Holiday Savings Tips at the Grocery Store

Holiday gatherings are often centered around food, and when planning for a family dinner or another gathering, it can be easy to let your spending get a little out of control when purchasing everything you’ll need to prepare lots of delicious dishes for your festivities… not to mention all the other items you’ll want to have on hand when your holiday guests arrive.

It is important to think of ways you can save money at the grocery store, as you’ll be purchasing more during the holidays than you would on a normal grocery shopping trip. Below are a few suggestions we recommend to help keep your spending in check the next time you head to the grocery store.

Buy One Get One (BOGO) Deals: There are many great BOGO deals at grocery stores, but there are also some offers that can be rather deceptive. Before you head out for a BOGO offer, look into it carefully. For example, many +grocers offer BOGO specials on meats. These meats are typically displayed in a separate case from the other meats. Visit the meat department and compare the prices per pound of BOGO meats and the meats in the meat department.

Also, look at expiration dates on BOGO items. Sometimes, BOGO items at +grocery stores are nearing their expiration date. Make sure you have time to use the items before they go bad. If you don’t, then it’s a deal you should skip.

Sizing It Up: When you see sale items in your weekly grocery store flyer, read the fine print to see if the sale items are for a certain size. Many times, sale items will be for the smallest containers of the product. Compare prices per unit before you buy – the larger containers that aren’t on sale might be the better deal.

10 for $10: Many store offer 10 for $10 +specials, which can be handy when you want to get a good deal on items you use regularly. However, compare the +prices of the same items at other stores, as you may be able to find them for less than a dollar at another store.

Two-For: +Deals offering two products of a certain brand for a certain price can also be deceptive. For example, you see a brand of aspirin marked two for $4, with the regular price $3. Check the specifics of the +promotion before you buy it. If you only want to buy one bottle, will you be charged $2 or $3? Will you be buying and spending more than you need in order to get the deal? Are there other brands you can purchase for less? Do your homework and see if the two-for deal is as good as it looks.

For more suggestions to help you with cost savings at the grocery store this holiday season (and all year long), be sure to subscribe to Spread the Purple to receive our regular updates.

 Image courtesy of  Luigi Diamanti /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Looking for a Run During Labor Day Weekend?

+Running or +walking +3.1 miles and running or walking 3.1 miles for a cause are two very different things. There’s something about the positive +energy and compassion that abounds at a charity race that give you an extra boost when trying to reach the finish line.

Well, now is your chance to feel that special running power. It’s time to register for Spread the Purple’s 5K Run, Run for Warmth.

Heating oil prices could very well hit record highs this year, and the president has proposed drastic cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Additionally, state heating oil benefits have decreased considerably in the past year, with eligibility requirements becoming even harder.

As Spread the Purple strives to help others by providing assistance or information on assistance programs, we have decided to take action by hitting the pavement. We hope you’ll lace up your sneakers and join us for our 5K Run, "Run for Warmth," on Monday, September 2, 2013. The run will take place at +Johnson Park, 1030 River Road, Piscataway, NJ at 10 a.m. Preregistration

will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The entry fee is $20 for those who register before race day, and race day registration is $30. +Food, +refreshments and many more fun +incentives will be on hand. The course was certified through the +USATF and the race will be timed through a company called +Fast Finishes.

If you can’t make the event but still want to help out, you can visit our +racer +registration website, +SignMeUp.com, to make a +donation. Feel free to contact us with questions at 973-280-3091 or by email at mariste@spreadthepurple.org.

We look forward to seeing you on September 2^nd as we +run, +jog, and +walk to raise +funds for qualified +homeowners in need of +financial assistance for +heating their homes.

Are you interested in learning of other ways to help people in need in our community? Visit our website to learn about +volunteer opportunities available through Spread the Purple. Together, we can make a positive impact in our +community, improving the quality of life for those in need!

 Photo was created by David Castillo Dominici