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Here Are the Most Useful Kitchen Gadgets Under $10 on Amazon

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kitchen gadgets

Nearly everyone’s kitchens are filled with the usual pots and pans, can openers, and utensils. However, there are probably at least 10 or more must-have kitchen gadgets you’re missing out on, like the perfect egg cooker (cooks a perfect hard boiled egg every time) or mildew-resistant sponges. The kitchen gadgets listed below are all under $10 on Amazon and can be life-changing!

Vented, Easy Grip Microwave Cover 


If you don’t already have a vented microwave dish cover, you need this in your life. It will cut down on the amount you have to clean your microwave and keep food from exploding everywhere. Not to mention, things just seem to cook a bit more evenly using this helpful “gadget.” Best of all, it is priced at just $7.99.

Herb Scissors


People who use fresh herbs when cooking know how tiresome cutting those leaves up can be. For just $4.99, you’ll never have to chop herbs again. Instead, these scissors trim your herbs into the perfect size with little effort.

Mildew-Free Sponges


Sponges can be gross and they are a breeding ground for bacteria. These sponges are made of silicone, which prevents them from holding water too long and getting mildewy. Not to mention, they are also dishwasher safe so, when you feel they need to be cleaned, you can pop them in the dishwasher. Seven of these magical sponges only costs $7.99.

Silicone Garlic Crusher

Peeling and cutting garlic can be a pain, especially if you don’t have a great set of knives. This garlic crusher gets rid of that headache and, because it is silicone, it will last years before needing a replacement. Oh, and it’s only $2.69!

Fruit Slicer

Of the kitchen gadgets on this list, this is one of the most versatile. For $9.99, you get a 10-in-1 tool that will mash, cut, scoop, grate, and squeeze. This tool will also peel, core, and slice an entire piece of fruit in just seconds.

Phone Stand for Recipes

Have you ever been looking at a recipe on Pinterest or video on YouTube while you are cooking? It can be extremely difficult to keep picking up your phone to look at what your next step is. Not to mention, you can damage your phone with ingredients or water. For just $4.49 you can get a stand for your phone for the kitchen and (bonus) the stand will also hold a traditional cookbook.

Instant Read Meat Thermometer

Making sure your meat is at a safe temperature for eating is important. Sometimes, dial thermometers can be inaccurate. This instant-read thermometer will let you know within seconds whether your food is done ($8.99).

Knife Spatula for Scraping Mayo Jars

Scraping the mayo jar (or any condiment) is one of those unregretfully frugal things most of us do. Get even more from the bottom of the jar with this knife spatula. On Amazon, this costs $5.10.

Pineapple Corer


A pineapple corer is one of the more common kitchen gadgets on the list, but if you don’t have one, it could change your life! Cutting and coring pineapple can be a bit difficult and even dangerous. Grab one on Amazon for $9.99 and see how easy it makes the process.

Avocado Keeper


Avocado is hard to store or keep for an extended period of time. Fortunately, you can get an avocado keeper for about $6.24 and never waste one again.

Spice Organizer


If you have a lot of spices and always feel they are unorganized, grab this spice organizer for just $7.95 on Amazon. You can keep it in the same cabinet you normally do without taking up any shelf space.

Silicone Egg Cooker

This one is truly a life-changer. Crack an egg into the silicone egg-shaped tool and then boil water (the silicone is safe up to 248 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll never have to peel another egg again, making every single one perfect. Get a package of six for $9.98.

Apple/Pear Corer

Smaller fruits sometimes need coring as well, especially if you have kids. This tool makes that so much easier. Of course, it is also under $10 at just $7.99.

Vietnamese Coffee Filter Set

This is similar to a French press and can help you make a great cup of coffee every morning. For $9.95, this product on Amazon also comes with a lifetime warranty and is dishwasher safe.

The GRATE TACO Cheese Shredder

Cheese graters can be a bit difficult to hold, so the makers of the GRATE taco addressed that problem. After all, what’s easier to hold than a taco? You’ll have a much easier time grating cheese with this tool ($7.81 on Amazon).

Dusting Wand for Sugar, Flour, and Spices


Bakers will love this $9.95 Amazon tool. If you enjoy topping your cakes or baked goods with powdered sugar or cinnamon, this tool makes it so easy.

Kitchen Supply Organizer

Whether you need a place to put your broom and mop, or a spot to hang your cooking spoons and spatulas, this organizer is great. What’s even better – it costs less than $3.

These are just a few of the best kitchen gadgets under $10 on Amazon. Readers, have you scored any other great finds on Amazon? Let us know in the comments!

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This Is Where You Can Double Coupons in Your State

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Double coupons by state

Many people see couponing as a waste of time. But, did you know you can actually save thousands of dollars per year on your grocery bill? Some grocers and retailers offer double coupons and even triple coupons for customers. Here’s where you can reap the benefits of coupon stacking in your state.

Rules for Double Coupons

Some double and triple coupons are limited, depending on the store. Stores like Harris Teeter will allow you to double or triple your coupons up to $0.99, while others only offer this promotion on specific days of the week or one week at a time. We’ve outlined each store in your state that offers to double your coupons and their policy below.

