Week #4 Grocery Shopping-$30 Challenge

The meat for this week I already bought during Week 3 here.  So this week the budget leftover after the meat purchase is $20.  There were some good sales this week and alot of them to use coupons with, which I love.
It seriously bums me out to check out at the grocery store and not use any coupons.  It always seems like I bought a little of nothing and spent my whole budget.
It took me 2 hours yesterday to throw out expired coupons, print the ones I needed, clip all my new ones, make my list, and matchup my coupons to my list.  It is mornings like those that make me want to quit couponing, then of course I take a look at our grocery budget and I quickly realize that I can't quit.  I was super excited about this weeks trip because Kroger was having a great buy 10 get $5 off sale with many items I had coupons to match.  I always get my best coupon information from freetastesgood.com.  She is in the Ohio area so most of the time our sales match up really nicely.  There are exceptions though.  It seems at least once a month I plan for this great deal I have read about online, so sure that it's going to work, I make my list based off of this great deal and then it doesn't work.  Last week it was the bologna I thought I was going to get  a $2 catalina when I bought it, but the catalina didn't print and the store manager couldn't find anywhere on the website that there was supposed to be a catalina printing.  Needless to say, that week my trip didn't turn out as planned.

This week was one in the same.  I saw a great deal and catalina printout that was supposd to be for Bayer Aspirin.  They were $2.19 each, you buy 2, use a $4.00 off of 2 coupon and pay $0.38 for both, then get a $3 catalina printout.  It was a moneymaker!!  I was super excited and had planned on buying 4 and getting 2) $3.00 catalinas paying for my milk purchase.  However they did not have the smaller bottles of Aspirin and it was not a moneymaker with what they had in stock.  So no deal.  I was bummed.  All the other items were on the buy 10 get $5 off so if I eliminated 1, I would lose all the sale prices on everything else in my cart.  It was a lose lose so I ended up going $2.63 over budget.  I told my husband how aggravated that made me and he just laughed and said "Lisa, it's $2.  It's not a big deal."  Regardless I worked really hard to keep myself within budget and then to go over, it's like my work was for nothing.

Ok enough rambling and complaining, here's what I got this week:

 

4 containers of KoolAid drink mix $0.99 used 2) $1.00/2 coupons and paid $0.49 each

4 containers countrytime lemonade mix $0.99 used 2) $1.00/2 coupons and paid $0.49 each

1 Reynolds wrap foil 75sq ft $3.29 use $0.75 coupon that doubled to $1.00 and paid $1.79

7 containers Reynolds cupcake liners $0.99 used $1.00/1 coupon and they were all free

3 boxes Reynolds mini cupcake liners $1.09 used $1.00/1 coupon and they were $0.09 each

2 bags frozen green gant steamers$ 0.99 each

2 boxes multigrain cheerios $1.99 each used 1) $0.75 coupon that doubled to $1.50 making one of them $0.49 and  got a catalina printout or $2

2 boxes Trix cereal $1.99 used 2) $0.60/1 coupon and paid $0.80 each

1 box Hershey's Cookies and Cream cereal $1.99 used $0.75 coupon and paid $0.49

2 boxes Oatmeal Crisp $1.99 each used $0.75/1 coupon and paid $0.49 each



6- 1/2 gallons of milk on managers special for $1.00 each
1/2 gallon Turkey hill lemonade $0.75
Welch's Juice cocktail $2.09 used $0.75 coupon that doubled to $1.50 and paid $0.59
Flour $1.42
Coffeemate Creamer 32oz 2.49 used $0.55 coupon that doubled to $1.10 and paid $1.39
Jennie-O Turkey Franks $1.99 used $0.55 coupon that doubled to $1.10 and paid $0.89
Beechnut baby cereal $1.58 used $0.75 coupn that doubled to $1.50 and paid $0.08 (we don't have an infant in the house anymore but I have multiple family members with who just had babies that can get good use out of this and we all know how expensive babies are and every little bit helps when you're a new parent)

Total Spent- $22.63 ( I did 2 transactions using the $2 catalina from the cheerios to pay for 2) 1/2 gallons of milk, making them free.

