BlogHer - Win $1000 for Groceries from Prego® Italian Sauce - Comments

I try to buy things on sale

lilyk — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:32:03 -0500

I try to buy things on sale and use coupons whenever I can.

I use coupons, and I check

donnak4 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:24:38 -0500

I use coupons, and I check the sale ads weekly. I try to but only when on sale and stock up at that time. We eat leftovers. When we go out to eat, I try to have a coupon for the restaurant.

small change

hammielover1 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:45:54 -0500

We had to stretch out budget by totally eliminating entertainment out of our budget. I miss taking the kids out and seeing a good movie, but what can you do?

Changes I have made

sweetbrat — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:27:47 -0500

1. We check out the loss leaders in our local sales sheets. We decide if we actually need to drop by that store when we are going to be in that area (to save gas) or else we buy it at Walmart with their price matching deal.

2. I buy clearanced meat from Sam's Club and cook it up when I get home and then put it in th freezer.

3. I am now cooking up enough meat at a shot to last us at least a week. I try to make desserts at the same time I am baking other things, because we have seen our utility bills going through the roof as well.

4. I am portioning snacks. I bake them in bulk and then portion them so they are not wiped out in one day!

5. I use the crock pot to cook up roasts on sale and then make several meals out of them.

6. I have found when I make tacos that my family eats just as many whether I put very little hamburger in per a taco or a lot of hamburger. So now I use only 1 lb of hamburger for our large family. Same thing with cookies. I am baking smaller cookies now, because I have found my family is going to eat 2-3 cookies each no matter if they are small or large. I cut pizza in smaller slices for the same reason.

Win $100 for Groceries from Prego

JOYVEN — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:21:42 -0500

I use coupons and purchase discounted items

I have a large family, so it

Bakersdozen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:07:53 -0500

I have a large family, so it is necessary to know how to stretch my budget. I shop for sales, using coupons when I have them. I look for online deals and coupons and am part of deal lists where people share deals with each other. There are also frugal meal ideas. Stir fry dinners using frozen vegetable, strips of meat (optional), onions, etc. served over rice is quick and easy and can feed a crowd. Speaking of Prego, spaghetti is frugal, as are mini pizzas made with spaghetti sauce and english muffins with whatever toppings are on hand.

I check the weekly grocery

LuckyTJG — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:12:04 -0500

I check the weekly grocery store circulars and shop accordingly. I buy meat when it's on sale and freeze it. I buy canned goods on sale and stock them. I use coupons and try to save every way I can.

Being thrifty at all times!

HelenWL — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:06:35 -0500

I shop for clothing and merchandise out of season. I stock up when there is a major sale or clearance on items that we use regularly. I'm picky on buying items only when I know I have an actual use for them rather than purchasing it because it's a good price. I constantly browse off price stores and even check out dollar stores as there are a lot of great buys to be had there!

Shop the Sales

bndraldy — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:55:25 -0500

I use the sale flyers to help plan my meals and to stock up on the staples. I make use of coupons - double and triple when I can. Often the store brand is cheaper than brand names even with coupons. We have one store that offers a 10% senior discount on all store brand items. Make a list and stick to it!

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!

How far can I s-t-r-e-t-c-h it??

bwsmom — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:29:02 -0500

Hoo boy! I work HARD to stretch our budget! I can't remember the last time I paid full retail for anything. I'm a serious bargain shopper, both online and in person. I'm a hardcore couponer at the grocery store (and the cashiers know me as such!). I scan the grocery ads each week, make my lists, match my coupons, etc. I comparison shop (is the price per ounce less on the smaller size of an item, or the larger size that's on sale?) I'm a member of several online bargain shopping sites. We pay our bills and have very limited amounts of credit cards so we're not living above our means. It's not an easy task, but it all can be done, and it makes a HUGE amount of difference!

I use coupons on double

Hidee715 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:16:36 -0500

I use coupons on double coupon days, buy generics, and stock up when there is a big sale. I use steam cleaning alot to save money on cleaning supplies- which usually aren't good for you to breath anyway.

I've posted my ways

Dawniemom — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:53:56 -0500

I just posted my blog post about how we stretch our budget. http://www.blogher.com/how-we-5-live-1-paycheck

I look forward to your input, and of course, would LOVE to win :)))

Planning Ahead

Alibi — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:51:10 -0500

We did some gardening this year and froze and canned tons of stuff.

We make large meals and freeze half of them for another time and that saves time becaue you only have to cook the meal one time for 2 uses.

We use coupons and are always looking out for sales going to the websites of your favorite products is a good idea as they have coupons right there to print a lot of the time.

Buy in bulk and seperate it into sizes you would use like a 10# thing of hamburger into 1-2lb freezer bags for later use. Always check the price per unit to see if you're getting the best deal.

With gas prices we know of one gas station here that gives 5 cents off if you pay cash and another store that gives you 4 cent off coupons whenever you shop there. They help. I'm sure gas stations all over the country are offering deals just have to find them. Also traveling less and making each trip count by getting multiple things done on one trip.

I really take advantage of

nsord — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:40:38 -0500

I really take advantage of the few amazing sale items that are offered each week and I stock up on them. I have a year round vegetable garden that saves me quite a bit of money. I network with my friends and we all share extra fruit from our trees. I clip coupons and use them regularly. I plan my weekly meals on what I have stocked up in the cupboard along with what is on sale that week.

COUPONS, Doller menu's and

hamjenny — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:58:53 -0500

COUPONS, Doller menu's and leftovers...

It is surprising how much you can save with coupons and sales together. I try to watch for coupons for the items I use on the internet it adds up.

I never let the leftovers go to waste.

And the doller menu's not sure what I would do without them can grab something and get a drink at home it is such a money saver.

Win $1000 for Groceries from Prego® Italian Sauce

Special Offers — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:58:00 -0500

UPDATE 10/16/08: We at Prego want to thank you for your participation and appreciate all your lively and informative feedback. We know times are tough, so don't forget to check out some great restaurant-quality recipes at www.myitaliantable.com. These recipes allow you to keep living the good life even as your budget tightens.

The sweepstakes has ended. Thank you all for entering. A winner will be chosen soon!

__________________________________________

Small changes can equal big $avings - tell us how you stretch your budget and you could win $1000 from Prego® Italian Sauce.

You're a smart woman and we figure you've got some pretty smart ideas about saving money when it comes to feeding your family. At the same time, you have no interest in sacrificing quality and taste just to save a few cents.

So, tell us, when it comes to feeding your family, what are some of the small changes you've made that have added up to big savings? And if you really have saved big - how did you spend your savings? Post your comment below and you will be entered to win $1000 Gift card from Prego® Italian Sauce!

No purchase necessary. To participate, you must be a U.S. resident 18 or older and enter your comment by October 15. To enter, log in or register at BlogHer and simply submit your "small change" in the comments section below. Or, blog your response and leave the link to your blog post in the comments section. (See official rules.) We will be contacting the winner by email so be sure your email address is current in your BlogHer profile.