Alabama

  • Bruno’s: Bruno’s Supermarkets offers to double your coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • Food Giant: Food Giant will double all coupons up to $1 on Mondays.
  • Food World: Food World offers to double all coupons up to $0.50 every day of the week.
  • Fred’s: Double your coupons up to $0.70 at Fred’s every Saturday.
  • Kroger: Double any coupons up to $0.50 every day at Kroger.
  • Piggly Wiggly: Double your coupons up to $0.99 every day of the week.
  • Publix: You can double your coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • Western Supermarkets: Double coupons up to $0.65 every day at Western Supermarkets.
  • Winn-Dixie: Winn-Dixie also offers to double your coupons up to $0.50 each day.

Arizona

  • Albertsons: Albertsons allows you to use Twice the Value coupons for up to $1 every day of the week.
  • Bashas Market: Bashas offers to double all coupons up to $0.50. If your coupon is between $0.51 and $0.99, it is rounded up to $1. Coupons over $1 are accepted at face value.
  • Fry’s Food and Drug: Fry’s allows you to double coupons up to $1. Individual store policy may differ.
  • Safeway: Safeway in Arizona offers double coupons up to $0.50. Coupons between $0.50 and $0.99 will be rounded to $1.

Arkansas

  • Albertsons: Albertsons offers to double customers’ coupons up to $1 every day. The store may also offer triple coupons occasionally. Your local store will have more information.
  • Country Mart: Country Mart doubles coupons as well. However, the store’s policy may vary location-to-location. Read the store’s policy here.
  • CV’s Family Foods: Several CV’s Family Foods will double any coupons under $0.50.
  • Freds: This Arkansas store doubles coupons up to $0.50 on Saturdays.
  • Harps Food Stores: Harps Food Stores limit you to 20 coupons per family, per visit, per day. Coupon doubling may not be available at all locations.
  • Kroger: Some Kroger locations may allow you to double your coupons up to $0.60. This may vary by location.
  • Piggly Wiggly: You can double your coupons at Piggly Wiggly up to $0.99 every day. This does not apply to eCoupons.

California

  • Lucky: Lucky Supermarkets offer double coupons. Days of the week and coupon amounts vary by location.
  • Ralphs: Ralphs will double your coupons every day (up to $0.50). Coupons over $0.50 will be rounded to $1 and those over $1 will be accepted at face value.
  • Save Mart: Lucky Supermarkets and Save Mart are under the same ownership, so their coupon policies are the same. Some stores will offer double coupons. You’ll need to visit your local Save Mart to learn about their specific policy.
  • Stump’s Market: Stump’s Market will offer double coupons on manufacturer coupons up to $0.50. However, you may find that Stump’s coupons offer better deals.

Colorado

  • King Soopers: King Soopers doubles coupons up to $1 every day.
  • Safeway: Safeway offers double coupons valued up to $0.50 every day. Coupons between $0.50 and $0.99 will be rounded to $1. Anything over $1 will be accepted at face value.

Connecticut

  • Big Y: Double your coupons up to $0.99 every day at Big Y.
  • Price Chopper: Price Chopper, true to its name, offers to double their customers’ coupons up to $0.99.
  • Shaw’s: Shaw’s is also doubling coupons up to $0.99 every day.
  • ShopRite: ShopRite is also matching other stores with double coupons up to $0.99.
  • Stop & Shop: Some stores may offer triple coupons on occasion. However, every Stop & Shop offers double coupons every day up to $0.99.

Delaware

  • Acme: Acme supermarkets will double a coupon up to $0.99 every day of the week.
  • Giant Food: Giant Food stores offer double coupons up to $0.50.
  • Pathmark: Pathmark grocery stores offer double coupons up to $0.99. On occasion, the store will offer double coupons up to $2.
  • SuperFresh: SuperFresh will double coupons up to $1.

District of Columbia

  • SuperFresh: Like in Delaware, SuperFresh will double your coupons up to $1.
  • Giant Food: Giant Food grocery stores will double coupons up to $0.50.

Florida

  • Foodway: Foodway will double all coupons up to $0.50 every day of the week.
  • Fred’s: Fred’s will double your coupons up to $0.50 every Saturday.
  • Hitchcock’s: You can also double your coupons at Hitchcock’s Supermarkets up to $0.50.
  • Publix: Publix will double coupons up to $0.50 every day.

Georgia

  • A&P: A&P doubles coupons up to $0.99 in some locations. You will need to contact your local store to see if they will double your coupons.
  • Bruno’s: Bruno’s will double all coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • Fred’s: In Georgia, Fred’s allows double coupons on Saturdays up to $.70.
  • Harris Teeter: Harris Teeter allows you to double your coupons up to $2 every day of the week (up to 20 coupons per visit). On occasion, the store also offers triple coupons.
  • Harvey’s: Harvey’s will double all coupons up to $0.50 and limit your doubled coupons to five per transaction.
  • Ingles: You have to have an Ingles rewards card to double coupons. They will double up to $0.50.
  • Kroger: You can double your coupons up to $0.50 every day at Kroger.
  • Piggly Wiggly: Piggly Wiggly offers double coupons up to $0.99 every day.
  • Publix: Double coupons are allowed at Publix every day (up to $0.50).

