Shop Cheap

Glad that Primary is over so we can concentrate on .... SHOPPING!

In the grocery world it's not about winning or losing, it's how to Shop Cheap. And this week it's all about fresh fruit, some veggies and ribs.

Let's start with Raley's where they have a couple things going on. First, they are asking Moms in the region to join an online advisory panel (www.raleys.com/cfapps/moms/moms.cfm) so that the local chain can make grocery shopping more mom-friendly. Amy Davis sent Shop Cheap the info so Shop Cheap decided to join and share her wisdom. You can join, too, and share your opinion and - possibly - score a copy of Raley's 75th Anniversary Something Extra Cookbook.

Now on to this week's bounty: First up, blueberrries. $1.47 for a 6oz container is a pretty sweet price. Want more? An 18oz. carton is only $3.97. Baby Backribs are BOGO and broccoli is 77-cents a pound. Stouffers Mac&Cheese is $1.99 and combine General Mills cereals and Betty Crocker fruit snacks and you only pay $1.49 a box. (must buy 4).

If you live for the coupon, get a clip of this: Sara Lee loaf bread is $1.89; 12 packs of 7-Up, A&W and Sunkist are $2.99 and a case of Raley's Purified water is $2.99.

Dover Sole or Snapper is $3.99lb; Jennie-O ground turkey or Italian sausage links are $3.50 a package  and a 16-piece fried chicken deal is $9.99 in the deli.

Crystal Geyser sparkling water is 88-cents; Hansen's Soda is $2.50 for a 6-pack and a gallon of Minute Maid OJ is $5.99. An 18-pack of eggs is $1.99 and frozen Eggo pancakes are $1.69 a box. Michelina's lean gourmet entrees are $1 each and Dreyer's fruit bars are $3 a box.

Bring cherries are $2.77lb; white corn on the cob is 2/$1 and a 5-lb. bag of Idaho potatoes is $1.77.

We are going to continue our shopping adventure over at Save Mart where you will find the best price around for red seedless grapes - 77-cents a pound. Roma tomatoes are 47-cents a pound and Romaine hearts in the package are $1.97. A 4-pack of avocado is $1.97 and fresh green beans are $1.49lb.

In the meat dept. London broil is $1.99lb; Hebrew National beef franks are BOGO and Foster Farms ground turkey is BOGO, too.

12-packs of Pepsi, Dr. Pepper or Dew are 3/$10 and Lay's or Doritos chips are buy 2, get 1 free.

Michelina's Lean gourmet entrees are $1 each; Jimmy Dean entrees or breakfast bowls are $1.99 and Sara Lee frozen pies are 2/$5. Simply Juice - orange or apple - is $2.99 and Martinelli's sparkling juice is $2 a bottle. Kellogg's cereals are buy 3, get 3 free. Thomas' bagels are BOGO and Hansen's apple juice is $1.50 a jug.

Safeway is packin' produce this week with red seedless grapes for 98-cents a pound; red or yellow bell pepper for 99-cents each; BOGO organic strawbrrries; 2 pounds of blueberries for $6.99 and corn on the cob 2/$1.

I conquered the Mix&Match demon over the weekend and ended up saving 41% at the checkout. Here's the trick: MAKE A LIST. There's got to be 8 things that you need, like:

Arrowhead water ($2.99 a case); Capri Sun ($1.49); Cheerios ($1.49) Dew or Pepsi (83 cents); Kraft Mac&Cheese (49 cents) Rosarita refries (79-cents); Tree Top apple juice ($1.49) and Arrowhead sparkling water (49 cents). See how easy that was!

Now for the other stuff. Foster Farms split chicken breasts are 99-cents a pound; fresh Snapper fillets are $3.99lb and bologna is BOGO. Safeway variety breads are $1.99 a loaf; Signature Cafe pizza in the deli is $4.49 and Weight Watchers yogurt is 50-cents a cup.

Get clippin' with coupons for eggs - 99 cents; butter - $1.99; ice cream cups - 49 cents; and bath tissue or paper towels - $4.79. 

The $5 Friday special is a pound of deli sliced Primo Taglio pan-roasted turkey or Black Forest ham. Also in the deli, you can get a coupon for a free signature sandwich, kind of like a BOGO sandwich. Pick up Filone breads in the bakery for 99 cents and make a great sandwich with the ham or turkey.

If you live near a Grocery Outlet, you might want to check out some of their deals. Grab a seedless watermelon for $2.99; avocado for 50-cents; an 18-pack of effs for $1.49; Challenge butter for $1.99 and a full quart of Ben & Jerry's chocolate fudge brownie ice cream for $1.99. And the deal of the day: martinelli's Sparkling Cider for $1.79 a bottle.

Come back on Thursday for some summertime recipes.