Awesome Bi-Lo trip

On Friday morning, I went to Bi-Lo. It was a great trip. When I first went in, I bought $100 in gas gift cards, which gave me a $20 coupon for a future purchase. I then went shopping. I got:

2 boxes of cereal

4 boxes of Pop-Tarts (with 12 for the price of 8 in each box)

1 box of store-brand toaster pastries

4 boxes of Eggo waffles

1 box of store brand waffles

1 store-brand frozen lasagna (had to find a filler item!!)

I used coupons on the Eggos and the Pop-tarts, and I had buy (national brand), get (store brand) free coupons for the store brand waffles and toaster pastries. I used the $20 coupon from my gift card purchase, and owed $0.71 including tax. My subtotal before savings was $35.11, and after was $34.63, for a savings percentage of 99%. Oh, and I got a form for a $10 Bi-Lo mail-in rebate for buying 8 Kellogg's products. Not too bad!

Great week! and a contest

It's been a while since I've posted, and we've been doing well. Jamie got a new job at his current workplace - it's a promotion to a supervisory position, and it means we're staying here for a while! Hannah is doing so well, rolling this way and that, turning herself in circles, and so desperately interested in crawling. Nora is doing so well with her schooling, and she is becoming such a lovely little girl (from being a lovely preschooler). She is a joy to teach. I am growing and learning in the weekly Women's Bible Study I've been co-facilitating. You really do get a lot more out of studying when you have to be prepared to move the discussion along, and I'm really enjoying it.

I've been trucking along with the money saving. This week was excellent. I spent $34.61 at CVS, Kroger, and Publix. I saved $116.36. That's a savings of 77%! I got a bunch of produce, milk, 6 large boxes of Cheerios, 4 boxes of fruit snacks, pancake mix, sugar, granola bars, 5 boxes of Always Infinity pads (!!), and more.

I have just signed up for a contest All*You magazine is promoting (starting 7/13/09): Can you spend less than $25 on edible groceries per person, per week, for a month? They are interested to see if it can be done, and I think I can safely say YES! Even if I don't count Hannah (baby food just isn't a huge part of the budget), I am certain I can keep it below $75/week for edibles. I'm not sure how one wins (spend the least? drawing of one eligible participant?), but the prize is a $1000 grocery gift card, a years' worth of Knorr sides, and a feature in the magazine. It would be way cool to win!

Giveaway at Choyster Cash

Hey - there's a $100 giveaway at Choyster Cash - check it out!

Friday Finals March 14-20

This was a pretty good week.  J went to Kroger without my Plus card and no coupons!  I almost choked when I saw the total (half our budget!) and the savings ($0).  I realized I was going to have to step it up to stay on budget, as all he got was coffee and beer!!  I went to Publix twice, and took advantage of the amazing coupon Kingsford has going.  So here's the breakdown, and the pictures:

Kroger

Spent: 29.19

Saved: 0 :o(

Total: 29.19

% Saved: 0%

Publix #1

Spent: 20.53

Saved: 29.58

Total: 50.11

% Saved: 59%

Publix #2

Spent: 12.71

Saved: 36.55

Total: 49.26

% Saved: 74%

(not pictured: $3.37 worth of "incentive" jelly beans for Nora, to be doled out as good grocery store behavior merits)

Publix total

Spent: 33.24

Saved: 66.13

Total: 99.37

% Saved: 67%

Week's Total

Spent: 62.43

Saved: 66.13

Total: 128.56

% Saved: 51%

Check out Southern Savers for sale/coupon matchups, and for inspiration from other savers!

Friday Finals first week of March

As I went a bit over budget last week, I kept it moderate this week.

Kroger 

Spent: $21.24

Total value: $36.83

Saved: $15.59

% saved: 42.3%

Publix

Spent: $23.70

Total value: $46.03

Saved: $22.33

% saved: 48.5%

Target

Spent: $2.69

Total value: $5.38

Saved: $2.69

% saved: 50%

Totals:

Spent: $47.63

Total value: $88.24

Saved: $40.61

% saved: 46% 

I have a question - what is your opinion of Aldi?  A new one opened here yesterday, and while they boast 50% off of the grocery stores, I'm not entirely sure that I can't do better.  Do you shop at Aldi?  For everything or for specific items?

To see more savers (who are very good at this!), go to SouthernSavers.com.  Have a great weekend!

Friday Finals (a few days late)

Wow - it's been busy around here lately!  We started a bathroom remodel (yay!) and the girls have gotten colds (boo).  I have been learning much from a great couponing site, and I've tallied last week's spending and saving.

