Tips Day 2

Newspapers

$~ Call your local newspaper and ask what the very best deal is that they can get you for sunday only paper instead of just taking whatever price they offer. If you have time call around because most papers will lower their price to match a competitor or go lower.

$~ Many grocery stores will just give you the sunday paper if they are about to toss them. You have to be there early in the morning for most stores, but you never know so go ask! (I am not a morning person AT ALL, but I do have an aquintance that lives next to a store and gets it free every week)

$~ Get two newspapers and double your clippings. You could always get one and then on the first Sunday of the month or early Monday morning go buy the newspaper.

kiki and polly.

I am sure you have seen kiki & polly artwork. It is incredible, which is why I am so happy to introduce you to their newest line! I think you'll be quick to agree it's fantastic.

As an artist and mother I have always believed children's art should not have to sacrifice style or quality to embrace charm and imagination. With this philosophy firmly in mind I created my newest line of work. My wallpaper panel art weaves together different aspects of my past work, and I am so pleased with the outcome.

Lisa hand paints whimsical silhouettes of children with animals onto wallpaper and mounts them to wood panels. All pieces are made with only non-toxic V.O.C. paint and Birchwood panels. The wallpapers are simple and funky and each pieces adds life and creativity to your childs favorite spaces.




My favorite (although very hard to choose) is the yellow flourish wallpaper (pictured bottom left). I think it would be perfect for either a boy or girl, would look good with any of the silhouette colors, looking at it makes me smile and just shouts happiness to me. Which is your favorite?

Tips and Ideas

Please remember that savings are savings. Even if you only save $10 dollars and spend $30 that's awesome! Don't feel like you have to spend more and use more coupons just to get the savings higher. I wish I could write all the "tips" I have, but that would be too long! Remember to ask if there is something you still are wondering about~

Basic Tips

$~ Shop earlier. If you are like me and like fresh produce etc a lot of those items are marked lower in the mornings. The items are not as fresh later in the day and the store may remove the sale as the stock lowers for that item.

$~ Get cash and only use it to buy your groceries that month. This forces you to stay in budget.

$~ Keep a price list, if you have a hard time remember what is a good price. A good example I always use is chicken breasts. While walking through the store I noticed a sale that had not been advertised on chicken. It was $1.39 a pound. I remembered I used to pay $1.79 and at one point we were even paying $2.10. I almost bought it, but I remembered I can get it for $1.19 a couple times a year elsewhere so I skipped and sure enough it later went on sale. If you find a really low price write it down. (Some online programs do this for you so you may not need to).

$~ Keep a rolling list. I write down everything I am running low on or am completely out of in addition to things I need for regular groceries. Cross things out as you get them and move the remaining items to next weeks list. If you are aware you are running low on toilet paper you will begin to watch for sales and coupons thus eliminating buying things in desperation or at higher prices.

$~You don't have to buy every sale or use every coupon.
It is easy to get excited and start buying things when you are walking around the store and you see it on sale. Just because you have a coupon or something is on sale does not mean you are going to get the "best" deal. Even if there is a great deal going on with a coupon the generic brand may still be a lower price than the sale and coupon combo.

$~ Some stores give additional discounts for using your own "green" grocery bags.

$~ Get an awards card for every grocery store you go to. Go to customer service or ask in line if that store has a rewards program. Stores will give additional incentives like, money back, take an additional percentage off your next purchase and/or give fuel rewards to those who are members of the program.

$~ Only buy the produce you will be using that week or if you don't shop often then buy for two weeks at a time. You don't want to overbuy and waste or not buy enough and keep going back for more.

$~ Don't go back and forth to the store. If I forgot to get tomatoes for Bruschetta Chicken we aren't having it. I almost never run to the store for one more thing. We have even gone without milk for two days because I am too tempted to buy more than just that if I go to the store and I want my groceries to last. This rarely happens because I stick to my list.

$~ If you see an amazing sale on something you always use and you have a coupon then get it. Every now and again you might find something that is worth going off the list.

$~ Stockpile!!!! I promise that buying a couple of things at a great price is going to save you money. This is where having multiples of one coupon pay off.

$~ Walmart does price match if you have the ad, but many times the price is already that low anyway. You can do all of your shopping at one place if you prefer.
(NOTE: If you can go to a store with a rewards program then you really are saving more because you will get the reward back from that store. Walmart can be good for some things, but so far I am still a grocery store girl... you decide what works best for you.)

some favorites.

I just recently received my holiday catalog from Down East and started a rather large wish list. The good news, their prices are completely reasonable. Some favorites on the list include the Constellation Skirt ($27) and Swiss Sweater bag available in small ($17) and large ($23) sizes.

