LORAfied On-the-Go Grocery Store Hacks! Costco vs. Sam&#8217;s Club: Which Is Best for You?

The Best Le Creuset Dupes

DUPE ALERT: LE CREUSET COPYCATS ?‍♀️?

How gorgeous are the Le Creuset cast iron pots and pans? Every fall I’m drawn to dutch ovens as we head straight into soup and stew season. The famous 5.5 quart Le Creuset dutch oven had been on my wishlist for years, but not anymore because I found an INCREDIBLE LOOK-ALIKE that I love ❤️ I can’t wait for you to see ‘em ? Keep reading to see these amazing Le Creuset dupes I found at just a FRACTION of the original price.

Click THIS LINK to shop all of the amazing Le Creuset dupes I found!

Here at Walmart, I found an amazing dupe that’s made by lodge. The Le Creuset version is $420, YIKES! This dupe only costs $50.

Next, I found this adorable pink two-quart dutch oven dupe for only $4o, while the original Le Creuset version costs $220! I’m a pink gal and fell in love with this one, so I bought it!

Next stop, I went to Cost Plus World Market. They sell an identical stunning Le Creuset dupe and the price is a steal! The original Le Creuset costs $420, while their version is only $60.

This Le Creuset find from Williams Sonoma is PERFECT for fall, but it costs a whopping $370! Just wait until you see the dupe- I found an identical dupe from Walmart that costs only $40.

And this copycat from T.J. Maxx is just lovely! The original costs $420, but this dupe is only $40.

To make these dupes even better, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Le Creuset actually sells individual knobs for $22-28. Not a bad idea to use these knobs to make these dupes even more identical!

I hope you love these gorgeous dupes! Comment and LMK which one is your favorite. Follow along for more money saving dupes.

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Kitchen Hacks: Glass vs Metal Pans

KITCHEN HACKS: METAL vs. GLASS PANS ?‍?

Which do you use more in the oven, metal or glass? Is one better than the other? While they both work great they can produce drastically different results depending on what you’re making. Here’s when to reach for one over the other ?

Dry cake is the worst! The question is, did it come out of a metal or glass pan? To find out which pan works best, I made two identical batters. Same spot in the the oven for the same amount of time. Here’s why this matters.

When you are baking, metal is usually your best bet. It’s a better conductor of heat- it heats up fast and also cools down fast.

METAL is best for:
Biscuits
Brownies
Cakes
Cookies
Muffins
Rolls

When using glass pans, they usually take longer to heat up BUT it stays hot for a lot longer. Here’s what to cook in this little guy:

GLASS is better for:
Bread Puddings
Casseroles
Cobblers
Pasta Bakes
Pies

Now, back to the cake test! I let the cakes sit for 15 minutes. The difference was crazy! The glass pan didn’t heat up fast enough, making the cake dry and flat. The metal one rose perfectly and was SO moist! Metal is the winner for best cake.

EXTRA NOTES:
Metal: Can react to acidic things like berries, that’s why glass is better for cobblers and pies.
Glass: Takes a long time to cool down, don’t rush the cooling by moving it from a hot oven to the refrigerator or the glass might crack.

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The Best Car Hack: Gas Trick

?? CAR HACK: GAS TRICK⛽️?

How many times have you found yourself in that frustrating situation where you’ve pulled up to the gas pump only to realize you’re on the wrong side? It’s happened to all of us, and it can be surprisingly annoying, especially when you’re in a rush. This super EASY tip guarantees that will never happen again ?❤️

I’m with ya sister! I’ve pulled in to the wrong side of the gas pump SO many times, but after I learned this handy trick, never again. Run to your car and follow along for the perfect solution.

Next time you get into your car, take a look at the dashboard and find the gas pump icon. It’s usually located somewhere near the fuel gauge. Now, here’s the game-changer: there’s a tiny little arrow next to this gas pump icon. That arrow is not just decorative—it actually indicates which side of your car the gas tank is on!

Crazy, right? It’s such a small detail, but it can save you from those awkward moments of having to maneuver your car or switch to a different pump. So, before you pull up to the gas station next time, just check that little arrow, and you’ll know exactly where to park.

Did you know this trick? Comment and LMK! Follow along for more easy and game-changing hacks.

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Genius Red Solo Cup Hacks

??RED SOLO CUP HACKS ?

Do you have red solo cups in your cabinets? I can’t remember a time we haven’t had these, in some sort of color, hanging around. You’ve probably already heard the lines on those iconic cups can help you measure a drink, but did you know they’re actually real measurements you can use to cook and bake with in a pinch??‍? And of course, these guys are a must for any tailgate or game day party ?+?=?

Did you know that in a pinch you can use red solo cups as measuring cups? I love using these guys when I can’t find my measuring cups or just need a quick way to measure anything. It’s genius! See the photo above for the different measurements you can use.

And of course, red solo cups are a great way to measure drinks. I included a photo above for a little refresher on the different drink measurements you can use with red solo cups. It’s a great hack for any game day party or tailgate.

