Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Ignore Your Oven, Fire up Your Grill

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commissarysaleinJuly

Grill your dinner tonight.

My monthly meal plan took a nosedive last week. For the majority of the year, my family eats home-cooked meals consisting of a meaty main dish, two colorful vegetable side dishes and a fruity dessert. Once I flipped the calendar to July, this mother decided to lighten up on dinner.

During the summer we take advantage of the long and lazy days by avoiding the hot stove and quickly preparing dinner on the grill. When it’s hot, I don’t feel like cooking. When it’s hot, my family doesn’t feel like eating. It’s a win-win.

Our favorite summer meal? Hot dogs.

I will proudly repeat that. We eat hot dogs. A lot of them. But not just any hot dogs. We are strictly a Hebrew National family. The no-filler, no-artificial flavors of Hebrew National All-Beef Dogs taste delicious with or without ketchup and mustard. They are also twice the size of your average hot dog. That’s why Hebrew National dogs are the Nats Dog at Nationals Park near the Navy Yard. I filled up on just 1 jumbo hot dog at a baseball game on Mother’s Day 2013.

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July 23 is National Hot Dog Day. Celebrate with pigs in a blanket or a more traditional wiener. The choice is yours. But whatever you do, buy your Hebrew National Beef Franks at your military commissary. Regular, bun-length and jumbo are all on sale this month at your military commissary.

Do you know what else is on sale during the month of July? Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil! An essential component for grilling. I like to partner my hot dogs with Corn with Chili Lime Butter, Roasted Garlic Asparagus or Grilled Stuffed Zucchini. Once you start grilling, you can’t stop. Keep the Reynolds Wrap on hand … you never want to run out during the summer grilling season.

grilledcorn

Combine corn on the cob with hot dogs for a complete summer meal.

Finally, if you ignore every food holiday during the year, you don’t want to miss July 20. It’s National Ice Cream Day. It’s the 1 day of the year when my 2-year-old gets her wish fulfilled: ice cream for breakfast. Since it is breakfast, I try to keep it healthy with Outshine Fruit Bars. Then I can also sneak in a bit of vegetables. We save the Lil’ Drumsticks for desserts. Both are on sale right now at your military commissary.

nationalicecreamday

July 20 is National Ice Cream Day. Do you want a cone or a dish?

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PCS-Purge: The Dreaded Pantry

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Tips for Purging Your Pantry Prior to a PCS

PCS season means purging. Time to look at what’s been accumulating in your pantry for the last 3 to 4 years.

One of the many things I dread about moving is the purge. Going through everything and trying to get rid of as much as possible. It’s something that you have to start immediately, otherwise it never gets done. But the one area of the house that doesn’t give me anxiety is the kitchen, specifically

the pantry.

Going through the pantry is actually fun. I see it as a challenge to use up as much as I can before moving. This last move, instead of Googling “What to make with Ramen and Kool-Aid*,” I used 3 websites to find creative ways to use the food and pantry items I’d collected in the last 3 years.

Recipe Matcher has an extensive checklist of pantry and kitchen items and is super easy to use. It takes a little bit of time to add everything in your pantry to the list, but once it’s there, it’s quick to find you a way to use as many items as possible.

Recipe Key allows you to drag and drop items in your pantry and get recipes that use those items. You can even filter recipes by allergies or dietary restrictions.

Tips for Purging Your Pantry Prior to a PCS

Use websites to find recipes for the odd items in your pantry.

Supercook is yet another site that finds recipes based on what’s in your kitchen. Supercook is very visual and has photos illustrating the recipe suggestions.

If you can’t use it, give it away.

Find a local food pantry to donate any unopened food or cleaning supplies. Try Feeding America, Foodpantries or Ample Harvest if you don’t know where a food bank is near you. Food banks are willing to take a lot of items, but they can’t accept any packages that have been opened (even if it was only once) or any packaged food with passed expiration dates.

Should I toss it? No, call your neighbor first.

We’ve all been on the receiving end of a PCS pare down a time or two and know there are just some things you can’t give away to a pantry or shelter. Things like half a bag of sugar or the opened bottle of Dawn dish soap.

Tips for a PCS-Purge of Your Pantry

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve been gifted during a PCS-purge?

Ask around. Neighbors and friends are often willing to take items off your hands if you have excess. If they can’t use it, they often know someone else who can and will use it.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve been given during a PCS-purge?

*OK, it wasn’t that bad, but there were some very strange combinations.

My Challenge for Cheap, Tasty Meals

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What's on sale at the military commissary during June.

Only buy ice cream when it’s on sale at the commissary.

