99centqueen

On my Tuesday morning stroll to the mail box, I take the mail out and usually proceed to the sales that wrap around the smaller envelopes that I get in the mail.  They say things are on “sale” but honestly, I can’t believe how much some items have actually increased in price.  Take milk for instance. I remember when it was under $2.00 and I know when the gas prices went up to almost $4.00 this year milk was at its all time high for some places over $5.00 a for a gallon!!! Even though the prices of gas has gone down, seems that the prices of food still linger in the same price range.

What I do know is that there was one place ( if you are privileged enough to have in your state) that has not changed their prices any time and has been going strong with the same price of food before and after the price of gas went to over $4.00 a gallon and that is the 99cent store. (you see the reason I call myself the 99cent queen) Yes, I am fortunate to have this store chain located around me. They are located in some parts of the country.  Now I am talking about the one and only official 99cent store where if anything says another price, it is still 99 cents.  Now there are some items that you may not be able to purchase there ( meat, specialty items, etc.) but if you don’t have that much to spare and need to feed a family, this is the place to go.  Check this site out for more information.  And if you have one in your area, make sure to visit…you may just find something that may save you some money.

When I go to the grocery store I look for two things.  The first thing is the sales paper that is located in the front of the store to see what is on sale for the week.  The second thing that I look for are the Manager’s specials scattered through out the store.  You may not have noticed them while on your way getting what you need and then scattering out of the door to avoid the lines that pile up at the cashier’s post but yes they are there.  The ones at my store are orange brightly colored stickers that are placed right on top of the bar code of the item so that the sticker code item is the one that is scanned.  You may also find them at the ends of the aisles of your local super market.  That is where you find all of the beat up cans and torn boxes.  Yes….I look through those.  Sometime you can find some real  bargains in these parts. Especially because how hard times are and that some people are still not accustomed to changing the way they shop even though their financial circumstances have changed.

You just have to be kinda picky when you look in the “manager special” section.  Especially when it comes to the meat section.  I am a little weary about the Manger special meat because of the fact of the expiration date but I would let that fool you.  It is all in the way the meat or poultry “looks” and “smells”.  I tend to leave the red meat that looks a little brown and smells when you put it to your nose or the poultry that looks like it has been frozen too much and has freezer burn.  Put that down.  Make sure that the meat’s expiration date is at least going to expire that day or tomorrow and do a smell and look test.  For fruit and vegetables, I make sure (again using the look and smell test) that it not rotten and can be eaten either today or tomorrow.

When you are looking for foods that are previously prepared by the grocery store ( like the cooked chicken or the made cakes from the grocery) this is a better bet that the food is in pretty good condition.  These items are usually have been cooked the same day but because of regulation, they have to either throw the food away or may be able to put the food on a manager’s special for a “quick sale”.  I usually will get fried or baked chicken for half off and also the sides that they serve with it.  I can get a complete meal (8 piece chicken, coleslaw or potato salad) for little under 4 dollars (when it is 8 dollars).

Other items that I like to get on manager special are canned and boxed goods.  I have been fortunate being at the right place at the right time and getting cereal for only $1.00 a box!  When you have three kids like me, 4 boxes may last for a week! Canned goods are also a good item because they last for a long time so you may not need to use it or desperate to prepare it with a meal in a short period of time.

I usually use the manager specials for occasions when I don’t know what to cook for dinner that night and go to see if they have something available. I would strongly encourage everyone to at least check your local grocer and see those side items that say “manager’s special” every once in a while.  You might find something that is handy(example batteries) or someting to cook for that day (chicken dinner) that may just save you some extra cash in your pocket.