Gurney’s is one of our go-to source for seeds. We ordered our garden seeds Sunday and got a great deal: $20 off $40 or more. We spent about $67 on our seeds, and I imagine we’ll spend a little more on some starter plants from Rhodee’s, an Oconomowoc greenhouse run by our friend Adam’s family. Considering we’ll get dozens of pounds of fresh, pesticide-free produce (maybe even hundreds of pounds!), we are very happy with this financial investment.

We will track our costs and labor to quantify how much our garden saves (or costs) us this summer. We also plan to continue our love affair with the Oconomowoc and Delafield farmers’ markets. There we can buy whatever we don’t grow. The Oconomowoc market starts in May, and we can’t wait for it to begin.

It makes me a little sad that our big garden means we can’t justify a membership in a CSA. We just got a mailer for Stoney Meadow Farm in Cascade, and I would have loved to support them. But maybe we can visit them at one of the markets.

Garden of plenty

We’re expanding our garden this year and trying items we’ve never grown before. Here’s what we’ll have:

• Scartlet Nantes carrots
• Rainbow blend carrots
• Royal Marvel brussels sprouts
• Li’l Sweet cantaloupe
• Vital Green spinach
• Bloomsdale spinach
• Heirloom rainbow blend tomatoes
• Brandywine heirloom tomatoes
• Lucullus swiss chard
• Mild mesclun mix
• Maestro peas
• Sugar Ann snap peas
• Derby bush beans
• Bell peppers (a colorful mix)
• Sugar Baby watermelon
• All-American parsnips
• Ebenezer onions
• Bush pickle cucumbers
• Arugula rocket greens
• Vienna kohlrabi
• Champion radishes
• Snow Crown cauliflower
• Perfected Detroit beets
• Green Magic broccoli
• Coriander/Cilantro
• Basil
• Dill

This is in addition to the parsley, oregano, chives, sage, mint, raspberries, onions, garlic and “volunteer surprises” we already grow out there.

We’re fortunate that we have a large yard and lots of supplies on hand — plus my more-than-willing gardener husband. Chandler grew up eating from his mom’s garden (he fondly recalls biting into raw beets fresh from the garden, still crunchy with dirt) so he has the expertise and experience to undertake this large project. I intend to spend my time cooking and, more importantly, eating everything.

My friend Karen recently asked me a great question about my coupons:

How the [bleep] do you organize them? We get two papers, and I have them all in a big box. I want to go to CVS tonight and it is impossible to find what I need — there are sooo many!!

My organization method

I have an 9″-wide blue coupon organizer that I got in the Target dollar section over a year ago. It weighs about 1.5 pounds (I am not kidding…I weighed it at the store one time), and it’s jam-packed with everything I need for a shopping trip: coupons, rebates, receipts, customer loyalty cards, etc.

My categories

I organize my coupons in three categories:

1. Food/drinks
2. Cleaning/household
3. Personal care

Each category gets its own slot in the organizer.

I reserve the front slot for my weekly shopping list and coupons that I will definitely use this week. The second slot holds random coupons that I want or need to use soon but aren’t sure when to use them. The third slot holds food/drinks coupons. The fourth slot holds cleaning/household coupons. The fifth slot holds personal care items. All the slots behind that hold an assortment of receipts, rebates, mail-in forms, store guides, etc.

When I clip new coupons on Sunday, I clean out my organizer, tossing expired or useless coupons as I add new ones to each slot. I tend to add new coupons to the back of each slot, which leaves coupons that might expire soon up front and easier to find.

The 5-step coupon organization process

It can seem overwhelming to start organizing an entire pile of random coupons.But if you break it down step-by-step, it can be accomplished fairly easily and quickly.

1. Decide how many categories you want. I recommend starting with no more than five categories, just to keep things simple.
2. Sit at a large table (or on the floor) where you can spread out. Go through every coupon and toss old ones or ones you know you won’t use.
3. Stack coupons in front of you according to the categories you’ve chosen. Within each stack, sort them by expiration date, with the ones expiring soonest on top.
4. Put your coupons in your organizer, by category, with the coupons expiring the soonest at the front of each section.
5. As you clip/add more coupons, continue to organize them by category with newest coupons at the back of each section. Keep moving soon-to-be expired coupons to the front of each category and toss old ones as they expire.

