So I ran into the local Family Dollar to grab a few items, totaling $3.17. I paid using my debit card and needed to get cash back, so I selected the option for doing so. Instead of entering an amount, I was allowed to select from three pre-determined amounts. I selected $10, and then a nice little message popped up informing me that there was a $1 fee for receiving cash back.
What?!
I wasn't using an ATM. It wasn't costing the store more to give me the change.
Buyers, beware! Getting cash back is going to cost you! I have never heard of a store charging for getting cash back.
I'm interested in knowing of any other stores that follow this policy. Perhaps I can publish a list, so everyone will be in the know. Be sure to comment if you know of any! The more details the better!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Purina Tidy Cats Scoop for Multiple Cats- Instant Action
I've tried lots of cat litters. Regular, clumping, clay, recycled paper- the list is endless. And, I've had up to 20 cats at one time using the litter boxes.
I have found in my experience with cats and cat litter that when it comes to ease of cleaning and ordor control that clumping litter is best. Clumping litter usually comes in a plastic 20 lb. jug for pouring and the particles are alot smaller and finer than regular clay litter that comes in a bag.
I was very impressed with the Purina Tidy Cats Scoop for Multiple Cats- Instant Action. It clumped very well and controlled the odors extremely well. I usually scoop out the box no less than once a day, but during sickness or other busy times, I have gone for a couple of days, and even then, the box didn't smell as you might expect.
I have also found that this litter seems to last longer than other types. If scooping everyday, and refilling an inch, give or take, as needed, the original litter put in the box doesn't need complete replacing for at least 2 weeks. It could probably go longer, but I've not braved trying!
*Product used with 3 cats.
PRODUCT: Purina Tidy Cats Scoop For Multiple Cats- Instant Action
PRICE: $6-$8
PERFORMANCE: Worked as indicated
RECOMMEND: Yes
WHERE TO GET IT: PetSmart, Wal-Mart
I have found in my experience with cats and cat litter that when it comes to ease of cleaning and ordor control that clumping litter is best. Clumping litter usually comes in a plastic 20 lb. jug for pouring and the particles are alot smaller and finer than regular clay litter that comes in a bag.
I was very impressed with the Purina Tidy Cats Scoop for Multiple Cats- Instant Action. It clumped very well and controlled the odors extremely well. I usually scoop out the box no less than once a day, but during sickness or other busy times, I have gone for a couple of days, and even then, the box didn't smell as you might expect.
I have also found that this litter seems to last longer than other types. If scooping everyday, and refilling an inch, give or take, as needed, the original litter put in the box doesn't need complete replacing for at least 2 weeks. It could probably go longer, but I've not braved trying!
*Product used with 3 cats.
PRODUCT: Purina Tidy Cats Scoop For Multiple Cats- Instant Action
PRICE: $6-$8
PERFORMANCE: Worked as indicated
RECOMMEND: Yes
WHERE TO GET IT: PetSmart, Wal-Mart
Coming This Month
Our family has recommited to healthy eating habits. Of course we fell so far off the wagon the past year it is going to take us a while to wean ourselves away from the bad and make the change to all good (or mostly good!)
As we try and incorporate new healthier products into our diet I will be blogging about those products here. I'll let you know what I think, what the family thinks, affordability, practicality, ect. about the products. This promises to be interesting because my kids and hubby are pretty tough to crack. If it's not fried, smothered in something, or full of sugar (REAL sugar) they won't touch it. And when it comes to certain brands, ie Dukes mayo, nothing BUT the real deal will cut it. I've won them over on the turkey bacon, sausage, kielbasa and spaghetti made me turkey burger, so there is hope!
Keep reading for upcoming post about these and other products: turkey franks, Smartbalance buttery spread, peanutbutter and 'mayo'.
As we try and incorporate new healthier products into our diet I will be blogging about those products here. I'll let you know what I think, what the family thinks, affordability, practicality, ect. about the products. This promises to be interesting because my kids and hubby are pretty tough to crack. If it's not fried, smothered in something, or full of sugar (REAL sugar) they won't touch it. And when it comes to certain brands, ie Dukes mayo, nothing BUT the real deal will cut it. I've won them over on the turkey bacon, sausage, kielbasa and spaghetti made me turkey burger, so there is hope!
Keep reading for upcoming post about these and other products: turkey franks, Smartbalance buttery spread, peanutbutter and 'mayo'.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tukey Bacon
If your family is like mine, they are set in their eating habits and they are brand picky. So I was pleasantly surprised when I switched out our regular pork bacon with Butterball Turkey Bacon. It was less salty tasting, wasn't greasy, and had a good flavor to it. And because it isn't full of fat, it doesn't really shrink and curl up when you cook it. (Some shrinking does occur, but not as with pork bacon.)
