TrialSize.com

TrialSize.com is another site like StartSampling. You need to register, then periodically check back with them to see which samples are available. Select your samples and see them in your mailbox within 2 weeks. You also receive points for feedback that can be used for contest entries.

http://www.trialsize.com

Package Dating and Freshness

To figure out when your eggs were packed, check the 3-digit number that all USDA-inspected eggs carry. Jan 1 is #001 and Dec 31 is #365. Date reveals freshness.

Storage

Did you know that an egg stays fresher longer if kept at a temperature of below 40 degrees F and at a relative humidity of 70% to 80%? According to the American Egg Board that is considered the ideal temperature.

It Pays To Vocalize Your Opinions

Have a problem with a product? Vocalize your opinion.

Save the item and contact the company. Many companies are receptive to feedback and are serious when it comes to quality. Tell them the problem. They normally want to make you a satisfied customer and will send out replacement product, refunds, and/or free item coupons. The same goes for positive feedback. Do you love a product? Tell them so. Sometimes you get rewarded with free coupons.

Keep Meat Juices Off Your Hands

Have you ever picked up a package of meat only to find that the juices are leaking out of the package? What a mess, not to mention unsanitary.

Next time you go shopping, pick up a few plastic produce bags from that department. You can use the bags as gloves as you pick through the packages. You can also turn your bags inside out, then pick up the meat package you want with the bag and wrap the bag around the meat without getting juice on your hands or other items in your cart.

Stock Up On Basics

If you know something you normally buy is on sale and you have coupons that bring the price down ridiculously low, by all means stock up. (Provided you have the storage space). Do this for items like paper products, personal products, haircare, all the things that don't go bad that you will eventually use. Don't stock up on 253 jars of sliced pickles at .05 each unless you own a restaurant, have enough friends to hand out to, or plan to donate to charity. Please use common sense.

Rain Checks

If a sale item is out of stock, don't worry. Most stores will offer rain checks when items have run out, but you need to remember to ask. For those that aren't familiar with these, rain checks are a paper “promise” to honor a specific price on an item when the stock is replenished. A rain check normally lists your name, some personal information, the name of the item, the advertised price, quantity of items requested, and an expiration date.

Shop When the Store is Stocked

Frustration is common when you go to purchase something and the shelf is bare. Next time ask someone with authority in that area when the store gets their shipments in, then do your shopping the day after (to allow for items to be put on shelves). You should have better luck finding your items.

Drain Ground Beef to Save Money

Do you want to save some money when buying ground beef?

Sometimes the price difference between regular ground beef and lean ground round can be rather substantial, yet the difference in the fat percentage may not warrant the extra money spent. What can you do?

Drain it. Brown the meat almost all the way, then put in a colander and run hot water over it for 5 minutes. This should drain out most of the fat. Then return the meat to the skillet and finish browning. Low fat meat at a lesser cost.

Check Your Expiration Dates

When shopping, please remember to always check the expiration or sell-by date on the foods you're buying. Some stores are better at rotating stock than others so it's always good to double-check this. Try to buy the item that has the most time until the expiration date. Some stores even have policies regarding finding out of date stock (like they discount an in-date item or even give you one for free) so be sure to check with your store.

Picking Avocados

Overripe avocados dent when you apply a little pressure with your thumb; it should only give a little and then return to its original shape.

Selecting Eggs

When selecting eggs, please make sure they are not cracked, broken, leaking, or unclean. Variances in color and odd shapes are fine, as they do not affect the taste. Also make sure that they are refrigerated as the cold inhibits organism growth.

No-Fat Products

Are you still gaining weight after consuming no-fat products? Remember that fat is a “bulking agent”. Taking out the fat means that bulk needs to be replaced with some other bulking agent-usually this is sugar. Read the label, check the ingredients, and look at the calories. Believe it or not, you might be better off consuming smaller portions of the “regular” version.

Cut Tenderness

When looking for tender cuts of meat, choose beef labeled loin or rib. These cuts come from the central suspension muscles so they are exercised less. The less exercise the muscles get, the more tender the cut of meat. You can prepare these tender cuts using dry heat cooking methods such as grilling and broiling.

If you choose cuts of beef labeled chuck or round they will be less tender. These cuts come from the front and rear muscles which are responsible for movement. These muscles are heavily exercised and therefore are less tender. Prepare these cuts using moist heat cooking methods such as in a crock pot.

Selecting Bananas

Choose bananas according to your family´s needs. Look for yellow skins, with no spotting. You can ripen green bananas faster by placing in a paper bag with an apple. As the fruit turns a deeper brown, it is better suited to cooking and baking.

Is It Really On Sale?

Just because an item is advertised in a store flyer does not necessarily mean it´s on sale. Some stores just advertise items at their everyday price. Be aware.

Chocolate Milk

Did you know that chocolate milk is actually just as nutritious as it´s plain milk counterpart?

Chocolate milk is the same as it´s plain, nonflavored base with the addition of cocoa/chocolate and a sweetener.

If you compare plain milk to chocolate milk, you will find that chocolate milk has about 60 more calories per 8 oz. serving.

Food Safety Hotline

If you have a question regarding meat/poultry food safety, there is a hotline you can contact.

Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1(800)535-4555. If you reside in Washington, D.C. call (202)720-3333 instead.

Calls are answered by home economists and registered dietitians from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday-Friday year round. Callers also have the option to select from a menu of recorded food safety messages 24-hours a day.

Get To Know Your Butcher

If you frequent the same store all the time, one way to get discounts on meat is to get to know your butcher.

Your butcher knows what cuts are best, which is the freshest, etc. If you get to know him/her by name and come regularly you might be privy to special sales, markdowns on meat, or other special perks.

DelMonte Online

Do you like DelMonte´s fruit? Well it is now available online at:

http://www.fruits.com/index.cfm

Currently they offer:
Pineapples
Sweet Onions
Gift Baskets

Shipping is via UPS at posted rates on the DelMonte website.

Your satisfaction is guaranteed or DelMonte will exchange the product for another one of equal value.

Albertsons.com

Albertsons, a nationwide grocery chain, is now offering online shopping.

Currently this service is offered only offered in Western Washington.