Friday, November 20, 2009

Frugal Friday: Angel Food Ministries



Have you ever heard of Angel Food Minstries?

If not, and you would like to supplement or save money on groceries, you need to check it out.

What is it, you ask?

"Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. The program began in 1994 with 34 families in Monroe, Georgia (between Atlanta and Athens), and has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of families every month across 35 states.

Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60. Comparison shopping has been done across the country in various communities using a wide range of retail grocery stores and has resulted in the same food items costing from between $42 and $78.

Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one could purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is almost too ripe.

Also offered are specialty boxes such as steaks, chicken and pork. Many participants in this bonus program appreciate the expanded choices. Additionally, there is no limit to the number of units or bonus foods an individual can receive, and there are no applications to complete or qualifications to which participants must adhere. Angel Food Ministries also participates in the U.S. Food Stamp program, using the Off-Line Food Stamp Voucher system."

-Taken from the Angel Food Ministries Website

Our church has just become a distribution site, beginning in November. For the first month of being active, there have been almost 100 orders taken! As you can see, this is a much needed ministry in this area, as well as in many areas across the nation.

ANYONE can order, no questions asked, no monetary limitations or requirements. The program is not a money maker or fundraiser. Churches or distribution sites only receive $1.00 per order to help with delivery costs and what-not. Our church is agreeing to buy extra food boxes for needy families with that money. Ordering times can vary by location, or you can order online at ANY time - though, there is a $2.00 "convenience fee." But, if you follow Angel Food Ministries on Facebook, they will send out % off online special codes that should take care of that fee for y
ou.

The simple ordering process goes something like this:
1.) Find a pick up location near you.
2.) Take a look at the monthly menu (ordering and delivery is only one time per month - menus change on a monthly basis as well)
3.) Check your local site ordering times and place order (or order online at any time up until deadlin
e) **Remember, all orders are paid up front with cash, check, card (online) or food stamps**
4.) Make note of delivery date & time

5.) Bring a box, bag or cooler for your food and don't be late for delivery. Many places (such as ours) do not have the capability to store frozen/refrigerated food.

6.) Place next months order while you are there to avoid a duplicate trip!

That's it!

Tomorrow will be our first delivery day. In case you are interested, I ordered the Fresh Fruit & Veggie Package. For $22, this is what I will receive:
  • 1 stalk California celery
  • 3 lbs. New Crop North Carolina sweet potatoes
  • 3 lbs. New Crop Idaho potatoes
  • 1 head fresh leafy green cabbage
  • 1 lb. cello wrapped California carrots
  • 3 lbs. tree ripened juice oranges
  • 3 lb. bag New Crop Red Delicious apples
  • 8 oz. bag New Crop Georgia shelled pecan halves
  • 4 Washington State Bosc pears
  • 12 oz. 100% pure Sweet Honey Bear
  • 2 New Crop Ruby Red grapefruit
Not too bad, eh? I'll let you know how it all goes. Do you participate in the Angel Food program in your area? Let us all know what you think!


Thursday, November 19, 2009

Chummy Recipes at Mummy Deals


"Hey Cheapo, what ever happened to "Chummy Recipes?"

I'm so excited to tell you that I'll now be guest posting them over at "Mummy Deals!"

Frugal ideas and tips on saving money are meant to be shared, right? I am doing my best to find meals and recipes that are tasty, along with costing around $5.00 and under. Not quite as easy as it sounds - but totally do-able!

So, head on over to see this week's "Chummy Recipe", and while you are there, click around a bit. Clair always has great information to help you live a frugal lifestyle.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Cheapo's "Live" Shopping Adventure!

Did you follow Cheapo's "live" Shopping Adventure on Twitter (@ItsToni) Tuesday afternoon?
Talk about some great deals and a fantastic start on Christmas!

Last week, I wrote a post, describing a few of my favorite websites to subscribe to. Well, guess what? The coupons and savings are already starting to come in! On Tuesday, I decided to gather them up and begin some Discount Christmas bargain hunting.

My first stop: Hallmark Gold Crown store - I have a $5.00 off coupon from the Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Certainly, I would be able to find some sort of gift for free or very low cost at that.