Illinois

  • Cub Foods: Cub Foods will double coupons up to $0.50.
  • Kroger: Kroger allows shoppers to redeem double coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • Schnucks: Schnucks offers to double coupons up to $0.40.
  • Shop N’ Save: Shop N’ Save will double coupons up to $0.99 every day.

Indiana

  • Kroger: You can double coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • Wiseway: Wiseway will double coupons up to $0.90 every day of the week.

Iowa

  • Jubilee Foods: Double coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • SuperValu: This store offers double coupons up to $0.50 each day.

Kansas

  • Dillons: This store will double coupons up to $0.50.
  • Thriftway: Thriftway will double up to three coupons per visit. The store will double coupons up to $1.
  • Hen House: Hen House will double coupons up to $0.50.

Kentucky

  • Buehler’s: Buehler’s will double your coupons up to $0.99.
  • Kroger: Double coupons up to $0.50 every day at Kroger.
  • Piggly Wiggly: You can double coupons up to $0.99 every day.
  • Remke Markets: Remke Markets will double coupons up to $1. On occasion, the store also holds a Super Double Coupon Day.
  • Sureway: Sureway doubles coupons up to $0.50 every day of the week.
  • Winn Dixie: Winn-Dixie doubles coupons up to $0.50 every day.

Louisiana

  • A&P: Not all A&P locations offer double coupons. However, some stores will allow double coupons up to $0.99.
  • Brookshire Brothers: Brooks Brothers offers triple coupons up to $0.49 and double coupons up to $0.99 every day.
  • Fred’s: Fred’s will double coupons on Saturday up to $0.70.
  • Kroger: Every day Kroger will double coupons up to $0.50.
  • Matherne’s: Double coupons every day up to $1.
  • Piggly Wiggly: This supermarket offers double coupons up to $0.99 every day.

Maine

  • Shaw’s: Shaw’s will double coupons up to $0.99 every day of the week.
  • Stop & Shop: Stop & Shop offers double coupons every day up to $0.99. On occasion, some locations may also offer triple coupons.

Maryland

  • Acme: This supermarket chain doubles coupons up to $0.99 every day.
  • Giant Eagle: You’ll need a Giant Eagle rewards card to double coupons at this grocer. However, the store will double your coupons up to $0.99.
  • Giant Food: Giant Food doubles coupons up to $0.50 every day of the week.
  • Martins: Martin’s will double your coupons as long as it does not exceed the price of the item.
  • Metro: This supermarket will double coupons up to $0.99.
  • Safeway: Safeway will double coupons up to $0.50. Coupons over $0.50 are rounded to $1.
  • SuperFresh: This store doubles coupons up to $1.
  • Weis: Weis Supermarkets will double coupons up to $1.

Massachusetts

  • Johnnies Foodmaster: Double coupons up to $0.99.
  • Price Chopper: This grocer offers double coupons up to $0.99.
  • Shaw’s: Double your coupons up to $0.99 every day of the week.
  • Star Market: Save money with double coupons up to $0.99 every day.
  • Stop & Shop: Double coupons every day up to $0.99. Some locations may also offer triple coupons.

Michigan

  • Kroger: Kroger will double coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • Oak Ridge Market: This supermarket will double coupons up to $1.

Minnesota

  • Jubilee Foods: Jubilee Supermarkets will double coupons up to $0.50 every day.

Mississippi

  • Fred’s: On Saturdays, Fred’s will double coupons up to $0.70.
  • Kroger: Double coupons up to $0.50 each day of the week.

Missouri

  • Dillons: Double coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • Piggly Wiggly: You can double coupons up to $0.99 every day at Piggly Wiggly.
  • Price Cutter: Double up on coupons up to $0.50.
  • Schnucks: You can double coupons up to $0.40 every day.

Nebraska

  • Apple Market: On Monday and Tuesday, Apple Market doubles coupons up to $0.99.

Nevada

  • Scolari’s: Scolari’s will double coupons up to $1 every day of the week.
  • Lucky: Lucky Supermarkets offer double coupons on occasion. You will need to contact your local store to determine days of the week.

New Jersey

  • Acme: Double all coupons up to $0.99 every day.
  • A&P: You can also double your coupons up to $0.99 at A&P.
  • FoodTown: FoodTown offers double coupons but coupon policy will vary by store.
  • Pathmark: You can double your coupons up to $0.99. Occasionally, Pathmark will run a $2 double coupon special.
  • ShopRite: ShopRite also doubles coupons up to $0.99.
  • Stop & Shop: Some locations may offer triple coupons. However, every Stop & Shop offers to double all coupons up to $0.99 daily.
  • SuperFresh: Double coupons up to $1 every day.
  • Wegman’s: You can double coupons up to $0.99 daily.

