A New Look!

Hi everyone,

I am working on a new look for Roses to Rainbows.  It's still in the semi-experimental stage so don't be surprised that it looks different, and then looks different again.  I'll get it ironed out eventually.

Here is my Rosie keeping me company while I blog.

Are the Grocery Stores Really Too Expensive?

It has been mentioned to me that some of the stores I shop at are too expensive.  I suppose this is true on a regular price comparison with say Wal-Mart or even Aldi.  I shop at these stores, too.  However, I go where I can get the most for the least, and many times that is a major grocery store.

For example, I posted a week or so ago about Harris Teeter coupons in the Friday newspaper.  There were $16 worth of coupons:  Four 50¢ coupons off "any" one item and four $1.00 coupons off "any" item of $2 or more, and also two for $5 off a $40 purchase.  

I used three of the $1 coupons on 3 packs of diet Coke, which brought the price down from 3/$10 to $3/$7, a much better deal.  I used the 50¢ ones on Campbell's tomato soup, making it 10¢ a can.  I used my last $1 coupon on a bottle of wine, and also used a $5/40 coupon.  All of this was on sale already.  Everything else I got was either on sale, I had a manufacturers coupon or it was a store brand.  

What was the bottom line?  I saved $27.34 and paid $34.08.  This is about 45%.

Last week's highlights focused on cleaning products:
Lysol Kitchen cleaner - Regularly $2.89 for 44¢ (BOGOF + $1 coupon)
Lysol Toilet cleaner - Regularly $2.69 for 34¢ (BOGOF + $1 coupon)
Brawny paper towels 8 rolls - Regularly $9.99 for $4.99  (sale $5.99 + $1 coupon)
12 oz. bottle of Joy dish washing detergent - Regularly $1.39 for 39¢ (sale 99¢ + 30¢ coupon)

I saved around 43% that day.  My goal is to save an average of 50% on groceries and household items. 

Harris Teeter always doubles coupons up to 99¢ every day (up to 20 coupons per day).  Go here for their next triple coupon event starting 3/24.

Check out my Top 5 list of things not to pay full price for, and see another example of savings here.

Restaurants.com Gift Certificates 80% Off

Restaurants.com has a new promotion going on now through March 31.  All gift certificates are 80% off.  Just use the promo code COOK when you check out, and your discount will be applied.  You can get $25 gift certificates for just $2. 

What a great way to eat out and save!

Renewed Inspiration

I was reading one of Sara's recent posts from a sharing connection, and  was inspired to share more of my own poetry.  Here is one I wrote on May 22, 1984. 

New Dawn
Sun painted sky
Of brilliant orange
Bids a fond farewell
To still another day
Yet we know always
There is a new dawn
Breaking on some
Distant shore

Quote of the Week

Saturday was the official start of Spring, and we are glad to see it arrive after the long, cold winter.  It seems fitting this week that we reflect on what Robert Frost has to say about it.

 
 

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

- Robert Frost