Walmart

Spent: $7.25

Total value: $7.97

Saved: $0.72

% saved: 9%

Kroger (2 trips)

Spent: $52.20

Total value: $11.25

Saved: $59.05

% saved: 53%

(I have a $4.99 MIR coming from All-Bran)

Publix

Spent: $28.04 

Total value: $80.30

Saved: $52.26

% saved: 65%

(I have a $10 gift card coming thanks to General Mills and Publix)

CVS

Spent: $7.54

Total value: $32.54

Saved: $25

% saved: 77%

(I have a $6.99 MIR coming from Organix Shampoo, and I got $6 ECBs)

Totals:

Spent: $95.03 ($67.05 after $ back)

Total value: $232.06

Saved: $137.03 ($165.01 after $ back)

% saved: 59% (71% after $ back)

I also got some chicken at Reid's big sale.  It worked out to about $0.35/lb for leg quarters, so I got 10 pounds.  A friend of mine got 80 pounds!  That seemed like a bit more than I could handle!

All in all, it was a good week.  I went a little over budget, but I stocked up big time on shampoo, toilet paper, chicken, and snack foods.  I think my list for next week will be a bit smaller.

$4.65

Not including cute girl.

This site helped me immensely! Thanks!

Held

When Nora was delivered, I found out that my uterus is unicornuate - essentially, I have half a uterus.  After doing some research, I realized how blessed I was to have her, and that I may have complications in any future pregnancy.  While my pregnancy with Hannah went well and turned out well, there was one little hiccup.  I had a repeat cesarean, and the doctor made a comment about a "window" while she was operating.  We asked her about it later, and she said that my prior cesarean scar was so thin in one place that she could see Hannah through it, and that she only needed her fingers to open my uterus for delivery - no instruments.  We asked her what that meant, and she told us that we should not have any more children, as this window was likely to recur, and could rupture easily.  At that moment, I mourned the fact that I would not ever bear another child.  Upon further reflection, we came to realize that again we were blessed that Hannah (and I) were even here.  I am so grateful that God kept us safe.  I am still struggling, some days more than others, but I feel like I'm starting to come to a place of acceptance.  This powerful song had me sobbing in the days just after Hannah was born, and it still makes me tear up.  Life was not promised to be easy, but I know God is holding me.

Held (Natalie Grant)

Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we'd be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We're asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it's unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait, for one hour
Watching for our savior
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
[Repeat Chorus]
This is what it means to be held

Menu Plan Monday (and last week's eats!)

I was remiss in not posting my menu last week (Hi Sarah!).  We did pretty much stay on our menu last week (week 3 of the month-long menu), and have 2 weeks left for this menu.  What I have found is I like having a menu for a month, but shopping for a month did not work out budget-wise.  Oh well - live and learn, I guess!  So here is this week's menu first, and then a round-up of last week's meals.

Monday:  Tuna Sandwiches, carrot sticks

Tuesday:  Chicken schnitzel, latkes (reheated), oranges

Wednesday:  Church

Thursday:  Shepherd's Pie, Bread, Salad

Friday:  Leftovers or Beans and rice

Saturday:  Beans, tortillas, fixin's

Sunday:  Venison roast, green beans, bread, mashed potatoes

Last week:  M: leftovers/recovery from camping day; T:  Lasagna, veggies; W: church; Th: burgers w/fixin's, fries, carrot sticks; F: Ham and spinach calzone; Sa: Eggs, ham, pumpkin bread; Su: cauliflower soup and latkes (YUM!)

Menu Plan Monday

Short week this week - at least at home.  We're going camping this weekend with another family from church, and other than deciding that we'd each take a night to cook dinner, not much planning has been done.  Yikes!  It will be fun to go.  We'll camping at Hunting Island, which was one of the first places we visited in South Carolina (outside of Aiken) in February.  It's on the coast, and the weather is supposed to be delicious!  I have camped while pregnant before, but I was not this pregnant, so we'll see how I hold up.  

We did pretty well on our first week of the month-long menu.  My big mistake was planning a large meal for the day I knew we'd be grocery shopping.  By the time we got home, I was beat!  Instead, I cooked a packet of beans and rice, served it with sour cream, and called it good.  I made the big meal - chicken - later in the week, replacing a freezer meal I had planned to use.  Also, we grilled 1/2 the pork loin instead of using it for barbeque (slow-cooker recipe).  That was a great decision - it was so good!  

Without further ado, week two!

Monday:  Macaroni and Cheese with cauliflower puree (from Deceptively Delicious), sauteed zucchini

Tuesday:  Barbeque Pork, corn, salad, bread

Wednesday:  Church (may be bringing main dish for 15 - tacos?)