Butterball Turkey Bacon is available in regular and reduced sodium. We have tried both; my personal preference is the reduced sodium, but they are both good.
In my shopping around, I have found that, at least at local stores (Wal-Mart, Bi-lo, and Ingles), the price of the Butterball Turkey Bacon is comparable to other bacon products and brands, and is widely available (when it's not sold out!)
If you love bacon but aren't willing to give it up for a healthy lifestyle, give turkey bacon a try. It is not as bad as you might first think!
The 411 as listed on the packaging (Lower Sodium variety): approx. 24 slices in a 12oz. pkg.;40% less sodium and 65% less fat than USDA data for pork bacon; Per serving facts (Serving size is 1 slice): 25 calories, 1.5 grams fat, 10 mg. cholesterol, 80 mg. sodium, 0 g. carbohydrates, 2 g. protein.
UPDATE: 1/17/2011: Today we tried Honeysuckle White brand Smoked Turkey Bacon. It too gets a thumbs up. Price is about the same. Per Serving Facts: Serving size is 1 slice: 35 calories, 3 grams fat (1 g. saturated0, 10mg cholesterol, 140 mg. sodium, 0 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein.
PRODUCT: Turkey Bacon (we use Butterball)
PRICE: $2- $2.50
WHERE TO GET IT: Wal-Mart, Bi-lo, Ingles
RECOMMEND:Yes
Butterball Turkey Bacon is available in regular and reduced sodium. We have tried both; my personal preference is the reduced sodium, but they are both good.
In my shopping around, I have found that, at least at local stores (Wal-Mart, Bi-lo, and Ingles), the price of the Butterball Turkey Bacon is comparable to other bacon products and brands, and is widely available (when it's not sold out!)
If you love bacon but aren't willing to give it up for a healthy lifestyle, give turkey bacon a try. It is not as bad as you might first think!
The 411 as listed on the packaging (Lower Sodium variety): approx. 24 slices in a 12oz. pkg.;40% less sodium and 65% less fat than USDA data for pork bacon; Per serving facts (Serving size is 1 slice): 25 calories, 1.5 grams fat, 10 mg. cholesterol, 80 mg. sodium, 0 g. carbohydrates, 2 g. protein.
UPDATE: 1/17/2011: Today we tried Honeysuckle White brand Smoked Turkey Bacon. It too gets a thumbs up. Price is about the same. Per Serving Facts: Serving size is 1 slice: 35 calories, 3 grams fat (1 g. saturated0, 10mg cholesterol, 140 mg. sodium, 0 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein.
PRODUCT: Turkey Bacon (we use Butterball)
PRICE: $2- $2.50
WHERE TO GET IT: Wal-Mart, Bi-lo, Ingles
RECOMMEND:Yes
Pictured: Original Turkey Bacon
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tide Stain Release In-Wash Booster
I'll say right from the start that this product was a disappointment in the laundry department. I used it everyway I could think of: hot water, cold water; full strength direct on stain, in water soaking; scrub, soak; in-wash with regular detergent. Every way you could use a stain lifter. Old stains, new stains. Every kind of stain. When compared to regular detergent as a pre-treatment, I was more impressed with the stain-removing power of the detergent.
The Tide product costs about as much as a small bottle of regular laundry detergent, and in my in-home real life usage it wasn't worth the extra cost of an extra product that takes up extra space.
Despite being a disappointment in the laundry room, this product did impress in the kitchen. Yes, kitchen. The Tide Stain Release liquid worked very well on cleaning (we're talking that pretty new shine clean) my stove's drip pans. Pour a little in a sink of hot water, soak the pans for a few hours, wipe (some scrubbing may be required) rinse, and enjoy the shine!
PRODUCT: Tide Stain Release In-wash Booster, liquid
PRICE: $4-$6
OVERALL PERFORMANCE: Not as product claimed
WHERE TO GET IT: Wal-Mart, Ingles, CVS (available form varies by store)
RECOMMEND: No.
The Tide product costs about as much as a small bottle of regular laundry detergent, and in my in-home real life usage it wasn't worth the extra cost of an extra product that takes up extra space.
Despite being a disappointment in the laundry room, this product did impress in the kitchen. Yes, kitchen. The Tide Stain Release liquid worked very well on cleaning (we're talking that pretty new shine clean) my stove's drip pans. Pour a little in a sink of hot water, soak the pans for a few hours, wipe (some scrubbing may be required) rinse, and enjoy the shine!
PRODUCT: Tide Stain Release In-wash Booster, liquid
PRICE: $4-$6
OVERALL PERFORMANCE: Not as product claimed
WHERE TO GET IT: Wal-Mart, Ingles, CVS (available form varies by store)
RECOMMEND: No.
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