Thrifty Thursday - Big Game Deals

This week for my Thrifty Thursday post, I want to remind you that the next two sales circulars will probably have some of the best deals you'll find on food items such as snacks and meats until the Memorial Day sales start up. Some items are more perishable than others, but items such as chips can usually be good for around 3 to 4 weeks after purchase. be aware of items that you use weekly, and take advantage to stock up! The best meat deals will be found in the larger packages, so portion them out (be careful to remove all air!) and freeze a few months supply. It might end up being a bit more of a cost up front, but you'll save money in the long run purchasing ahead.

Some stores such as Safeway/Vons will even have money saving coupons available that you can combine with their store sales to make the deals even sweeter. Just be sure to read the coupon terms carefully since some may have a total transaction minimum purchase needed clause. Don't overlook stores such as the Dollar Tree - when I stopped into my local store this past week, they had a big display already going. One of the items was the bags gas station size bags of Frito-Lay chips for $1, as well as movie theater size candy. Both of these are great for family movie nights too!

Above all, remember not to buy more than what you'll use in the time frame the food is good for. It's no longer a deal if you are throwing away part of what you purchased!