New Mexico

There are no stores in New Mexico that offer double coupons at this time. If you know of a store in this state that does allow this, please let us know in the comments below.

New York

  • A&P: Some A&P stores allow you to double your coupons up to $0.99. To see if your local store allows this practice, give them a call.
  • FoodTown: Most FoodTown locations offer to double your coupons but the policy will vary by store.
  • Jubilee Foods: This store doubles all coupons up to $0.50 every day of the week.
  • King Kullen: King Kullen stores offer double coupons up to $1 (five per visit).
  • P&C Foods: Double your coupons up to $0.99 daily.
  • Pathmark: Occasionally, this store doubles coupons up to $2. However, on a daily basis, they will double them up to $1.
  • Price Chopper: Double your coupons up to $0.99.
  • ShopRite: You’ll be able to double your coupons up to $0.99 at ShopRite every day.
  • Stop & Shop: Double any coupon up to $0.99 every day.
  • Tops: Double any coupons up to $0.99.
  • Wegman’s: Double all coupons up to $0.99 every day of the week.

Nevada

  • Scolari’s: Double every coupon up to $1 every day.

North Carolina

  • Harris Teeter: Harris Teeter limits your number of coupons per visit to 20. However, the store doubles coupons up to $2 every day and offers triple coupons on occasion.
  • Ingles: Double all coupons up to $0.50 with your Ingles rewards card.
  • Kroger: Kroger will also allow you to double your coupons up to $0.50.
  • Lowe’s: Like Harris Teeter, Lowe’s Foods offers to double all coupons up to $2.

North Dakota

  • Cash Wise: This store does not double customer coupons daily. However, Cash Wise does hold double coupon events from time-to-time. Keep an eye out in your local flyer for details.
  • Hornbacher’s: Hornbacher’s doubles coupons up to $0.50. Anything over $0.50 will be rounded to $1.
  • SunMart: This store offers to double your coupons up to $1.

Ohio

  • Country Mart: Double all coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • FoodTown: Many FoodTown locations will double your coupons but policy differs store-to-store.
  • Giant Eagle: Double every coupon up to $0.99 with your rewards card.
  • Kroger: Double your coupons up to $0.50 every day of the week at Kroger.
  • Stop & Shop: Stop & Shop will double each coupon up to $0.99 every day the store is open for business.
  • Thriftway: Double your coupons up to $1 (limit of three per visit).
  • Tops: You can double coupons up to $0.99 at Tops Supermarkets.

Oklahoma

  • Albertsons: Double coupons up to $1 every day of the week. Some Albertsons locations will also offer triple coupons from time-to-time.
  • Apples: Apples Supermarket will double all coupons up to $0.99.
  • Dillons: Dillons doubles coupons up to $0.50 every day of the week.
  • Homeland: You will need a Homeland rewards card to double your coupons at this grocer. However, they will double up to $0.50.
  • Piggly Wiggly: Double coupons up to $0.99 every day.
  • Puckett’s: Some locations may double your coupons. You will need to visit your local Puckett’s to confirm whether they do or not.

Oregon

  • Albertsons: Double every coupon up to $1 every day at Albertsons. The store also holds triple coupon events from time-to-time.
  • Safeway: This grocer doubles coupons up to $0.50.
  • Thriftway: You can double your coupons up to $1. However, the store limits your coupons per visit to three.

Pennsylvania

  • Acme: Acme doubles coupons up to $0.99 daily.
  • Giant Eagle: Giant Eagle also doubles coupons up to $0.99 every day with your Giant Eagle rewards card.
  • Giant Food: Every day, double your coupons up to $0.50.
  • Pathmark: You can double your coupons up to $1 every day. On occasion, the store will run a double coupon event where they will double all coupons up to $2.
  • Price Chopper: Price Chopper doubles coupons up to $0.99 every day of the week.
  • ShopRite: You’ll be able to double your coupons up to $0.99.
  • Shop-N-Save: Double any coupons less than $0.99 at Shop-N-Save every day.
  • SuperFresh: You can double your coupons up to $1 every day.
  • Tops: Coupons up to $0.99 are doubled daily at Tops.
  • Weis: This grocer doubles coupons up to $1.
  • Wegman’s: Double coupons up to $0.99 every day.

Rhode Island

  • McQuade’s: Shop at McQuade’s and double all coupons up to $0.99.
  • Shaw’s: Double any coupons up to $0.99 all week at Shaw’s.
  • Stop & Shop: Take advantage of doubling coupons (up to $0.99) every day. You can also keep an eye out for triple coupon events.