Did you know you can put these in your dishwasher instead of tossing them? They’re actually top rack dishwasher safe ? Have you ever done that? Comment and LMK! ♻️ Follow along for more genius hacks!

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PSL Taste Test Challenge

It’s finally that time of year for pumpkin spice lattes! There are so many to choose from, so I blindly tested 4 of America’s top selling PSLs to see which one is worth your money and which one is a waste of cash? I was SHOCKED at the results ? I’m a big fan of the coffeeshop that came in last place, but apparently not their pumpkin spice drink ? Keep reading to find out which pumpkin spice latte is worth the money!

I started by grabbing America’s top 4 selling pumpkin spice lattes and tasted them blindly. In no particular order, I began with Dunkin’.

Third Place: Dunkin’ Donuts

The Dunkin’ pumpkin spice latte costs $5.59, and this one surprised me. I could barely taste the coffee or any real pumpkin flavor. It honestly tasted more like spiced warm milk.

Last Place: Peet’s Coffee

Next up was Peet’s, where the PSL costs around $6. Much like the Dunkin’ PSL, this one had very little pumpkin flavor. Instead, it tasted strongly of artificial flavors. I was really shocked because I adore this coffee shop, but apparently, the PSL isn’t their strong suit!

Second Place: 7-Eleven

The most affordable PSL came from 7-Eleven, priced at just $2.69. Although it was quite sweet, the flavor was decent and reminded me of a caramel apple. It was just missing the pumpkin flavor!

First Place: Starbucks

Finally, I tried Starbucks! This $6.45 PSL is quite popular, and it turned out to be my favorite. It had a good balance of pumpkin, milk, and, most importantly, coffee. This was the only PSL where I could actually taste the pumpkin, making it the clear winner by a mile!

Are you a PSL fan? Comment and lmk! If not, tell me which coffee “season” is your favorite? ?

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Grocery Store Hacks: Trader Joe’s Sticker Shock! What Not to Buy

?❤️ TRADER JOE’S: STICKER SHOCK??

Are you a Trader Joe’s fan? I LOVE this grocery store! One of my favorite things is how they remove the dreaded “conundrum of choice” by only stocking a few good options. On the flip side, that lack of choice and convenience can also be pretty pricey. I was shocked when I learned the markup on some of my kitchen staples! Here are some things I’ll be buying at a conventional grocery store…and the ones I’m still grabbing at TJ’s ?

Let’s start with their cheese. The markup on their sliced cheese is crazy! 115% higher than Target. Stick to the specialty section here.

Organic milk is also a hefty jump. 25-75% more than Walmart. However, their nut milk is a grab!

TJ’s chicken is 75% higher than Vons. But their chicken broth is a buy!

Be careful with the produce as their freshness and ripeness isn’t always consistent. However, the bananas are a go!

While the almond butter is a pass at 80% more, the organic peanut butter is a buy!

Have you noticed any sticker shock at Trader Joe’s? Comment and LMK which item. My ? moment was the almond butter!

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Grocery Store Hacks: How to Save Big at Any Store

If you’re trying to save on groceries and want to know some of my secrets, then this post is for you! Today I’m sharing my best grocery hacks that might sounds crazy but can save you money!

LORAfied Grocery Hacks

Tip #1:

When you first get to the store, do a loop all the way around. Items on the edges are usually cheaper than the ones down the middle aisles.

Tip #2:

Look up or down to save 20 to 40%! That’s because the most expensive products are going to be in your line of sight.

Tip #3:

Instead of fresh seafood, there’s about a 40% difference if you just buy the frozen.

Tip #4:

Most stores offer their best deals on Wednesday and they’re usually still honoring coupons from the week before.

Tip #5:

Buy fruit and veggies whole. For example, a cup of pineapple is $7 more!

Tip #6:

Did you know stories actually fluctuate their pricing throughout the day? If possible, you want to go mid afternoon before everyone gets off work.

Tip #7:

Studies show using self checkout can also help because you’re more likely to stick to your list and buy less!

Check out more of LORAfied life hacks HERE!

Genius Dirty Pan Cleaning Hack

?✨CLEANING HACK: DIRTY PAN TRICK ??

Do you have a pan that’s clean but it doesn’t look clean? You’ve tried everything, but it seems permanently stained? I used to, too! ?‍♀️

This summer Kid 3 decided to start making eggs EVERY DAY…some days the pan was left looking better than others, but slowly it went from a beautiful creamy white surface to a hot mess! So I made it my mission to come up with a way to restore its beauty. After months of testing this, I’m ready to share it! Scooter says THIS is his FAVORITE HACK and honestly, hasn’t stopped telling people about it ? Hope you love it this cleaning hack as much as Scoot does ?

Even after soap and water, my dirty pans are left with a bunch of little pieces that you can’t feel, but you can certainly see them. My secret to getting dirty pans looking brand new is dishwashing pods! For this hack, you need either one dishwashing tablet OR 1 heaping tablespoon of dishwashing detergent.

Take your tablet (or tablespoon) and drop it straight in the pan. Next, pour boiling water over the pod and filling the pan. Let your pan sit for 30 minutes. Make sure that before you soak your pan, it is completely cool from cooking.

