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I love my kids.  However, what I don’t love is just how quickly they grow!  It seems that they can often outgrow clothes before they even wear out.  It can make you feel like you have to purchase new clothes for them every time you turn around.  That is not easy on the budget.

One way to keep your kids clothed and not break the bank is to shop your local consignment store or sale. Not only can you find clothes and toys for your younger family members, but you can also actually find items for your entire family!

Consignment stores can offer high-value name brands at prices that you can actually afford and are willing to pay.  There are a few things in mind when you shop at these stores, or you can end up getting a “not so great deal.”

Read More:

HOW TO GET THE BEST DEALS AT CONSIGNMENT STORES


Know the price you would pay for a like item

When we had our 2nd child, I thought that I could help our budget and pick up some sleepers from our local consignment store.  After all, with my coupons, I was paying about $5 – $6 for his sleepers. I figured that consignment stores were cheape, so I should shop there.  I was wrong.

I found sleeper after sleeper that looked a little worn, had stains or was faded and the price was $4.00+.  In fact, the nicest ones that I found that I would have considered purchasing cost $5.00.  So, why would I buy a used item when I could pick up a brand new one for the same price?

Using apps, such as KidsConsignmentSales.com has an incredible map that you can use to find a sale near you.  These are huge sales where people drop off their items for a one, two or even seven-day sale event.

Consider selling at consignment stores/events

If you have items that you would like to get rid of, you might consider a consignment store rather than a garage sale.  You can save a lot of time and effort by going this route.

You will need to check with your local store event about the types of items they accept and the delivery style (box vs. trash bag).  Make sure you also inquire about the quality, what they need, pricing and also commission rates.  It can be a great way to downsize and clear out things to make room for more items.

Create a list 

Don’t forget, kids’ consignment events offer you the chance to get an entire season of clothing in one trip. Of course, that means you need to be prepared to maximize that opportunity.

Before you shop, take inventory of what your child needs.  That way, you will only get the things you need for your growing child.  Our Back to School shopping list helps you get organized and keep track of everything you will need.

Know how your child will grow

Your child is going to grow, but the question is just how much?  If you know your child’s current height and weight, you can easily predict what size he’ll wear in the coming year by using this helpful age growth chart.

Plan ahead

Winter jackets, baby gear, shoes, and school supplies like backpacks and lunch boxes are in high demand at children’s consignment sales. If these items are on your list, plan to head to those sections first.

Bring along a bag

Many children’s consignment sales do not provide shopping bags or carts. Make sure to bring your own. Some shoppers even use wagons, laundry baskets or rolling suitcases to tote their finds.

Leave the kids at home

No matter how well behaved your kiddos may be, it’s best to leave them home. You’ll want to focus on the shopping task at hand without having to worry about them or their whereabouts. Remember, there may be thousands of items to pick from, and you’ll want to be able to move through the aisles quickly.

 Understanding the ins and outs of shopping consignment stores can really help keep your kids (and yourself) dressed in the latest styles — without breaking the bank!

Source: pennypinchinmom.com

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This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

Last updated – May 1, 2023

Using store coupons and manufacturer coupons together is called stacking.  It is a simple grocery savings strategy many couponers have used for years.  Learn how to stack coupons and even where you can try this out the next time you shop.

A woman uses a digital coupon. Image source: Getty Images.

Coupon Stacking. You may have heard this term before from other people who use coupons or even on other websites.  But, do you really know what this means?

Coupon Stacking is using both a store coupon and
a manufacturer’s coupon on a single item 

So now that you have the basic understanding of what a coupon stack is, how can you tell if your coupon is a store coupon or a manufacturer’s coupon?  That can be tricky.  Here are some tips which can help.

IDENTIFYING MANUFACTURER’S COUPONS

Most coupons you find will be manufacturer’s coupons.  They are distributed by the manufacturers themselves and usually found in your Sunday newspaper or printed from sites like Coupons.com.

