I forgot to sign out of my website yesterday afternoon and lo-and-behold, I was still active this morning! Wonder what that will do? Make my site appear more popular? Cost me more money? Nothing?
I bring that up because I was just laughing with Lisa (see past posts; she’s my wife–the sane one in the family) about how a year ago, several readers asked me if they could follow me on Facebook and what my twitter account was. “Uh, well, I guess you could be one of my friends,” I stumbled. And then I mumbled that I was about to become a twitter member too–even though I had no earthly idea what twitter was. Or better yet, that you didn’t become a twitter member–or do you? I’m still going to do that one of these days–that is, when I know I’ll be able t0 come up with something pithy and pertinent about being frugal every single day.
Ok, I’m writing in a panic today (I tend to do that) but I wanted to relate a shopping experience I had last year that could prove helpful for all of us. I wrote about it in the “Comments” section of my column for gourmet.com: a post-Saint-Patrick’s-Day potatoes, carrots and corned-beef sale. That day I was rifling through the reduced-for-quick-sale rack at the end of our grocery store’s produce section when I spied a coupon for a great deal: a few days before St. Patrick’s Day, the store was selling 5 pounds of potatoes, 1 pound of carrots and 2.5 pounds of corned beef for $7.99. Since corned-beef often costs that much all on its own, I was elated. Until I remembered it was the day after St. Patrick’s. Bummer.
Later, as I morosely worked my way through the rest of the store, I came upon the meat section. Thank God. Yes, the sale was over but to my and my family’s stomachs’ delight, it’d been replaced by something better. A half-off sale. Since the heady rush of celebrating this dubious Irish holiday had already passed, the store had a lot of salty meat to unload.
We could get all three items for $3.99.
As far as I am concerned, the grocery-shopping Golden Produce Rule–numero uno, in other words–is to shop based on coupons and what’s on sale, not what you think you need. That said, remembering the yearly potatoes, carrots and corned-beef sale that I happened upon last March has got me wondering: Can the Golden Produce Rule be universally applied the day after every holiday? Are there similar sales after every holiday that we can draw each other’s attention toward? Most importantly–and finally to the point–is there a post-Valentine’s-Day sale that is about to be dropped in our laps this coming Monday (and I’m talking about something beyond half-price for a 5-pound box of heart-shaped chocolates that are filled with some unnatural cream or jell that invariably end up back in the box, half-eaten because of their in-edibility factor)?
Well, is there? Please write in. If there is, I want to make the appropriate shopping plan.
For instance, having learned from last year’s St. Patrick’s surprise, I already have this year’s March 18th shopping plans in place. Since the half-price deal is only 1 per customer, our entire family will shop that day and each family member will buy his/her own St.-P-Day combo. Pretty good, huh? The only difficulty I foresee is coming up with enough different recipes using those same 3 ingredients. So far, I’ve only come up with a pie and a stew. Pretty dull.
Maybe there’s some kind of dessert?
PS–I think I have a photo of the corned beef, carrots and potatoes around here somewhere that I took in the store, I was so excited. I’ll post it if/when I find it.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 11:00
Don’t forget the Cabbage! Cabbage is really cheap in March. Corned beef sandwiches?
As for Valentines…I would think that if you found solid chocolate ( maybe lindt or other better quality) that you could stock up on that and use it in your baking later. Who says chocolate chip cookies need little chips?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 11:59
I have nothing helpful for Valentine’s Day, but mark your calendar for post-Thanksgiving sales on turkey parts. I guess a lot of people just get a turkey breast, so there are turkey wings and thighs to be had for cheap cheap cheap. I got ten pounds of wings for 70 cents a pound at our local Fancy Organic grocery. I boiled them, picked off the meat (there’s a lot on a turkey wing) and then kept cooking the bones and skin for broth. It was a freezer-filler.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 17:53
corned beef hash!! delicious in omelettes, sandwiches..and can’t it be canned?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 18:42
Sandwiches and root veg oven fries?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 20:09
Pastrami! My husband and I make homemade pastrami (smoked corned beef) and its not uncommon for friends to place requests for this item, offering to purchase one beef for us and one for them in exchange for pastrami goodness. Homemade sauerkraut and rye bread makes for one hell of a Ruben.
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 00:00
I was able to purchased a pre-cooked ( I usually buy fresh ) Butterball turkey in January for about a $1 a.lb . Not as good as holiday sales , but I had no room in my freezer before Christmas . It was easy to prepare and I was able to find other holiday foods on clearance to go with it . We had turkey and turkey sandwiches for a week and turkey to freeze .
We have so many grocery stores competing for business here that the pre-holiday sales are very good .
I did discover that a local grocery marks down all the imported chocolate , cookies and candy( Valor chocolate,Walkers shortbread,Glenfarclas fudge,Berkshire Bark etc…) after Christmas . What ever is left is usually 75 % off by New Years Eve . I will save some of these items and use them for Valentine gifts and host/ hostess gifts .
The liquor store also sells imported foods and chocolates that they reduce after Christmas .
I have also ordered Godiva chocolate online @ 50% off after Christmas and saved them for Valentines Day . They tasted much better than full retail !
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 17:28
You can make boxtys: Grate raw potatoes, wash, drain and dry them. Add them to a bowl with an equal amount of flour and enough milk to make a smooth paste consistency. Ladle a spoonful into a hot pan or griddle with oil, season and fry like a pancake. Cook the corned beef and carrots (onions are good in this too), chop them into a small dice and heat the filling together, then spoon it on to the pancake, fold it into an omelet shape and enjoy.
I was an avid reader of your column when it was in Gourmet and am so happy to find that you’ve migrated over to your own site. Keep up the wonderful efforts.
Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 10:27
Yes, there are fabulous sales everywhere the day after any holiday. I always buy and roast a turkey the weekend after Thanksgiving (my sister does it on the day itself), buy candy corn the day after Halloween at 75% off at Target, buy holiday cards and gift wrapping paper the day after Christmas for the next year at 50% or more reduced. Target also sells pre-lit Christmas trees at 75% off the day after Christmas and any leftovers go down to 90% off! Bargain if you need a new tree! Glad you’re back.
Friday, February 19, 2010 at 14:41
Glad to have you back, Hodding!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:31
Hodding, FYI - you should add titles to all of your posts because those of us who’ve set up RSS feeds see an entry as No Title. Think of the title as your headline for the post. Hope the book is finished so you can post more frequently. Really miss those Weekly Thursday updates.
Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 17:05
Hodding-
I just finished Off the Deep End, and I’m curious as to how the quest to qualify for the Olympic Trials ended. Are you saving that for another book or can you discuss it?
Thanks. The book was a quick/fun read.
Mark
Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 21:23
Hodding, I have so enjoyed reading your blog, and catching up on your lives. It’s been a long time, BU seems like another life. I loved the video you and Helen made about the toilet. Please tell Lisa I think of her often, and will call.
Sarah
Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 19:48
Glad to see you back semi-regularly!
Monday, March 22, 2010 at 15:56
Hi! Interested in talking to you about WalletPop (AOL’s personal finance site). If you’re interested, give me a shout at beth.gladstone (at) corp.aol.com.
Thanks.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 19:43
Hodding, so glad you’re back. I’ve really been missing your blog posts. Is it possible to get an RSS feed so I know when you post?
Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 09:58
It’s that time of year again for us frugal fools to start our gardens. I’m hoping to read a new post from you soon.
Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 13:43
Just finished Off the Deep End. Did you qualify for trials?
BTW- I read your Everglades book and I liked it. So it wasn’t a total flop.
Glenn
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 02:52
Completely agree with your comments on this - thanks for taking the time to post.