Karen reported that she spent about five hours organizing her box-load of coupons. That’s a ton of time, but that first effort will pay of in the long run. Now coupon organization will be nearly effort-free, and you’ll never miss an opportunity to save.

In contrast to yesterday’s post about Aldi, today I’m featuring a Q&A with a dedicated Aldi shopper. Oconomowoc mom Michelle kindly agreed to answer some questions about why she loves Aldi.

When did you start shopping at Aldi?

Back in Illinois around 1995. When I moved to Oconomowoc, I frequented the Watertown Aldi. So I was thrilled when one was put up here in town.

Where did you shop primarily before you found Aldi?

Pick ‘n Save.

Why did you switch stores?

The prices at Aldi can NOT be beat. There are a few luxuries that you don’t get with Aldi (bagging, cart convenience, mass brand names), but it’s worth the savings!

What’s your favorite part of shopping at Aldi?

That I can get two weeks of groceries for HALF the amount of can at PNS or Piggly Wiggly.

What’s your least favorite part about Aldi?

That sometimes you want a specific brand, and it’s not available.

Do you still grocery shop anywhere else?

I do for certain items such as deli meat and some items when the brand does make a difference to us.

Do you buy other items at Aldi (like housewares or electronics)?

Yes, paper products, toothpaste, and we visit the Misc./Sale area when there are items that strike our interest. It’s hit-or-miss on what’s brought in, but it’s everything from toys to clothes to electronics to household furniture.

How much do you think you save over shopping somewhere else?

At least 50%.

What are your favorite items to buy at Aldi?

Their 2% milk is always $1.79 (give or take a couple cents — and cost is lower for 1% and skim). Cheese, produce, and they have a lot of European chocolates in the “goodie section.” Great quality!

Their ground beef is 90/10 lean, and it’s a very decent price (2 pounds usually around $6-$7). As well as their bags of chicken breasts ($6ish). Butter is always $1.99 a pack. Bags of spinach are always $1.99.

Also, they have a great selection of dried fruits, trail mix, walnuts/peacans/nuts for salads or just a healthier snack.

Do you feel the quality is the same (or better or worse) as items at other stores?

For the most part, it’s comparable. But there are a few things I would say are not up to par. You may sacrifice slightly in taste on some items, but for the overall savings, it’s justified.

Have you ever had an especially great experience there?

As I said, I’m a huge fan of their European chocolates. My family is all German, and I grew up with my family shipping us a lot of these brands/items from Germany. At Aldi, I can get them for a fraction of the cost and right down the street!

I’ve also tried a few of their wines, and they’re not bad. They have a great Riesling for only $5.99.

Their freezer section carries a lot of desserts and snacks that you wouldn’t expect to find in a discount store. They have a wide selection of frozen cakes/pastries that are quality items with great taste.

And their produce is always great to buy. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, bananas — always fresh and good. And the cost is noticeably much less than you’d pay at other stores.

Michelle’s final thoughts on shopping at Aldi

In today’s economy, saving money and buying healthy choices for our families are a struggle. But Aldi has found a smart way to offer quality food at a fraction of the cost of other stores. The few things you may have to adjust to (bagging yourself, returning your carts, etc.) become a non-issue when you see your total on your receipt and you realize how much you saved. It’s a no-brainer!

My take on Michelle’s experience

Michelle has obviously done her homework on how to save money for her family. I applaud her good work! She’s found a great way to feel good about what she feeds her family while fitting it all into her budget. This is an excellent example of how saving money and living well works differently for different people. There are no “one size fits all” solutions to these challenges. Shopping at Aldi doesn’t work for me, but it obviously works very well for Michelle and her family. And I have to admit — I’m tempted to check out those chocolates!

What do you think of Aldi? Is it worth the savings? Am I crazy for not shopping there?

Thanks for your help, Michelle!