I love a challenge. If I don’t have a challenge, I create one. I am the mother who sets a timer and measures how quickly she puts away the laundry. My current personal record is 17.5 minutes for 5 loads of folded clothes.

In the challenge of meal planning, I force myself to create a week’s worth of meals based on the random items in my pantry, refrigerator or freezer. It’s a challenge when you have half a box of spaghetti, a jar of raspberry jam and a bag of frozen cauliflower. In that case, I make a shopping list and challenge myself to make meals based on the military commissary specials.  I aim for meals that are cheap, yet tasty for my family of four.

Eating cheap isn’t a challenge.

Everyone knows that surviving on beans and rice is cheap. Eliminate meat and dairy from your grocery list and you will instantly save money. I add the requirement of tasty to my affordable grocery shopping challenge.

When browsing this month’s commissary specials, I did a happy dance because Pillsbury crescent dinner rolls are listed. That sale price combined with the coupon on my Commissary Rewards Card means my family will be enjoying cheap baked goods delivered to the dinner table in a variety of tasty ways in June.

Right now, I’m planning a Pillsbury day where we have Breakfast Sausage Bake for breakfast, Grand Bisquit Dogs for lunch and Pillsbury Crescent Veggie Pizza for dinner. When I need to bring a snack to my church group, I simply roll a batch of Buffalo Chicken Dip Crescent Roll Ups. Pillsbury Baked Goods is the answer to my challenge for cheap and tasty meals.

What’s your favorite cheap, yet tasty meal? Share the recipe with MilitaryShoppers readers.

My family is also cheering about the ice cream sale this month. My family’s favorite dessert is a bowl of ice cream and if I don’t limit it, our entire food budget is licked away during the summer months. I am a fan of Dreyer’s Slow Churned Caramel Delight. My daughters are obsessed with strawberry.

There is one commissary special that I can’t stop bragging about: Simply Lemonade on sale for $1.69. Simply Lemonade is a treat at our house because I only buy it when it is on sale for less than $2. With this deal in June, I will stock my extra refrigerator with Simply Lemonade and Limeade. The lemonade is a refreshing alternative to water and the limeade compliments a plate of fish tacos. Hello summer.

What's on sale at the commissary this month?

Go ahead and sip lemonade purchased from your military commissary this month.

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Spend Less by Sticking to Your Grocery List

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When you are on a budget, it’s essential to stay on task at the commissary. Whether it’s due to the kids, your cravings or that great sale on imported chocolate, we tend to buy impulsively.  What can we do to alleviate this? Besides putting literal blinders on, there are a few tips that we can use to help us stick to the grocery list. Budgeting for groceries doesn’t have to be difficult, as long as you have a plan.

How to Spend Less at Your Military Commissary

Money-saving military spouses shop only the perimeter of their military commissary.

Learn the layout of your grocery store or military commissary.

This is one of the easiest ways to bypass grocery budget pitfalls. Money-saving moms shop the perimeter of a store. This is where you’ll find the items most needed  in any home: produce, protein, dairy and discounted baked goods. Once you learn the layout of your store, you can create your grocery list to reflect it. If produce is the very first thing you see when entering the store, be sure to add the fruits and vegetables that are on sale to the top of your grocery list. Figure out which middle aisles are the ones that you visit once a week or twice a month. Be sure to only visit those aisles instead of perusing ones that you wouldn’t or shouldn’t visit (candy aisle, anyone?).

Bring your own snacks.

I’ve heard time and time again that you should eat before you venture to the grocery store, but most of the time that doesn’t work. Here’s a great tip: keep a granola bar, nut mix, or whatever healthy snack you enjoy in your purse or bag. When you walk in and smell freshly baked cinnamon rolls at your store, you’ll have your own snack ready and will be less likely to spend an extra 6 bucks on a treat you’ll regret later.

How to Spend Less at Your Military Commissary

Create a shopping list that follows the layout of your military commissary.

Utilize your phone.

Our smart phones are our best friends, especially when grocery shopping. Use your phone to make your grocery list. You won’t have to worry about misunderstanding handwriting, even your own. If you’re a visual person, take pictures of the items you need from the store circular and use that as your list.

To keep you from spending hours in the store and getting distracted, set a timer for yourself. Do you allot an hour for shopping but end up spending 2 in the store? Set an alarm on your phone to alert you when your hour is up. Once that alarm goes off, select your last items and hit up the checkout lanes.

What tips do you have for sticking to your grocery list?

 

Commissary Rewards Card Questions Answered

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Your Commissary Rewards Card Questions Answered

Will digital coupons offered through the commissary rewards card replaced my paper coupons?

