How to Get Inexpensive Juice at Apple Market through January 8

This week I went to Apple Market to buy some chicken breast.  I thought Apple Market had advertised skinless chicken breast for $2.49 a pound but I found these two packages labeled for $1.68 a pound. One package cost $3.11 and the other was $3.48.  

Just an FYI, hamburger seems to always to be cheaper at Apple Market than any other store in Topeka. This package was $2.99 a pound.  Most other Topeka grocery stores are charging $3.99 up.  The meat department at Apple Market is one thing that keeps me coming back.

I had to blog about one really good deal at Apple Market this week.  With coupons, you can get some really cheap juice this week.  How?

First, Old Orchard Juice is on sale for $1.25 a bottle at Apple Market this week which in itself is a great price.  The same juice at HyVee this week is on sale for $1.99.  It's not uncommon  for name brand juice to cost $2.99 on up.

First, you will have to join the Old Orchard Fan Club.  Go to the companys website at www.oldorchard.com. You will see the link in the upper right hand corner labeled "Fan Club". Once you have joined (only takes a couple of minutes), go to the link labeled "Promotions" at the top of the page.

Under current promotions are several coupons you can print. I was able to print a coupon for $1 off two bottles of  Healthy Balance Juice and one coupon for buy one, get one free. All together the four bottles of juice pictured above cost a whopping $2.75 or an average of 68 cents a bottle. The coupons were only good for the "Healthy Balance" juice, not the regular juice. Coupon or not, I am thinking of returning and stocking up on some $1.25 a bottle juice. 

There is also a link on the website to enter a giveaway. The company is giving away 2,013 free bottles of juice. These are the kind of contests I frequently win.  I received coupons for several free items last year.

On the website, you can also accumulate reward points to earn free products and swag.  You earn points by playing games, taking surveys and entering codes off specially marked products.  I have already earned enough points to earn a coupon for a free can of frozen concentrate. You can't beat free!

Topeka HyVee Deals Through Nov. 22

It seems every week, one grocery store in Topeka will have far better deals than the other grocery stores. This week, in my opinion HyVee by far had the better savings.

 

 

If you have not taken advantage of purchasing a Cure 81 Ham and receiving a FREE turkey, I suggest you hurry.  The trick is, of course, is to find the smallest ham possible and the largest turkey (Up to 12 pounds. You will pay the difference for anything over 12 pounds).  I found a ham for $21.46 and a turkey for $16.66. I also had a $2 off coupon for the ham. After $2 off manufacturer coupon (www.hormel.com/updates/coupons/) and store coupon for free turkey, I paid about $1.05 a pound for around 18 pounds of meat (ham and turkey combined). Anytime, you can find meat for around a $1 a pound, it is a great savings. I should get 15-18 (or more) meals from this much meat.

 

My projected menu for this week includes:

 

Turkey and mashed potatoes

Turkey and noodles

Ham and pineapple pizza

Ham and potato casserole

Honeyed Ham, baked sweet potato and grilled asparagus

Loaded Nachos (will need a break from ham and turkey!)

Ham and Potato Chowder with Ritz crackers

 

 

 

 

Another deal I took advantage of was this "Buy 10, save $6 instantly at checkout" coupon. I ended up purchasing Velveeta ($4.39 after doubled manufacturer coupon combined with store coupon), two boxes of Ritz (89 cents each after doubled manufacturer coupon combined with store coupon) and seven packages of cream cheese (69 cents each after store coupon).  Hy-Vee allows you to stack manufacturer coupons with store coupons resulting in great savings.  Even without manufacturer coupons, 69 cents a package is a great price for cream cheese, especially name brand cream cheese. I don't think I have found cream cheese much less than $1 a package for a long time. This cream cheese does not expire until March 2013 so I should be stocked up for quite a while.