A few readers have asked me my opinion of Aldi, the low-price grocery chain that has a location on Hwy 67 in Oconomowoc. I know many people love shopping there, and I support their desire to find great deals on good food.

However, I don’t shop at Aldi and probably never will — mostly for emotional reasons that have (almost) nothing to do with saving money.

I am a creature of habit. I have learned how to shop well at Pick ‘n Save on Wednesdays (don’t even ask me to shop on another day!). I like the store and I know the deals. Shopping there is second nature to me. Thinking about going to Aldi — or any other store I’m not familiar with — stresses me out. For me, shopping at Aldi goes beyond my own “frugal line in the sand.” The potential cost savings don’t make it worth my time to make a special trip to Aldi.

My friend Jamie used to shop at Aldi, but doesn’t anymore. She said:

“…I don’t shop there as frequently as I used to…I only go to [Pick 'n Save] and I go 1x/wk or every other. This has cut down on our bills…just going to 1 store, otherwise we fill up with useless stuff at each store! The more stores, the more I spend.”

I couldn’t agree more, Jamie!

I still look through the Aldi flier every Sunday, and I have seen good deals on milk, cheese, fruit and canned goods. They also have inexpensive electronics, clothes, gifts and home goods. But a lot of times I can get the same or lower prices at another store with a sale-coupon combination. Sometimes I can even get the same prices without a sale or coupon. That leads me to believe that I might spend less at Aldi, but it’s a crapshoot.

There’s also an emotional component to this story. In the past, I’ve known people who shopped at Aldi and bought horrible food. Moldy produce, unhealthy processed foods, cheap white bread — it was terrible. I know Aldi has come along way since then, but I can’t shake those memories. They have tainted my entire perception of Aldi. I know that’s unfair, but there it is.

This is a mental block similar to the one Trent at The Simple Dollar has about Aldi. I want to feel good about where I shop and how I choose my food. For whatever reason, Aldi sucks out that joy.

Just because I don’t shop at Aldi doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. In the next few days, I’ll post a Q&A with Michelle, a dedicated Aldi shopper who says she won’t shop anywhere else.

Mangoes were on sale last night at Pick ‘n Save, so I picked up three of them. That should last us, oh, about five minutes. We are serious mango lovers. I still have luscious memories of the fresh, cheap and plentiful mangoes we ate in Thailand.

We still eat a lot of mangoes, but it’s often in the frozen form. When we get it fresh, we devour it. My oldest even likes to chew and suck on the fibrous pit until it’s completely bare.

So when I found this post about how to choose and cut a mango at the wonderful $5 Dinners, I thought I would share. Cutting the mango is the hardest part. Hopefully this will simplify it for all of us so we can enjoy those mangoes!

Oh my. I could definitely do some damage with this sale. Have I mentioned that I have three girls?

Jack and Janie 25% Friends and Family Sale — PLUS free shipping on orders over $100.

Offer good March 27-29. Use online code JJFRIEND or print coupon and present in-store.

Just look at those bathing suits! Uh oh.

A little birdie told me that GE CFL bulbs are on sale for $1 apiece and up at Pick ‘n Save this week. I heard they are in a cart at the front of the Plank Road location. Not sure if they are on sale elsewhere, but these can be a fantastic find.

There are several $1 coupons floating around (I had several from the Sunday paper a few weeks back), which can make them free after you double a coupon. Considering they cost $4-$5 or more each, $1 is cheap. Free is even better!

Happy shopping tonight.

The very best place to save money isn’t at the grocery store. It’s at the Brownberry outlets in Oconomowoc and Brookfield. If you haven’t discovered these hidden gems, you need to stop buying bread at the grocery store and hit an outlet today. Two weeks ago I got high-quality bread for 54 cents a loaf! That’s incredible.

I shop at the Oconomowoc outlet about once every three months. I buy two dozen or so loaves of whole-grain, high-fructose corn syrup-free loaves. I also buy a few Boboli pizza crusts, Thomas english muffins and bagels, and Entenmann’s treats. Our outlet also carries soup mixes, Snyder pretzels, spices and other snacks, but I rarely buy those because they tend to be priced at full retail value.

