Posts Tagged ‘sales’

The Grocery Game Challenge Dec 10-16, 2012 -2 Weeks Until Christmas!

Posted: December 11, 2012 in The Grocery Game
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The Grocery Game Challenge Dec 2012

The Grocery Game Challenge Dec 2012

The Grocery Game Challenge is drawing to a close for 2012 and Christmas festivities are about to begin in 2 weeks time. What a year it has been for all who have joined in to post their grocery shops with us. I’ve heard so many great stories from all of you about how some of you have lowered your grocery budget and have made better choices when grocery shopping. Others were able to stick to their budget and continue to strive and set goals for 2013. As the next couple weeks roll in and the festivities start to come to a high this challenge will still be posted so please check in or subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss posting your shop.

If you haven’t had a chance please read a guest post I wrote for my mate John at Frugal Rules titled 10 Ways to Stretch Your Grocery Budget. It really does showcase all the tips we’ve learned this year from all of you and from understanding our shopping habits. When the New Year comes in I will be posting a brand new year of The Grocery Game Challenge and this is the perfect time to join because you can track a full year of shopping with us. I’m excited to have everyone on board and ready to save money so they can put those savings towards other debts, help fund their retirement or other goals.

If you are like us and use coupons you might have alot of Free Product Coupons due to expire the end of December. We have about 10 or more so we are trying to use them up this week and next. Since we went way over budget in November I said in December we would try to make up for it leaving us a budget for 2 of $84.23 . Last week our Grocery Game Challenge shop totalled $38.36 leaving us $45.87 to spend.

What are your goals for your grocery budget for 2013? Will you post your grocery shop in the Grocery Game Challenge all year-long with me?

So without any more chatter here is what we spent yesterday!

Shoppers Drug Mart

  • 1x Milk $4.19

Total Out of Pocket $4.19

Food Basics

  • Oranges $2.00
  • Case of Water Sale $2.44
  • 3x Lactancia Cream Sale $1.99-$0.75

Total Out of Pocket $8.16

Wal-Mart

  • 2x EggNog Sale $1.24

Total Out of Pocket- $2.48

Metro- received 2 Air Miles YA!

  • 3x Meat Tortellini 1KG reg $5.49 Sale $1.99
  • 1x Meat Ravioli 1KG Reg $5.49 Sale $1.99
  • 1x 500g Gay Lea Cottage Cheese $3.59- FPC=FREE
  • 1x Barilla Pasta Sale $0.97- $0.75 Coupon from insert =$0.24
  • 2x Timothy Coffee- $7.99-FPC’s= FREE
  • 1x Colgate Toothpaste Opti-White Sale $1.99-$1.00=$0.99

Total Out of Pocket- $9.45

Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results for Mr. and Mrs. CBB

  • Total Grocery Budget for the Week: $84.23 (For the month of Dec)
  • Total Coupons Used this Week:$23.57
  • Total Scanning Code of Practice: $0
  • Total Spent This Week:$24.28
  • Total Spent So Far for December: $24.28+38.36=$62.64
  • Total Over/Under spend this shop: $N/A this month
  • Total Left to Spend for the Month: $21.59
  • Total Coupons Used This Month : $8.54+23.57=$32.11

Overall: Not too bad this week as we really don’t need too much but need to use up some FPC’s. We had a binder clean out and found so many great coupons that we hope we can use mainly for health and beauty and laundry but only if we find some great sales. I’m optimistic we will make it to the end of the month on this small budget.

Some Coupons we found this week!

coupons at Zehrs Dec 2012

coupons at Zehrs Dec 2012

It's Not About How Much Money You Make It's How You Spend It

Mr.CBB’s Quote

FAQ’s- Grocery Game Challenge RULES…..

  • Do I have to be Canadian to post my Grocery Shop?

No, you don’t have to be Canadian to post your shops only to win a monthly prize. We have a few posters from around the world.

  • When does the Grocery Game Close each month?

The Grocery Game Challenge Closes at Midnight of the last Sunday of the last post for the month. You can post your shops all month-long.

  • Does Your Grocery Budget Include Health and Beauty and Laundry?