Reward cards clutter my key ring. I haven’t met a reward card that I haven’t accepted, registered and asked the clerk to scan each time I purchase an item. If I don’t use a store loyalty card I worry I’ll miss an opportunity to save money.

When I read about the commissary rewards card available at my military commissary, I was surprised to learn that the commissary rewards card isn’t new. How in the world did I miss this commissary rewards card announcement? Is every military spouse forgoing traditional coupons from their Sunday newspaper in favor of digitally clipped ones on their commissary rewards card?

To answer these questions, I turned to my source for trusted knowledge about all things military– my local military spouses Facebook group. I was relieved to read many responses saying that they hadn’t heard of the commissary rewards card either. Many military spouses had questions. Few had the card.

Here are answers to your commissary rewards card questions.

How do I get a commissary rewards card?

Answer: Ask your military commissary cashier.  Unlike other stores where the cashier pushes the store loyalty card on you, that won’t happen at the commissary. You need to ask for it by name. In my experience, I felt like I was asking for a secret membership card, when the cashier handed me the card and kindly explained its purpose.

How long does it take to register?

Answer: I set up my account and loaded coupons on it in less than 2 minutes. I also emailed my list of available coupons to myself. I don’t have the commissary rewards card app for my Android yet. But I plan to download it and start using it this month.

Can I combine manufacturer coupons with the digital coupons on the commisary rewards card?

Answer: No. The commissary’s coupon policy states that shoppers can not “double” or “triple” coupons. If you have digital and paper coupons, be sure that you purchase enough items to cover the requirements for ALL coupons. The digital coupons on the commissary rewards card are the priority at the checkout. Once your card is scanned, those coupons are automatically used and can’t be saved for later use in favor of paper coupons. The digital coupons will always override any paper ones.

Your Commissary Rewards Card Questions Answered

The rewards card digital coupons override any paper ones.

When are new commissary rewards coupons available?

Answer: New offers will typically be posted every two to three weeks. It’s a good habit to review the available coupons before walking into your commissary. You can also sign up to receive email notifications.

Is the commissary rewards card worth it?

Answer: Of course! We know the military commissary is worth the trip, and who can say no to additional savings available at your fingertips?!

Military spouses across the country sing praises about the rewards card.  One military spouse Laura Emerson said “I use it every trip. I think it’s great and easy to use. I can usually upload the coupons I’m using right before I go in to the store.”

And they offer a wide range of various coupons! After registering my commissasry rewards card, I was offered 100 coupons. Quite a few of those coupons are really helpful, one of the which ($1 off 2 boxes of Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bars) is a great value to my family since my daughters regularly eat Nutri-Grain bars for breakfast.)$1 saved is $1 earned, right?!

Your Commissary Rewards Questions Answered

What are the benefits of a commissary rewards card?

 What are your questions about the commissary rewards card?

How a Bag of Doritos® Will Rescue Dinner Tonight

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It is the not-so secret ingredient for a delicious home-cooked meal that your children will eat without complaining. No, wait, it gets better– they will ask for a second serving.

Dorito dinner

Take Doritos out of the chip bowl and into your casserole.

It is the not-so secret ingredient in a no-fuss dinner that won’t break your budget. It’s also the punch of flavor in a quick meal that you proudly serve guests.

This not-so secret ingredient is a bag of Doritos®, found on sale this month at your military commissary.

Yes, Doritos®.

That seasoned tortilla chip with the bold flavor deserves to come out of the chip bowl during May and claim a place in your pantry. Doritos®? Yes. Doritos®.

Here is how Doritos® will rescue your dinner tonight.

Eldorado Casserole

Eldorado Casserole is where cheese, ground beef, and Doritos® blend together in perfect casserole harmony. I make a lot of chicken enchiladas, tortilla soup, and chicken tacos in my house. Many times I crave that spicy Southwest flavor, but don’t want to take the time to assemble a batch of enchiladas.

The Eldorado Casserole is the answer. The recipe is easy for you. Your family will thank you for making this casserole for dinner. But only after they’ve licked their plates clean.

Walking Tacos

This is my go-to recipe anytime I am hosting a party with more than 2 children. It is a recipe slam dunk. For Walking Tacos, you need to buy the individual chip bags, which double as your plates. Score!

Brown 1 pound of hamburger before adding the taco seasoning as instructed on the package. I brown the meat ahead of time and keep it warm in a small crock pot. Then when the kids start yelling for lunch, I hand them a small bag of Doritos which they immediately open. The kids put a scoop of meat, chopped lettuce and chopped tomatoes in their bag.

Close the bag. Shake it up. Hand out forks. Dinner is done.