When you redeem your coupon at the store, that retailer is reimbursed the face value of the coupon PLUS a small handling fee. Here are some common manufacturer’s characteristics:

  • Says “Manufacturer’s Coupon” on the coupon (usually at the top).
  • Includes a redemption address in the fine print on the coupon.  This is where the retailer will submit the coupon so that they can be reimbursed.
  • It may say things such as “Redeemable at” or “Available At” on them, but they are still manufacturer’s coupons and should be accepted anywhere.  However, keep in mind that some stores will not accept any coupon with another store’s logo on it, even in this instance.

This coupon shows the manufacturer’s wording at the top. It is usually easily located
near the coupon expiration date or along the side of the coupon.

This coupon shows the Walmart store logo and says, “Redeemable at Walmart”
on it, however, it is a manufacturer’s coupon and can be redeemed anywhere.

This coupon clearly lists the address where the retailer can
send the coupon in order to be reimbursed.

HOW TO TELL IF IT IS A STORE COUPON

Store or Retailer coupons are issued by the store themselves.  They are basically a store sale, just issued in coupon format.  These are completely funded by the store — no manufacturer reimbursement is listed on the coupon.  These are very common at national retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, and Target.

These can be found in the weekly ad or even on racks directly inside of the store.  You may also be able to print them from the store’s website (such as Target). Your store may also load them as a digital coupon directly onto your rewards card (Hen House does this automatically each week).

You might even be able to log into your store rewards account and select the coupons you want to use (such as the HyVee Fuel Rewards program). You can usually identify a store coupon by the following:

  • Includes the store’s logo.
  • Does not include any redemption information on the coupon (the store will not be reimbursed for the coupon, so this information is not needed).
  • Usually says “Store Coupon” — where the store is the store name — i.e. Target Coupon.

This is a Target store coupon as it clearly states “Target Coupon” at the top.

Coupon includes the store logo.  It also does not include any address redemption details.

Also see: Treasure hunt of where to find the best coupons

HOW TO STACK COUPONS AT YOUR STORE

Now that you know how to identify the coupons, you are ready to try your hand at coupon stacking!  While most computer systems are smart enough to correctly credit your purchase in the right order, that may not always be the case.

It is usually best to always hand over the store coupons before you hand over your manufacturer’s coupons.  This usually creates less hassle and having to hear those annoying beeps.

Here is an example of how it may look:

Shampoo, $4.00
Use Store coupon to save $1.00
PLUS
Use the Manufacturer’s coupon to save $1.00
Final price: $2.00

So now that you know how you can stack coupons let’s share the stores where you can put your stacking skills to work!

NATIONAL CHAINS WHERE YOU CAN STACK COUPONS

CVS

At CVS, you can do what is called a Triple Stack.  That means you can use a CVS store coupon + a manufacturer’s coupon + Extra Care Bucks (earned on prior transactions).

Dollar General

You can use both a Dollar General store coupon + a manufacturer’s coupon.

Kohl’s

You can use a value off coupon with a percentage off coupon.  However, you can not combine multiple percentages off coupons.   In addition, you can use Kohl’s cash with any other additional coupon (but Kohl’s cash comes off before any discount is calculated).

Michael’s

You can use multiple coupons as long as the barcodes are all different.

Rite Aid

You can stack use coupon stacking here as well.  You can use a manufacturer’s coupon + a Rite Aid store coupon.

Target

Target allows a triple stack!  You can combine a manufacturer’s coupon + a Target store coupon + a Target Circle offer.

Walgreen’s

Walgreen’s will allow you to stack one of their store coupons, called an Instant Value Coupon, with a manufacturer’s coupon.    You can also combine Register Rewards (earned on prior purchases), but the total coupons cannot exceed the number of purchased products.

GROCERY STORES THAT ALLOW STACKING COUPONS

Hen House

You can use a digital coupon or store coupon + a manufacturer’s coupon.

HyVee

You can stack a HyVee store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon

Price Chopper (Kansas City metro area)

You can use a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon.

Publix

When shopping here, you can stack your Publix store coupons with the manufacturer’s coupons.

Safeway

You can use a Safeway store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon.

