It may surprise you to know that Grocery Outlet is on a mission to become eco-friendly.  Even though our primary goal is to bring you quality products at extremely low prices, we also include sustainability and eco-responsibility in our overall strategy.  Here are some things that Grocery Outlet has done in our corporate offices to reduce waste, save energy, and make our planet a better place:

1. We used to provide free bottled water for employees. We've now switched to filtered drinking water coolers and drinking glasses. We recycle the paper cups we do use.
2. We bought Duplex Printers—we encourage printing on both sides of the paper.
3. We switched to energy saving smart power strips
4. We bought energy saving dishwashers. We switched to motion lights in offices to save energy.
6. We made the change to organic, fair trade coffee and biodegradable coffee filters.
7. We provide incentives for employees to ride their bike or carpool to cut down on emissions.
8. We recycle cardboard, plastic, cans, bottles, paper, bubble wrap, and Styrofoam, as well as cartridges, staplers, and other difficult items to recycle.
9. We buy recycled copy paper and office products.
10. We switched our janitorial supplies and paper towels to more sustainable, eco-friendly products.
11. We try to make electronic copies more than paper copies.

Also, we've made sourcing organic, sustainable, and eco-friendly products for you a priority.  You'll regularly see brands like Amy's Organic, Kashi, Annie's, Nature's Gate, and many more in our stores.  The eco-friendly product that I'm most excited about is Bear River Valley Cereals.  We're featuring these cereals in our July ad (consider this a sneak peek!).  Bear River Valley cereals use 75% less packaging than other brands, and the manufacturer supports renewable wind energy.  Also, all shipping cartons are made from 100% recycled product.  You can learn more about Bear River Valley here.

Best of all, each cereal is only 99 cents!  You save up to $2 on this cereal.  That's something to cheer about!

This is just one of many examples of how Grocery Outlet can help you save money and the planet.  We'll keep our eyes out for more fantastic eco-bargains.  Stay tuned!

I'm always thinking about creative ways to both save money and the environment at the same time.  I turn to Apartment Therapy's Re-Nest blog often for its useful and fantastic ideas on how to be an eco-frugalist. 

One article I return to constantly is this one: 10 Simple Uses for Spaghetti Jars.  It has great ideas on how to re-use those jars—packaging we mostly overlook before we (hopefully) throw it in the recycling bin.  You can save a lot of money by re-using and re-purposing items you might otherwise throw away.  And the nice thing about jars is that they look great and don't degrade while leaching icky chemicals the way that plastic does.

 

 

 

Here are some of their tips on how to re-use jars, plus some of our own:
1. Storage of bulk foods - re-use jars for storing sugar, flour, grains, rice, etc. when the original packaging wears out, or if you split with a friend.
2. Watering your houseplants – skip a watering can and fill up a jar instead.
3. Cold drinks - add some lime or lemon juice or some cucumber to a jar of water, put the lid on and give it a little shake. Then stick in the fridge until you need some refreshment. Works well for iced tea too.
4. Breakfast on the run – add instant oatmeal, dried fruit and brown sugar to a jar and toss in your bag. Once you're at work, at some hot water, mix well and enjoy.
5. Leftovers – who needs expensive Tupperware? Great for dips, sauces, and soup.
6. Organization - keep various screws and nails of all sizes in these, or cotton balls and swabs in your bathroom. Jars are clear so you can see what's inside.
7. Gifts – pass along those sauces, mixes, and other edibles in a jar. Tie a pretty ribbon around the lid and you’re done.
8. Make your own flavored olive oil – mix oil with your favorite herbs like rosemary or basil and let sit for a few days. Drizzle a salad or dip in some fresh bread.
9. Ribbon or string/yarn/twine storage - Cut a hole in the top for a twine dispenser or slit for ribbon dispenser.
10. Piggy bank – corral loose change and keep handy for those parking meters and bus fares.

