Having an extra freezer is a way to save money. You can stock-up when things are on sale and avoid ever having to pay full price. Once you start to get stocked though, finding something in your freezer can be a little overwhelming. In an effort to not waste food, you have to be organized. No matter how great of a sale it was, if you end up throwing it away, you’re wasting money. I love chest freezers for how much they can hold, but if you’re not careful in how your organize it, things can get lost in there. Here are four steps to organize a chest freezer so you don’t waste money on the back end!
How To Organize a Chest Freezer
Step 1: Get rid of all the old stuff
If your freezer is a little crazy, you probably have some expired food in there. The first step is to go through it and get rid of anything that is no longer edible.
You can also make a pile of things you know your family realistically will not eat. There is no need to throw those things away, but you can definitely give them to someone who will eat them.
Step 2: Group like items together
You can be as detailed as you like here. You can sort by meat, produce, frozen entrees, etc. Or you can get specific and sort by chicken, beef, fruit, vegetables, etc. Do whatever makes you happy and will work for you. If you really want to go crazy you can sort by whole chickens, breast, legs & thighs, etc.
Word of caution: If you know you aren’t going to come home and put all of the chicken in the right bin, just have a bin for all chicken. It may take a minute longer to find exactly what you want, but it’s better than just throwing everything in the freezer because you don’t have time to deal with it. Be realistic with what you’re willing to commit to.
Step 3: Take inventory
Now that all of your food is separated into manageable groups, it’s time to take inventory. That chest freezer is deep and I’ll never be able to remember that I have 2 cheese, 3 pepperoni, and one deluxe pizza. I made a freezer inventory that you can use to keep track of everything. Laminate it or just use a pencil and erase when needed.
The same principle as your groups applies here. If you don’t care what type of pizza it is, just have a line for pizza. If you know your five year old will produce massive amounts of tears at the sight of pepperoni, you might want to give cheese pizza it’s own line. For me, simple is better.
Another option: Write on the front of the freezer what is inside of it with a dry erase marker… just be care to not brush it off when you are looking for something inside. You can also get chalkboard paper and stick it to the top. I have found chalk markers work best for writing on this, though, and they are on the pricey side.
Step 4: Put it all back in the freezer
Ever played Tetris? Now is your time to start. Please don’t feel like you have to run out to the Dollar Tree and buy every container they have. Shop your house first to look for things you can use.
Here are some ideas for organizing it:
- Reusable Bags: Fill reusable bags with things that could easily get lost. This works especially great for meat and produce.
- Plastic Containers:If you have an item (like bread), it can helpful to store it in a container with more structure. Containers can lead to wasted space though, so use them sparingly. Cardboard boxes also work well for this.
- Baskets: Most chest freezers come with at least one basket. This is a great place to store items you eat more frequently. Want more of these baskets? Be sure to check thrift stores.
I have found it works great to store meat in reusable bags on bottom with baskets on top for produce, dairy, and frozen entrees.
Other Ideas from around the Internet
- An idea for Dollar Store bins
- How to organize a Top Freezer
- Keeping track of everything
See more frugal living tips.
This week only, check out this great Dell Coupon Code you can use right now to get 35% off a Dell laptop! Rather have a desktop? There’s also a code to get 40% off a desktop computer!
Note: this excludes clearance items.
Dell Coupon Code
For 35% off a laptop, enter code MOM4ULAPTOP at checkout
For 40% off a desktop, enter code MOM4UDESKTOP at checkout
Deal Ideas:
Dell Latitude E5450 Laptop – $359
– 35% off with code MOM4ULAPTOP
Makes it $233.35 shipped
Dell OptiPlex 3020 – $249
– 40% off with code MOM4UDESKTOP
Makes it $149.40 shipped
Shipping is FREE! Offer ends Monday, 5/10!
Read More→
Check out these super cute accessories that are up to 80% off on Zulily! I love the oversize clutch for $14 plus there are shoes, jewelry and other accessories to choose from too.
Savings Tip: Order one item and pay $5.99 shipping. Then come back and order additional items with free shipping on any other orders.
Deal Ideas:
Oversize Clutch $14.99 (reg. $28)
Green Floral Three-Buckle Sandal $14.99 (reg. $65)
Offer valid through 5/9. Shipping is a one time fee then free the rest of the day. Read More→
Find the Sunday insert preview for 05/09, below. You will get up to two inserts in your paper this weekend!!
Be on the lookout for:
(1) Save, and
(1) SmartSource inserts.
Remember there are differences between every city and the coupons you get will vary somewhat from the preview. Check back next Wednesday to get the exact list of what came out in your area.
Look at the 2021 Coupon Insert Schedule if you are curious about future dates.
