Lake Country Saver

It’s been almost a year since I started budgeting more strictly for groceries and using the online Pick ‘n Save flier to plan my Wednesday trips. My method is rock-solid. I rarely overspend or mismanage our food budget, yet I’ve significantly increased our organic dairy and produce intake. I am really proud of how my family, and especially my three little girls, eat.

So it came with some shock that my last two shopping trips have been significantly over budget. My last trip was $200 — way more than I normally spend in a week. What is going on?

The party factor

I reviewed my lists, and I found that my last two trips contained a lot of items I don’t usually buy:

• Chips and dips (I curse the genius behind potato chips and french onion dip)
• Snacks and treats (yum for s’mores)
• Soda (mostly Coke products)
• Produce (especially berries and melons)

The reason I’m spending more is simply because we have a packed social calendar of summer parties, and I usually bring something to share with the group. Helping out the host and joining in on the fun is something I really enjoy. Plus, I love a sandwich with chips and soda in the summer. It’s my summer downfall.

I’m also hosting my own party next week, and I’ve been stocking up on essentials. Technically, some of that overage in my grocery budget could be picked up by my entertainment budget, since the food is being used for parties and such, but I’ll just chalk it up to summer fun and get back on track later.

The produce bill has been higher lately, too, just because there is so much in season right now. My kids love fruit, so I’ve been buying much more than usual.

I didn’t expect to spend more this summer, but I’m enjoying our time so much that I don’t mind. I know it’s temporary, and we can handle the higher bills for now.

What about you: Do you spend more on groceries in the summer? Or are the winter holidays the time to splurge at the store?

My friend Jenn recently did a fantastic cost comparison of Aldi vs. Piggly Wiggly. I have wanted to do this for a long time, a head-to-head comparison of grocery stores, but I haven’t had the time or motivation. So a big thanks to Jenn for putting this together! It’s fascinating stuff.

First off I have to say, I can be a pretty picky grocery shopper, especially when it comes to meats/deli/fruits/veggies/dairy, so don’t let my findings make you think I’m a low-quality shopper

I was interested in checking out Aldi this week after hearing their strawberries were 50 cents per container (large sized containers, not the pints).

I ended up finding quite a bit more than just strawberries. At first I was skeptical but hey, I’m all for saving some cash! I bought the following: rice cakes, rising crust pizza, stuffing, bacon, paper towel, cantelope, sink sponges, taco seasoning mix, apples, taco shells, gum, eggs, cookies, canned beans, strawberries, carrots, paper plates, plastic cups, potatoes, ravioli, noodles and spag sauce. And, some of those items were doubled/tripled — for example I bought 4 containers of strawberries, (2) 3-packs of gum, 2-packs of carrots and so on.

This morning I had to run to The Pig to get some other items that Aldi didn’t have (yes, annoying, but worth it), and I ended up comparing the prices of each item I bought at Aldi.

The difference: Piggly Wiggly $68.94 vs. Aldi $40.05

[McKenna's note: According to my calculations, that's a savings of nearly 42%!]

That’s with me even pricing some of The Pig items with their generic products. Imagine if I would have gone totally name brand with everything!

So even though that store has a ‘cheap’ reputation, I don’t care… I’m gonna keep getting certain things there. I’ll put my saved money in a vacation fund!  Oh yes, their cantolopes and pineapples are on sale for $1.99.

Congrats on such a fantastic deal, Jenn!

Has anyone else starting shopping at Aldi lately? What do you think?

As you might have noticed, I’ve been slacking off lately. My kids are all home full-time (yikes), the weather is nice, and I’m enjoying some “rest” as I follow the baby everywhere, making sure she’s not eating knives or drinking out of the dog bowl.

Still, I’ve stumbled on a few great links, books and people lately, mostly due to The Simple Dollar and nosing around the Web. Here’s what I’ve been reading, working on, and thinking about lately:

1. Why did nobody tell me about Simple Mom?! Is it because you are keeping all the fun to yourselves? No fair. This is the blog I would have started had I known about blogging before 2008.

2. I used to subscribe to Salon way back when you had to pay to read anything of substance on the site. Thank god those days are over, because this post on eating ethically is fantastic.

3. I think a lot of people expect me to pinch pennies, or to automatically buy the cheapest item on the shelf, just because I’m really into “conscious spending” (my own version of frugality). So not true!

For example: I offered to bring drinks for last week’s end-of-year party at my daughter’s school. The organizer suggested I could bring a pitcher of water and stir in some powdered drink mix to keep costs low. She’s right that it would have been super cheap to do that. But pouring sticky “fruit” juice into little cups held by tiny, clumsy hands that would spill that “fruit” juice all over themselves and me didn’t sound like a party.

So I coughed up $7 to bring individual juice boxes of 100% juice. I hope that makes me fun to be around — or at least helps me avoid being called a failed frugalist. (Which I think is the same as being called a tightwad. Shudder.)

