushing around.

I want peace.

What about you?

 I want to slow down and enjoy this time of year for the right reasons because the wrong reasons tend to trip me up and send me in a frenzy. This year I want peace.

If you also want peace this holiday season, here are 5 tips to make shopping a more pleasant and peaceful experience:

1. Have a plan.

Make a list of the places you need to go and the items you need to purchase. Determine how much time you have to get your shopping done and plan your stops reasonably, allowing enough time for driving, shopping, and potential slowdowns. Arm yourself with sales ads, coupons, a water bottle, snack-- anything you need to achieve shopping success. 

Organize your shopping trip according to places you need to stop at first, second, third, etc. If you're like me, I get in the car and wonder, "Where to first?" Having a written plan with the order of stops will keep you from driving all over the place and becoming frustrated.

Do not veer from the plan. I repeat: Do not veer from the plan. 

While you are out, you may think, "Oh, I need to run in Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby." Don't do it if it's not part of your original plan. This impulse shopping will cause regrets later, and you may take out your ire on innocent people. Trust me: been there, done that already today.

Also, if you derail from the original shopping plan, you risk rushing to get to the places you really needed to go, and that's when you start the honking, yelling, and finger pointing.

2. Have a budget & stick with it.

Planning and budgeting go hand in hand. Without a plan you're as lost as last year's Easter egg. You have no sense of peace because you're wasting time and aren't getting anything accomplished. Likewise, when you don't have a plan for how to spend your hard-earned money, you become stressed because you're making purchases that often you can't really afford. 

I think all the commercialism and spending at Christmas time is what creates so much stress in people. Credit cards are pulled out to pay for gifts people really can't afford, and then, they become frustrated and worried about how to pay the minimum payment after the holidays. 

Make a budget and stick with it! I recommend Life Your Way's free {Christmas} Budget Worksheet to help you create a basic Christmas gift budget.  

3. Turn on relaxing music. 

Anytime I go shopping I get antsy. It probably doesn't help that I love to shop. So, if I'm in a particularly hurried mood, I like to listen to this or this or this. Or I will turn on my local classical music station or put in this Christmas CD just to slow down and enjoy my shopping experience. 

Even if you can't stand elevator music, listening to something soothing will help you remain calm when that man whips right into the parking space you've been waiting patiently for.

4. Forego the caffeine.

I love to go shopping armed with a tall peppermint mocha, but in my experience, large doses of caffeine do not a merry shopper make. Excessive caffeine tends to make me jittery and overly anxious. When I'm all amped up on caffeine, I make impulsive purchases and just act impulsively overall. A better alternative for me is a decaf latte or water. 

If you're curious how much caffeine is in your preferred shopping beverage, look here or here for Starbucks drinks.

5. Shop during slow times or online.

I like to do the bulk of my Christmas shopping online. With three small children, it's just the simplest, most peaceful way to go. There are no long lines, no traffic, and no rude customers to contend with.

Still, if you enjoy doing your holiday shopping at the mall or stores, the best times to go are first thing in the morning, late at night, and during work/school hours. If you go to the grocery store at 5:00 p.m., in my opinion, you are asking for trouble. Likewise, shopping on Black Friday may be exciting and fun, but more than likely you will not have the most peaceful shopping experience.

"Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace." 

Psalm 37:37

The holidays can and should be enjoyable. I hope these 5 tips for a more peaceful shopping experience will help you during this holiday season. 

**For other free printable worksheets to help you plan for a peaceful, enjoyable Christmas, check here.

Praying for peace for you this holiday season,

Other posts in our series on Pursuing peace:
Pursuing Peace Week 2: Submitting Our To-Do Lists to the Lord
Pursuing Peace: A Series to Help Us Enjoy the Holiday Season
Pursuing Peace Week 1: What is Peace?

Linking up with: The Better Mom, Monday Mom Musings, Raising Arrows, Time-Warp Wife, Artful Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesdays, Leaving a Legacy, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers, Raising Mighty Arrows 

Encouragement for Challenging Financial Times

 If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you know that for the past six weeks we have been looking at different ways to save money at the grocery store. 

My purpose in this indefinitely long series has been to stimulate you to reevaluate your spending habits and provide you with some helpful ways to stretch your dollar. 

Ultimately, though, my goal is to encourage us to be good stewards of the financial blessings the Lord has granted us.

With rising gas and food prices and increasing economic strain, I know many people right now are living from paycheck to paycheck. Many of us are struggling just to keep our kids clothed, food on the table, and roofs over our heads. That is why I want to encourage you today to remember that our God is faithful and just. 

He never promises happiness or financial security, but He does promise ALWAYS to be with us. 