Now, I just needed to
find the shop.

Found it! Except, I can't show you what the gift is because it's for a person that may or may not being reading this blog. What I CAN tell you, is that it came with two parts and totaled $7.50 - so with tax, I paid $2.68 for an awesome gift!

Also, while I was there, I signed up for the Gold Crown rewards card. It was free. I can't say I would normally shop at Hallmark (even though it smells so good in there and everything is so pretty!) But, when you sign up, they start sending coupons - and I was all in favor of that idea.

How convenient! J C Penny is RIGHT next door - and that was the next stop on my agenda. A few days ago, I received THE coupon - $10.00 off of any purchase. Score! I love this coupon - it tends to be sent out a few times per year. Another situation where you can easily find something for free or little cost.

As hard as it is to NOT shop for yourself with all of these great holiday sales, I headed straight to the boy's department. I found a great pair of camo cargo pants - which even comes with a belt = a two-fer.
Normal price: $34.99
Sale price: $14.99
Coupon: $10.00
Cost w/tax: $5.34

I'm so happy with my first two stops - now, on to Bath and Body Works - once again, right around the corner!

Can I just tell you how cute and friendly the girls were at B & B Works? So helpful and fun - I'll definitely be shopping there again. Especially since I received TWO coupons at checkout AND another for a free $13 item w/$10 purchase coupon in the mail today.
I did two transactions, since I had two coupons for use. I paired those with a freebie sale they already had going on. Here's how it worked:

#1 checkout
Room Spray $3.00
Travel Body spray - Free with coupon for signing up on website

#2 checkout
They have a deal: buy 2 signature items, get one free - buy 3 get two free
Lotion - $10.50
Lotion - $10.50
Body Spray - FREE with deal
Body Spray - FREE with mailer coupon
They even threw in a free cello bag with ribbon and gift tag.
$53.00 worth for $25.50 - good deal!

At this point, a Twitter friend asked, "@ItsToni awesome..so what's the secret to your shopping success?" My answer? NO impulse buying. A spree such as this requires some discipline. To continually receive "cheap" deals, you need to make a list, and stick with it. Otherwise, your trip will end up costing you LOTS more money. Of course, a feeling of savings is different with each individual. I prefer leaving with spending as little cash as possible.

Next stops: Toys R Us, Old Navy and Sears/Lands End.

Remember when we went to Jeffery the Giraffe's birthday party "bash" at Toys R Us? Well, we hung onto that free Hot Wheels Battle Force coupon until now. I roamed the store until I found the little car worth $2.99. If he wasn't already expecting me to bring this toy home, I would've kept it for a stocking stuffer.

Oh, hey...did I tell you that I won an Old Navy coupon over @CorrinRenee 's blog, "Oh Hey, What's up?" A whoppin' $45 off of $100 purchase! Right at Christmas time? That's perfect for me. I got all of the above, $180.50 worth for $65 buckeroos. I must say that I was pretty happy about that. See those t-shirts? They were marked down from $10.50 to $3.99!

The last, and final shop stop, Sears/Lands End. Recently, I found a great deal on a boy's down vest online (only paid $6 bucks - free shipping) - along with the purchase, they sent me two coupons: one for free shipping and one for $10 off any REGULAR priced item. Hmm...I don't like the words regular priced. Come to find out, this Sears store only carries ladies Land's End products and the cheapest item I could find was $29.95 - no thanks. I'm not spending *just* so I can use the coupon. I was really hoping to find a boys hat/gloves set or something of the like.

Time to head home. Oh...wait...ONNEE more stop. All of this money saving has made me hungry. Must have Wendy's chili - with cheese, onion and sour cream of course!


Dang, maybe I SHOULD have gotten something for myself...like a new pair of jeans?

"Out Damn Spot!"

More Tackle It Tuesday at 5 Minutes for Mom!

[Almost] Wordless Wednesday


Operation Christmas Child.

A frugal shopper's dream charity.