Check out our varied selection of pasta sauces and jarred foods to spice up your lunches and dinners. We offer sauces, jams, pickles, peppers, and all kinds of other jarred foods whose packaging can be reused in creative ways.

Keeping your kitchen clean can be a chore, but it’s the best way to ensure that the food you’re eating and feeding your family is free of bacteria and other nasty critters.  Plus, it just makes you feel great to have a clean kitchen.

And no need to stress out!  Keeping your kitchen clean requires less than 5 minutes of your time every day.  Here’s our recommended list of what we do to keep our kitchens clean and how long it takes.  

Every Day
-Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).
-Wipe down the stove top (1 minute).
-Wipe down the counters (1 minute).
-Sweep or vacuum the floor (2 minutes).
Total time: 4 minutes, 30 seconds.  Have the coffee pot going while you clean.

Every Week
-Mop the floor (5 minutes).
-Wipe the cabinets, backsplashes, and appliances (10 minutes).
-Wash the dish rack (4 minutes).
-Wipe the switch plates and phone (1 minute).
-Wipe the inside of the garbage can (1 minute).
Total time: 21 minutes.  Schedule a phone call with a pal and talk while you scrub.

Every Season
-Empty and scrub down the inside of the refrigerator (30 minutes).
-Empty and clean the insides of the utensil drawers (15 minutes).
-Scrub down the cupboard exteriors (30 minutes).
-Clean the stove-hood filter (10 minutes).
Total time: 1 hour, 25 minutes—shortened considerably if you enlist your kids to help with the easy jobs!

You can always find a fantastic selection of cleaning supplies at your local Grocery Outlet.  From detergents to counter sprays, sponges to dish soap, we’ve got you covered.  We've even started carrying eco-friendly products so you can keep your home clean without damage to the environment—or your wallet.

It’s been a month or so since the layoff, and while things have started to look up, this period has really made me consider what it means to be frugal.  Necessity really forces you to consider all your choices, from “do I want this?” to “do I need it to survive?”  And let me tell you, asking myself that every day with every single item I thought about buying was pretty depressing.  

It also makes me feel tired, because every time I go to the store I have to do mental gymnastics just to get through my shopping trip.  “If I don’t get the good cheese, can I get lunchmeat for my sandwich?  Well, what about yogurt instead of crackers?  It’s healthier, but more expensive.  And I really like that one brand, but it’s $0.25 more, so… I’m putting it back.”  Every decision is a process.

I’ve been thinking about people that have to do this regularly, and I have a newfound respect for them.  I didn’t really understand how agonizing it is to have your financial future be uncertain until now.  Even though my personal situation seems to be improving, we still took a big loss of income and it makes you feel pretty insecure when you don’t know where your next paycheck is coming from.  Everything has to be put on hold until that’s resolved, and even so, you have to survive.

So that’s why I keep posting frugal ideas I find and keeping you in the loop about our great deals: because something that extends that dollar further means more comfort, more safety, and more enjoyment.  It means the difference between just living and having a life worth living.  

Hi!  Welcome.  I'm doing something a little different today.  First of all, introductions: I'm Kelly, and I blog for Grocery Outlet. 

In my posts over these last 6 months or so, I've been striving to give all of you useful ideas on how to live both frugal and creative lives, because I strongly believe that not having a lot of money doesn't have to make you give up everything you want.  Personally, this belief has really hit home for me lately, because my husband got laid off two weeks ago. 

It's interesting: I've always been a discerning shopper.  I like bargains and I rarely pay retail, which makes me a good fit to be Grocery Outlet's in-house Bargainista.  However, my purchasing philosophy was made out of a personal sense of values, and these days, my purchasing decisions are crafted by necessity.

This layoff has been tough.  I have to think about everything: what I buy, how I buy it, which item I prioritize over another.  What can we afford?  Are we sure?  I have a further layer to my already deep respect for anyone who is in this position.  It's really hard.