Whole Foods

They will allow you to use a store coupon + a manufacturer’s coupon.

Source: pennypinchinmom.com

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Chelsea Dehner

  • Published Oct 8, 2019
    – [Updated Apr 26, 2021]
  • 1 min read

  • Sources

  • The views expressed on this blog are those of the bloggers, and not necessarily those of Intuit. Third-party blogger may have received compensation for their time and services. Click here to read full disclosure on third-party bloggers. This blog does not provide legal, financial, accounting or tax advice. The content on this blog is “as is” and carries no warranties. Intuit does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the content on this blog. After 20 days, comments are closed on posts. Intuit may, but has no obligation to, monitor comments. Comments that include profanity or abusive language will not be posted. Click here to read full Terms of Service.

    • When we think of things that will save the environment we think of taking the bus to work or buying local food — both expensive actions. Yet going green doesn’t have to cost you a ton of time or money. In fact, many of the eco-smart habits also help you save money by reducing excess and getting more use out of old things.

    We all know the phrase: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. However straightforward it may sound, it can still be hard to incorporate environmentally friendly actions into your everyday. Becoming familiar with the sustainability of every company and brand you support can be time-consuming and difficult. It can be confusing to determine which kinds of plastic can be recycled and which can’t.

    Thankfully, there’s technology out there that can make helping the environment a bit easier — all while saving money. There’s apps that help us monitor our energy and water usage to help us make smarter choices, and apps that make it easy to upcycle old clothes and electronics.

    Check out the infographic below for a full list:

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    Frugality isn’t just about saving money—it’s about using your money efficiently. And some methods of saving cash take more time and effort than they’re worth. Worse, some habits actually encourage you to spend more.

    “What’s a worthwhile money-saving strategy and what’s not depends largely on your personal circumstances,” personal finance expert Stefanie O’Connell tells mental_floss. “For example, when I was making less than $30,000 a year, I would spend hours hacking costs—couchsurfing, taking public transit, DIY-ing everything. At that time, the extra $5 a day or $20 here and there really did make a significant impact on my financial life, even if it took an extra two hours to get somewhere or get a task done.”

    O’Connell says that as she started to earn more money, her time became more valuable. The frugal habits that once worked in her favor no longer made sense. “Before I could meet all my monthly expenses and financial goals, I never dreamed of conveniences like taking a cab to the airport,” she says. “I only began to consider convenience over saving once I could more than meet my monthly expenses and financial goals.”

    Your own mileage will vary, too, but we asked a few personal finance experts which money-saving habits generally aren’t worth it.

    1. CLIPPING COUPONS

    Depending on your method, couponing can be quite a bit of work. “You’ll spend valuable time, attention, and mental bandwidth tracking and organizing your coupons,” Paula Pant of Afford Anything tells mental_floss. “But at best, you’ll save only a small amount of money, and at worst, you’ll wind up buying items you don’t need.”

    Pant has a point. Coupons actually encourage consumers to spend more, and they usually succeed in doing so. A 2003 study from NYU [PDF] found that customers actually spent more money on items when they shopped with coupons. According to the study, “When coupons were not clipped, [the households surveyed] were very value conscious and paid an average of $0.51 for soups but when they purchased the category using coupons, their average spending increased to 0.66.”

    Personal finance writer Victor Lim has made his own case for resisting the couponing trend: “The thought of spending time searching for coupons, clipping them, and driving around town to score a whole bunch of free toilet paper makes my head spin,” Lim tells mental_floss. “While saving a buck or two is nice, I’d rather focus on bigger and consistent savings.”

    2. BUYING SECOND-HAND PRODUCTS

    While buying used items can save you money, the risk might in some cases outweigh the reward. Jonas Sickler of ConsumerSafety.org says the most important thing to keep in mind when looking to buy second-hand is to consider the dangers associated with buying certain products—especially baby items like car seats, cribs, and strollers—without knowing the items’ quality or where they came from. “Frequently these items might be recalled, or simply outdated and no longer meet today’s safety standards. They may also be damaged, worn, or missing certain parts that make them unsafe for babies,” Sickler says.