Even though not getting the great deal I had planned is frustrating I'm really satisfied with my loot I brought home.  The lessoned learned here is to not base your list and total out of pocket spent on a catalina or deal you haven't seen for yourself in the store.

Toothbrush & Toothpaste Travel Holder

I've seen this on various other websites and had it logged in the back of my mind that I needed to make one for trips to Tennessee.  I didn't get to at Christmas but thought I should take the time to make one before our next trip.

I took a bathroom hand towel and folded the towel up about 8 1/2 inches and sewed around the 3 sides.  Do not sew the top or your will have to get out your seam ripper.  I added ribbon just for a more decorative touch before I folded the bottom up 8 1/2 inches but this isn't necessary.

space out your pockets to fit your toothpaste and toothbrushes, sewing a straight line from the bottom fold to the opening.  I ended up having enough room for 2 tubes of toothpaste (Grant's and ours), 3 toothbrushes, and an extra pocket for floss or anything else you may need.

 

I cut 2 strips of ribbon and folded one end under about 1/4 inch and sewed one onto the front and one on the opposite side of the towel.

 

 

To add another decorative touch I added another strip of ribbon to the outside top of the towel so when it's folded over you can see it.

 

 

Now put your toothbrushes and toothpastes inside, fold the top flap over, and roll it up.  Wrap the ribbon ties around and tie in a bow.

 

 

Throw it in your suitcase or travel bag and now you won't have to worry about water or toothpaste residue getting on anything else in your bags.  And bonus, if you do get yucky stuff on it you can just throw it in your washer.  Easy peasy!

 

 

 

Peanut and Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

I brought granola bars to the Relay for Life event this year and they would have been perfect except I forgot to get them out of the camper for everyone, so no one knew they were even there.  Oh well more for me I guess.

 

I used my favorite granola bar recipe I found here, and used mini 3/4 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup peanuts, and 1/4 cup coconut.  The coconut I threw in on a whim and they were delicious but I think I'll add more peanuts next time and just omit the coconut.  I think I could use this granola bar recipe and make various kinds every week and eat one every day and never get tired of them.  They are so yummy!

Breakfast Pizza

I love Pioneer Woman's cook books & have been wanting to try her breakfast pizza recipe for awhile now.  So the other morning I decided to give it a go.  I have been using a Garlic pizza crust recipe for a couple years now and its good but I thought I would try her recipe and see if there was a difference.  So I combined the yeast and warm water letting it sit for about 10 minutes.

 

 

Here is where I changed the recipe up a little.  She only had to add salt, I decided to add garlic salt and italian seasoning.  I didn't measure, just threw some in the bowl.

 

Mixed it with the paddle attachment.

 

 

Spread it out on a baking sheet and used a fork to make holes all over the crust so it doesn't bubble up.

 

To make sure it was crispy I went ahead and put it in the oven for about 5 minutes.

The "pizza sauce" is actually salsa, I didn't have any regular jarred salsa so I whipped up my own.  Pioneer Woman has a recipe for that as well, using canned tomatoes.  I, of course, didn't have all the ingredients she called for so I used her recipe as a base.  I'll have that recipe in a future post.

 

 When I decided to make this pizza I had visions of the fantastically gorgeous photos I would have to share, then I kind of burned the sausage and no such luck with the photos.

I used breafast sausage but overcooked it on the stove, which made it burn in the oven and next time I probably will just leave the eggs off.  My husband wasn't crazy about them (probably because they ended up being a little over cooked) and I liked the pizza without them.

You could definately make this a veggie breakfast pizza as well and it would be just as delish.

 

I will be making this again, but without the burned toppings.  I was surpised with how good this tasted and  I actually don't know why I had any doubts about the flavor, being as how I haven't had one Pioneer Woman recipe I've tried not be good.

Pizza Buns

When I was a kid my mom used to make these with leftover hamburger or hot dog buns.  It as simple as can be, just top the inside of the bun with your pizza sauce, cheese, and any pizza toppings you want.  Bake them on a baking sheet @ 350 until the cheese melts (about 10 minutes), and your lunch or dinner is done.

                               

What I love about these is everyone can put their own toppings on, so they are perfectly portioned personal pizzas.  My son loved them as much as I did as a kid.