South Carolina

  • Acme: Acme will double your coupons (up to $0.99) every day of the week.
  • Giant Eagle: Double your coupons with your Giant Eagle rewards card. The store will double your coupons up to $0.99.
  • Ingles: Ingles doubles coupons up to $0.50 when you shop with your rewards card.
  • Harris Teeter: Harris Teeter doubles coupons up to $2 every day. The grocer is also known to hold triple coupon events as well.
  • Jubilee: Coupons up to $0.50 are doubled daily.
  • Kroger: Every day of the week Kroger doubles coupons up to $0.50.
  • Pathmark: You can double your coupons up to $0.99 daily at Pathmark. It has also been known that Pathmark holds double coupon events where they will double any coupons up to $2.
  • Piggy Wiggly: Coupons up to $0.99 will be doubled daily.
  • Publix: This grocer will double your coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • ShopRite: ShopRite stores offer double coupons up to $0.99.
  • SuperFresh: Coupons up to $1 are doubled every day at SuperFresh.
  • Winn-Dixie: Coupons under $0.50 are doubled daily.

South Dakota

  • Jubilee: Coupons up to $0.50 will be doubled every day of the week.

Tennessee

  • Acme: Coupons less than $0.99 will be doubled at Acme Supermarkets.
  • Fred’s: Double your coupons up to $0.50 every day of the week.
  • Kroger: Kroger also doubles coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • Ingles: Coupons up to $0.50 are doubled every day at Ingles.
  • Piggly Wiggly: Piggly Wiggly will double all coupons up to $0.99.
  • Winn-Dixie: Winn-Dixie will double your coupons up to $0.50.
  • Publix: Publix is also offering to double coupons up to $0.50.

Texas

  • Albertsons: You can double your coupons up to $1 at Albertsons.
  • Brookshire Brothers: This store will double your coupons up to $0.99 every day. They will also triple coupons under $0.49.
  • Homeland: Homeland grocery stores offer to double your coupons up to $0.50.
  • Kroger: As in other states, Kroger doubles coupons up to $0.50.
  • Randalls: Randalls will double all coupons up to $0.50. Coupons under $0.39 will be tripled.
  • Tom Thumb: Tom Thumb shares Randalls’ double coupon policy of doubling coupons up to $0.50 and tripling those under $0.39.

Utah

No stores in Utah currently offer to double customer coupons. If you have one to add, please let us know in the comments!

Virginia

  • Giant Food: Shoppers can double their coupons up to $0.50.
  • Harris Teeter: Harris Teeter doubles coupons up to $2, occasionally offering triple coupons.
  • Kroger: Coupons under $0.50 are doubled every day of the week.
  • Safeway: Safeway doubles coupons up to $0.50. Coupons over $0.50 will be rounded to $1.
  • SuperFresh: Coupons up to $1 will be doubled.
  • Wegman’s: Doubles all coupons up to $0.99 every day of the week.

Washington

  • Albertsons: Albertsons will double all coupons under $1.

West Virginia

  • Giant Food: As in other states, Giant Food doubles coupons up to $0.50 every day.
  • Giant Eagle: This store will double your coupons up to $0.99 with your rewards card.
  • Kroger: Coupons up to $0.50 will be doubled every day of the week.

Wisconsin

  • Copps/Pick N’ Save: These stores will allow you to double coupons up to $1. You are limited to five coupons per purchase.
  • Sentry: You can double your coupons up to $0.50 at Sentry every day.

Wyoming

  • Albertsons: Albertsons doubles coupons up to $1.
  • City Market: City Market also doubles up to $1.
  • Safeway: Some stores may limit your coupons to four per visit. However, you can double your coupons up to $0.50 at Safeway.

In some states, you will not be able to use coupons on tobacco or alcohol products. It should also be noted that any store manager has the right to refuse your coupon based on store policy. If you still have questions about a specific store’s coupon policy, visit their website or give your local store a call. Readers, if you have a store to add to the list or more information about a specific store’s policy, let us know in the comments below!

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Swapping Kroger For Aldi Foods: How They Compare

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Aldi foods comparison

Aldi is continuing to pop up in new locations around the United States and it has many people wondering about Aldi foods and how much they stand to save by shopping there. I’ve personally made the switch from Kroger-owned Harris Teeter to Aldi in recent months and am loving the savings. Is swapping out your grocer for Aldi the right move for you?

How Much Should You Be Spending on Groceries?

Many people look to their grocery bill when they need to start trimming their budget. It is one of the easiest expenses to control, especially if you are willing to shop around. You can collect the local flyers and compare sales prices across the board or look prices up online to determine where you can get the best deals.

However, there are some items that cost pretty much the same everywhere you go. So, how much should you be spending on groceries each month?

USDA Monthly Grocery Budget Guidelines

Each year the United States Department of Agriculture releases information about the cost of produce and other food items. According to the USDA, the figures below outline the average cost to feed yourself or your family.