 

 

You always find certain things on sale around Thanksgiving--a holiday devoted to gluttony and football. One of those is Cool Whip so I went ahead and got a couple of packages for 69 cents each.  I bought a couple of packages of butter for $1.88 (Aldi's everyday price is about a dime cheaper but I didn't feel like making another stop to just save 20 cents--I'm frugal, not crazy.) There were lots of good deals at HyVee this week but it's really only a deal if it's something you want and will use.

 

The only other special I took advantage of this week was Apple Market had ten pounds of potatoes for $1.68 and asparagus for $2.98 a pound. I love asparagus! I don't like shopping at multiple stores so I try to keep it to two a week. I just know certain things are cheaper at certain stores and wait until they are having a great sale, then stock up on the other less expensive items they sell at the same time I purchase the sale items. For example, the cheapest cat litter I have found in Topeka is at Hy-Vee so I bought some while taking advantage of these sales. It really doesn't take as much effort as you would think to save a ton of money on groceries.

 

I will likely be holding another "Couponing" class in January in Topeka (date yet to be determined). If you or anyone you know would like to attend, please make a pre-reservation by emailing me at ksfarmgirl@live.com.  The cost to attend is $10 a person. Your ten dollar investment will save you hundreds of dollars.

Topeka Apple Market Deals Through October 2

Apple Market Purchases

Just a few items to tell you about at Apple Market this week. Apple Market is holding one of its 98 cent sales. Five pound bags ofpotatoes are 98 cents so I purchased two bags or 10 pounds for $1.96. 

Rotel tomatoes are also 98 cents a can. There was a recent coupon in the paper for 50 cents off two cans. When doubled, this makes Rotel tomatoes just 48 cents a can. This is one of those examples where something is cheaper with doubled coupons than the regular price at Wal-Mart with undoubled coupon. Two cans at Wal-Mart would cost  $1.88 - 50 cent coupon = $1.38 (or 69 cents a can). If you buy two cans at Apple Market or Dillon's at 98 cents a can it will cost $1.96 - $1.00 doubled coupon = 96 cents (or 48 cents a can). I buy extra of items I use frequently when they are at least half the normal price.

Lettuce at Apple Market is always $1.29 as opposed to everyone else's $1.88-$2.00 a head. Hard squash is on sale for 69 cents a pound. I bought both Butternut and Acorn Squash (see  http://seekingsimpleinthesuburbs.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-make-baked-acorn-squash-with.html). 

I hope to post a recipe for Butternut Squash soup soon which is absouletly delicious. Both Acorn and Butternut Squash store fairly well. Store at 50 degrees. Acorn squash will last for 5-8 weeks s and Butternut will store well for 2-3 months.

I bought hamburger (80% lean) for $3.39 a pound. Suddenly hamburger is for rich people. In many stores I notice hamburger is now selling for over $4 a pound while you can frequently buy chicken on sale for uner $2 a pound.

I messed up and bought toilet tissue for $3.48 a package (after coupon). I had a headache and didn't figure correctly. You can usually find toilet tissue much cheaper.

Apple Market Deal through September 4

I had four 50 cent off coupons for Dawn detergent which expired on September 31.  Apple Market had small bottles for $1.35 each so after the coupon doubled, I paid 35 cents a bottle. I was feeling pretty good about life. I had just saved four dollars. 

When I went to pay, the cashier told me, "Yeah, these were on sale last week for 99 cents and they really flew off the shelf. We had to limit them to 4 per customer".  So, I could have got them for free instead of $1.40. We all mess up sometimes. I chose to focus on the $4 savings instead of the $1.40 more I could have saved. Remember, even when you miss a deal, you are still doing better than most.

I went to Apple Market because they had ten pounds of potatoes for $1.98.  I bought two packages (I know twenty pounds of potatoes sounds like a lot for two people.  Don't judge.) I also bought a package of Ritz crackers on sale for $1.98....I predict some creamy, chunky potato soup in my future!

Topeka Savings Through July 7th

So I went on some money saving adventures today and thought I would share.  You will have to act quick to catch these savings since they are only good through tomorrow, July 7th....