    You can look up recalls for all kinds of consumer products, from appliances to children’s products, on Recalls.gov.

    3. BARGAIN SHOPPING

    It’s fun to hop around garage sales and yard sales—just don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re saving money when do you so, says Pant. “Scavenging from sale to sale consumes hours of your precious free time, locks you into a consumer mentality, and baits you into buying items you don’t need.”

    The same goes for outlet shopping. Just because you score a great deal on a bunch of stuff doesn’t mean you’re “saving” money. Before whipping out your wallet, ask yourself whether the items you’re about to purchase are ones you actually need.

    4. GOING OUT OF YOUR WAY FOR GAS

    “Once or twice a week, a lot of folks will ‘take the long way home’ to fill their gas tanks at an off-brand gas station that usually has the lowest prices in the area,” says Timothy G. Wiedman, a retired Associate Professor of Management & Human Resources at Doane University in Nebraska. Wiedman suggests considering a couple of factors in order to determine whether this practice is worth it.

    First, you want to consider the amount of cash you’ll actually save: “If my 3500-pound SUV only gets 16 MPG in city traffic and I’m driving a total of 14 miles out of my way to tank up, is saving 9 cents a gallon when filling a 24-gallon gas tank cost-effective?”

    Second, you want to consider the value of your free time. Is it worth the savings? “A lot of folks who consider themselves to be frugal, are actually penny-wise and pound foolish,” Weidman says.

    There’s a case to be made for all of these habits. Maybe you like couponing or thrift store shopping—there’s certainly nothing wrong with spending money on things you enjoy. At the same time, you want to be mindful of your money habits, and that means acknowledging the time and effort involved with them.

    Source: pennypinchinmom.com

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    Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

    Have you ever gone over your budget only to find you’ve overspent on food? With food being the third-highest household expense behind housing and transportation, our food choices have a huge impact on our budget.

    Learning how to budget groceries can help you save more to put toward your financial goals. Here are 28 ways to help you learn how to budget groceries.

    1. Track current spending

    Before you figure out what you should be spending on food, it’s important to figure out what you are spending on food. Keep grocery store receipts to get a realistic picture of your current spending habits. It might help to break down spending by category (via a spreadsheet or on paper), including beverages, produce, etc. Once you’ve done this, you can get an idea of where you need to trim down your grocery bill.

    2. Allocate a percentage of your income

    How much each household spends on food varies based on income and how many people need to be fed. Consider using our budget calculator if you’re not sure where to start. Try allocating 10% of your income to food as a starting point and then you can increase from there.

    3. Avoid eating out

    Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 13% increase in food spending in the U.S. — a jump driven by rising purchases on dining out. Avoiding eating out where possible can help reduce your overall food spending. If you’re actively dating or enjoy restaurants with friends, be sure to factor eating away from home into your food budget — and stick to your limit.

    4. Plan your meals

    It’s much easier to stick to a budget when you have a plan. Plus, having a purpose for each grocery item you buy may help ensure nothing goes to waste or just sits in your pantry unused. Don’t be afraid of simple salads or meatless Mondays — not every meal has to be a gourmet experience.

    5. Keep a fridge grocery list

    Keep a magnetized grocery list on your fridge so that you can replace items as needed. This can help you buy food you know you’ll eat. Sticking to a list in the grocery store may help you stay accountable and not spend money on processed or pricey items.

    6. Eat before you go to the store

    If your mother gave you this advice growing up, she was onto something: according to studies, shoppers spend more when hungry. Eating before going to the grocery store may help you avoid tantalizing foods that can cause you to go overbudget.

    7. Be careful with coupons

    Getting 50% off ketchup is a great deal — unless you don’t need ketchup. Beware of coupons for items you don’t need. If the item isn’t on your list, you’re not saving at all, but rather spending on something you don’t truly need.

    8. Embrace the bulk section

    The bulk section of your grocery store may help you find inexpensive staples, discover new foods and bring variety into your diet. Take the time to compare the price of prepackaged goods versus bulk — bulk is likely cheaper.