Family Size  Thrifty Food Plan Low-Cost Plan Moderate-Cost Plan Liberal Plan
1 (Low) $197 $248 $359 $442
1 (High) $207 $287 $306 $391
2 (Low) $384 $491 $609 $763
2 (High) $384 $491 $609 $763
3 (Low) $465 $600 $731 $911
3 (High) $547 $721 $903 $1098
4 (Low) $546 $703 $854 $1061
4 (High) $693 $928 $1166 $1398
5 (Low) $621 $797 $972 $1204
5 (High) $817 $1107 $1390 $1660
6 (Low) $751 $979 $1190 $1463
6 (High) $964 $1302 $1644 $1955
7 (Low) $851 $1112 $1368 $1666
7 (High) $1053 $1419 $1797 $2132
8 (Low) $991 $1298 $1608 $1946
8 (High) $1176 $1591 $2004 $2378
9 (Low) $1141 $1481 $1830 $2218
9 (High) $1274 $1714 $2156 $2563
10 (Low) $1289 $1665 $2051 $2491
10 (High) $1508 $2023 $2538 $3022
11 (Low) $1436 $1849 $2273 $2765
11 (High) $1451 $1945 $2426 $2894

Kroger vs. Aldi Foods

Some individuals have completely swapped out their traditional grocer for Aldi. This has helped them better control their grocery budgets and, in the long-run, it helps them save money. How do Aldi foods compare to, say, Kroger?

Pros and Cons of Aldi

One of the biggest pros of shopping at Aldi is the prices. Because of the way the store is set up, you’re able to increase your savings.

There are some cons to getting those savings, however. If you are a “brand snob,” you won’t always be able to find name brand items at Aldi. Even if you do, they may not be there the next week. Some products are rotated within the store’s inventory. The store may not always have what you’re looking for either, especially if it is a unique food product.

Another thing to note is Aldi’s produce does not keep that long in the fridge and sometimes doesn’t seem to be that fresh. You may want to continue picking up items like lettuce or fresh greens elsewhere.

Also, keep in mind, Aldi does require you to insert a quarter into the shopping cart to use one. You’ll also need to purchase bags or bring your own. In some cases, the store may have extra boxes they are willing to give you to store your food for the ride home as well.

Pros and Cons of Kroger

Kroger-owned grocery stores are a bit more expensive than Aldi on most things. Unless you’re able to cash in on a specific sale or stack coupons, you can get almost everything cheaper at Aldi.

Personally, Kroger offers up a better shopping experience. Lines at Aldi can be a bit long and it is difficult to find someone to help you if you need it. That isn’t the case at Kroger. You’ll also be able to find everything you need in one store shopping at Kroger. Whereas, as mentioned above, Aldi may not have some specialty items.

Non-food items are cheaper at Aldi than Kroger but, in most cases, you’ll be able to get these items cheaper at a store that isn’t only selling groceries. More often than not, you’ll get a better deal on items like toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and other non-food items at Walmart or Costco.

Are the Savings Worth It?

For many people, shopping at Aldi has been able to save them up to 50% on their grocery bill each month. When you consider those savings, swapping out Kroger (or your current grocer) for Aldi foods seems like a no-brainer.

Many people may try to argue that Kroger-owned stores offer up rewards and better promotions than Aldi. Keep in mind, most rewards programs are designed to get you to spend more money. You’ll pay a higher original price to get your $5 off or your gas rewards.

Aldi prides itself on not having to do those types of deals because their prices are always low. One Reddit user even mentioned the local Aldi store manager sending associates to local grocers to ensure they have the lowest price on staples like milk and eggs.

While there has been some negative feedback on some produce at Aldi, you can always shop there for most of your food and hit Kroger for specific items. Switching to Aldi for the bulk of your shopping stands to save you $100+ a month.

Readers, what do you think about Aldi foods and prices? Have you shopped there? 

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Score Great Deals at These Restaurants on National Cheese Pizza Day

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Today (September 5) is Cheese Pizza Day. In honor of the foodie holiday, many pizza restaurants will be holding great deals on all kinds of pizza, not just cheese. Here are a few of the best deals happening around the United States today.

Cheese Pizza Day Deals

Brixx Woodfired Pizza: You can get a free cheese pizza at Brixx by showing them the tweet above.

California Pizza Kitchen: Sign up for CPK Rewards and get a free small plate.

Chuck E. Cheese’s: Join Chuck E. Cheese’s More Cheese Rewards and get a free personal one-topping pizza during your next visit.

Cicis: Cicis is offering customers a $5 large one-topping pizza to-go with the purchase of an offer in the MyCicis app. This National Cheese Pizza Day deal is valid through the month of September.

Domino’s: Domino’s is running a mix-and-match special. The special allows you to choose two items from a select menu for just $5.99 each.

Little Caesar’s: This pizza outfit has a great deal on its 5 Meat Feast pizza. For a limited time, it is priced at just $9.

Papa John’s: Papa John’s is offering two Cheese Pizza Day deals for customers. Using the code LG1TOP7 you can get a 1-topping pizza for $7. You can also use the code CHEESELOVER and get an order of cheese sticks for just $5.

Paragon Theaters: Paragon Theaters has a buy-one-get-one-free pizza deal in honor of National Cheese Pizza Day. All you have to do is buy one, and they’ll hand you a second for free.

Pizza Hut: Get two medium two-topping pizzas for $5.99 each (delivery and carry out).

Save Even More on Pizza

You may be able to save even more money on each of the deals outlined above by signing up for each pizza restaurant’s rewards program. Many establishments allow you to accrue points and, eventually, you’ll get perks like a free pizza or side item.