To make your own pizza sauce:
1-8oz can tomato sauce
1t oregano
1t basil or 2 basil leaves
1/2 t garlic salt
1t minced dried onion
1t olive oil

simmer on the stove for about 10 minutes and top your pizza crust with your yummy sauce.

Breakfast Burritos

The Relay for Life was this past weekend and since we stay all night and have multiple team members coming and going, we need plenty of snacks and food to keep our energy up for the 18 hour walk.  I decided to take breakfast on and chose breakfast burritos.  I love them and the freeze fantastic so I knew if I had leftovers it wouldn't be a problem to take back leftovers.  The only issue I had was trying to find a way to keep them warm without an oven, microwave, or anything else really.  So what was my solution....Crockpot, and it worked great.  We put the Crockpot on high just until they were warmed through then lowered it to the KEEP WARM setting and they stayed nice and warm for everyone throughout the morning.

Here's how I make mine:

Eggs $1.29

Shredded cheese $3.29 for a 4cup bag

Tator Tots (did you know you can buy these at the Dollar Tree!) $1.00

Tortilla Shells $1.00

Meat of choice: ham, sausage, bacon

 

My mom had a hog butchered last year so she supplied me with the meat.  It wasn't seasoned so I used Bobby Flays recipe as a base.  I didn't have the fresh herbs or onion powder so I improvised.  I used 1 1/2t dried sage, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1T minced dried onion.

 

The ingredients in the burritos can vary depending on what kind of flavors you want.  I've added green and red peppers along with onion in some and that's delicious too.  Cook your meat and drain it if necessary, set aside.  Scramble your eggs, set aside.  If using tator tots bake them in the oven as directions say.

 

Now set up an assembly line of your ingredients and assemble your burritos.

Roll em up and wrap them in foil.  Put them in the crockpot on the keep warm setting and you have one great on the go meal.

I used about 6 or 7 eggs (I lost count) and cooked a full pound of sausage but only used about half.  This amount made about 14 burritos.

 

To freeze these, after rolling them up wrap them in plastic wrap then foil.  Place them in a freezer bag.  When you're ready to eat one, remove the foil and microwave them for about 2 minutes, and enjoy your on the go breakfast.

 

 

Menu Plan Week 3 -$30 Grocery Challenge

This week is going to be an easy one when it comes to meals for a few reasons.  1-We just finished the Relay for Life and I'm still not fully recovered, meaning the lower half of my body still aches, ALOT. 2- Our family reunion is this coming weekend and I'm planning on making a Maxwell shirt for Grant to wear.  3- The 4th of July is next week and I enlisted my sewing skills to make yet another Maxwell shirt (4th of July themed of course) to wear to the fireworks.  So I'm not over exerting myself on meals this week, so the preparation will be short, the cleanup will be quick, and I will have no excuse to not finish my projects.

Now on to the meal plan for the week:
1. Tuna Helper- I love Tuna Helper and I've made it from scratch quite a few times but I love to have the boxed mix on hand for quick meals when I'm busy or just feeling lazy.
2. Hot dogs and Kraft Homestyle mac & cheese
3. Pizza Buns- these simple little pizzas take me back to my childhood and daycare days, and Grant loves them.
4. Grilled Ham and Cheese sandwiches with potato wedges
5. Leftovers
6. Breakfast
7. Veggie stir fry with brown rice

One day I'm acutally going to get this meal plan up on Sunday like I keep planning on doing.  Until then......

Week #3 of the $30 Grocery Challenge

This week was a little more difficult to fit in grocery shopping since the Relay for Life is coming up and I have been up to my waist in a mile long to-do list.  I did however make 2 stops, the first was a store I don't normally frequent but they have awesome sales on meat sometimes.  This week it was a 2 day sale, Tuesday and Wednesday, so I took 2 weeks grocery money (the $10 a week I reserve for meat) and stocked up because the sale was too good to pass up.  With the way we budget I take our grocery money for the month out of 1 check at the beginning of the month.  Then I split it into $30 per week and try not to spend over that per week.  The only exception being when there is a fantastic meat sale.  So since I stocked up on 2 weeks worth of my meat purchases the following 2 weeks budgets will have a $20 limit.

