Price matching can make a good deal even better.


Many stores will price-match the weekly store advertisements you get in the newspaper. Two of the big ones are Wal-Mart and Target. This can really help us save even more, especially when you can stack coupons on top of the price-matching deal!

However, there may be a few tricky rules you are not aware of:

First, if the weekly ad says "While Supplies Last," which means the store does not have to honor the price-match if the advertising store is out-of-stock. For example, RC Willey had "New Moon" listed in their ad for $8.95. In extremely small print is said "While Supplies Last." So, you wouldn't have been able to price match this deal once RC Willey ran out -- remember that the next time you see a great deal in an ad.
Store managers will actually call and check to see if the advertising store is still in stock, so keep that in mind too.

Second, if the weekly ad says "No Rainchecks" it means that once they are out-of-stock, you cannot request a raincheck to get it later at the same price. Most of the time rainchecks are a great way to still get the deal at the advertised price a week later and still use your coupons. But, if it has the limitations printed next to the item, you are out of luck. If you see items you want to purchase as a "no Raincheck" item you will want to get to the store first thing -- so you don't miss out.

In my opinion, Wal-Mart is the best at price matching. They even have a corporate policy. I would recommend that you print out a copy at walmartstores.com/7659.aspx. Take it with you whenever you are price matching in case you run into a cashier that does not know the policy.

Sometimes managers will tell you that they don't price match with a certain store. However as long as the competing store is within their local trade territory, they DO price match. Ask them what their local trade territory is if you run into problems. From what I have been told, it is usually around 30 miles. And if you still have problems, contact Wal-Mart corporate while you are there in the store so they can talk to the manager if needed.

Melea Johnson is owner and founder of freebies2deals.com, a website devoted to saving money.

Low fat, low sodium, healthy alternative....we hear the mumbo-jumbo all the time.

Let's face it...Mike and I are getting older and need to watch what we eat. Add that some of us can't eat red meat or dairy and it makes for a lot of changes in how we eat compared to the average American family. We have been eating ground turkey for a few years now and although good, sometimes needs some extra flavoring. Here is a recipe I have come up with for a very flavorful burger! The whole family loves it...even my red-meat-craving husband.

Garden Burgers

1 lb. Ground Turkey - (Jennie O is my favorite) 1 egg 1/2 c. oats 1/4 c. chopped onion 1/4 c. chopped green pepper 1/4 c. chopped carrots 1 t. Worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 t. Mrs Dash - (Garlic and Herb is my favorite flavor for this meal) 1/4 t. pepper
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
Divide into 6 equal parts. Roll each part into a ball and press into patties. I bought this nifty patty press from Tupperware years ago and it has served me well.
This recipe makes 6 perfect patties!
Fry in a non-stick pan on one side about 4 minutes at 300 degrees (medium heat). Flip over. Fry until cooked through, about 8 minutes total. Better yet, put them out on the grill or on an inside electric griddle.

The recipe is close to a meatloaf recipe. The egg helps to hold it all together, the oats cook up so that it mimics the meat and the vegetables add flavor while acting as a hidden source of vitamins. When cooking turkey meat, note that it does not have much grease...much healthier for those watching their cholesterol and triglycerides. :-)

NOTES: I forgot to add that you can substitute any vegetables that you want, even those grown from your own garden! Some other suggestions are any other types of peppers, shredded zucchini, or celery.