Our Family Ramblings!

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It is that time of the year again!! BLACK FRIDAY!! The day after Thanksgiving is always an event in my family! We make it an adventure! From making our list to making our map of places!! When I used to live closer to my sister-in-law, the two of us would do it without fail. Since moving away, my hubby and I do it, but not as intense! Some of it was for the good deals, but mostly for the experience. Some of you are really saying that I am crazy about now, but ... to each his own!! The past few years have become more of a "if there is something we would really like to get and it is a fabulous deal" we will do it! If there isn't anything that floats our boat, we don't bother!! You do have to have the right attitude and mindset to tackle black friday! Be patient is the biggest and don't mind the rude people that push you aside. If you want it THAT badly that you have threatened my welfare, then let me help you walk it to your car! :o)

There is a website that gets all the black friday ads in advance. You can sign up with your email and they will email you when new ads are posted. Today, Sears and True Value have added their black friday ads. You also have the ability to make a shopping list from the stores to make your trip planning more productive! They have coupons and "hot deals" as well!! I have used this site for the past two years. It is great to get a heads up on the ads and be able to do my research to see whether they are REALLY good deals or not!

Here are some tips to make your black friday experience safe and as stress free as possible:

1. Arrive to the stores early
Lines at stores start forming as early as 3 PM Thanksgiving Day. If you are after the limited quantity items, you need to be in this line. Some stores hand out vouchers an hour before the doors open. If you don't get that voucher, you probably won't get the merchandise.

2. Park close to an exit
Find a parking spot at a local store that is not having a sale and walk to the store. This way, you won't be stuck in the big rush of people coming in and going out of the main store.

3. Dress comfortable.
This is not a fashion show. The people in line don't care what you look like. Ladies, leave the heels at home. Guys, don't fix your hair, your going to be wearing a hat anyway. Comfortable tennis shoes are a must.

4. Divide and Conquer
What better way to plan your attack than at Thanksgiving dinner? Spread out the ads between family and friends. Decide who is going to what store and make a list of what everyone wants. Each person buys everyone's items and then you all meet up afterwards.

5. Shop Online
Some of the sale items will be available for the same bargain prices online Thanksgiving Day, or sooner. Purchase as many items as you can online, and get the remainder Friday morning. Check BFGear.com often for link updates.

6. Make a "Dry Run" the night before Thanksgiving
About an hour before the store closes on Wednesday, go to the store and spot where everything is that you want to buy. Some stores, especially Best Buy, set up a checkout maze using electronics. One wrong turn could easily cost you an extra 45 minutes in the checkout line.

7. Leave the kids at home
Unless you've taught your kids to get the deal no matter what (which is probably bad parenting anyway), leave the kids with a babysitter or family member. There are a lot of people at the stores that will be more willing to trample your child instead of helping them off the ground. Standing in line for 10 hours is not fun for an adult, what do you think it's like for a child?

8. Protect your money
While big sales will attract loads of shoppers, they also attract loads of thieves. Ladies, leave your purse at home. Bring your ID, credit cards and/or cash and keep it close to you. Guys, with 2-3 layers of pants on, it's harder to feel a thief lift your wallet while your not paying attention. Keep your wallet in your front pocket.

9. Make friends with others standing in line
Having a good conversation with someone standing in line can pass the time fairly quickly. Not to mention, if you have to run to the bathroom because you just drank an entire pot of coffee. Your newfound friend will probably be willing to hold your place in line, especially if your willing to return the favor.

10. DON'T bring alcohol to a shopping frenzy
Sure, adding a little something extra to your coffee may seem like a good idea, but there are police officers standing at every corner. They walk up and down the line to see what people are doing. They won't have any problem hauling your butt off to jail because you decided to handle line jumpers your own way.

Thanks to bfgear.com for this great information!! ((they also have some store ads (most are still from last year) too along with some other great helpful information!!))

