Anyone Else A Major Bargain Hunter?

[GlutenFreeManna]

Just wondering if anyone else likes to search out deals and save money as much as I do. I'm always scouring the clearance racks, on the lookout for closeout deals. I think I love the hunt more than the actual purchasing. I go to thrift stores for clothes and yard sales for used furniture or other items. If I'm looking to buy something new I will price it out at several stores before making the purchase. One reason it's so easy for me to not eat a lot of gluten-free goodies is that they are SO EXPENSIVE. I can buy tons of veggies, fruit and meat for the price of a loaf of gluten-free bread, cookies or crackers. I just about jumped up and down with glee when I found Trader Joe's rice pasta for only $1.99. I used to use coupons big time when I grocery shopped, and I still do on a lot of non-food items and anything that is gluten free/soy free/dairy free, but to a much lesser extent. I make a list each week of the sale/seasonal veggies in the stores as well as any fresh meats on sale and plan my meals around that list. I'm always on the lookout for marked down meat, I buy it whenever I find it and freeze it. We just had a delicious leg of lamb that I found this way, marked down 75% off the regular price because it had a sell by date of that day. Just wondering if anyone else here shares my love of saving money.

[summerteeth]

I am all about bargains. I coupon clip, but most of those items I can't have. So I buy all of his foods with coupons - he is so not picky. I figure if we save $20/week on his groceries that is pretty good.

Kroger/Hilander always has a "bargain bin" - I found Pamela's cookies in there for $.99 and Snikiddy snacks for $1.29. Sam's Club has Crunchmaster chips for like $6 but you get three bags! A big batch of chili in my slow cooker saves us a lot of money (not right now, though, because it is so warm in the Midwest).

Fruits and veggies seem to be really cheap for me (although some disagree). I don't really buy gluten-free bread or specialty items too often... that seems to get the cost down.

Oh! And Aldi's is pretty great- there is a customer service email floating around somewhere (I may be able to find it in my outbox). A lot of their foods are gluten-free. Plus, I recently saw EnviroKidz cereal there for less than $2.

[RiceGuy]

The main ways I've found to save money is to make everything from scratch. It is also healthier, and not prone to CC or hidden ingredients. You can save a lot by making your own jellies/jams, condiments, spreads, crackers, cookies, breads and other baked items, milks, drinks, yogurt (non-dairy for me), pudding and other desserts, etc.

[Juliebove]

I'm frugal with some things but not others. Clothing? I almost always buy on clearance. I'm always on the lookout for bargain socks because daughter does...well...I don't know what with them. All I know is that they disappear. Luckily she likes the look of mismatched socks. Because despite having literally hundreds of socks, it's rare to find a mate.

I like Victoria's Secret undies. I buy them mostly when they are on clearance. Once in a while I will need new ones and have to pay regular price.

I am on the mailing list for a New Balance closeouts site. They notify us when our size is on a blowout sale. That's when I buy.

I also get good buys at Camp Mor (especially winter clothes), Lands End and LL Bean.

About the only time I might pay full price for something is if I need something specific in a hurry (like when daughter outgrew her winter coat last year) or it's a special occasion. But even then I might not. I paid $20 for my wedding dress, some 15 years ago. Granted it wasn't a real wedding dress. It wasn't even white. It was cream colored. But that's the color I wanted. I just kept searching until I found something I liked that was cheap.

Food is a mixed bag. My cat is elderly with a thyroid problem. So underweight. I will spend pretty much any amount on her to make sure she has something she will eat. She is finicky too.

I try to make a lot of beans, rice, potatoes and popcorn for us to eat because they are cheap. But I also spend a small fortune on special gluten free things for daughter.

[JDB]

The clientel is a bit sketchy in our area, but I love to go to Grocery Outlet Bargin market for groceries. They have gluten free, organic, and good household stuff. And when I am there I buy all that they have, because I know I won't see it again. Good thing for storage!

Otherwise I am a major thrift store and yard sale junkie. Love the rush!