"For the Lord will not forsake His people;
He will not abandon His heritage;"

Psalm 94:14

Maybe you are concerned about your family's financial situation. 

Maybe clipping coupons or putting together a price book seems inconsequential when you consider the significant debt you're in.

Maybe shopping at multiple stores, even to save money, is just not an option right now. 

Maybe planning a weekly menu is just too stressful.

Maybe using cash sounds good, but you just don't have it.

Maybe you are sinking under the weight of financial insecurity and don't know what to do or where to turn.

Go to the Lord. 

Seek Him on bended knee. 

Bring your burdens to Him.

"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." 

Matthew 11:30

My earnest prayer is that God will "grow" us to His glory.  If you are struggling financially today, I hope you will take the time to go to the One who is the Great Provider, our Jehovah-jireh. Only in Him will we find the peace that "surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).

May God richly bless you,

Keri

For other helpful tips for saving money at the grocery store, check out these related posts::
How to Make a Price Book
Menu Planning 
Menu Planning: The Ins & Outs
Shop at Multiple Stores
Couponing: Pros & Cons
Couponing: Where to Find Coupons
Use Cash to Save Money!

This post is linked to: The Better Mom Mondays, Teach Me Tuesdays, Time-Warp Wife Titus 2Days, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers Wednesdays, Raising Mighty Arrows Proverbs 31 Thursdays

"Saving at the Grocery Store": Use Cash!!

 

If you really want to start saving money at the grocery store, leave your debit and credit cards at home and bring only cash.

Recently, my husband and I started using Dave Ramsey's envelope system for certain areas of our budget: namely Groceries, Gas, Entertainment, & Clothing. Each week when I deposit his check, I take out a lump sum in cash that is allocated to each of these four categories.

The objective is to spend only our budgeted amount for each category, and when that amount is gone, then we have to wait until the next week to replenish it. There is no "robbing Peter to pay Paul," meaning you can't dip into another envelope to cover overspending in another area. When the Grocery envelope is empty, there is no more money to spend in that area. That's it!

In implementing the envelope system, I have had to be much more disciplined about how I plan to spend the money I have each week. That means paying VERY close attention to what we need versus what we want, only buying necessities, shopping multiple stores for sales items, and clipping and matching coupons anywhere I can. I even bring my calculator to the store to ensure that I have enough money available in my Grocery envelope to cover the cost. {We no longer have any credit cards and rarely use our debit card.}

Here are some of the things I have learned simply by utilizing a "cash-only" approach at the store:

1. You WILL have to be prepared when you go to the store. Without a grocery list or menu plan, you set yourself up for overspending because you will be more prone to make random choices as to what goes in your cart. I always go to the store with the following: (1) My Grocery List, (2) Meal Plan for the week, (3) Coupons, (4) Store Ad, (5) Grocery store's frequent shopper card (if applicable), and (6) Grocery Envelope.

2. You WILL pay closer attention to what goes in the shopping cart. I have discovered that without a credit or debit card to cover me if I go over budget, I am much more attentive to what I'm buying and less apt to casually drop in a bag of chips or carton of ice cream that wasn't on my list. 

3. You WILL know how much you spend at the grocery store each week. This is good to know for two primary reasons. One: If the amount you have budgeted is not enough--that is, you continually overspend each week--then you may need to increase your budget temporarily or permanently. Two: If you have money left over each week, then you may want to decrease that budgeted amount and either put the extra money into savings or allocate it to another category. 

4. You WILL save money!  Since we adopted the "cash-only" approach at the grocery store, I have discovered that I was significantly overspending on food and then having to dip into our checking account for gas money. By having only a set amount to spend in this area, I am limiting our grocery store purchases and no longer relying on my debit card for extra purchases. In this way we are saving money.

How can you get started using a "cash-only" approach at the grocery store?

If you don't already have a budgeted amount for Groceries and have no idea what you spend in a week, start by collecting receipts from your trips to the store. If "Groceries" include "Household Items," be sure to keep store receipts for both. After three or four weeks, you should have a good basis for determining an average amount you are spending each week in this area.

Sample:

Week 1 Receipts	$32.50 + $16.00 + $7.50 = $56.00
Week 2 Receipts	$41.75 + $22.25 + 6.00 = $70.00
Week 3 Receipts	$29.25 + 24.50 + $10.25 + $6.00 = $70.00
Week 4 Receipts	$88.95

The 4-week average is approximately $71.00. So, you might start your Grocery budget around $70-75. However, if you feel like you are spending a lot more than you should be at the store, then you might want to aim for a lower budgeted amount, say $60-65, and see if that is doable.

