Then one day I walked past the self-service bulk bin aisle and a light bulb went off.  How much would I save if I scooped my own granola? Well, as it turns out, a lot, and it opened a whole new money-saving pathway for me (and showed me how to save on other grocery items as well). Take a look at last week’s shopping trip:

*I picked up 5 pounds of ginger snap and low-fat raisin granola for $2.49 a pound, totaling $12.45. The boxed equivalent would have cost me $20.95.  My savings: $8.50.

*Bulk-bin almonds are pretty pricey at $8.99/lb., but they’re a lot cheaper than the kind the store sells in plastic containers at $11.18/lb. (Who knew packaging could be so expensive?) I picked up a pound for healthy snacking. My savings: $2.19.

*I scooped out 2 pounds of brown rice at $1.39/lb. then scooted over to the rice aisle to see how much I saved. The same variety, in a plastic container, cost $2.97/lb. and $2.00/lb in a bag.  Bonus: Since I plan to simply refill my existing container, less plastic ends up in landfill. My savings: $1.22-$3.16.

*In a probably vain attempt to convert my family to healthy, affordable oatmeal, I picked up a pound of rolled oats for $1.19/lb. It was shockingly cheaper than the store brand ($2.66). My savings: $1.47.

Another reason I love the bulk bins: You can buy small amounts. I recently needed a scant 1/8 of a cup of unsweetened coconut for a recipe. I scooped out exactly that much, and because it was so little, it didn’t register on the scale. At the checkout, it cost me…nothing.  The manager gave it to me for free. Nice, right? Buying small also lets you try out new items, like the bulk bin sesame chews I bought for my kids and they promptly rejected.

My next step: Finding cheap, reusable storage containers for my bulk bin finds. If you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comment section. Thanks!

—Susan Spencer, executive editor

ShareThis

My husband will love them! I’ll have to freeze a few of them for later. (The recipe calls for plain yogurt but Light & Fit doesn’t come in plain, so I’m going to swap in vanilla yogurt and cut the sugar to 1/2 cup.)

The rest of the yogurts will be great to bring to work for snacks next week. Weekend breakfast idea? Check. Healthy snacks for the week? Check. And all with a coupon — now that’s a great deal!

–Beth Lipton, Food Editor

ShareThis

Take a break from all the holiday hullabaloo this weekend and enjoy a Mexican meal at Qdoba. The restaurant is introducing a kids’ menu, and to celebrate they’re offering free meals to the lil’ ones on Dec. 19 and 20. Just buy 1 regular entrée (I always have the Naked Veggie Burrito), and get 1 free kid’s meal for your favorite person in the 12-and-under set.

Kids’ choices include a Lil’ Cheese Quesadilla, Lil’ Chicken Naked Burrito or a single taco, and the meal includes a side (applesauce, beans or fresh tortilla chips) and a drink (they offer juice, 1% milk or a small soda). The nice thing about Qdoba is that you build your meal, so even picky eaters can have just what they want. Enjoy!

– Posted by Beth Lipton, Food Editor

ShareThis

4 days until Halloween!

Skip the trip to the bakery and get your sweet tooth in gear with these delicious Halloween desserts.  This tempting Spiderweb Spice Cake is only $2.01 per serving. Or indulge in these delicious snack-size cupcakes, full of Halloween personality. Let kids help decorate their cupcakes to spooky perfection!

Posted by Riley Tant, AllYou.com

SEE ALSO:
Halloween tricks and treats
Cook Halloween dinner for friends
Spooktacular crafts and decorations

ShareThis

27 days until Halloween!

Serve up some spicy Jack-o’-lantern Quesadillas tonight for a fun Halloween dish. At only $1.21 per serving, this festive recipe is a cheap treat that will disappear before your eyes. Try them with a side of Devilish Dip for a simple and delicious meal.

Posted by Riley Tant, AllYou.com

See also:

Low-cost Halloween treats

Decorate Halloween cupcakes

Dreadfully delicious Halloween food

ShareThis

28 days until Halloween!

Opt for a family movie night at home instead of going to the movies. Get teenagers excited about the fun month ahead and turn the evening into a Halloween event. Serve up some blood-red ghoul-aid punch with these tasty popcorn skulls on sticks. Rent classic Halloween movies they will enjoy, such as Twilight and movies from the Harry Potter series. Be sure to screen movies beforehand and check the movie’s rating.

Posted by Riley Tant, AllYou.com

See also:

Make a Halloween music playlist

Entertain the kids this Halloween

Catch the Halloween spirit

ShareThis

29 days until Halloween!

It’s never too early to start brainstorming ideas for your Halloween costume this year. Need inspiration? If you want to get creative without spending a fortune, allyou.com offers costume ideas for everyone in the family! You can make over a pop star princess or become a juicy grape—all of our ideas are budget-friendly and full of inspiration.

Posted by Riley Tant, AllYou.com

See also:

Baby bat costume

Ripe tomato costume

Find a cute Halloween pet costume

ShareThis

That’s why I’m glad I found these YummyEarth lollipops on Amazon. They come in delicious flavors the kids will love (sour apple, blueberry, strawberry, grape, watermelon), and they’re organic, made without corn syrup or artificial dyes (they are fun tongue-staining colors though — they’re just colored with fruit extracts) and allergen free. I mean, they’re still candy — it’s not like giving out boxes of raisins (everyone avoided that house when I was a little trick-or-treater!) — but it feels less terrible for the kids. The best part? Amazon is selling a box of 150 for just over $15 — which means they cost about 10 cents apiece. Everybody wins!