Save 05/09
$3 off CeraVe Healing Ointment, excl .35 oz (exp 5/29)
$3 off CeraVe Itch Relief product (exp 5/29)
$2 off CeraVe product, excl trial and .35 oz Healing Ointment (exp 5/29)
$3 off CeraVe Sunscreen product, excl Baby (exp 5/29)
$1 off Gain Flings 12-20 ct, liquid laundry detergent 50 oz, liquid fabric softener 48-60 load, Fireworks in-wash scent boosters 5.7-7.2 oz, sheets 105-160 ct, powder laundry detergent 22-40 load, excl Ultra Flings, Essential Oils laundry detergent (exp 5/29)
$2 off Gain Flings 24-35 ct, Ultra Flings 18-ct, liquid laundry detergent 70-150 oz, Essential Oils laundry detergent 42 oz+, liquid fabric softener 105 load+, Fireworks in-wash scent boosters 10-14.8 oz, Sheets 200-ct+, or Powder laundry detergent 63 load+ (exp 5/29)
$3 off Gain liquid laundry detergent 165 oz+, Flings 42-ct+, Ultra Flings 21-ct+, or Fireworks In-Wash Scent Boosters 20.1 oz+, excl liquid fabric softeners, sheets & trial (exp 6/12)
$3 off Genteal Tears eye drops, any (exp 6/5)
$3 off Gillette razor or blade refill 4-ct+, excl disposables, Venus items and trial (exp 6/5)
$1 off Luigi’s Real Italian Ice, 24 oz+ (exp 6/13)
$5 off Pataday Eye Allergy Itch Relief drops (exp 6/5)
.50/1 Tide Simply laundry detergent 34 oz or less, Simply PODS 13-ct, Downy Liquid Fabric Conditioner 40 load, Bounce or Downy sheets 40-60 ct, Downy Unstopables in-wash scent boosters 4.3 oz, excl Downy Libre Enjuague, Bounce or Downy WrinkleGuard, Bounce Pet Hair & Lint Guard, Gain Fireworks, Tide detergent, Tide PODS and trial (exp 6/12)
$1 off Tide Simply laundry detergent 50 oz+, or Simply PODS 20-ct+ (exp 6/12)
$3 off Venus razor, excl disposables (exp 6/5)
SmartSource 05/09
$3 off Aleve product, 40-ct (exp 5/29)
$1 off Benadryl product, excl trial (exp 5/23)
$2 off Bengay product, excl trial (exp 6/6)
$1 off BiC EZ Reach lighter, 1-pk+ (exp 5/29)
$1 off BiC multipurpose lighter 1-pk+ (exp 5/29)
$2 off Clairol Age Defy Hair Color Or Specialty Blonding Collection (exp 5/22)
$5/2 Clairol Nice’n Easy Root Touch Up Permanent or Natural Instincts Hair Color, excl Crema Keratina (exp 5/22)
$2 off Clairol Nice’n Easy, Root Touch-Up Permanent, or Natural Instincts Hair Color, excl Crema Keratina (exp 5/22)
$2 off Clairol Temporary Root Touch-Up Concealing Powder OR Root Touch-Up Color Blending Gel (exp 5/22)
$2 off Covergirl clean beauty product (exp 6/5)
$3 off Covergirl eye product, excl 1 kit shadows, accessories, and trial (exp 6/5)
$3 off Covergirl face product, excl cheekers, accessories, and trial (exp 6/5)
$1 off Eucerin body lotion 2-6.8 oz, excl trial and baby items (exp 5/22)
$2 off Eucerin body product 8 oz +, or Baby product, excl face items and trial (exp 5/22)
$3 off Eucerin cream 16 oz (exp 5/22)
$1/2 Ken’s dressings 16 oz + (exp 5/31)
$1/2 Ken’s dressings 9 oz (exp 5/31)
$2/2 Ken’s dressings, 16 oz+ (exp 5/31)
$1 off Ken’s simply vinaigrette (exp 5/31)
$2 off Lotrimin AF Daily Prevention (exp 5/30)
$3 off Mag Ox product (exp 6/29)
$3 off Megared product (exp 5/22)
$5 off Megared product (exp 5/22)
$1 off Miralax product, 10 ct + (exp 5/30)
$4 off Miralax product. 20-ct + (exp 5/9)
$1 off Mitchum Deodorant, excl trial and Twin Pack (exp 5/15)
$5 off Move Free product (exp 5/22)
$5 off Neuriva product (exp 5/22)
$1 off Nivea or Nivea Men body wash, excl trial (exp 5/29)
$3/2 Nivea or Nivea Men body wash, excl trial (exp 5/29)
$1 off People magazine (exp 6/13)
$1.25/3 Quaker Life, Cap’n Crunch, or Oatmeal Squares cereal (exp 6/20)
$3 off Theratears product (exp 5/7)
$2 off Tylenol adult product (excl Cold & Sinus), PM, Simply Sleep, excl tria (exp 6/6)
$4 off Zyrtec adult 24-60 ct, or children’s 24 ct or 8 oz (exp 5/23)
$10 off Zyrtec adult, 90-ct (exp 5/16)
Did you know that every area and paper gets different coupons in their inserts?
