Author Archives: Jolon

Kingma’s Market: 50-60% off Flowers, Herbs, Vegetable Plants {When Do You Buy Flowers?}

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I’m so excited that Kingma’s Market in Grand Rapids will be just down the street when I move next week! I stopped in there today at lunchtime to check out their flower sale. I know most people put out flowers as soon as possible in the spring (around Memorial Day), but I just can’t justify spending full price when they’ll be on sale or clearance just a few weeks later. What’s your style?

Hanging baskets at Kingma’s are as low as 2/$25 this week, and 10″ pots are as low as 2/$10.

kingma's market flower sale

I was also tempted by the 99¢ vegetable plants. They have lots of varieties of peppers, tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes left.  Herbs are just 4/$11, too. I’ll have to go back for those when I have more time!

kingma's market veggie plants

Flats of flowers are $3 (now around $8ish) off, too. I really wanted these little lovelies. Any idea what kind they are?

kingma's market grand rapids

Has anyone else been waiting for the clearance sales? This seems to be the week to get nice, full baskets and more mature plants for a little bit less! I just read through the great post of tips for starting a garden in West Michigan one more time and I think I’m ready to go! At least with a few pots this year. :)

Family Fare: Best Grocery Deals 6/12 – 6/18

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fam fare

Save on Spartan brand items with the Turn to Spartan coupons valid at any Spartan store (Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s, Tom’s Food, Glen’s Market).

Here are the best prices at Family Fare this week. I won’t personally do all of these deals for the $25/wk Food Budget Challenge — they’re just what I see as the best value on healthier choices.

Best Prices:

Spartan 3 lb Bun Length Hotdogs $3.77
Use $1/1 Turn to Spartan coupon
Final Price $2.77

Spartan 4 oz Canned Mushrooms – $11.98 for 24
Use $1/2 Turn to Spartan coupon
Final Price $0.46 ea wyb 24

General Mills Cereal $1.50 ea wyb 4
*You must buy 4 to get the sale price
Available coupons:
$0.50/1 Cheerios printable coupon
$0.50/1 Cheerios printable coupon (different link)
$1/2 General Mills printable coupon
Final Price $1.00 ea wyb 4 **Stock up price**

Land O’ Frost Lunch Meat, 16 oz $3.50
Use $0.55/1 coupon from 5/15 RP
Final Price $2.95

Nature Sweet Cherry Cocktail Tomatoes $2.99
Use $0.55/1 coupon from 6/5 SS
Final Price $2.44

Crystal Light Drink Mix $2.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 6/12 SS
Final Price $1.99

Betty Crocker Cake Mix $1.00
Betty Crocker Frosting Tub $2.00
Use $0.75/2 coupon from 5/22 SS
Final Price $2.25 for both ($1.13 ea wyb 2)

Good Values:

Chicken Leg Quarters $0.49/lb
Spartan Garlic Toast or Breadsticks $1.67 ea
Spartan Frozen Fruit $2.50
Red Bell Peppers $1.00
Vidalia Onions $0.77/lb

Note: Our Grand Rapids area stores do not double coupons.

Not sure about the lingo? Read this. Don’t have the coupons you need? Order some. Still need help? Look here or ask me in the comments!

D&W Fresh Market: Best Grocery Deals 6/12 – 6/18

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D&W fresh market grocery dealsSave on Spartan brand items with the Turn to Spartan coupons valid at any Spartan store (Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s, Tom’s Food, Glen’s Market.)

I won’t do all of these deals for the $25/wk Food Budget Challenge — they’re just what I see in the ad for the best value on healthier choices.

Best Prices this Week:

D&W Fresh Market is a donation location for WZZM 13′s Food for Families. Please give, West Michigan — Monday, June 13 is the last day!