4. I just read Rich Like Them by Ryan D’Agostino, and I found it really inspiring. Although I was disappointed that not a single Wisconsin ZIP code made it on the list of richest 100 neighborhoods (why doesn’t Chenequa have it’s own ZIP code?), I loved reading about how rich people got where they are.

5. Like many people in Rich Like Them, my husband and I are both “entrepreneurs.” (But we’re not rich like the people in the book, so I’m pretty sure “entrepreneur” in our case is just a euphemism for “out-of-work writer.”) But when I read about Getting Rich in Your Underwear on this list of 40 places to learn more about business, I knew I was on the right career path. Unfortunately, my husband works in other people’s home, so I’m guessing he’ll have to skip that book and keep his shorts on.

I have a 20% off $50 Carter’s coupon (good for in-store purchases only) that I’d like to send to a good home. It’s good through June 16th. I’m willing to mail it to you if you email me your info. Hurry: First come, first served!

This coupon can be used during the huge 50% to 70% off baby sale that’s going on right now. You’ll also get a $10 gift check for every $25 you spend through June 14th. Wowza, those are some great match-ups. Almost makes me wish I had a tiny little girl to outfit in cute summer clothes. Almost.

I have to admit that I’m a little rummaged out already. I OD’d at several sales in April and May. But that doesn’t mean this upcoming rummage sale doesn’t entice me! I don’t travel often to Sussex, but I’m on the market for a bedroom set…

Sussex-Area Rummage Sale

Thursday, June 11, 12-6 p.m.

Friday, June 12, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

W250 N8815 Hillside Road
Sussex, WI 53089
(Just off of Hwy 164 between Good Hope Road and County Line Road/Hwy Q)

Many baby items including strollers, bassinet, high chair, nursery bedding sets, some toys. Adult clothing sizes XL and extended/plus sizes (both men’s and women’s). Bedroom dresser set, window air conditioner (only used for one summer), microwave, and many other items.

Contact with Questions: nf1974@yahoo.com

Print your in-store coupon or enter the code JUNE for online purchases. Hurry, this is valid only today and tomorrow! Plus, eligible orders over $50 include free shipping.

I noticed that Kellogg’s and Kashi cereals, Coke products and Banana Boat/Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen is on sale this week. Add in a few coupons and Register Rewards with these deals, and this $5 off could add up to big savings.

My wonderful friend Karen tipped me off that Gymboree is having a great sale on Sunday: 30% everything in the store — in store and online. Plus, there is a 20% off coupon in Working Mother and Family Fun magazine that you can use on top of the 30% discount.
I just bought a ton of Gymboree clothes at rummage sales yesterday, and now I’m a little hooked. I might have to check out this sale, too.

Good luck! Let’s hope the Web site doesn’t crash with all the sale traffic.

There’s nothing I love more than a great rummage sale. And some of the best ones are neighborhood-wide sales that combine several families’ stuff into a giant festival of deals.

This weekend there’s one of these huge rummage sales in Oconomowoc:

Location: Hickorywood Farms subdivision, off Valley Road west of  Oconomowoc

Dates/Times:
Thursday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Items: Lots of kids clothes and gear, women’s and men’s clothes, computer stuff, household items, etc.

If you are having a rummage/consignment sale/public event — or know of one coming up — please email me! I’m setting up a calendar with this information. Thanks!

UPDATE: I dropped off some items at the rummage earlier today — my friend Becky has an insane amount of kids’ clothes! If you have a girl in sizes 4T and under, or a boy in 24 months and under, this is an incredible sale. Lots of Gymboree, Gap and brand-name clothes, shoes and gear that are in great shape. Most stuff is $3 and under — what a steal!

Last night I saw that Banana Boat suncare products are buy one get one free (BOGO) at Pick ‘n Save! I clipped a $1 coupon from last week’s paper, which doubled at the register. I picked up one bottle each of Ultra Defense 50 and Ultra Defense 30 for just $7.49 — a savings of $11.49, or 60%. That is one fantastic deal on sunscreen that will last all summer.

This stuff is awesome. It sprays on evenly and clearly, which is great for loading up the kids with SPF. I have experimented with other kinds of sunscreen, and this is definitely one of the best.

I hope it stays on sale for a while — this is a good one!

Update: This week’s ad showcases this Banana Boat deal. Stock up next week! I’m not sure how long it will last.

We are having a serious ant problem this year. In the last week, ants have started appearing all over the downstairs. I know they are coming in from the back of the house, but this year I discovered a fairly large ant hill in the middle of our lawn. Makes me think the ants have decamped for good this time.

I have extremely toxic ant killer, but I’m hesitant to use it. My 1-year-old just loves the look of those tiny pellets (they are blue and colorful and must taste good, right?!), and I don’t really trust the 2-year-old not to touch or eat it. I’m sure the 4-year-old will stay away, but you never know.

Does anyone have effective yet safe ant solutions? Or is toxic the only way to go? Please leave a comment and let me know what you would do. Thanks!