Thursday:  Nachos, cheese, sour cream, tomato, olives, taco meat (freezer), beans, avocado? (on sale this week!)  (may turn leftovers into seven layer dip, as we'll be leaving Friday)

Friday: Camping - hot dogs or hamburgers

Saturday:  Camping - hot dogs or hamburgers

Sunday:  Tuna casserole (freezer), sauteed broccoli

For more great menus, check out OrgJunkie!  Have a great week!  

Menu Plan Monday

Menu time!  I'm in a bit of a rush - I may add recipe links later this week!!

Monday:  Pasta with meat sauce, green beans, bread

Tuesday:  Roast chicken, mashed potatoes (double and freeze), sauteed broccoli, bread

Wednesday:  Church

Thursday:  Wonton tacos (meat in freezer), lettuce, tomato, sour cream, refried beans

Friday:  Pizza, sauteed broccoli and zucchini

Saturday:  Chicken soup with wonton kreplach, glazed carrots, matzo

Sunday:  BBQ pork, corn, bread

For more menu ideas, go to OrgJunkie!  Have a great week!

Menu Plan Monday

Good morning - time to talk menus!

Last week got a little out of order, but we ate everything!  The chicken noodle soup and the quiche were standouts.  I actually made the quiche without crust, and it was still very good (not to mention healthier!)

So the task for this week is to post or link to a recipe for one of my family's favorite meals.  We really enjoy Cuban Black Beans.  They are good on their own or with meat (usually I fix pork chops or pork tenderloin).  We top them with sour cream and tomatoes, and serve them with tortillas.  Delicious!

This week's menu:

Breakfasts: Store-bought cereal (big treat!), granola, hard-boiled eggs, waffles

Lunches: Leftovers, sandwiches

Snacks: Store-bought cereal (again, big treat!), popcorn, banana pudding

Dinners:

Monday:  Pancakes, bacon, fruit, juice

Tuesday:  Venison Stroganoff, noodles, frozen veg, bread

Wednesday:  Tacos with fixins, refried beans (make double amount of meat; freeze)

Thursday:  Chicken Pot Pie, salad (make double amount of sauce; freeze)

Friday:  Pizza, carrot sticks, fruit

Saturday:  Tuna casserole, fruit, bread

Sunday:  Leftover buffet!

For more menu planning ideas, as well as tried and true family favorite recipes, head over to OrgJunkie!  Have a wonderful week.

Menu Plan Monday

Another Monday, another meal plan!

Last week went well - the potato soup and the lemon meringue pie were the only "new" things, and they were both very good!  (My husband might say the pie was a little too good!)

This week is more or less a pantry week - trying to economize a bit.

Breakfasts: Granola, hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, waffles

Lunches: Leftovers, sandwiches

Sweets: pudding (maybe banana?), bars/cookies (need to make some for a bake sale anyways!)

Dinners: 

Monday:  Pork Chops, canned peaches, green beans, rolls

Tuesday:  Chicken noodle soup, sandwiches, grapes

Wednesday:  Church - need to  find out what to bring

Thursday:  Cuban Beans, venison steaks, salad, tortillas

Friday:  Breakfast for Dinner - eggs, bacon, orange juice, biscuits

Saturday:  Sausages with fixins, mac and cheese, salad

Sunday:  Quiche, grapes, rolls

For more ideas, visit Laura! Have a delicious week!

Bliss

Menu Plan Monday

Good morning!  Last week went pretty much according to schedule, until our company arrived.  Then we just sort of took it day by day for meal planning.  It worked out well; we have some carryover meals for this week.  Unfortunately, we're now battling colds here.  Pregnancy + cold = really uncomfortable.  I know we'll be over it soon, but it's had a definite impact on menu planning this week - a menu of comforting foods.

Breakfasts: Granola (really good!), hard boiled eggs, waffles

Lunches: leftovers, sandwiches

Snacks: Popcorn, rice pudding, lemon meringue pie

Dinners:

Monday:  Spaghetti w/meat sauce, salad (or frozen veg), bread

Tuesday:  Golden Potato Soup, grilled ham & cheese, grapes

Wednesday:  Church (depending on cold status), otherwise leftovers/sandwiches

Thursday:  Roast w/veggies, bread, green beans

Friday:  Eggs, Bacon, Toast, Orange Juice

Saturday:  Pizza, salad

Sunday:  Chicken Casserole, corn, cranberry sauce, bread

Many more menus over at OrgJunkie.  Have a great week!

Menu Plan Monday

Good grief!  September?  I know time flies, but this is ridiculous!

