Building relationships helps build your savings!

To maximize your savings, try shopping the 1-2 grocery store(s) closest to your home or in a well traveled path to your home like on the way home from work and go there 90% of the time.  In doing this, over time you and your kids (if they shop with you) will become as familiar with the layout of the store(s) as you are with your own pantry therefore making shopping a breeze.  Finding ingredients for your recipes or certain brands you buy over and over is fast and easy when you know where to find them. I recommend 1-2 stores since this is manageable and will provide plenty of variety.  Beyond that you start spending more time in the car than shopping!

Another benefit of shopping the same 1-2 store(s) rather than traveling around to three or more stores is getting to know the staff and they get to know you.  Everyone from the store manager on down to the bagger is interested in your loyalty to their store.  When you share with them your goal of making shopping fast and economical, then usually they will help you find items and good prices. 

For example at my grocery store, I am acquainted with one man who stocks the freezer section and he has shared tips with me on when the frozen waffles go on sale and my kids go through waffles every week so this really helps to stock up when the price is right!!  Also, the a gentleman in produce helps me find the fruits and vegetables that are in season and at lower prices since coupons are scare for these items.  Also, the meat department is another place to make friends since often they have meat in the back to offer or can prepare for you just what you need and this saves time!  Lastly, the baggers know me and they help me get the groceries in my car quickly, especially when I have all 3 kids with me at the store!

Recently I received an e-mail from a customer who also happens to be one savvy shopper!  She writes, "I was just wondering if you would be able to link me to your website. I LOVE the Couponizer and would very much like it if you would check out my site."  So, I click on over to see what she is up to and was very impressed with the information she shares about her daily coupon finds.  I am honored that she uses a Couponizer in her shopping routine and will link to her site since we have shared goals.  CHECK IT OUT - Click HERE!

West Valley City, Utah

From www.allrecipes.com

A proven favorite of my whole family including the kids!  If you want to use a jar of seasoned spaghetti sauce like Classico brand instead of the tomato sauce and seasonings, this speeds things up.

INGREDIENTS:
2 TB all-purpose flour

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

2 eggs

2 TB water

1/3 cup crushed saltine crackers

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

½ tsp. dried basil

2 TB vegetable oil

4 (4oz.) cube steaks

1 ¼ cups canned tomato sauce

2 ¼ tsp. white sugar

½ tsp. dried oregano, divided

¼ tsp. garlic powder

4 slices mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1.        Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a shallow dish stir together salt, pepper and flour.  In separate bowl whisk together the eggs and water.  In a third bowl or shallow dish mix together cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese and basil.

2.        Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dredge the cub steaks in the seasoned flour, dip into egg mixture and then coat with cracker crumbs.  Place them in a skillet, and fry just until browned on each side.  Arrange steaks in a single layer in a greased casserole pan.

3.        Bake for 25 minutes in preheated oven.  Meanwhile in a medium bowl, stir together the tomato sauce, sugar, ¼ tsp oregano and garlic powder.  Spoon over steaks when the 25 minutes are up.  Top each steak with mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese, sprinkle oregano over top.  Bake for 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted and sauce is hot.