Stretching my Drinking Dollar

Because I'm frugal, and I've started back on my coupon kick I have been testing some things out. My kids drink Hawaiian punch like it's going out of style. We don't do the soda thing(unless mommy has a coupon to make it 30 cents or less per 2ltr bottle, then I try to rarely use it for the kids) so outside of fruit juice, water, and tea that's what they get. Well, they never have coupons, so I'm spending $2 per gallon. NOT cool in my frugal little world. But, I noticed they now have the "singles" version for $1 a box. Now, the box has 8 little packets that each make 16-20oz, depending on your water bottle size, and how sweet you like it. Quick calculations proved 1 box equal 1 gallon, or 128oz(the size of the container they sell ready made).

Right there I could save money by purchasing the powder form and making ours from the packets as needed. They're charging me $1 for their water. My water at home is much cheaper so I'll use that, thanks. When I really thought about it, my light bulb came on. Why not save the container to refill with the packets. When I started the first time I only put 6 packets in as we cut ours with water anyway. It was still too sweet, so the next time my children and I became taste testers. We tried after 3 packs and it was a little bitter. But, we put the 4th package in and it was perfect for us. So, now we've gone from $2/gl to $0.50/gl, a 75% saving. I went ahead and purchased 2 additional bottles, so we can have backup made should the need arise. Not to mention the singles only come in blue, purple, and the orginal red. I happen to like the guyava flavor, so this was sort of my fairwell to it for the time being.

Our local Food Lion currently has coupons for $1 off the purchase of store sugar when you buy 5 packages of kool-aid. Kool-aid is on sale 10/$1, and the 5lb bag of sugar is on sale for $1.50. So, for $1 you get a bag of sugar and 5 packs of kool aid, a pretty good deal for the sugar alone. The orange and lemon flavors add good orange/lemon flavor to some dishes, so I will use them for that. I also read about using the lemon for cleaning, I don't remember exactly what it was, but I will go find it. Then, of course you can use it to add color to home made play-doh which my children will love. All the rest will get donated, and I'll be stocked on sugar for a year.