If you’re looking for more great deals on pizza, you can look forward to National Pepperoni Pizza Day on Sept. 20 and National Sausage Pizza Day on Oct. 11.

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Back-to-School Lunch Ideas That Save Money and Time

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With the rising cost of school supplies, clothing, backpacks, and other items to get your children ready for school, finding a way to save money is a relief. One of the best ways to do that with your school-age children is packing their lunch. Below you’ll find 10 back-to-school lunch ideas that will save you money this year.

The Cost of School Lunch

According to the School Nutrition Association, the average prices for school-provided meals in the United States are as follows:

Lunch Breakfast
Elementary $2.34 $1.39
Middle $2.54 $1.47
High $2.60 $1.51

Only 8 million of the student in U.S. public schools pay full price, however. Individuals who meet the requirements are offered a reduced price lunch ($0.40). Of the 4.9 billion lunches served in public schools each year, 20 million are absolutely free.

Where breakfast is concerned, fewer children eat breakfast at school. They still manage to serve 2.4 billion breakfasts, more than 11 million of which are free.

However, if you don’t qualify for free lunch for your kids; the price of school lunch can stack up quickly, especially if you have a large family. For just one elementary school-aged student, you’ll spend about $45 per month on lunch alone (and $90 if you have two children).

10 Cheap Back-to-School Lunch Ideas

1. Lunch Kabobs

back-to-school lunch ideas

Lunch kabobs are an easy and fun lunch to prepare for your child. All you’ll need is cubed cheese, your choice of ham or turkey, and your child’s favorite veggie. With a pack of lunch meat averaging around $5, a block of cheese available for $2 and a single cucumber or tomato costs around $0.25. You’ll wind up paying less than $1 per lunch.

2. Quesadillas

lunch ideas for school

Cheese quesadillas are another great cheap lunch idea you can easily make at home and it will cost less than $1 per serving. You can get a pack of 8 tortillas for around $2 and shredded cheese for $2 as well. Each tortilla will provide a serving and there will be more than enough cheese for your child’s quesadillas through the week.

3. Egg Salad

back to school sandwiches

Egg salad is an extremely cost-friendly lunch idea as well. You can get one dozen eggs for around $1.30 and a loaf of bread around $2. If you don’t already have mayo in your fridge, you can also pick up a jar for less than $2, making each serving less than $1.

4. Pepperoni Bites

back to school lunch ideas

These pepperoni bites will take a little more effort than the options listed above. However, your kids will look forward to this meal in their lunch boxes. All you’ll need is a 4-count can of refrigerated flaky biscuits, a package of pepperoni, and pizza sauce. Altogether, the ingredients will cost around $7 and will make a single serving. You will have plenty of pepperoni and sauce leftover though!

5. Classic PB&J

back to school PB&J

Of course, there is always the trusty PB&J. A jar of peanut butter will cost around $2, and jelly and bread cost about the same. So, for $6 you can make as many sandwiches as a loaf will allow (less than $1 per serving).

6. Banana Burritos

back to school

You can buy a pound of bananas for about $0.56, peanut butter, jelly, and an 8-count package of cost $2 each, making each serving cost less than $1.

7. DIY Lunchables

back to school DIY lunchable

DIY Lunchables can save a ton of money too. Lunchables in the store cost about $3.50, while making your own version at home can cost less than $1 per serving.

8. Lunch Meat Rolls

back-to-school lunch

Lunch meat roll-ups are another great budget-friendly lunch idea. All you’ll need is ham or turkey, pickle spears, and the sauce of your choice. Each serving, as with the other options on this list, will cost less than $1.

9. Tuna Salad

school lunch ideas

Another classic back-to-school lunch idea is tuna salad. A can of tuna will run you about $0.50, a jar of mayo will cost you less than $2, and bread will also cost less than $2. A serving will cost less than $2.

10. Ants on a Log

school lunch

Ants on a log is another classic lunch/snack idea. You can buy a large bag of raisins for less than $3, peanut butter for around $2, and celery for less than $1. Each serving costs less than $1.

These are just 10 of many cheap and fun back-to-school lunch ideas. What would you add to the list?

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15 Items You Should Never Buy at the Dollar Store

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The dollar store offers the bargain shopper a veritable bonanza of purchase opportunities. The problem is most dollar store shoppers have the “squirrel!” approach to shopping in these stores. There’s almost too much to consider, so shoppers end up buying everything regardless of quality.

Dollar Store Items Aren’t Always the Best Deals

On the surface, Dollar Store, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and other types of dollar stores offer great deals because of the dollar pricing structure. But, there are a few things that shoppers should keep in mind as they make their purchasing decisions. In particular, note the varying degrees of product quality within each store.

In order to truly get the best deal for your money, you need a working knowledge of what you should and shouldn’t buy at a dollar store. Here are 15 items to never buy at the dollar store.

1. Birth Control

I think this one is pretty obvious. It might be better to be very smart and be wary of purchasing birth control from a dollar store, simply because products, in general, are often outdated. You might not be buying the most effective birth control if you are shopping from a dollar store.