Yes our Grocery Budget includes such items as shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, fabric softener, dish soap etc. We don’t mind stockpiling items that won’t be effected by expiry dates or have long expiry dates but not so much food any more. It’s just one way to help cut your budget to save money.

There are many places you can find Canadian Coupons whether it be in store or via the mail.

Canadian Coupon Match-Ups- Match your coupons with flyer sales!

Here are your latest Coupon Match-ups  of the week from around Canada compliments of Save Big Live Better.

Are you NEW to Canadian Budget Binder?

Would You Like To Guest Post for Canadian Budget Binder?

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Mr.CBB’s Garage Sale Tips For Buying and Selling Stuff!

Posted: May 13, 2012 in Handy Hints
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Photo Source
Garage Sale, Yard Sale,Rummage Sale, Church Sale,Trunk Sale or Car Boot Sale as we call it in the UK  all of which essentially mean the same thing…. cheap prices for “stuff” people no longer need,want or have room for.  The Spring and Summer time are the high times for garage sales especially here in Canada. Warm weather and sun plant the Spring Cleaning bug and sends people into a selling frenzy.  For newlyweds, students,first time home buyers or anyone who wants a bargain now is the time of year to get out and get searching.
What’s it like driving Mrs. CBB to Garage Sales…. well, where do I start (I hope she doesn’t read this…
I remember when I first settled here in Ontario in 2007 I had never been to a garage sale at someone’s house in my life. I have to admit it can be a bit draining with the wife raging with excitment in my ear. Her hands waving in the air, hurry, I see the sign, look,look,look at all the people, pull over,she jumps outs, nods up and down, side to side, she jumps back in, go,go,go,… oh yes this  does my head in, but I’m used to it now.  If you’re a man and are the driver I’m sure 100% you can relate…you are smiling and nodding as you just read that I bet. If so, +1 for you now go grab a pint, you deserve it!
Always plan your routes to save time and money in the gas tank. No sense saving a buck in the budget when you are blowing it on petrol.
Stadhampton car boot sale

Stadhampton car boot sale (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When my wife was visiting the UK she said the same of the “car boot sale” me mum and dad brought her to as I was selling off my life to move to my new life here in Canada. You’ll find garage sales at people’s homes like here in Canada but more in fields or council land. Sometimes you will pay a small fee to enter like 1 pound or $1.60 CDN to get in (was $2.35 CDN to the pound back then but sadly that’s a whole other post). There will be other sellers with their vehicles open or trunks filled with items to sell. It can be quite the party actually with lots of food and drink, fun for the entire family!
I did manage to sell almost everything I owned through the car boot sales and am happy for the most part. Mind you I am kicking myself for selling a few items one in particular was my galvanized steel watering can for the garden. I miss that can and have struggled to find them here for the past 3 years. Low and behold I come across one at Wal-Mart the other day for $12.99 and I stopped at nothing to pick it up.
Garage Sales have been amazing here in Canada as it has helped us pick up some great second-hand must-haves for our home and garden at a fraction of the retail price. Just today our community was having a Garage Sale extravaganza all over the neighbourhood. The neighbours come out from hiding and we get to check out each others “junk” (the seller for the most part believes it’s junk) and make new friends. You know the old saying “Someone’s junk is another person’s treasure.”
Garage sale

Garage sale (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Before the big day today the Mrs. had me prepare with her some items to bring along as apparently there is a strategy. Below are some tips that I’ve learned that helped me prepare for the go,go,go of the morning. I’m thrilled and saddened to say that I found a steel watering can today and I paid under $1.00 for it.. far stretch from the $12.99 above.  We picked up everything in this picture today for the grand total of $6.00. I know amazing I bet you are thinking… well that’s the power of negotiation and neighbours who want to get rid of stuff.
Garage Sale Buying Tips In No Particular order
  1. Source out all the garage sales in your city
  2. Map out the sales in order of vicinity to each other so you are not wasting gas driving back and forth around town
  3. Mark off the garage sales you’ve been to
  4. Always bring a baggie or purse with mixed small coin $0.05.$0.10.$0.25 and $1.00 and $2.00 coins. (this helps the transaction go faster as well as aids in negotiating for smaller items)
  5. Never pull out your money until after you negotiate a deal
  6. Keep bills in small denominations in one pocket and coin in the other
  7. Always negotiate unless the price is already “bargain basement” (very low price)
  8. If you want it you better grab it or the man or woman behind you will
  9. Get up early in the morning, don’t be late or you will miss out and don’t be an early bird. Most sellers like to set up their sale in peace before the crowds start rushing in.
  10. Don’t try to get something for nothing, appreciate the already low prices, understand garage sale pricing.
  11. Bring shopping bags with you if you are walking so you are not lugging multiple items around
  12. If you are buying electronics ask to see them work
  13. Do ask if an electronic can be returned if it does not work
  14. Don’t be rude and push or shout out to the sellers it’s not auction hunters… YEP!(ok lame I know haha.. I tried)
  15. Thank the sellers for the sale… and enjoy your new-found toys