    9. Bring lunch to work

    Picture this: you’re trying to stick to a food budget, and one day at work you realize it’s lunchtime but you forgot to pack a lunch. All the meal planning and smart shopping in the world won’t help if you don’t have food when you need it.

    10. Love your leftovers

    Instead of throwing your leftovers away, try to eat them to avoid wasting money. To keep things interesting, look for ways to repurpose foods — yesterday’s leftover taco meat can become today’s shepherd’s pie.

    11. Keep an inventory

    Keeping a list on your fridge of what you have on hand can help you avoid food waste and get creative when meal planning. And it’s a great way to get the most use out of grocery items that are sold larger quantities than you need for a single recipe. Not sure what to do with that giant bunch of celery or box of spinach you have left over from another recipe? Try out some online recipe blogs or sites that offer recipe ideas based off a few ingredients you input.

    12. Freeze foods that are going bad

    Another way to avoid wasting food is to freeze things that look like they’re about to go bad. Fruit that’s past its prime can be frozen and used in smoothies. Make double batches of soups, sauces and baked goods so you’ll have an alternative to ordering takeout when you don’t feel like cooking.

    13. Use curbside pickup

    About 29% of shoppers admitted that seeing an item that looked too good to pass up led to impulse purchases. Using curbside pickup can help prevent you from purchasing unplanned items.

    14. Check the top and bottom shelves

    Wise grocery stores know that eye level is where the most sales happen. In fact, consumers select about 80% more products at eye level than at the bottom shelf. So next time you’re out shopping, take a quick look up and down — you may find a better deal hidden out of sight.

    Additional grocery saving tips

    Need more ideas on how to save on your food bill? Here are some additional tips that can help.

    • Choose generic — One survey found that 50% of people said opting for generic products over name brand helped them save on groceries.
    • Drink more water — Recent data found that 17% of consumers cut back on purchasing beverages at the store due to rising inflation. Drinking more water may help you save what you would’ve otherwise spent on beverages.  
    • Pay with cash — Try going to the grocery store with cash — and only what you’ve budgeted for. Leave your credit or debit card at home. After all, you can’t spend what you can’t pay for.
    • Buy what’s in season — Food prices can vary depending on whether they are in season or not. When foods are out of season, they may be scarce — and therefore more expensive. Try to stick to buying foods that are in season.
    • Grow your own herbs — Herbs at your local grocery store might sometimes be expensive. Growing your own is one way to cut back on your grocery bill. 
    • Plan a meatless meal — Beef prices increased for three years straight from 2020 to 2022, and the USDA predicts other meat categories will rise in price in 2023. By planning a meatless meal every so often, you may be able to save some money on your grocery bill.
    • Buy cheaper cuts of meat — Not all cuts of meat cost the same. You may be able to save money by choosing chicken thighs over chicken breasts, ground chuck over sirloin and pork loin over pork chops.
    • Ask for a discount — This won’t always work, but if you notice your food is close to expiring, ask the cashier for a discount. You may be able to save yourself a few dollars. 
    • Learn how to preserve food — If you have some fruit that’s going bad in your home, you may be able to preserve it by making and canning jam. Hopefully the more food you can save in your home, the less you’ll need to buy at the store.
    • Keep a running tally while you shop — Jotting down the prices of items you put in your cart or quickly crunching the numbers in your phone’s calculator can help you stay more aware of how much you’re spending.
    • Buy canned food — Canned food is often less expensive than fresh foods, so buying canned could stretch your food budget.
    • Shop sales — If you notice a food you often eat goes on sale, stock up if you have room in your budget. While you may spend more than you normally would up front, you’ll save yourself from having to purchase the item at full price in the future.  
    • Use rebate apps — Some apps provide cash back on certain purchases. Check to see if the items you need to buy at your next shopping trip may qualify.
    • Sign up for your store’s loyalty program — Some grocery stores have points or loyalty programs that can provide you with extra discounts when you shop.

