Tightskates and Cheapwads

[Occhidiangela]

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only Lurker who takes retail gimmicks and uses them against the corporations. So let's discuss. I'll go first.

I have coupon-fu, as well as discount cards for the four area stores that offer them. It doesn't get bought unless there's a sale and/or a coupon, preferably both. And I love matching ads. The local discount grocery stores take coupons too--imagine buying four packs of toilet paper at the price of one!

I buy fresh food and freeze it. I wish I could can--it's hard finding a pressure canner that isn't two hundred bucks. I never buy anything with a tomato base; Italian upbringing equals tomato-fu as well. I reuse like crazy. Stale cookies make the best pie crusts!

Brand names don't trick me. Stores often contract out their store brands to the big-name companies anyway--Del Monte cans their stuff as well as stuff for two other national grocery chains. Besides, it's not the front where you should be looking, it's the back. Premade sauces and things are often loaded with preservatives. Why pay thirty cents less for shoddy product?

I also cut onions while watching movies. Kas fears me.  :shuriken:
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Coupons with us are an episodic thing. I await meat sales on the styles I like then chop and freeze.

I buy a lot of generic, Mrs Occhi is not as motivated, but she and my daughter are hell on consignment and very careful timing on clothing sales.

Make our own spaghetti sauce. Three years of practice in Italy will do that to you. Buy pasta boxes, Barilla, by the case, save 15%.

Day old bread. (1/2 off)

Generic Sodas.

Our downfall is the deli counter, of course, with cheese and meat by the pound, pre sliced to the thickness you want while you watch. Just too tempting . . . but we buy store brand, not Boar's Head.

Occhi