30 minutes later, we are going to come in and dump it out. All that ground-in food has been lifted to the surface! After soaking, I highly recommend using a sisal brush to clean off the food bits, which is safe for your pan and very effective. For a super dirty pan (I had one of those, too ?) just repeat the soaking step until it pulls all of the bits to the surface.

This dirty pan hack is so easy and SO satisfying. Do you put your pans in the dishwasher or handwashing? Comment and LMK! I like to handwash mine ?

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Secret Costco Food Dupes!

🤩🚨 DUPE ALERT: COSTCO SECRET COPYCATS 🤫👯‍♀️

Don’t you ever wonder what the quality is of store brands or who’s behind them? Costco has been coming on STRONG with their copycat brands lately! I can’t wait for you try these, especially grass-fed butter 🧈🤯

Okay, let’s talk butter. Costco is selling both the Kerrygold AND their Kerrygold dupe. The original is 55% more!

Also shocking? Their copycat olive oil!

If you’re a fan of the Starbucks Pike Place, try this guy! The Kirkland’s House Blend is a great dupe and costs 55% less!

If you like Justin’s almond butter, save a boatload and try the Kirland dupe!

Not only is this guy a dupe for the “Just Bare” chicken nuggets, but they are also a great little copycat for the Chick-fil-A nuggets. Save 60% with the Kirkland dupe!

Swap out your Pace salsa for Kirkland’s Organic to save!

This guy right here is a fantastic dupe for the BelGioioso parmesan cheese that you see at every grocery store.

Costco even has an affordable Grey Goose dupe if Vodka is your thing!

Folks say this is a fantastic copycat for Oatly, and you save 164% with this Kirland Oat Milk dupe!

Instead of swinging through Starbucks, Costco has FANTASTIC dupes for the egg bites. They have the egg white version and the fancy bacon ones for 73% less!

XO,
Lora

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LORAfied On-the-Go Grocery Store Hacks: What NOT to Buy at Costco

COSTCO: STICKER SHOCK ?? What NOT to Buy!

Are you a Costco fan? I truly LOVE Costco, it’s like a outing instead of a chore ? So many fun and sparkly new things grab your attention, which might explain why it’s hard tell if you’re getting the best deal. To be fair, Costco doesn’t advertise themselves as the best price in town, but for some reason, we’ve been trained to think everything there is a deal. While a lot of items are a big savings, here are the 5 items you’re better off grabbing at your local grocery store ?

Item 1: Chicken

This is probably the most surprising item. You can find chicken A LOT cheaper at Aldi, Walmart, and Vons, saving up to 30%! The best part? You don’t have to buy chicken in bulk.

Item 2: Organic Milk

Organic milk at Costco costs around 25% more than your local grocery store. You are better off buying it there, and again, you don’t have to buy it in bulk.

Item 3: Soda

When it comes to soda, you are going to want to buy this at the grocery store. Grocery stores do something called a “loss leader,” marking down Soda to really low prices to attract costumers.

Item 4: Canned Goods

When it comes to canned goods, you can find these guys 20-30% cheaper at your grocery store, where they’re often on sale.

Item 5: Diapers

One more thing to skip… Costco diapers. Walmart’s private label carries diapers that are 50% cheaper!

Which item was the most surprising to you? Comment and LMK! I was blown away buy the price of the chicken!

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Money Saving Grocery Store Hacks: Cereal Edition

Have you noticed how crazy expensive cereal is?! Captain Crunch alone has gone up by over 40% in the past couple of years ? To give you a quick idea of how bad it’s gotten, I decided to compare Americas top selling cereal, Cheerios:

When you factor in the shrinkflation AND the price increase over the past 2 years, you’re paying 16% for 7% less cereal = which is equivalent to a 25% price increase! ?
That means we’re loosing 22.5 bowls a year! Over 3 weeks worth of breakfasts! And that’s just for 1 person!

✳️Here’s how and where to save

Coming in first is Costco and Sam’s Club. If you’re lucky to have a membership at either of these stores, they have the best deals.

Coming in second is Walmart. Walmart has the best selection of all of the stores. Your best buy here is their 2 pound bags! In general, the more you buy the more you are going to save. Buying in bulk is key! The smaller box almost always cost more in the long run.

The best deals might not even be at the grocery store. Surprisingly, drugstores have really good deals on cereal. Especially if you coupon stack, you can have up to 40% off!

✳️ How to store

Here’s the rundown: you’ve got 3 months to eat opened cereal and up to a year if you store your unopened bags. Store your bulk bags in a cool, dark spot to make it last.

✳️ How to revive stale cereal

If your cereal is past its prime time, here’s a hack to revive it! Spread your stale cereal on a cookie sheet and bake at 350F for 5-10 minutes. Good as new!

✳️ My FAVORITE SECRET CEREAL HACK of all time…just don’t tell the kids this one ?

A great hack to save some money is to mix name brand with the generic. Your family is never going to know, and you’ll save around 25%! Generic cereal brands cost 20-25% less.

Always HERE FOR YOU, sister! ? Stick around for more daily tips + tricks ?

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