I would strongly encourage you to start using a "cash-only" approach at the grocery store. Try it for a few weeks, and see if you don't save money. Without a credit or debit card, you will pay much closer attention to what you buy and also probably eat a whole lot healthier too! 

What are your thoughts on using cash versus a debit or credit card at the grocery store? Have you found that using cash keeps you from overspending?

I am praying God's richest blessings on you as you endeavor to be good stewards of His generous provisions!

Keri

For other helpful tips for saving money at the grocery store, check out my other posts & stay tuned each Thursday:
How to Make a Price Book
Menu Planning 
Menu Planning: The Ins & Outs
Shop at Multiple Stores
Couponing: Pros & Cons
Couponing: Where to Find Coupons 

For comments or questions, contact me at: growinginhisglory@gmail.com

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"Saving at the Grocery Store": Where to Find Coupons & Other Deals

Last week in our series "Saving at the Grocery Store," we looked at some of the pros and cons of couponing, and I challenged you to determine for yourselves whether clipping coupons is a valuable way for you to save money.

For me, the money I save on non-food items in particular--namely toothpaste, diapers, dish soap, detergent, and other household items--more than compensates for the time spent locating, clipping, and organizing coupons. Honestly, I haven't bought a tube of toothpaste in two years all because of couponing! Plus, there are some great organic coupons out there that I love (see links below).

However, in order to get good deals and save money, you really need to know WHERE to get coupons.

1. The Sunday Newspaper
I have found it saves time and money to subscribe to our local newspaper--Sunday only--simply for the coupons. However, if you want to see what coupons will be in the paper before you buy it each week, subscribe to Sunday Coupon Preview. Every Thursday you will receive an email giving a preview of what coupons will be in the paper that week. It is VERY helpful as you plan grocery shopping trips because some weeks there are no good coupons and you won't need to buy the paper. Plus, some Sundays there are no coupon inserts at all; these are usually on holiday weekends. 

2. Websites

Besides the Sunday paper, I regularly print coupons from the following websites:
Coupons.com
Red Plum
Smart Source.com
Coupon Network
Shortcuts (both electronic & printable coupons)
Cellfire Grocery Coupons (e-coupons to be loaded to a frequent shopper card)
Mambo Sprouts (for great organic, natural food coupons!)

3. All You magazine
I also subscribe to All You, a monthly magazine that not only has great articles and recipes, but it is FILLED with high-value coupons. It's usually about $20 a year for a subscription or you can buy the magazine at Wal-Mart. {Right now, though, you can get 12 issues for $12 on All You's website!}

 

4. Store websites

Also, check out your local grocery stores' websites for coupons. Some stores like Kroger have e-coupons that load onto your frequent buyer card.  

Here are links to some national and regional stores where you can find coupons to print or load onto your frequent buyer card. (Note: you will have to register for a shopper's card before you can load coupons onto it.)

• Target 
• Wal-Mart
• Dollar General
• Whole Foods
• Kroger
• Publix
• Cub Foods

Unless the coupon is a STORE coupon ("For use only at Wal-Mart"), then you can use a coupon from Wal-Mart's website at any store that accepts manufacturer's coupons.  

If the coupon says "Manufacturer's Coupon" on it {note: Almost every coupon in the Sunday paper is a manufacturer's coupon}, then it can be used anywhere manufacturer's coupons are accepted. You are not limited to using that coupon only at Wal-Mart just because you printed it off Wal-Mart's website.

**Always be sure to check out the store's coupon policy, located on their website or at customer service. Each store is different regarding what it will and will not accept.

When I first started couponing, the only coupons I used were the ones from the Sunday newspaper and some store coupons I received in the mail. It wasn't until I started reading some money-saving blogs that I found the treasure trove of coupons available.

Here are some great money-saving blogs that I read daily: 

• Money-Saving Mom

• Faithful Provisions (Southeast U.S.)

• Southern Savers (also a regional website but with great national deals as well)

• Hip2Save

• I Heart Kroger

• I Heart Publix

If you want to save money at the grocery store, then you have to stay up to date on the latest deals. That's why I strongly recommend finding a good money-saving blog in your region to follow. Bargain Briana has created an excellent tool for locating your "perfect frugal blog match" called "The Frugal Map." Simply click on the image below to find money-saving blogs in your state. That way you don't have to search all these different coupon databases for the best deals. Let the experts do the work for you!

 

Where do you find the best coupons? 
  
Blessings to you as you continue to grow in God's glory!

 Keri

	For other helpful tips for saving money at the grocery store, check out my other posts & stay tuned each Thursday: How to Make a Price Book Menu Planning  Menu Planning: The Ins & Outs Shop at Multiple Stores Couponing: Pros & Cons

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