Posted by Beth Lipton, Food Editor

See also:

Make Halloween treats under $1

Make fun treat bags with your kids

Low-cost Halloween treats

ShareThis

AllYou.com is here to help you find the best deals in back to school bargains. Visit AllYou.com for some great budget-friendly ideas.

• See how you can save by learning tricks such as renting a graphic calculator instead of buying, making your own book covers and keeping the kids happy with after school snacks that cost under $1 per serving.
• Don’t sweat the pricier purchases; we’ve got you covered! We tracked down the best budget laptops to suit every family’s needs, all under $850.
• For college-bound kids, learn ways to make your dorm room super chic for less than $20 with these fun accessories.

ShareThis

SEE ALSO:
Get cash back on back-to-school buys
Make dinner and save big!
Manage your money for free

Posted by Megan Friedman, All You intern

ShareThis

There are numerous styles and designs to choose from for kids and adults. Some are lead and BPA-free, and many are insulated as well, so you can save cold or hot food for several hours. Plus, when they start to smell a little un-fresh, many of the lunch packs here can be stuck in the dishwasher at night, ready for use the next day.

Here are some reusable lunch bags, boxes, containers and systems I’ve found on sale right now:

• Nubius Organics: This site includes many popular eco-friendly back to school lunch bags, boxes and systems, water bottles and more. They also carry the popular bento box brand “Laptop Lunches.” Use the code ECO15 for 15 percent off right now.
• Reusablebags.com: This site gets high marks and carries many popular lunch systems, portable snack containers, utensils, bottles, napkins and more. Click on the On Sale link to find several cute lunch containers at a discount.
• Hero Bags:  Cute canvas lunch bags are 15 percent off through August 31.
• Citizenpip:  Citizenpip’s lunch systems are cute, but not cheap. Each one includes a lot of stuff, though: an insulated lunch bag, stainless steel water bottle and food warmer, four BPA-free food containers, four cloth napkins and cutlery. Or you can just buy just the pieces you want. Get 10 percent off (minimum $40 purchase) through Sept. 30 with the code mommyinsider10.

SEE ALSO:
Get cash back on back-to-school buys
Kid-pleasing desserts under $1
Easy after-school snacks under $1

Posted by Gillian Aldrich, Features Editor

ShareThis

Browse through our recipes and tonight you could be serving your family one of these yummy meals from some of our top rated rice recipes – all under $3 per serving.

Thai Pork with Red Curry: Cost per serving: $2.24

Sweet Pea Fried Rice: Cost per serving: 89¢

Chicken Fried Rice with Vegetables: Cost per serving: 88¢

Shrimp and Vegetable Stir-Fry: Cost per serving: $2.86

Lemony Chicken Breasts with Rice: Cost per serving: $2.25

Posted by Riley Tant, AllYou.com

ShareThis

•  If you’re searching for a sitter, invite candidates over to be sure they get along with your pet. Also, request references from past clients. If you already have a caretaker, ask her to stop by before you leave to get reacquainted with your dog or cat.

•  Have your sitter give you a piece of her clothing, such as a T-shirt or scarf. Leave it around your pet for a few days so it will recognize her smell and be more relaxed with her.

•  Write the caretaker a detailed note that includes your vet’s address and phone number; directions for administering medications your pet needs’ and what times to come over so that your pet stays on as normal of a schedule as possible.

Source: Sue Farinato, program assistant for companion animals at the Humane Society of the United States

SEE ALSO:
Get a discount on pet care
Save money on cat toys
Ask a vet about your cat
Travel safely with your pet

Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor

ShareThis

Posted by Lauren DiPilla, All You intern

ShareThis

Posted by Gillian Aldrich, Features Editor

ShareThis

Posted by Beth Lipton, Food Editor 

ShareThis

Posted by Lindsay Benjamin, Assistant Editor

SEE ALSO: Find a bird nest, win a prize 

ShareThis

Posted by Jayna Maleri, Associate Food Editor 

SEE ALSO: Get free food this weekend

ShareThis

SEE ALSO:
Find the cheapest gas in your neighborhood
Win a shopping spree with your best friend!
Do you know the new rules for credit cards
Gear up for Independence Day with crafts

ShareThis

Posted by Erin Gifford, owner of CouponCravings.com

There’s plenty of free food up for grabs over the next few days. So if you like free food as much as I do, check out these great freebies.

Head to any A&W Restaurant on Friday (6/19) between 2-8 p.m. to get a Free Small Root Beer Float in celebration of their 90^th anniversary.

Take this coupon to any Orange Julius this Friday (6/19) to get a Free 20 oz Light Smoothie.

Stop by TCBY with your dad on Sunday (6/21) to get a Free Frozen Yogurt Cup or Cone to celebrate Father’s Day.

Next week, you can stop by Arby’s on Wednesday (6/24) for a Free Regular Roast Beef Sandwich with any soft drink purchase (no coupon required).

You can also take this printable coupon to Johnny Rockets by 6/30 for a Free Milkshake with any entrée purchase. Or, head to White Castle for a Free Original Slider by 7/12.

Have you heard about any more great freebies? I’d love to hear them. Feel free to comment or write me directly through CouponCravings.com.

ShareThis