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Anyone Else A Major Bargain Hunter?

GlutenFreeManna

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GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

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.

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summerteeth Enthusiast
summerteeth
Posted

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 Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

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.

  • 3 weeks later...
Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted

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 Newbie
JDB
Posted

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!

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