Run by a Mennonite family, most of the food comes from the Amish community.  Besides spices and baking supplies, they sell homebaked pies, prepackeged jellies and salsas, unusual chips and candies, and cooking mixes among other things.  They even have a deli with weekly specials.

The real bargains, though, are the spices and yeast.  I bought large containers of all my pickling and canning spices, a huge bag of yeast and a special chocolate treat the other day for just over $15.00!  I think I figured that I would have spent well over $50.00 at the regular store, maybe closer to $100.

I just bought a 4oz container of yeast at Food Lion for almost $7.00.  At the Farmer’s Mill, I only paid $3.05 for 16oz!  $28.00 vs. $3.00!!!

I also just bought 1.4oz of mustard seed at Walmart for over $3.00.  At the Farmer’s Mill, I paid only $1.43 for almost 1/4 lb of mustard seed!

Just like I’ve found it worth my time and money to take a trip to Aldi’s once a month, The Farmer’s Mill is now on my regular shopping schedule!  Let me know what deals you find there. 

Okay girls, I’ve tried.  I really have.  I’ve cut coupons every week for a few months.  I’ve poured over the CVS and Rite Aid ads until my eyes cross trying to earn the most ECB’s and Single Check Rebates.  I’ve made lists of what to buy from each of the three area groceries and even paper clipped the appropriate coupons to the appropriate lists.  I’ve scoured the shelves for hours to be sure I’m buying the right product and the right amount.  But, I’m here to say that my brain can’t take much more!

I *might* be saving money, but at what cost??  My sanity??    So, from now on, I’m just sticking to the good ol’ cheap store brands.  I’m only buying things if I need them, not simply because I can save $2.00.  I’ll only use coupons when they’re handy.  And WooHoo – do I ever feel free! 

My hat goes off to you ladies who save money as if organizing sale ads and coupons is second nature.  If only I lived closer to some of you, maybe I could come for a class!  But, if I have to go it alone (with three kids in tow), I’m throwing in the towel.

I ran across a post from Large Family Mothering yesterday that was on this same topic.  She gives some practical ways to save money without  the hassle.