BIG Y

Big Y introduces themselves as a family owned and family oriented retail food company.  Here is the link to their website... http://www.bigy.com/. They have a lot to offer but here are a few things that I thought were important to our goal.
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Here are the benefits from using their Express Savings Card:

WEEKLY EXPRESS CLUB SAVINGS

FREE MEMBERSHIP

NO MINIMUM PURCHASE REQUIRED

CHECK CASHING PRIVILEGES

LOST KEY RETURN 

SHOW YOUR CARD AND SAVE AT LOCAL BUSINESSES AND EVENTS

SAVE AT THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

PVTA

SAVE ON GAS

CHILDREN'S THEATRE WITH THE MYSTIC AQUARIUM

CT SUN BASKETBALL

PIONEERS SOCCER TICKETS

TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

EXECUTIVE VALET

SENSATIONAL SUMMER SAVING 2011

CONNECTICUT TIGERS TICKETS

THEY ALSO OFFER SCHOLARSHIP, HOMEWORK HELP, DENTAL PLANS AND SOME HAVE A PLAYSPACE FOR YOUR CHILDREN WHILE YOU SHOP.

Also, they have an interactive circular online which allows you to create a shopping list. Plus, on their website you can print manufacture's coupons.

Double Your Savings Up to 99¢.DOUBLE MANUFACTURERS' COUPONS are Back!

Coupon Policy For Manufacturers' Coupons:
• The purchase must meet the terms of the coupon.
• Only one coupon is allowed per item.
• Coupons with a face value less than 99¢ will be doubled.

•“Free-item” coupons will not be doubled.
• Coupons will not be accepted for items that are “free” on the basis of our ad, i.e., Buy One Get One Free sales, etc.
• Redemption of identical coupons is limited to 5 per customer per ad week.
• Double coupon offer excludes coupons on tobacco products, alcohol, lottery tickets & other items prohibited by law.
• Internet coupons are subject to the same rules.
• We reserve the right to accept or reject any coupon.

 

Tips!

I was thinking about the things that I have done that have been extremely helpful in me cutting back my grocery bill.

1. Check inventory... The last thing you want to do is go shopping and then come home and SURPRISE you were low on something like... sugar! So, I check my cabinets for items that are low, have expired or close to it and what I need more of. With pen and paper in tow I write what I need down.

2. Plan meals... I plan 14 meals which is two weeks of meals that I know I will make and can make. I toss in some easy meals that can be cooked if my day happens to run long and maybe an experiment meal. Since, I have went through my cabinets I know what ingredients to buy and I add what I need my list.

(Let me tell you this is soooo helpful because it takes the thinking right out of it and there is no need to run back to the store because you forgot anything.)

3. Check Coupons... Now, I go through my coupons and check to see what has expired and what is relevant to my grocery list.

4. Gather Circulars...With the circulars gathered I go through and see what else might peek my interest like fruits, meats, cleaning products, etc. I also check to see who may have the best deals for what I need to buy off of my list.

5. Figure Travel... Gas is high and your time is valuable. I love to shop but I don't want to travel all over CT trying to receive deals plus waste gas. Weigh the savings, your time and patience before heading out. Know the stores in your area and the stores in surrounding areas. I travel for work and knowing where the stores are in surrounding towns has helped me use my time wisely.

Side Note... If you have the space keep a cooler in your trunk!

6. Benefits... I would suggest that you get familiar with what each store has to offer their customers! All stores have a gimmick. For example... Walmart tries to keep prices a little lower than most and will match the competitor but they do not double or triple coupons.

What are some of thing that you do to make shopping go a lot more smoothly?

The second reason...

A wonderful woman with a family to feed like the rest of us at my church wanted to start a group so that maybe we could coupon together, share tips and of course fellowship with like minded people who want to SAVE. Stress, depression, sadness, anger, pain can set in when you feel like you can not always support your family because the prices of food rises, gas prices rises, rent/mortgage due, utilities due, car note due, collection agency calling, etc.

I was sitting and looking at my work schedule and my children schedules and said “when would I have to time to join a snipping and clipping group at church. The reality was that “YES” I would love to attend but would not probably be able to go on the regular basis. “YES” I loved the idea but truly with everyone’s work schedule how people would actually attend. Creating this blog would allow anyone and everyone to gain the same information; our communities could communicate with each other and the knowledge to be shared the old fashion way with a twist (word of mouth).

My goal is that we learn how to SAVE more. I am not expecting to be a extreme couponer or have my grocery bill total to NOTHING OUT MY POCKET (even though I would love that)! but that I have more saving than not. SO come on Connecticut let’s figure this out together and continue to make this blog thrive. Thanks!

The first reason...

You hear about the families around the USA who pay little to nothing for groceries that would have cost a few hundred dollars. These families have so much excess that they have stockpiles in their basements and or donate to shelters, churches and neighbors. Now they have a show and it seems like they are flaunting this madness to the general public on major networks.

Thousands saved in the USA but when I walk into Wal-Mart they have a small sign up that says that they do not double or triple coupons. Stop and Shop seems to be a hit or miss if something doubles and the coupons that I have out of the New Haven Register or Hartford Courant or even the Advocate say only one coupon can be used or can not be doubled.

So, when I watch these shows or see these ladies on the news I am a little perplexed at how they accomplish this great success in free groceries with free monies left for their meats. I am slowly trying to use certain tips that they have thrown out there for me to nibble on. I know that I can not be alone in this needing to save money on groceries but not sure how to navigate through the Connecticut stores to make it happen.

Welcome!

I am creating this blog for women and men in Connecticut who have learned the tricks and the trades for maximizing their saving in Connecticut stores and for those who are slowly learning. I would love to see posted… stores going out of business, stores with fabulous sales going on, best supermarkets for using coupons (if the double, triple), etc basically I want to spread the word on how to save in these times where prices inflate and deflate without a moments notice. The best way for communities to thrive happens to be the word of mouth method but since we do not all spiral in the same circles I pray that shares and spread the word. Thanks in advance for your participation and enjoy learning!