Purex Liquid Laundry Detergent, 50 oz $2.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 5/1 RP (EXP 6/12!!)
Final Price $1.99

Extra Sweet Gold Pineapple $2.88
Use $1.25/2 printable coupon (previously available)
Final Price $2.26 ea wyb 2

General Mills Cereal $1.50 ea wyb 4
*You must buy 4 to get the sale price
Available coupons:
$0.50/1 Cheerios printable coupon
$0.50/1 Cheerios printable coupon (different link)
$1/2 General Mills printable coupon
Final Price $1.00 ea wyb 4 **Stock up price**

Nature Sweet Cherry Cocktail Tomatoes $2.99
Use $0.55/1 coupon from 6/5 SS
Final Price $2.44

Land O’ Frost Lunch Meat, 16 oz $3.50
Use $0.55/1 coupon from 5/15 RP
Final Price $2.95

Crystal Light Drink Mix $2.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 6/12 SS
Final Price $1.99

Betty Crocker Cake Mix $1.00
Betty Crocker Frosting Tub $2.00
Use $0.75/2 coupon from 5/22 SS
Final Price $2.25 for both ($1.13 ea wyb 2)

Good Values:

LOCAL Brewery Vivant Beer, 4pk Cans $8.99
Red Bell Peppers $1.00 ea
Vidalia Onions $0.77/lb
Spartan Fresh Whole Chicken $0.99/lb
Spartan Frozen Fruit $2.50
Spartan Garlic Toast or Breadsticks $1.67 ea

15% off Wine Sale: Fri 6/15 & Sat 6/16

15% off a purchase of 6+ bottles. Additional 15% off wines already on sale. (Everyday price is 10% off a 6+ bottle purchase.)

Note: Our stores do not double coupons.

Not sure about the lingo? Read this. Don’t have the coupons you need? Order some. Still need help? Look here or ask me in the comments!

#GRDates: WLAV Blues on the Mall {2011 Schedule}

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#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

WLAV’s Blues on the Mall has got to be the ultimate #GRDates!  It’s fun, it’s FREE, and it happens every Wednesday at 6:30pm from June 8 to August 3 at Rosa Parks Circle downtown Grand Rapids.  See the schedule below, or the BOTM facebook group for more information:

wlav blues on the mall schedule

June 8: Janiva Magness
www.janivamagness.com

June 15: Popa Chubby
www.popachubby.com

June 22: Vasti Jackson
www.vastijackson.com

June 29: Ronnie Baker Brooks
www.ronniebakerbrooks.com

July 6: Larry McCray
larrymccrayband.com

July 13: Homemade Jamz
www.hmjamzbluesband.com

July 20: Deanna Bogart
www.deannabogart.com

July 27: Shane Dwight
www.shanedwight.com

August 3: Joanne Shaw Taylor
www.joanneshawtaylor.com

Final Price FREE!

Besides enjoying live music out in the open air on a sunny summer day in Michigan, I think my favorite part of Blues on the Mall has to be the people-watching. What’s your fave?

Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done these dates or do you have other ideas? Would your West Michigan business like to be featured? Email me.

This post is linked to West Michigan Link-up.

Frugal How-to: Anti-Allergy Cleaning & Maintenance Tips

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I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls Collective on behalf of Claritin®. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program.

I’m moving from my little apartment on the edge of the country (which I will miss!) to a house in the city (and I’m excited!) at the end of this month. It was nice to rely on the the apartment complex to do maintenance, but now I’ll have to keep things easy & frugal!  I suffer from seasonal allergys AND there’s a dog in the house, so here are some tips for frugal ways to keep allergies at bay during cleaning and maintenance:

frugal cleaning tips

  • We’re repainting a bathroom. When painting a humid environment, add mold inhibitor to the paint.
  • Peak pollen production is early in the morning. Wait until later in the day to open windows and go outside for yard work.
  • Wash wet towels as soon as you’re done using them in hot water with white vinegar (and homemade detergent) to keep mold at bay.
  • Use all that newspaper from purchasing extra coupon inserts when washing windows. It’s lint-free!
  • Wash sheets and blankets in hot water to keep dust mites out of bedding.
  • Once a season, use a solution of 1 cup olive olive and 1/4 cup white vinegar as a natural funiture polish.
  • Keep old t-shirts and wash clothes to re-purpose into rags that can be washed over and over to save money on paper towels and sponges.
  • Don’t switch out storm windows to screens until *after* the pollen calms down. You won’t have to waste time cleaning screens and washing window sills multiple times in the spring.
  • Shampoo carpets regularly. We just rented a Bissell Big Green machine at Lowes — so affordable (under $50!) and really effective.
  • Do you have any tips to share? How do you manage allergies in your household?

Printable coupons for Claratin can frequently be found here or on the Claratin facebook page.

For more tips on relieving allergies visit www.Facebook.com/Claritin. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.