Are you familiar with it? A program sponsored by Samaritan's Purse, collects packed shoe boxes and ships them to the world's needy children, sending them a message of love at Christmas time. I have headed this mission at my local church for four years now, and I must say it is one of my favorite things to do all year! If everyone takes part, it's such little work to make a huge difference. Every year, our church has topped it's collection record, with a donation of 80 boxes and over $400 for 2009! (as you can see above)

Interested? Click the OCC link - it will tell you the do's and don'ts of packing a box, gives you trackable labels to attach to your box and will tell you where to take your donation. But hurry, this is "Collection Week" - so you don't have much time! Though, don't fret, you can always look into it, save all year, and give big next year <---that's where the frugal part comes in. All of those McDonald toys, mailer samples, free toothpastes & toothbrushes from drug store games or dentist visits, re-gifting, new clothes and shoes from garage sales or thrift stores, school supplies in August (when they are a dime a dozen), after holiday hard candy - save it all! You can even as shoe stores to save boxes for you; they are glad to get rid of them.

Basically, you can help this charity for FREE (or very little cost.) Some of these items may not mean much to you, but they may be life changing for another child, in another part of the world.

Won't you show the love this Christmas?

More Wordless Wednesday here and here.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Cheapo's Discount Christmas: Daily Sales


Have you ever visited 1 Sale A Day?

If not, you MUST! Christmas is coming and this site has discounted and FREE (+s/h) items, renewed every day at midnight!

For instance, on the "wireless" tab, they have a 3 tripod set, retailing for $49.99 - for the next ten hours, it's FREE - all you pay is $4.99 for shipping. If you click the tabs across the top, you will find different items in separate categories. In the "1 Sale A Day" tab, you will find a Wii remote charging station with batteries - for only the $4.99 shipping price.


I ordered the tripods today, which is my first time ordering from this site. As soon as I receive them, I'll let you know how the whole experience went. *wink*


Thursday, November 12, 2009

So, You Say It's Your Birthday...

Mainly, I am the type of person that enjoys making a big deal out of other people's birthdays, but I don't like people fussing over mine. Honestly, I don't like having a birthday, I don't handle the "passage of time" very well and I refuse to honor the fact that I am in the "above 35" age bracket. It took me all day to actually realize I just turned 36. THIRTY-SIX - it's all downhill from here (wait, I sure hope not.)

Okay, I KNOW you are saying to yourself, "She CAN'T be 36; there is just no way! She looks so beautifully young!" Right?


RIGHT??

I don't feel 36.
I probably don't act 36 - whatever "acting 36" may be.
I guess I'm still stuck in the 28-30 year old range. And...that's okay. I had to laugh when I opened a card from my husband and the first line read, "
It's your 30th Birthday." Hey, I'll take it!

What a sweetie he was today. He spent almost three weeks stealthily trying to size me up and get my opinion about an official Yankees dugout jacket. Don't hate. I LOVE it, and I love even more that he took so much time and put so much thought into it. Not to mention watching how excited he was for me to open it. Even the wrapping was all picked out just for me!

On top of the gift, he had these beauties delivered to my work office! I was so surprised that I started crying. Stargazers are my favorite. They were our wedding flowers... and he knows this. Luv.

And let's talk about you all - I was overwhelmed with my inbox yesterday. Blog comments, Facebook wishes (from people I haven't seen or talked to in 20 years), twitter messages, phone calls (my dad singing Happy Birthday), e-cards and real cards - thank you, thank you, thank you. No matter if we have met face to face or not, please know that you are a blessing in my life and I appreciate you!


I can't possibly let this day go by without mentioning my son, Jacob. He ALWAYS comments on the fact that I can't buy anything without a coupon or introduces me to people as "Cheapo." (yeah...nice, eh? LOL) So, I have to share this card with you.

(So, who's the "Cheapo" now? *wink* My little deal-lovin' son.)


Looking over the whole day, I suppose turning 36 wasn't SOOO bad. If every birthday is this thoughtful, then I guess it really doesn't matter what age I am.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

[Almost] Wordless Wednesday


I'm already longing for Chicago's Summer days.

Unfortunately, I have a long wait.

I am never ready for the Midwestern Winter.

More Wordless Wednesday here and here.