    Bottom line

    Sticking to a food budget can take planning and discipline. However, learning how to budget groceries by being resourceful and cooking healthily is a skill that can benefit you for years to come.

    Earn cash back on select debit purchases with Credit Karma Money™ Spend.

    Sourcing

    Source: mint.intuit.com

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    This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

    Last updated – July 30, 2022

    A while ago, I created an acronym for how “Saving money is simple!”  In fact, if you can SPELL simple, you can save.  It really is S.I.M.P.L.E. to save money if you follow these steps:

    Start small.  Try to avoid heading to more than one or two stores to shop.  If you are driving around the city chasing deals, you are not only wasting fuel, but you are also wasting your time, and it can end up costing you more in the long run.  Also, don’t try to get every deal in the store where you shop, as it can be overwhelming at first, and you can quickly get “coupon burnout.”

    Invest in a good coupon organizing system.  When your coupons and loyalty cards are easy to find, then they are easier to use and end up saving you more money.  We’ve got some tips on How to Organize Your Coupons.

    Marketing Schemes can cost you more.  Just because you see something marked down to 2/$3, it may not be a good deal.  Lift the tag and check the original price – if it is normally $1.54, then this is really not a sale.  Another one to avoid is deals that are limited.  This is another ploy to get you to think that it is such a good deal that they have had to limit the quantities purchased.

    Plan Ahead.  Before you think about shopping, plan your meals for the week.  Then, make a shopping list to take with you to the store.  Pull out the coupons you will want to use and place them with your shopping list and loyalty card, so you are ready before you head out to shop.  Read more about menu planning.

    Look at your per unit prices.   When you see a 32 oz bottle of ketchup on sale for $2.50, you may think that is a great deal.  However, if the 16 oz bottles are regularly priced at $1.20, you would be better off purchasing two smaller products rather than one larger one.

    Eat before you shop.  When you shop on an empty stomach, you end up with more impulse purchases.

    Just remember this key word and you’ll easily be on the path to saving money.

    Source: pennypinchinmom.com

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    Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

    Eating cheap is easy. Given $10 to buy ingredients for a meal for four, even the most hopeless home cook could whip up grilled cheese and tomato soup or a simple spaghetti-and-meatballs combo.

    But putting together a gourmet dinner for under $10 is more challenging. So we asked food and finance bloggers, as well as home cooks, to send in their best suggestions. (We’ve shared them below with recipe details, or, where available, linked to their blogs.)

    Now Frugal Foodie has a challenge you: what’s your best super-cheap yet gourmet meal? Post it in the comments, and don’t forget to “like” your favorite submissions.

    (All cost estimates are based on non-sale New York City supermarket prices. If it’s a cheap meal inNYC, we figure cooks in most other places in the country will spend even less. Prices are also adjusted for quantity: if a recipe calls for half an onion, you’ll probably find something to do with the other half. Finally, estimates don’t take into account basic ingredients you likely already have, like flour, olive oil or dried spices.)

    One Pan Chicken and Rice

    by Hilary Allard of Sliced and Diced

    Cost: $5.73, or $1.43 per serving.

    Allard’s sauté uses one pot and is finished in the oven, minimizing dishes as well as cost. Even better, cooks can swap out Mexican flavors (black beans, cumin, scallions and tomatoes with green chilies) for Indian and Mediterranean variations without affecting their bottom line.

    Caramelized Cauliflower Fritatta

    by Michael Natkin of Herbivoracious

    Cost: $7.08, or $1.77 per serving

    Fresh herbs give Natkin’s frittata zing, but can make a big dent in the budget if you’re not already growing your own. (Those who are would pay just $5.59, or $1.40 per serving, and be able to include as many types of fresh herbs as Natkin suggests instead of using just a $1.49 bunch of parsley, as we calculated.)

    Monday Spinach Rice Medley

    by Katie Clark and Telly Kousakis of More Dough Than Dollars

    Cost: $7.15, or $1.79 per serving

    Inspired by a kitchen cleanout project, Clark’s meatless dish could easily be upgraded for a few dollars more by adding cooked, sliced sausage (her suggeston).