This is one of the biggest things that can frustrate couponers… we all want the great coupons but sometimes only a few select areas get them. Each week volunteers send in insert variation lists to show exactly what coupons were in their papers. I take these and put them into the coupon database. In turn you can then have shopping lists that only show the coupons in your area! Take a look at the coupon insert variations for 05/02, below.
Click on your newspaper to see which coupons you actually received.
If your paper is not covered and you’re interested in helping, feel free to email me at jenny@southernsavers.com for directions. I promise it’s easy!
As volunteers send me their lists I will continue to update this list.
A legend for the list:
Black = You got this coupon!
Red = Not in this insert
Blue = A change in value, or a new coupon not in the preview.
Alabama
Huntsville Times (thanks, Melissa!)
Mobile Press Register (Thanks, Patricia!)
Florida
Florida Times-Union (thanks, Karen!)
North Carolina
Raleigh News & Observer (thanks, Cathy!)
Southern Pines Pilot (thank, Rhonda!)
Ohio
Dayton Daily News (thanks, Angie!)
South Carolina
The Post and Courier (thanks, Jaim’e!)
The State (thanks, Pat!)
Tennessee
Chattanooga Times Free Press (thanks, Betsy!)
Knoxville News-Sentinel (thanks, Bessie!)
If you or a family member are active duty, reserve and retired US Military (any branch), then head over and sign up to take paid online surveys exclusively for the military community.
Spouses and Parents of military members also qualify.
I just heard from readers that signed up a few weeks ago that they got a $30 survey this past week!! That’s better than any other company we’ve seen!
Head over and answer a few questions to get started and then start to answer surveys redeemable for gift cards!
Here are some Kroger meal plans ideas that are based on the sales that are starting today, 5/5!
Look through the Kroger weekly ad to see all the deals.
Kroger Meal Plans:
- Kroger – Perdue Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts, family pack, $1.99 lb
- Kroger – Kroger Frozen Vegetables, 10-12 oz, $1
- Kroger – House of Tsang Stir-Fry Sauce, 11.5-12.6 oz, $2.50
Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
Side Salad
- Kroger – Pork Spareribs, $1.67 lb with eCoupon, limit 5
- Kroger – Organic Girl Salads, 4.2-5 oz, $3.50
-
Kroger – Ore-Ida Potatoes, 22-32 oz, $1.99 with eCoupon, limit 5
-$1 off Ore-Ida Fries, 19 oz +, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
(makes it 99¢) - Kroger – Kroger Breakfast Sausage Links or Patties, 12 oz, $1.99 with eCoupon, limit 5
- Kroger – Pete & Gerry’s Organic Free-Range Large Grade A Eggs, 12 ct., $3.99
-$1 off Pete & Gerry’s Organic Egg Products (sign up) printable
(makes it $2.99) - Kroger – Cracker Barrel Shredded Cheese, 7.9 oz, $2.49
It’s a great time to get prepared! Right now, Woot! has a 2-Pack First Alert Rechargeable Home Fire Extinguisher for just $32.49, regularly $59.98!
There is a limit of one per customer, but you will get two fire extinguishers with this deal! You’re basically getting two for the price of one. Grab a set for your kitchen and garage, or give the other to someone you love.
This deal is good today only, 5/5. Prime members, log into your account and you’ll get FREE shipping!
See more online shopping deals!
Here are the Lowes Foods weekly ad deals that start today, 5/5. There’s a Pet Food savings event, plus get 25% off fresh chicken and more.
Mothers Day Gift Card Event
- Buy $50 or More in Participating Gift Cards, And Get $10 Off Your Next Shopping Order
(ends 5/11)
Belk, Starbucks, Domino’s, Lowe’s, Happy, Target or XBox
Mothers Day Breakfast Meal Deal
- Buy all (4) Products for, $8.99
Florida’s Natural Orange or Ruby Red Grapefruit, selected 52 oz, $3
Eggland’s Best Cage Free Large Brown Eggs, dozen $3
Pillsbury Biscuits, selected 16.3 oz $1
Jimmy Dean Links, Patties, Crumbles or Roll Sausage, selected 16 oz $3.50
-$1 off Florida’s Natural Fit & Delicious orange juice printable
-.50/1 Eggland’s Best cage free eggs, SS 05/02
-.50/1 Eggland’s Best eggs, SS 05/02
(use both coupons, makes it $6.99)
Pet Food Savings Event
- Spend $25 on Participating Products, and Get $5 Off Instantly
- Purina One Smartblend Dry Dog Food, 16.5 lb, $22.99
-$5 off Purina One Dog Food, sign up – comes by mail home mailer
-$5 off Purina ONE Dry Dog Food, 12 lb+ bag, Lowes Foods eCoupon (limit reached)
-$3 off Purina ONE Dry Dog Food, 2-8 lb+ bag, Lowes Foods eCoupon (limit reached)
(makes it $17.99) Read More→