Apple Market is having a 4-day breakfast sale.  Farmland sausage is on sale for 98 cents a package.  This is an incredible deal!  This sausage normally sells for $1.99-$3.99, depending on the store.  At this price, I stocked up. Farmland bacon is also on sale for $2.98 a package.  The cheese was  $1.48 a package (cheese and sausage on call--I think I hear a lasagna calling my name).  I found a container of Gain fabric softner on the clearance rack for $1.40.  I also got another container of Worchestershire sauce ($1.09 - .40 coupon doubled = .29 cents).  The lard was $1.85 (full price).  Total before tax was $26.24.  My little heart looks at this shopping trip and just shutters. Bacon and Lard!  The lard is for pie crusts.  Oh, we eat healthy around here....

Another thing I like about Apple Market is that they still carry your groceries out to your car for you.  Or maybe they saw what I was buying and assumed I was overdue for a heart attack. 

You will want to stock up on bacon to take advantage of a recipe I will be sharing soon.... 

I also made a quick trip to Target today.  Target has corn-on-the-cob, 10 ears for $2.00.  This is a really good price on corn. Corn-on-the-cob usually runs about 5 or 6 ears for $2. I bought twelve and used it as an excuse to use the FoodSaver machine I got at a garage sale.  I froze four packages.  I want to buy a used freezer if anyone has one to sell.

So what deals are you all finding?



29 cents after double coupon



Time to stock up on sausage



BLT's anyone?

Who doesn't like corn-on-the-cob?

Putting the FoodSaver to Use.  I found the foodsaver at a garage sale for $15.00.

Garage sale finds.  Four shirts, two pairs of shorts and two brand new candles for $3.00.

Fourth of July Savings

I recently developed a money-saving class I have been presenting to local women in Kansas.  The class, which consists of a power point about an hour long, demonstrates how to save money on groceries. After all, groceries are most families largest expense after their rent/mortgage. Your banker always demands you make your full mortgage payment but you can control how much you spend on groceries.  

In my class, the most popular element of the power point always seems to be coupons and how to use them to get grocery items for next to nothing.  While this is only one way I teach to save money, I have decided to start posting some of the best deals I find each week in the Topeka, Kansas area. If you have taken my class, you should know the basics. If you would like to schedule a class, please feel free to contact me at ksfarmgirl@live.com. I offer group and one-on-one classes.  It is my hope the class will start you on a path to saving thousands of dollars off your annual grocery bill.  Plus, it's fun!

Last week I was on vacation so I got behind in my grocery shopping.  However, holidays always bring great grocery deals that I didn't want to miss. So yesterday, I made a menu for the week based around what was on sale locally.  Being the Fourth of July, picnic items were cheap.  As I teach, always stock up on sale items.  I'm not talking about devoting a room in your house to shelves of groceries you will just eventually throw out.  No, when things go on sale, simply buy enough to last about three months. Most items go on sale about every 3-4 months so it is not necessary or desirable to stockpile more than a limited supply. 

This week, condiments, hot dogs and hamburger were all on sale. I may feel like steak and baked potato but in order to save money, we eat based on what is cheapest. Here is my menu for this week, based on what was on sale locally:

Tacos (just starting to get a few tomatoes out of the garden to use with the tacos)

Broccoli cheese soup in a bread bowl

BLTs and salad

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and grilled zucchini and squash (also from the garden)

Homemade Pizza

Hotdogs and grilled potatoes

One night of leftovers or as I like to call them, Delicious Do-Overs

Here are some of the great deals I got this week.  My plan is to post the deals I find early so if you live in the Topeka area, you can also take advantage of local specials.  I imagine most areas in the United States ran similar sales this week.

I purchased these items at Apple Market. The French's mustard was on sale for 98 cents each.  I had a coupon for 30 cents off each bottle so after double coupon each bottle of mustard cost 38 cents.  This is enough mustard to last me a very long time because I hate mustard. The KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce was also on sale for 98 cents.  I had coupons for $1.00 off two.  I purchased four bottles at 98 cents each - two coupons totaling $2.00 off, for a final price of 50 cents a bottle.  In essence, I paid for four bottles what you would normally pay for one.  This is enough BBQ sauce to last our family for 3-4 months. 