5 lbs ground turkey @ $1.99/lb= $10

2 New York Strip steaks @ $2.99ea= $5.98

4 lbs Pork Ribs @ $0.99/lb =$3.99

12pk hamburger buns $1.00

1 lb strawberries $1.50

3 lbs Grapes @ $0.59/lb= $1.70

Sunny Delight $1.00

2 Butterball Turkey Bacon $1.29 used $1.00/1 coupon and paid $0.29ea

Toal $25.75 ($10 of the meat is technically from next weeks grocery budget)

 

Did you notice how the strawberries are almost gone and the juice is opened too? My little guy wouldn't wait for the pic to be taken.

 

 

Sugar $2.58

Dozen Eggs $1.29

1 pint blueberries $1.50

Hot Dog buns $0.89

Tuna $0.69

3 gallons of milk (not pictured) 2.51 each

Total = $14.48

 

Total spent for the week (not including the $10 worth of meat that is for next weeks groceries) $30.23

 

Relay for Life 2013

Our Relay for Life event was this past weekend and we had a great time but, lessoned learned, I have to start conditioning before hand next year.  I was so unbelievably sore afterward.  The blister on my foot is proof.  I walk over 12 miles total and have the lapbeads to prove it:

The lap beads was an onsite fundraiser one of the teams did.  You paid $1, got a necklace and a bead and each lap you made you got another bead to add to it.  Each lap was 1/4mile.  So 4 laps = 1 mile.  We had an amazing team with 2 members walking over 20 miles!!!

That's freakin amazing in my book.

My Mom even walked 14 miles.  We were there the full 18 hours the event lasted and I was got all of 1 1/2 hrs of sleep, my mom was the only one who lasted the entire night with no sleep whatsoever. 

We were also one of the few teams who had a walker on the track every minute of the race, so I'm super proud of our team and accomplishments this year.

 

We doubled what we raised last year and won Rookie of the Year this year!

 

I guess this means we have to step up our game for next year haha.

 

I made a banner for our campsite:

It was nothing spectacular but it went well with our pink lights and other pink ribbon decor.  My mom made pink ribbon butter cookies and put them out for donation.  There were 2 in a package and we raised over $20.  Next year we hope to do a couple different on site fundraisers and we are hoping to double our money every year!

 

I had visions of cute pictures of me and Grant in our team shirts I put so much work into.  Here is how that turned out:

Me trying to physically turn his face toward the camera, him laughing hysterically because he knows he's driving me crazy, haha.

It was a great time and I'm so proud of what we accomplished this year and so proud of our team as a whole.

 

Great job Betty's Hope!!!!

 

Now only 11 months until our next Relay....

 

 

The Best Homemade Waffles

I love homemade waffles.  There is no better breakfast food and I eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  I first used a recipe I found in my Better Homes and Garden Cookbook, but it was a little more bland in flavor than I wanted, so I changed it a little bit, cuz you know that's what I do.

 

1 3/4c flour

2T sugar

1T baking powder

2 eggs

1 3/4c milk

1/2c melted butter

1t vanilla (I just pour some in so there's probably more like 2t in my batch)

1/4-1/2t cinnamon (this is what makes these waffles so darn good!)

 

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon together.  Make a well and set aside.

In another bowl beat eggs slightly, stir in milk, butter, vanilla.  Add to flour mixture.  Stir to combine, the batter will be a little lumpy.  Use a 1/4 measuring cup and pour batter into waffle maker.

 

Now, once your waffles are cooked, add butter and syrup and eat.

 

 

Tie Applique Bibs & A Hospital Survival Kit

Let me start off by saying I'm so LOVING these bibs.  I have actually contemplated keeping them (which would be ridiculous since Grant doesn't use them anymore and we have no baby around), they are just that adorable.

I saw a picture on the web (of course I saved the pic in my favorites file but no web address of where I found it) and knew if someone had a boy I would need to make them.  Go figure not a few weeks later I found out my cousin was having a baby boy, JACKPOT!

I used brown corduroy and navy blue linen fabric and they turned out fantastic.  I used old shirt scraps for the tie applique and it added just the right touch.  If I ever have another baby boy I'm making a dozen of these.

I also put together a hospital survival kit.  I know as a first time Mom I wasn't really sure of what to take and everyone told me something different.  I, of course, packed a small suitcase for myself and a large bag for my new little guy, only to find out I didn't need 80% of the stuff I packed.  So I ended up just making more work for myself when it was time to leave and repack all my crap and haul it to the car.