Outlet bread prices are half of retail prices (which run $3-$4 per loaf). That’s already a great discount. But I always buy the “green line” loaves, which are just $1.09 per loaf.

Plus, you can find coupons in the local paper and at the store itself. At my last visit, I bought a stack of photocopied outlet coupons for just $4. It was worth every penny! This packet features four coupons for each two-month period throughout the year. Each set includes two 50% off coupons, one 12 for $12, and one 15 for $15. You can use these coupons on almost everything in the store, including my favorite green-line items, except red line items.

I used the 50% off coupon at my last trip and saved nearly $11 — bringing the final cost of the bread to 54 cents a loaf. That’s much cheaper than many store-brand white breads that have no nutritional value whatsoever. In fact, that price rivals what I spend making my own bread — without the effort.

The loaves freeze well (my basement freezer is full of them for now) and we love the bread. To me, it’s the best deal around.

It’s not the Lake Country, but Chicagoland has a fantastic limited-time deal on a photo session through Samantha Provenzano photography. Sam did newborn pictures of my last child and took our family photos/Christmas card pictures last summer. I can’t say enough good things about her!

If you or someone you know needs a great photographer in the Chicago area, check out her amazing deal:

Here’s what Sam has to say:

Space is very limited. I’m taking appointments March 20, 2009 - March 22, 2009.  Only 5 sessions.

The sessions will be 40minutes long, up to 5 people and you will receive a CD of 25 FULL resolution images for only $175.00 no other fees will apply. Normally a value of $325.00.  Call now or email now to reserve your spots and save $177.00.

All payments must be made in FULL to hold your reservation and must be made via paypal.

Happy spring!

You have a fridge and pantry full of food. You’re surveying the spoils of your trip, and you’re looking forward to scoring again next week. Then someone walks into the kitchen and interrupts your reverie with three words: What’s for dinner? That’s when you realize you’ve spent so much time shopping for food that you haven’t thought much about eating it.

Meal planning

This is where a fast hand in the kitchen comes in, well, handy. I know a lot of families head off this kind of situation by meal planning. They schedule their meals days — even weeks — ahead of time to match up with sales and what’s overflowing in their pantries. I know this can save a lot of time and money when it comes to feeding a family.

However, I don’t plan our meals. It just doesn’t work for my family. I squirm at the idea of locking ourselves into “taco night” every Wednesday. But that doesn’t mean I don’t strategically cook my family’s meals according to what I have on hand. Goodbye running to the store at the last minute for an esoteric ingredient I might never use again. Hello, cleaning out the fridge so nothing gets wasted.

Last night I was alone with three ravenous children — a situation that explains why many people have pizza delivery on speed dial. But I wasn’t about to break under pressure. So I whipped up the following pasta dish.

My brother unexpectedly dropped in around dinnertime, and he inhaled the meal — as did my 4-year-old and 2-year-old. He asked for my non-existent recipe, so I created this one to approximate what I cooked. All of the ingredients came from my stockpile. For reference, I added in parentheses the brands I used.

Enjoy!

Pete’s Pasta

1 box (approximately 1 pound) of short pasta (Ronzoni Smart Taste rotini)
1 jar prepared pasta sauce (Rinaldi garden veggie)
1 cup frozen spinach (Westpak premium veggies)
1 14-oz. can cannellini beans (Bush’s Best)
1/2 cup dry red wine (Black Swan merlot)
1 T. anchovy paste (Reese — I swear you will not taste fish in this dish!)
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella (Roundy’s)
3 T. butter (Roundy’s)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Shredded parmesan cheese (Crystal Farms)

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. Pour sauce, spinach, wine and anchovy paste in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring often, and lower the heat. Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. While sauce simmers, drain pasta and pour it back into the pot. Stir in the mozzarella and butter. Cover with a lid and let it sit until sauce has thickened up.
4. Toss some salt and pepper with the pasta, which should be gooey with cheese by now.
5. Spoon pasta into shallow bowls, cover with sauce and top with parmesan cheese.

Serves four.