Why do we clip, save and stock up?? Well we do it to get the best deal on the items we use the most! I have been checking out my pantry and seeing what has dwindled over the year and preparing my list of items I need so that I can watch the sales and match up my coupons. In doing this I am reminded of what items I have had to toss out because they had expired and/or gone bad.
Food waste is not limited to just the pantry but encompasses all food and items that I have stocked up on over the year or from the weekly fridge cleanings I have done. Overall I have come to the conclusion that for my family, less is
definitely more. So instead of buying 20 bottles of salad dressing for a 'really good price' I am setting out a limit for the year. How much of each item will my family 'really use' in the next year thereby helping to reduce my spring
dumpings.
Here are my steps:
1. Make a list of pantry items
2. Make a good ball-park figure of how much my family used each item over the last year
3. Condense my list to purse size (3 X 5 index card)
4. Watch the super summer sales for great stocking up
This index card method is ideal for those of us on the run all the time. This way I know exactly where my list is (in my wallet) and I can focus on those items each week when the sales come out. Once I have reached my limit I am done with that item for the year and no matter the 'great deal price' even if I can get ketchup for a dime, forget about it! That dime is still money that is tossed in the garbage next spring if I over stock my pantry and over buy.
After looking at my trash bin fill up with bottles of mustard, salad dressing, and other items that I got at really great prices, I feel confident that next spring I will throw out less thereby saving more!
The following web article is one of the best I have read regarding food waste so check it out and happy summer stocking!
http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/prevent-food-waste-at-home?lpgStart=1¤tslide=1¤tChapter=1
Today is your last day to print May coupons at your favorite online sites! I know I've maxed my number allowed to the best of my ability :) If you aren't sure where to find coupons check out this blog article for some great tips http://savingthosedollars.blogspot.com/2011/05/where-to-get-coupons.html
Wow! Ace Hardware is running some fantastic sales for Memorial Day (May 27-3oth)! There are tons of great deals including:
Vista Print is offering Free "Return to Teacher Labels" with around $3 shipping the only cost to you. School is almost over and these would make a sweet gift for all those teachers out there who work hard! Alternatively, if you already know your child's teacher's name for Fall, grab these now as a Winter Season present! 
Wow! A great new Nexcare coupon is out just in time for WalMart's roll-back pricing!
Wow! Here is a link to a great $1/1 Hawaiian Trop Sun Care coupon! Just go to the bottom of the site and click on the Print Coupon button. Print out several (hit the back button) and use them this week at Walgreens or save them up. Expirations will vary depending on when you print yours out-you'll have about 3-4 weeks to use them up!
The deals this week at Walgreens aren't ground shattering, but there are a few great freebies and some fun match-ups to make the trip there worth it. Since there are SO MANY different strategies and opinions as to the best deals; I will give you the best blogs I have found so you can flip through and find your favorites!
Payless Shoes has some fabulous shoes for this summer and has a great coupon out right now.