    Strawberry Chicken Salad

    by Frugal Foodie of Mint.com

    Cost: $8.49, or $2.12 per serving

    Marinate a pound of chicken in a little olive oil, lemon juice and ground black pepper. Grill until cooked through, slice and set aside to cool. Tear up a head of romaine, and top with the chicken, sliced strawberries and a slices avocado. For a dressing, puree some of the remaining strawberries with a splash of balsamic vinegar (or alternately, a splash of olive oil and lemon juice) and some black pepper.

    Venetian Chicken

    by Nina Hoffman of RecipeLion.com

    Cost: $8.95, or $2.24 per serving

    Go ahead and buy a bottle of wine to add the optional two tablespoons in this slow cooker meal. You’re saving enough cash to justify the splurge.

    Classic Turkey Chili

    Maris Callahan of In Good Taste

    Cost: $8.96, or $2.24 per serving.

    Another great one-pot meal, Callahan’s chili could also be prepared in a slow cooker for a super-easy weekday dinner. Prepare it to your taste with different veggies and spices.

    Polenta Pie

    by Julie Arnheim of Rubbing Nickels

    Cost: $9.58, or $2.40 per serving.

    Ground turkey, polenta and fresh herbs are the most expensive ingredients in this take on shepherd’s pie, but you can economize further by preparing your own polenta (saves $2).

    Cuban Shredded Beef

    by Art Ginsberg of MrFood.com

    Cost: $9.60, or $2.40 per serving

    Shred this slow-cooked beef dish before serving it over rice or on a roll. (Frugal Foodie’s mom makes a version of this that subs out the green bell pepper for a few sliced white mushrooms.)

    Ginger Chicken Lettuce Wraps & Srirachi Peanut Sauce

    Renae Simeon of $10 Buck Dinners

    Cost: $9.82, or $2.46 per serving.

    The key to this kicky dish: a spicy Asian-style marinade. Substitute peanuts for the pine nuts, or eliminate the nuts altogether to cut $3 from the bill.

    Taco Salad Bar

    Jenetta Lea Penner of Frugal Freebies and Deals

    Cost: $9.98, or $2.50 per serving

    A family friendly taco bar can easily come in at less than $10, especially if you’re shopping the sales for ingredients, Penner says. Her picks for this version: ground beef (browned at home in your choice of spices), a tomato (chopped), cheddar (bought in block form and grated), a head of lettuce (torn), a can of black beans (drained and warmed) and a jar of salsa. It’s enough that you’ll probably have leftovers, too.

    Frugal Foodie is a journalist based in New York City who spends her days writing about personal finance and obsessing about what she’ll have for dinner. Chat with her on Twitter through @MintFoodie.

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    How to Use Grains for Hearty, Healthy & Cheap Meals

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    This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

    Last updated – May 1, 2023

    (Make sure you read Part 1 of My Journey and get caught up before you proceed with reading part 2 below).

    As I shared in Part 1, I had declared bankruptcy.  Fortunately, a few months before that had actually happened, I met my (future) husband.  We both had the same beliefs and morals, and we immediately connected.  He knew of my financial past.  In fact, he even said that he really did not want to get married until my bankruptcy was behind me.

    In early August 2002, I formally declared my bankruptcy.  It was not a good feeling, but at the same time, I had owned my mistakes. I knew that this would follow me for the next ten years of my life.  I messed up.  Plain and simple.  The good thing is that my (future) husband was understanding.  And, within a few days of my bankruptcy being filed, he proposed.  In June 2003, we were married and began our lives together.

    We both were a little older and wanted children, so we knew that we did not want to wait to start our family.  After just 15 months of marriage, our first little girl was born – Emma.    Prior to having our first child, we both agreed that I wanted to stay home and raise her. This meant I would need to quit my job. It also meant some strain on our family financially.

    We pressed on.  While money was tight, we did a good job at not using our credit cards to live.  However, we ended up taking out a home equity loan to take care of some things around the house.  We also had two vehicle loans.  We even had a little bit on credit cards.    We struggled some months to make the minimum required payments, but we managed.  I still am not sure how did just that.