Please, before you get wrapped up and lost in the holidays... don't forget thanksgiving first!! Let's be thankful for our ability to read those ads, to write with our hands the list, to see to drive the car to the stores, and the money that the Lord continues to provide somehow through this hard economic time!! BE THANKFUL!!

So if you don't know, I have made it my goal to get my grocery budget down to $50.00 per week. Yes, I make a couple trips here and there through out the week to get staples like eggs, milk, bread. The major shopping is done usually at Publix and for under $50.00! I have a family of 5 and so far it has been going very well. How do I do it, you ask?

To start I wait until thursday when the weekly circular is online. I then view it on line. The online circular has a shopping list feature that rocks!! You view the item in the circular, say yes I need that, and click "add". At the end of viewing and adding, I then print out my list. The lists is divided up into categories like, dairy, frozen etc. It also tells you what sale that item falls under. (You can also add the quanity you are going to buy-- Keeps me insanely organized when I am at the store!) Then in the next column it will tell you the price per item if it isn't BOGO. I then take my list to my blog sites that I check weekly for coupon match -ups. I print out my coupons. Some sites usually need you to download a coupon printer. Should be fine. I haven't had any issues with virus or such.

TIP: Most coupon printers will enable you to print two coupons as a max. You just have to hit the back arrow and resend the information. Also, any coupon that comes in a PDF form can be printed numerous times!

I usually use Cassie's site and those sites participating in BeCentsable's Grocery Gathering! (Southern Savers, Fiddlededee) You can use the Becentsable website for other stores as well. They are ALL listed there! Follow the same rules and go for it!

After I do those match-ups, I then go to my coupon stash to see what else will match up. Then I wait... I wait until Sunday when I get the Sunday ads. There are usually 2-4 more coupons in there that I can use for my week's trip. Then on Monday, I am off to Publix to do my magic!! I stock up on items we always use. I buy as many as I have coupons for when they are BOGO. (The first week you start, you will go over budget to get the "stash" going, then you won't need to buy that item later!) One week I will stock up on extras so that the next week they have a good meat sale, I stock up and use my budget on meat!

All it takes is about 20 minutes to do your match-ups. If I can do it... you can. I used to hate coupons and think it was a waste of my time. I went in and got what I wanted and got out. I am now realizing that it isn't that hard and time to clip is time to save $. Especially in this economy! My hubby works hard for his money, and I can help by saving as much as I can!!
REMEMBER: If you buy 2 items that are B1G1 make sure you use 2 coupons to get the best deal. Publix accepts competitors coupons (you can stack with a manufacturers coupon and a Publix coupon too) . You can use a store coupon ( Food Lion, Target, Harveys, Albertsons etc.) and a manufacturer’s coupon on the same item! Double your fun!!

Just as an example... here is this past week's trip breakdown:


Huggies baby wash wasn't exactly a grocery item, but it was cheap!! I didn't need any meats because I got it all last week!! This week was all extras and snacks!! Next week will be more meat!!

My most important tips for being successful!
1. Stick to the list
2. be flexible in what you eat
3. DON"T BUY IT UNLESS YOU HAVE A COUPON & IT IS ON SALE!
4. STOCKPILE
5. If you are in doubt about a coupon, check the stores coupon policy! Publix's is here!

2 boxes of luvs diapers $15.00 each (on sale) = $30.00
minus
2 target coupons= $2.00
$2.00
2 man. coupons= $1.00
$2.00
Plus a $5.00 gift card for next visit

Grand discount = $12.00

Thanks to Thrifty Mommy for this great deal!!

Right now you can save 60% on dining gift certificates at Restaurant.com. Just enter the discount code ALLSTAR at the checkout and hit “apply”. Hurry, this offer ends Sunday, July 20th at 11:59 pm.

I got several!! You won't believe how your price goes down when you apply the discount code to the already low prices!! You print the certificates right from your own computer or save them to print later!

NOTE: you may want to call the restaurant before using them. Some are only viewing the "certificates" as "coupons" therefore only permitting you to use one per visit. (No stacking of certificates)