I paid 95 cents for the bananas.  Apple Market has what they call "Banana Tuesdays" and sell bananas for 39 cents a pound on Tuesday.  If you buy a lot of bananas, I doubt you will find them anywhere else in Topeka for less. The sausage was on sale for $1.29 a package.  This sausage is usually around $2-3 dollars a package.  I love sausage and it's cheaper than hamburger so I often substitue it in any recipe I can that calls for hamburger.  I bought four packages but then wished I had bought more at that price.  Lucky me, today's Apple Market ad indicates they are selling the same sausage for 98 cents a package.  This is an incredible deal.  I rarely see it for less than $1.00 a package.  Think of all the things you can make with sausage...spagetti sauce, pizza and goulash. Stock up people.   

All together I spent $9.17 (before tax) for the above pictured items.  Of course, I picked up a few other items while I was there since you can't live on BBQ sauce and mustard, spending a total of $26.53. I also bought Lipton Tea on sale for $1.79 for 24 large family size tea bags (about $1.00 less than most local stores). And I have to plug Apple Market's produce...they have some of the nicest in town and often the cheapest. For example, I bought a head of romaine type lettuce for $1.29 which sells at Dillon's for $1.89. I also bought some Kraft shedded cheese for $1.98 a package.

Ever have one of those days?  Yesterday was mine.  I left the house without my cell phone.  Though I grew up without a cell phone, now I feel lost without one.  Worse yet, I forgot my debit card.  I felt pure panic when I couldn't find it in my purse.  Thankfully, I had enough cash to purchase the items at Apple Market and Dillon's number one.  At the first Dillon's, I found these great bread bowls on the clearance rack for 49 cents each, some clearance cake for $1.49 and three containers of coconut pecan frosting on close out for $1.19 each, normally $1.99.  Before tax, the above items were $6.04. 

After running home to get my debit card, I went to Dillon's number two.  I had only planned on going to one Dillon's store but didn't have enough cash to get everything I needed.  Dillon's was running one of their buy 10 items, get $3.00 off now and a coupon for $2.00 off later. While these events can save you money, I find them complicated and a little stressful.  The $2.00 off coupon has a short redemption window so you have to remember to use it right away.  I assume the store hopes you will fail to ever redeem it. 

Anyway, I found these great deals at Dillon's.  A package of clearance hot dog buns for 99 cents, a bottle of Ajax dish detergent for 60 cents ($1.00 - .20 cent coupon doubled), four packages of Hefty storage bags (on sale for $1.19 with purchase of 10 participating items minus .50 cent coupon = .69 cents each or $2.76 for all four), and 4 more bottles of KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce for $1.50 or .38 cents each ($4.00 minus $2.50 in coupons). The Yakisoba noodles and Kraft Fresh Taste products were free after coupons.  All of the above items cost $5.85 before tax. 

These were great deals but I still had to buy other groceries totaling $57.34 at Dillon's.  One thing I have learned to do is always add up my coupons before check-out and double check they all were deducted.  I happened to notice this trip that not all my coupons had been credited and had to go to customer service to get it corrected. As I shop, I write everything down as I put it in the cart so I can make sure it scans correctly plus track my coupons.  Dillon's has a policy that if an item scans incorrectly, they will give it to you free.  Plus, I never want to get to the check out counter without knowing exactly what I am spending.  It is amazing how many errors I catch. 

Altogether, I spent $81.56 on groceries this week plus $8.89 tax (total $90.45).  I saved $26.44 with coupons and clearance items.  I do not keep track how much I save by stocking up on sale items though I imagine it would be the most significant savings.  After all, if all your meals are primarily made with items you bought on sale, the savings adds up. This week I spent around $1.84 per meal per person (21 meals x 2 people = 42 meals).

I hope to post some of this weeks deals tomorrow so you can share in the savings!  Let me know what you think.  Is this post helpful?