Everybody loves to find a great sale on a product they were going to buy anyway. Sometimes we even delay buying something we want until it goes on sale. But what if you could create your own sale, and save money simply by asking the simple question, “Can I get a discount?” That’s exactly what my wife did over the weekend, and it saved us $36. Background In early December my wife and I found a wine gift box at a liquor store containing 4 different half bottles of wine. We bought one with a specific person in mind for […] Read more »

I’ve read countless posts of people ditching cable. It never really resonated with me because I enjoy the entertainment I get from television. But the availability of a new internet service started a ball rolling that will end with me bringing a pile of cable boxes, remotes, and a cable modem into my cable company office to discontinue service. Internet About a year ago a fiber optic internet service provider started installing infrastructure within my city. I received an ad in the mail promoting a rate on their gigabit ethernet service that is $4 cheaper than what I’m currently paying […] Read more »

Microbreweries are very popular right now. They’re a great place to go with some close friends, try some locally made drinks and socialize. Many microbreweries have games for patrons to play as well. Part of the fun of going to such a place is to try different things. But after trying several brews you might find your stomach full, but your wallet empty. Thankfully, many microbreweries offer something that provides the opportunity to sample a variety of new things without draining your wallet. This perfect solution is called a flight. What Is A Flight? A flight of beer is several […] Read more »

My wife occasionally gives me a hard time for buying store brand products. They are perceived as being cheaper because they are inferior in quality. Sometimes that’s true, but not all. Below is a list of ten Walmart Great Value store brand products I purchase on a regular basis, that I can’t differentiate from their name brand counterparts. Note: All prices stated were observed at Walmart in Rochester, MN. Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns Great Value: $0.88 BallPark: $1.98 Savings: $1.10 White Bread Great Value: $0.88 White Whole Grain: $2.48 Savings: $1.60 Dill Pickle Spears Great Value: $1.54 Gedney: $2.28 […] Read more »

Nothing about our Friday night was successful. My wife and I had agreed we would have a low profile weekend since we spent the majority of our discretionary funds on a new snow blower last week. We had pizza for dinner, but for whatever reason it just didn’t hit the spot for my wife. For dessert she asked for vanilla ice cream and two chocolate chip cookies we had made a few days before. However, the ice cream tasted funky, probably from being in the freezer too long. I didn’t know how at the time, but I told her I […] Read more »

I love shopping at Costco (this wasn’t always the case). They have a reputation of selling bulk items at a great price. If you look closely, it’s not just brand name items. Shoppers can find even better deals buying Costco Kirkland store brand items. Some consumers are rightfully wary of the quality of store brand items, however many Kirkland brand products are both high quality and low price. Below is a list of four Kirkland products I’m loving right now: Kirkland Frozen Pepperoni Pizzas: Sold in a four pack, you have to see the amount of pepperoni on each pizza […] Read more »

Last week my wife and I were vacationing with three other families at a lake in northern Minnesota staying in couple of lakeside condos. As we have done previously, we saved huge money by doing group vacation meals instead of dining out. Most of the time, anyway. We did eat out once, and it illustrated perfectly just how much can be saved by cooking your own meals when vacationing with a group. Group Vacation Meals Save Money During a late afternoon boat cruise we stopped at a bar and grill right on the water. The group decided to eat dinner. […] Read more »

My mailbox has been a little empty lately. I couldn’t put my finger on what had been missing until my wife was buying soap from Bath and Body Works online. Normally I would go to the coupon drawer and pull out the latest mailing from Bath and Body Works. Today, however, there was no coupon to be found. Missing Coupons It got me thinking, there are several retailers I normally receive coupon mailings from, but haven’t since the pandemic started: Bath and Body Works: Free mini item, $10 off of $30, or a 30% off coupon were the standard. Kohls: […] Read more »

On Saturday I walked into Walmart, completely filled it with a single product and headed to the checkout counter. After putting my haul into my van, I went back in and did it again. With a third cart full the next day I had an entire year’s supply of the product, and I’m not even sorry about it. I didn’t purchase toilet paper, cleaning products or any of the other products people are currently panic buying. It was charcoal. Every March, Walmart has a spring charcoal sale and I stock up. It’s literally the only time during the whole year […] Read more »