Rules of the Game

I wanted to make sure that we talk about a few necessary rules and tips. It's ok to feel slightly overwhelmed in the beginning. Our first trip to the store we only saved around $30.00 and that was saving almost 50%, but as time went on our savings increased. Our highest savings was when we should have spent $229.87, but only spent $47.02. That's $182.85 in savings!! This is just like training for a marathon. At first it is hard work and many times you might not be in the mood to do it, but if you push through you will win!







1. Do not stray from your list.
No matter how delicious that tortellini that's on sale sounds if it is not on your list don't get it.
I really can't say it enough that sticking to your list really does help you save. Some "sales" can be only .20 off and that's not very good compared to what you could get if you wait it out. Your list has all of the best sales on it so don't get caught up in the excitement of "SALE" signs. If by chance the store is having a clearance or a great sale that they did not advertise then make sure to look at the price and only buy if it really is that great of a deal.

2. Be flexible with your menu .
While you do want to set a menu you should adjust it depending on sales and coupons. If we are planning on having sun dried tomato pesto one night and I do have a coupon for the pinenuts, but its not on sale I'll move it off our menu until I can use my coupon when it is on sale. I may notice that they are having an awesome sale on meats and I have a store coupon for $5 off meat at that store, and I happen to have all of the other ingredients already to make Tastes Like Lasagna Soup. That recipe now replaces the pesto.

3. Keep a budget.
Remember that number that you got from cutting your average grocery cost in half? It's important that you strive to stay within that budget. By sticking to it you will be forced to search out the best deals and not do unnecessary buying. Soon enough you will have spent even less than you had budgeted. I promise that having a budget not only is good for your bank account, but it really will help you to be a smarter shopper.

4. Stockpile.
If there is an awesome sale and you have coupons then you need to buy up a few of that item. This rule actually helps you to save more. Let's say we are running low on deodorant and there happens to be a great deal going on. I will grab a few of them so that I never get stuck needing something and having to pay more for it. Last month I bought 8 deodorants and spent just over $5.00. The lowest it has been since that time is more than double what I paid. At the same time, I had not kept up with our medicine cabinet and when we all got sick we found our selves still saving a little on the medicine, but we paid more than we should have if I had stockpiled last time.

I'll touch a little more on everything in the "Tips" post next week. Please also feel free to ask any questions or share any concerns. I'll answer those in a question and answer post. There is so much to touch on so I will try my best to cover a lot, but some things you learn by doing it yourself.

she's got papers {winner!}

Congratulations Funky Frum! Please email me (tangledandtrue@gmail.com) by Monday morning to claim your prize.

keen {giveaway!}

This giveaway comes just in time for the holidays, I am giddy with excitement and so pleased to announce a giveaway like no other, one that I am so thrilled about I can hardly stand it. I'm wishing there was a way I could win it myself. Since I can't, the next best thing is having the ability to pass it on to one of you, Tangled and True's loyal readers.

KEEN is an all time favorite company of mine. If you haven't heard of them, allow me to introduce you, once I do, I'm sure they'll become a fast favorite of your very own.

At KEEN, we're an active outdoor company made up of people just like you... creating possibilities, playing outside, caring for the world we live in.

Through our leadership and commitment to social and environmental causes, we hope to encourage and empower others to do the same.

Create. Play. Care. It's a way of life. We call it HybridLife.

Every product KEEN creates is comfortable, stylish, and on the cutting edge. They're fresh and urban, and just recently they've made it possible to shop direct from their site, making all your favorite products available in one convenient location.

Today KEEN is helping spread a little holiday cheer by giving one of you the product of your choice (up to $140). That's right $140 to spend on ANY item you choose!


Will you go with one of their bags? Available in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Lifestyle bags, computer bags, or some of my personal favorites out of the harvest collection. You can't go wrong with any of these.


New shoes are always on the girls list for Christmas. I've created two shoe monsters, and any of the kids collection would make a great addition to their wardrobe.


You could surprise the man in your life. He probably deserves it, and wouldn't it be fun to have that unexpected gift wrapped and waiting for him, I always love to give the unexpected, the hard part will be keeping quiet when you win.

If you're like me, it will most likely be extremely difficult to not just spend it all on yourself, and that's not a bad thing. You deserve something new, the women's collection provides comfort and style, and gives you a little something to spice up life, so I say go for it.

What KEEN product will you choose? How will you decide?

Would you love to win? be sure to:
*enter one comment on this post - with your name
*please only enter once
*answer question above
*entry will be open until next Thursday (12/11) 11:59 pm MST
*winner will be announced Friday (12/12) morning

For those of you hoping to add KEEN to your holidays enjoy free shipping through December 11th by using code TANGLEDTRUE at checkout.

Good Luck and Thank You KEEN!!!