I like coupons but...I like manager's special deals too!

Coupons are fun but...don't forget to look out for the

Manager's special items in your grocery stores! I have noticed most stores mark down almost expired meats (and other items) of great quality each morning. Stores want to unload fresh items before they hit the sale by date. (Check the dates thoroughly!) Obviously, we know to stay away from some scary looking and smelling meats. I have found some wonderful cuts of meat at Smiths.

Here's the prices pictured in the photo above:

Deli pizza 3.99 (cooked for dinner that night)

Turkey breakfast sausages leaner so I pay more for it-$1.57

Nice Top sirloin steaks packs $5.29 (for 2) & $4.91 (for 2)

A pot roast for a Sunday dinner in the crock pot $5.XX

French bread $.79 (Yes, it was soft)

Solo brand plastic cups for an upcoming b-day party $1.00

The meat pictured above was found at a local Associated Food Store in Utah-The cut is called a Family butt steak with peppers, cilantro, and onions it weighed 1.77lb for $2.28 (for the two)= $1.29 a pound. This meat fed my young family of 5 for a quick week night meal. This cut had a great flavor and was moist. I cooked it in a skillet. Yum!

Here's what I do: Go to the meat department and look for the discounted meat shelf first then scan the meat department shelves for the stores clearance tags. Smith's tags are yellow-Target's are white-Walmart's are yellow-Associated Food Stores are white

Pictured above-Found at Walmart- Honeysuckle turkey breakfast sausage $1.63 for 1 lb. Regular price $2.33 This is extra lean turkey-not as cheap as regular pork sausage of course much less fat. Great for breakfast casserole or for turkey sausage patties. Look for the yellow tags at Walmart.

Why do I buy Manager's special items? I want a great price on items we consume on a regular basis, something different, an organic or specialty item marked down so we can try it.

When do you eat or freeze them? We usually eat some of the items for dinner that night. I freeze the extra meat after vacuum sealing and labeling them (I list the sale by date on the package and try to use it in a month or less). Eat it or freeze right when you get home!

What else do you get besides manager's special meats?

These are the areas I look for at Smith's:

Deli area- Marked down exotic cheeses

Bakery- Unique bakery breads found on what I call the "rotten rack" (not really but a funny name) back by the produce/juice section of my store

Refrigerated Juices- I find exotic juices marked down in the refrigerated section- Example: Guava & Mango $.99 for 1/2 gallon

Dairy- Yogurts, cottage cheese, & smoothies are clearanced often- Add a coupon for more savings!

Milk- Heavy whipping cream, Soy, lactose free, and regular milk are marked down occasionally

Meat- Meats of all kinds are marked down. Lots of chicken too (not as much boneless skinless)

Seafood-Salmon, shrimp, and Tilapia are OK if we eat them that night

Produce- Red tape Bananas about .39 a lb. If they have some some brown on the peels often the insides are fine.

Refrigerated Produce- Bagged salads, organic spinach and greens-great deals-Don't forget to ask yourself, "Can I use this salad (produce) before it goes bad?" Fruit trays are marked down often. Sometimes they aren't a great deal even marked down.

Organic Produce section- I have found veggies and fruit marked with yellow tags.

Cheeses and lunch meats- My store has a managers special area. Look for the yellow tags.

Floral Department- Great for a new houseplant or a gift for friends or family.

Clothing- I bought a local college T-shirt and bumper sticker once for cheap!

You never know what you'll find at Smiths! I hope you found these tips helpful this week. Do you have any tips to share?