Anyways, it's that time again - Menu Plan Monday!  We did pretty well last week - has all but the venison steaks, and forgot a few sides (oh well!).  We ended up only having company for one night, so I made a ton of pizza, and those Cinnamon Apples for dessert.  Both were big hits - the apples are a very nice topping for vanilla ice cream.  This coming week will be different again - tonight and Wednesday night will be "normal", but midweek church happenings and another family visit later this week will change it up a bit.  As always, many more delightful menus await at Laura's site, OrgJunkie - check it out!

Breakfasts:  Granola, hard-boiled eggs, waffles

Snacks: Popcorn (new air-popper!), Brownies (when company comes)

Lunches: Leftovers, sandwiches

Monday:  Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup, Grapes

Tuesday: Church (dinner provided)

Wednesday: Burgers, Fries, Carrots, Ranch dip

Thursday: Roast, Veggies, Bread, Green Beans

Friday: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (I sub crumbled venison for the meatballs), Salad, Bread

Saturday: Chicken Casserole (I use whatever chicken I have on hand), Corn, Cranberry Sauce, Bread

Sunday: Beans on Toast, Eggs, Fruit

Menu Plan Monday

Ah, Monday . . . must be time to menu plan.  I've had a much easier time of it this week.  Last week we ate everything (and it was delicious!).  The pancakes were a hit, even with my husband who does not really like pancakes.  The  won ton tacos, chicken pot pie, and baked spaghetti were all crowd pleasers.  I would bring the tacos or spaghetti to the next potluck we go to. 

We did not have the company we anticipated, and instead got a lot of work done around here (done mostly by my husband).  Nora and I went ahead and grocery shopped for the week after church, and while I went over budget by about $10, I also bought chicken and pork on sale that we will be able to use in weeks to come.  We do have company this week, but I'm not sire for exactly how long.  We'll just be flexible!

So, here's the menu.  As always, for more great ideas, check out OrgJunkie!

Monday: Chicken Stroganoff, pasta, salad

(make honey mustard dressing and croutons)

Tuesday: Tuna Melts, grapes, carrots

(soak black beans)

Wednesday: Cuban Beans, Pork Chops, tortillas, sauteed zucchini

(make tortillas)

Thursday: Pizza, salad, Cinnamon Apples (a la Boston Market)

(make pizza dough, grate cheese, bake apples)

Friday: Venison steaks, green beans, garlic bread

Saturday: Hot dogs, fixins', corn, macaroni and cheese

Sunday: Quesadillas, refried beans, peaches

Have a great week! 

Grocery Shopping

I did my grocery shopping yesterday for this week.  On Monday, I reconciled our finances and took a look at how we are doing with our new budget.  Well, on the plus side, we still have money in the grocery budget for the month.  On the minus side, it's less than it should be.  I know the reasons why - just need to have more discipline about quick trips (especially on the weekends!).  I would like to stay on budget for the month still, so I've revised down the amount of money I want to spend the next two weeks.  By approximately half. (!)  I did pretty well yesterday - I spent a little more than half of what we have left in the budget for the month, but got some items I can definitely use next week.  One other thing that would help would be to use more coupons - I don't get the paper or those packs of coupons (like ValPak), so I am at a bit of a loss as to where to get a bunch of coupons.  For now, I'm entering in giveaways like this one at Bargain Hunting Wife - you can too!

Menu Plan Monday

Good morning!  Some weeks it is so much easier to come up with a menu than other weeks.  Last week we ate everything on the menu - woohoo!  The Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff was excellent - a keeper for sure. We'll see how this week goes - we've got company in for the weekend - my husband's cousin, Ryan, and his girlfriend.  His girlfriend is Buddhist, but I don't know if she has any dietary restrictions.  We're just going to roll with the punches!

Monday: Steamed shrimp, corn, salad, bread

Tuesday: Pintos and tortillas

Wednesday: Pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit

Thursday: Won ton tacos, refried pintos, salad

Friday: Chicken pot pie, salad

Saturday: 

Sunday: Baked Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

For more great menu ideas, head over to OrgJunkie!  have a great week!

CVS-ing (and grocery shop)

I did good!

I got:

  -2 pkgs of teensy-tiny diapers

  -2 pkgs of wipes

  -1 bottle of detangler

for 5.73.  I saved 29.28 with a combination of sale pricing, mfr coupons, a CVS $4/$20 coupon, and a carefully hoarded stash of ECBs.  And I got $5 ECBs and another $4/$20 for a future purchase.  Whoo-hoo!!

I also went to BiLo and procured this week's groceries.  I was able to find everything except mirin, and I only forgot to get one item - tomatoes.  I also got some household items that I had coupons for, and with 25 items in my cart, I got out of there for 50.45, saving 11.49 between sale pricing, coupons, and coupon doubling (up to $0.55!!)

So I have 8.82 left for mirin, tomatoes, and whatever else.  Yippee!