2. Aluminum Foil

Cheap aluminum foil is almost always too thin and often rips easily. Buy a store brand box of aluminum foil when it’s on sale, and save yourself the frustration and money wasted on foil that doesn’t actually cover anything.

3. Batteries

I’ve purchased batteries from the dollar store and have found that the batteries have a much shorter battery life than a Duracell or rechargeable battery. Most of the batteries for sale at dollar stores aren’t brand name batteries that you can find in the convenience store or supermarket. You can usually find a package of 4 AA or AAA batteries for $1, but the batteries won’t last as long as the brand name batteries. Their life expectancy is around 1/16th of the life expectancy of a brand like Duracell. This is caused by the chemical makeup used in the dollar store variety batteries. You don’t want to keep replacing your batteries every few weeks, do you? If you are in need of a lot of low quality batteries, you may be able to get free batteries from your local drug store.

4. Pasta Sauce

Food at the dollar store is often old. And, dollar store brands of pasta sauce always have too much sugar. I do think there are food items of decent quality. However, when it comes to items like pasta sauce, the couple of pennies you might save are not worth consuming something full of sugar and preservatives.

5. Boxed Mixes

It might seem like a great deal to buy a box of brownie or cake mix for $1, but you’re actually losing money. Most of those boxes are only 9 oz, which is half the size of the normal cake mixes in the supermarket. For a normal cake pan, you’d need to buy at least two $1 boxes. Cake mix in the supermarket is around $2.99. But cake mixes are constantly on sale for $1. Even with a $1 off coupon, you’d only be paying $2. It’s worth it to buy boxed mixes at the supermarket and get the full sized box instead of the smaller 8 or 9 oz version.

6. Laundry Detergent and Some Cleaning Products

Cleaning supplies are expensive, so you might think that buying them from a dollar store is saving you some money. However, laundry detergent and cleaning supplies from the dollar store aren’t made from quality chemicals. The supplies tend to be watered down and the chemicals used are often an off-brand, and they occasionally leave an unpleasant odor or stain after you use them. If you want to save money on these products, consider making your own laundry detergent and making chemical free cleaning supplies.

7. Vitamins and Allergy Medication

If you’re worried about the cost of vitamins and allergy medications at the pharmacy, don’t make the mistake of buying a cheap knock-off alternative. The generic brands at the pharmacy are usually suitable if you’re looking to save money. The versions at the dollar store aren’t generic brands, but rather imitations that are close to the original vitamin or medication. “Close” means that the medication or vitamin could have some unusual substance added, which could negatively affect you. When it comes to your health, better to be safe than sorry!

8. Toilet Paper

Some things are worth investing in for better quality. Also, usually the 2-ply option is in really small rolls that run out faster than getting a better quality option. There are usually higher quality options for around the same price, especially if you keep an eye on coupons at other stores.

9. Surge Protectors

Invest in high quality surge-protectors because a poorly made surge protector is a fire risk. In fact, when it comes to electrical products in general, the dollar store isn’t your best resource.

10. Electrical Cords

Extension cords are items in almost every home. Buying them from a dollar store isn’t a good idea, though. They’re made with cheap, flimsy plastic that is not only a fire hazard, but won’t protect your electronics. When it comes to your electronics, it’s better to buy these items from a department store or hardware store. At most, they’ll cost you $10, but they’ll last you for a long time and will protect your products.

11. Kitchen Utensils

We use kitchen utensils daily without giving a thought to how important the quality is to our safety. If you discover a large kitchen knife for a very low price, avoid the temptation to buy it. Always look for and buy knives with very secure handles. If the handle comes off, or the knife breaks, you may seriously injure your hand.

12. Shampoo

Dollar store shampoos might not be as effective as you would like (or need). Of course, if you find a reputable brand, stock up. But if it’s a brand that you’re unfamiliar with, you may want to consider avoiding it — just in case. You’ll be taking a chance on a product that could potentially be outdated and have harmful chemicals. Further, like housecleaning products, they can be watered down as well.

13. Kids Toys

It seems like every other week there is a toy recall. If you would like to purchase toys for a children’s party, look for puzzles or balls. Stay away from toys with multiple parts.

14. Sandwich Bags

If you constantly take sandwiches or snacks to work or school, you know how quickly you can go through a box of sandwich baggies. Dollar store sandwich bags usually come in boxes of 13 or 25. At a regular grocery or convenience store, sandwich bags usually come in a pack of 150 for around $3 or $4. If you have a coupon, you can buy them for as low as $1.50.

15. Tools

Most of us have a standard set of tools in our home. Since tools are an item we always need, invest in a set of good ones that will last a long time.

Dollar stores are wonderful places to look for deals. The next time you visit, keep in mind that not all deals are created equal. If you shop with awareness and use your good judgment to determine value, dollar stores are a great option for the frugal minded shopper.

What was your best and worst purchase from a dollar store? Share with us in the comments below!

Read More:

How to Find and Use Coupons on Amazon
Dollar Store Deals
Best Dollar Store Finds

Photo Credit: Steven Snodgrass