However, I do think I have received an enormous benefit out of this: I take a lot less for granted.  I really appreciate what I do have (a wonderful husband, a fantastic job, and a charming cat) and I'm making better choices about the things I need. 

I might not have had to do that if this economy hadn't tanked.  I probably would have continued to be frugal and creative, but I never would have realized how handy those qualities could be.  I never would have realized how privileged I am.  I wouldn't have discovered that I can do this—that with a solid budget and sound buying decisions and some creativity, we can make it through and survive.  That's pretty amazing.

So along with my "live your most frugal and fabulous life" posts, I'm going to include some stories of my own economic journey.  I'm right there in the trenches with you.  Let's do this.

Getting in shape shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.  Here are some equipment and exercise tips and tricks to help you put your best frugal foot forward.

Yoga Mat
Yoga Mats are thin, roll up easy for storage, and let you perform many exercises, including yoga, stretching, and Pilates.  You have a buffer between a cold floor or scratchy surface.  We’re getting in yoga mats for $9.99, so you’ll save while getting more flexible and strong.

Fitness Ball
Improve your posture and work towards a healthy back with a fitness ball.  Fitness balls can be used for stretching, abdominal exercises, and some strength training.  Even just sitting on one instead of a chair maintains your core muscles (the ones in your stomach and lower back).  This website has a bunch of good exercises you can do on a fitness ball that aren’t difficult and make for some frugal fitness fun.  Pick up a fitness ball for $9.99 at Grocery Outlet.

Athletic Shoes
Good quality athletic shoes will not be the most inexpensive item on your list; however, picking up good shoes will save your feet, legs, and back from injury and help you stay balanced and fit.  Our tip: try on shoes in the store and get the advice of a professional.  Then, note the manufacturer, the style, and size, and see if you can’t find a good deal on them online.

Also, there are many activities that you can do with good shoes: running, power walking, hiking, aerobics, and kickboxing can all be done inexpensively or for free with good shoes.  Check out a local park for running and hiking trails and see if you can rent exercise DVDs from your local library.

 

 

Supplement Your Workout
Grocery Outlet also has these fantastically frugal items in stock right now to supplement your exercise routine:
- As Seen on TV Push Up Pro ($9.99, you save $10!)
- As Seen on TV Perfect Pullup ($19.99, you save $20!)
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle, $2.99, you save $5.  
- Jerzees Athletic Socks, 3-pack for only $1.99!

The change of seasons is a great time for reevaluation and a fresh perspective.  Here are some frugal fall ideas to help you prepare for the cooler weather, increased family time, and traditional autumn holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving.

- Transition out your light summer clothes and put in your warm and cozy clothes. While you're at it, see if there's anything you no longer like that you can donate, then treat yourself to an inexpensive outfit.
- Rearrange your furniture.  Pull sofas and chairs together on rugs for better conversation and a cozier atmosphere, then vacuum up those dust bunnies while you’re at it.
- Bring the outdoors in.  As leaves, acorns, and seed pods fall from the trees, bring in the best specimens and arrange them on your dining table, mantel, on top of doorways and picture frames.  It’s seasonal décor for free.
- Rotate and inflate your tires. Winter rain and snow can make the roads hazardous; having properly outfitted tires can help keep you safe.  As a bonus, properly inflated tires save on gas.
- Get your HVAC inspected. Make sure all your air filters are clean, your heater is working at its most efficient, and there are no dangerous fire hazards.  This saves you money and time.  Put on your favorite sweater and socks and see how long you can resist turning it on.
- Frugal Halloween: organize a neighborhood costume swap.  Everyone brings their kids' too-small costumes and exchanges them for "new" ones.  If you hustle, you’ll also find that we’ve got some inexpensive and spooky Halloween costumes and decorations at Grocery Outlet.
- Make your neighbors "Boo Baskets": fill up a basket with Halloween candy (we've got a bunch!), small pumpkins, popcorn, apples and so on, and leave it on their doorstep.

Have a spookily spectacular season!