Seek - and You Too Can Find Deals

 Good morning to you all.  Hoping you are all well.

It is a beautiful morning here - sunny, cool and looks to be another lovely day.  It will be a bit warmer (low 80's) today.  I do believe summer is here.  We were very fortunate in May, to not have had even one tornado warning.  That is extremely unusual.  April- June are usually big months around here.  Hopefully June will be as good.

After feeding all this morning, I noticed something out on the roadside.  It was a dead opossum.  I got a bag and picked it up.  Not a mark on it - poor thing.  Yesterday there was a squirrel that looked to be 'sleeping' on the front walk - same thing - dead.  Both were stiff.  We have some yahoos that think our road is a racetrack.  Grrrr!   It amazes me how other neighbors never bother to pick these poor things up and just let there be a big mess later.  They are both now part of the woodsy area down the alley.

Today let us talk about hunting and seeking grocery deals a little.  I know some of you don't have a real advantage to do this much.  If you live small town and only have one grocery - it will be tough.  You gals that have options, make sure you always seek things out.  You can still eat well and not spend a fortune.

Soon local gardens will be producing as well - so that helps.

I went out to get some cat treats the other day and to get sugar - as Kroger had it on sale.  It is hummingbird time around here, and I make a lot of nectar.

So of course, I walk around and look for any deal that might just scream "buy me"!

Produce on markdown.  Organic broccoli cuts (12 oz.) 1.80.  Cheap considering the price of a head of broccoli.  Cauliflower was in the 1.50 bin - super cheap compared to regular price of $4-$5 each.  Slaw mix - .90.  I got this to make eggroll bowl and some egg rolls for freezer.  I have everything else at home for those dishes.  Super good eats for pennies.

I really like yogurt now and then, but never will I pay what the full price is!  This is super thick, like Greek yogurt, and tasty.  I got 5 (all they had).  I have yet to try to make yogurt, so this is my best deal.

Now this wasn't clearance, but a new deal that Kroger has going.  They have reduced a lot of prices and have some special on-going deals - so watch for those.  10 individual size smoked sausage for $5.  Now for me that is 10 meals!  .50 per meal for a protein that I really like is pretty darn cheap eating.  These can be used in a lot of ways.  They have several $5 meat deals on various items.

I did see something that I had never seen before - boneless, skinless chicken legs!!!!  What???  I have seen other chicken parts done that way, but never legs.  I was amazed and amused.

In the general area of markdowns, they had big boxes of cereal, lots of H&B items, sauces of all types, you name it.  You just have to look and dig sometimes.  Nothing there I use.

Many folks NEED food pantries - if you do don't be ashamed.  GO!

I do not need that, but I will take advantage of FREE items when I find them and can use them.  I stopped at the thrift store (Christian ministry outreach) to look at bread products.  There is always an abundance, and it is free to anyone that can use it.

All FREE!  The flatbreads are a good 3.49+ each at the grocery.  I got 4 - 2 slightly different sizes (each pack has 5).  Blueberry English muffins as well.  Nice savings and they will all get used - and freeze well.  Never will I be ashamed to get free items, if there is plenty, and I am not taking from someone in true need.

Like I said sugar has come down in price some, so I got a couple bags to have extra.  I got myself 2 sweet onions.  That is all I need for now and don't want them to go bad for fresh use (I have bags of chopped in freezer for cooking).  

In the produce bin, there was lemons, avocados, small potatoes, limes, etc.  There is always produce marked down through the main produce area - lettuce, slaw mix, and bagged broc. & caul. almost always.  I have found if I go early, there are more things to choose from.

I don't know much about meat deals at WM or Aldi, as I really have never bought meat at those stores.  Turkey and ham are the only meat purchases I have gotten at them.  They always seem more expensive to me.  I do love the other stuff at Aldi though.  WM is basically cat food and litter for me - rarely buy grocery items there.

So, I just wanted to show, that you can find some deals, but you have to look and seek them out and be willing to get items that you really weren't looking for at times.  Buy what you will use!!!!!  If it is something you won't use, it is NOT a deal.

It may make you re-think some meals, and that is ok!  Use up fresh goods in new ways.  I see broc. and caul. in salads of all sorts.  I can steam as well - or it could be roasted or turned into soup..........

Be willing to make changes to the menu and use what you have and can get cheaply.

Use your own pantry along with the sale items, and you can eat good for little money!

Have a lovely day and weekend.

You are special!!!!!