Yard sale on Green Street in .

Although I have not personally held a garage sale in Canada the same still stands in the UK plus what I’ve seen here in Ontario.
Garage Sale Selling Tips In No Particular Order
  1. Always be ready the night before if you can. Know your items and price your items according to what makes you happy.
  2. Have a garage sale pricing list if that makes it easier
  3. If you have stuff you want to give away “Free” make a free garage sale sign for it ahead of time
  4. List your garage sale on Kijiji,Craigslist or the local paper with time, date, address and other pertinent information.
  5. Post garage sale signs in the neighbourhood on mailboxes or even make ground signs with an arrow directing traffic. You can buy signs or if you are wondering how to make your own garage sale signs you can design a garage sale template in power-point and simply print them. You will find garage sale sign ideas on-line  here or use your own creativity, be unique.
  6. If you are selling electronics make it convenient for the potential buyer to test it out or if you have a stereo for sale plug it in and have the tunes going! Might as well party up the early morning folk!!
  7. Be polite to all potential buyers, greet them and tell them you are available if they have any questions.
  8. Be flexible on price of things may not sell
  9. Join up with other neighbours to bulk out your garage sale. You have all seen the drive-bys. I’ve done it, and so will others.. bulk it out and give people a reason to stop. The more the merrier and it makes for an interesting day with others around.
  10. Put all the big-ticket items up front where they will be eye-catching to the people who simply drive up to take a quick peak. Most people will decide with-in seconds whether they want to stop in or not simply by what they see. So don’t hide great items in the back, bring them to the front and market them like a pro would!
  11. Always have change ready for buyers so stock up on small bills and coin and keep it on you. We’ve heard of seller’s money going missing because they get distracted. Borrow or if you have one of those pouches you can tie around your waist as your cash drawer!
  12. Don’t turn anyone away early birds even if they are pushing the etiquette envelope..  money is money, a sale is a sale.
  13. Track what you are selling so you know how much you made for each item in the end and the total of all sales
  14. All sales are final unless specified!
  15. If people ask why you are having a sale, tell them the truth, if you want to get rid of stuff, tell it like it is and you might be surprised how fast it will sell.
  16. Treat a garage sale like a business, think like an owner, play like a customer and you will sell everything you want to get rid of! Marketing and a friendly attitude are the keys to success!
Last week I asked our Awesome Facebook Fans:
What are your tips for people who are about to embark on garage sales whether it be having one or going out to them.. what advice would you give them? What was your best Garage Sale score?
Photo Source
  • Debbie Perkins-hammonds- If you are having a garage sale price stuff to sell. I’d you are buying at one and think stuff is too high and they won’t mark it down don’t buy it.
  • Theressa Hill- My best garage sale buy was a collector’s item cookie jar, creamer set and spoon rest that I picked up for $5 and is worth about $300.
  • Becky Turner-Deslaurier My best find was at a dance studio garage sale where I picked up 1 pair of tap shoes, 4 pair of jazz shoes, 2 neck ties (for my hubby) 2 strands of snowflake decorations, and a large area rug all for free! It was the end of the day, but we felt guilty and gave them $15.
  • Jen Peacock-Remember it is a garage sale, not a second-hand store or eBay. Be organized and lay things out on tables. Things don’t get noticed if they are in boxes on the ground or under tables. Saturday is the best time for a garage sale. Sunday is for sleeping in or church for most people.
So always remember that before you buy new ask yourself if  you think you can pick it up cheaper at a Garage Sale this spring or summer!

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