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Mexican Chicken Meal

Doritos are not doomed to the bottom layer of the casserole dish. If you want crunch at dinner, try this Mexican Chicken Meal. In this recipe, the chips are crumbled and placed on top minutes before eating. Once the top layer of chips is spread over the chicken, bake the Mexican Chicken Meal for an additional 2 minutes. Set a timer. Nobody likes the smell of burnt Doritos®.

All American Taco Salad

As the temperatures start to rise, I won’t turn on my oven. I won’t. Instead I take leftover ground beef and reintroduce it to my family as the main ingredient in this All American Taco Salad. Leftovers taste better transformed into a new main dish for dinner. I couldn’t agree more.

shredyourcheese

Save money by grating cheese at home.

One slight modification to the recipes listed here: I buy block cheese when it’s on sale and then I sweetly ask my husband to shred it and put it in 1-pound freezer bags to use later. It is the same convenience of the bagged shredded cheese. But with his help, we can save money and it tastes better.

Luckily for you, the dedicated savvy shopper, Doritos® are on sale this month at your military commissary.

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Ways to Save in March

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Here are a few simple ways to save in the month of March.

March marks the return of spring, preparations for the Easter Bunny, and warm weather! Well, the weather part hasn’t exactly been panning out for most of CONUS, but this month does mark new beginnings. Here are a few new ways you can actually save this month, whether it’s on clothing, home decorations or groceries.

Home 

Air Conditioners – this is a great time to price check air conditioners for your home. While most thought that the dead of winter was the best time to find a deal, great clearance prices are released right before May. New models are displayed at the end of April, so the older models are put on clearance this month and during the beginning of April.

Garden Seeds – Spring IS on it’s way (I promise), so now is a great time to get those coveted seed packets that gardeners are looking to grab up. Some of the best deals on seed packets are found online and at you local dollar stores.

Clothing

Easter/Spring Outfits – These types of outfits actually started to go on sale back in January, so now is the time when you’ll get them at a clearance price before stores put out their second wave of Spring and Easter outfits. Here’s a tip: check online to see what styles are trending for spring(yes even for the kids), and search for those in the stores. These styles will be the ones that will be on clearance, since the fashion world has been wearing them since December.

St. Patrick’s themed clothing – Since the holiday is now officially over, you’ll be able to stock up on green clothing pieces, and those cute but funny t-shirts that everyone wears each year. For kids, be sure to grab shirts or clothing pieces that are at least 2 sizes bigger, as they tend to grow by 2 sizes each year.

Groceries

Frozen Foods – Clean out that freezer and take advantage of the many frozen food sales that are happening at your local grocery stores and the commissary. Frozen vegetables tend to last the longest in the freezer, as well as frozen dinners for those of us that have busy after school/work lives. Frozen breakfast items tend to yield good prices during this time as well. Don’t forget the ice cream! You can stock up on ice cream now for those ice cream socials in May.

Cleaning supplies – It’s the month of spring cleaning, so this is a great time to buy your favorite cleaning items while they are on sale. Take advantage of cleaner sales, which may also include paper products like paper towels, facial tissue and toilet tissue.

What items are you planning to stock up on this March? Let us know in the comments below.

Save money by packing lunch – in mason jars!

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packing lunch, mason jar lunch, cheap lunch ideas

I have always loved Mason jars. You can do so much with them. You can use them to decorate your home or put yummy drinks in them. You can also save money by packing lunch – in mason jars. If you tend to be on the run a lot, work outside the home or just want a simple and cost-effective way to eat your lunch, you should start making your lunch in a Mason jar.

There are a lot of different things you can do. I personally love the idea of salads in Mason jars. I am a big salad eater myself. I love how you can customize salads in so many different ways. They never have to get boring.

packing lunch, mason jar lunch, cheap lunch ideas

In order to make a salad in a Mason jar, you will need to gather up all of your ingredients. Figure out what types of salads you would like to make. Put your dressing in first. You want that to be on the bottom. Add vegetables, fruits and meats next to provide a buffer between the dressing and the lettuce. When it is time to eat, just pour everything from the jar into a bowl and you are good to go.

Other foods you can put in a Mason jar for lunch are lasagna, chili and cornbread, pastas and soups. You can also put dessert in a jar. You can do cheesecake, pie, pudding, muffins or even fruit and whip cream.

packing lunch, mason jar lunch, cheap lunch ideas

You can make lunch even more efficient by making more than one meal at a time. You can get ready for the work week and put together 4-5 different lunches to have on hand. This not only saves money but will streamline your day. Lunch has already been made and is easy for you to grab and go. I love saving time by planning ahead.

As a Military spouse, I think sending Mason jars filled with foods is a great idea for care packages. Cake in a jar is a real favorite and a great way to make your Military family member smile.