    March 2007 came along, and our son was born.  That meant we would have another mouth to feed in the coming months.  We kept pressing on — sometimes robbing Peter to pay Paul.  In October 2007, our son’s Godparents shared with us Dave Ramsey and his Total Money Makeover plan.  We both knew we needed to eliminate our debt but of course, were clueless about how to go about doing it.

    We were both very curious and eager to learn what Dave Ramsey could teach us.  So, in early November 2007, we placed an order for his books.   We sat down and read everything within a few days (no joke).  As we read his books, we had no clue as to how this man would change our lives — forever…..

    Source: pennypinchinmom.com

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    There’s nothing quite as exciting as receiving a gift card. Take that excitement and flip it backward, and that’s the level of disappointment you’ll have when you realize your card is MIA.

    Tis the season for hectic activity where you might lose or misplace a gift card. It’s also the season for an unscrupulous person to lift it when you aren’t looking.

    Regardless of why it’s missing, you’ll need to know how to replace it, or if you can replace it at all.

    If possible, register the gift card as soon as you get it. Some retailers allow this, but others don’t.

    Here are a few steps that you can take to recover your losses, but they don’t apply in all situations:

    Save That Receipt!

    Your receipt is proof that the card is paid for and belongs to you. If you received the card as a present, ask the giver for the receipt.

    If she doesn’t have it, contact the store where the card was purchased. It’s best to worry about the receipt before a card is lost or stolen, but there still might be luck once it’s gone.

    No promises there, though.

    It’s important to know that even a receipt won’t help with replacing some gift cards.

    GameStop, one of the most popular video game and game equipment retailers in the country, has a strict “No Replacement” policy, except where the law prohibits it.

    This policy is in place, regardless of whether you do or don’t have a receipt. In fact, their gift card help page specifically states that cards “will not be replaced if lost or stolen.”

    Call or Visit Customer Service

    Time is of the essence, since gift cards may or may not require a PIN to spend the funds. Most don’t, so anyone who has the card can use it to make purchases.

    If the card did allow you to register it, you’re a bit safer, but again, that’s not common. One retailer that’s more secure is O’Reilly’s Auto Parts.

    They require a PIN to use their gift cards, so there’s more hope for replacing one that’s lost.

    As soon as you know it’s gone, call or visit the customer service department of the retailer where it was purchased.

    And be ready to give them as much information as you can about the card and where it was purchased.

    Brace Yourself for Unrecoverable Funds

    Although many retailers, such as Walmart, will replace a stolen card with your receipt, you might be out of luck if the card has been zeroed out.

    Replacements are often based on the balance that the card has remaining at the time you report it missing. The retailer will transfer that balance over to a new card, and you can go on your merry way.

    If the card was stolen and someone’s already gone shopping with it, don’t expect the retailer to assume that those purchases weren’t made by you.

    Target and Best Buy are two other retailers that transfer the remaining balance to a new card if you’ve got a receipt. Keyword: Remaining.

    With no identifying information at the point of sale, there’s no way to know who used the card and spent the funds, so what’s left is what you’ve got.

    Online Gift Cards

    Online retailers such as Amazon.com may require more information to recover a lost or stolen gift card.

    It’s a bit more difficult to know if a digital gift card has been stolen until it’s used, and losing one usually mean the information has been deleted by you or someone else.

    As with all other gift cards, the first thing to do is contact customer service.

    If the card is registered to you, you can give them the information that they need to replace it, including the order number from when the card was purchased.

    A lost or stolen gift card is a disappointment, to be sure. But you might have options.

    The best thing to do is save your receipts and register every card you receive, if possible, as soon as you get them. If you can add a PIN, all the better.

    The more identifying information that you can offer, the more likely your chances are for recovering the loss.

    Retailers don’t necessarily want to make it difficult on you, but they have to protect themselves against loss, too.

    Mary Hiers is a personal finance writer who helps people earn more and spend less.

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