Here is what I included with a tag explaining why the item is necessary:

Flip Flops- hospital showers are not clean.  I don't care how many times the cleaning people have been in to scour them out.  I would not be bare foot in one, and that's coming from someone who has worked in a hospital.

Travel shampoo/conditioner-self explanatory & no need to pack them up and take them home, just pitch them before leaving.

Body wash & mini loafa-every new mom should have more than a cheap bar of soap and a thin wash cloth when taking a shower.  We have been through enough, we deserve better.

Almay makeup remover- I use these as makeup removers but also as a facewash when on the go.  After labor and delivery a quick freshening up before visitors arrive makes us new mom's feel a thousand times better.

Vaseline- if your little guy is going to be circumsized this is a must.  When I had my son they told me to put vaseline on the area to prevent the diaper from sticking and to keep urine out of the area.  The only problem with this is they only give you these teeny tiny packets of vaseline which I, of course, used 1 whole one every time I changed his diaper, and it seemed to take forever to get more when I ran out.  It's something you don't want to have to wait for when changing a diaper.

Lotion: between the hand washing and Purell your hands will be dry as all get out and lotion is a must.

Stretchy headbands-I don't know one single new mom who wants to worry about her hair while in the hospital.  These come in handy.

Lip Balm- labor and delivery makes your lips dry

Small Notebook- The thing I wish I had done more than anything else was write down my birth story.  The funny things said and done leading up to my son's birth.  What time I went into labor, what I was thinking and feeling.  Who came to visit and their reactions.  What it was like being new parents those first few days.  You think you will remember all those little details but you forget sooner than you think.  This is one item I will have in my next hospital bag.

**Not included in this kit but another must if you are going to be a breastfeeding mom (definately one I will include the next time I need a hospital kit) is nipple cream.  I had a very difficult time getting Grant to latch on correctly and therefore became sore very quickly.  The nurses gave me cream in these tiny packets (just like the vaseline), but once again I ran out quickly considering they wanted me to attempt nursing my new little one every 30 minutes to an hour, and getting more seemed to take more time than it was worth.  I ended up doing without many times because I got tired of waiting.  Nurses are very busy and I respect that which is why I will just bring my own the next time to make it easier on myself.

 

My intent was to put all these items in a cute little drawstring bag but of course I procrastinated and before I knew it, it was mid June (and she's due June 24th!) and I realized she could go into labor at any time and here half my gift is hospital stuff, which she can't use if she's already given birth and returned home before she received my gift.  So I put all the items in a box and mailed it out as is.  Hopefully she won't mind.

Relay for Life Shirts (Freezer Paper Stenciling)

There hasn't been much sewing recently.  So what have I been doing you ask?

Freezer paper stenciling.

These are all the shirts I made for the Relay For Life event coming up.  Our team didn't have shirts last year and my mom and I decided this year they were a must.  We looked at having them professionally printed but not everyone on our team would be able to afford a $15 shirt on top of the registration fee and extra money needed at the relay itself.  So what was our grand idea, or rather MY grand idea? Freezer paper stenciling them......ALL OF THEM.

Word to the wise, do not volunteer yourself to freezer paper stencil 20+ shirts for any event. 

While the results were great, being the procrastinator I am, I ended up having to finish over a dozen of them the last week before the event and make a team banner to boot.  Not a smart idea.

I'm glad they are all finished and I know everyone will appreciate them, but man am I tired.

I think me and my Xacto knife need some time apart for awhile.

New Burlap Placemats

Before we moved I made some placemats for the table to help the place look a little more like home.

 

I wanted something that looked a little country since that is what the rest of my kitchen and dining room look like, so I chose burlap.  Am I the only one who didn't realize burlap was stretchy and kind of difficult to work with.  I had an awful time cutting out straight rectangles but after a few attempts I finally got 4- 13x17in rectangles.

 

 

After I got them cut out I decided they needed a little color, so I added a little simple design to the side.

 

The only thing I'm not fond of is all the little fly away strings from the burlap, I tend to find them every where and can't help but wonder if maybe I was supposed to do something to prevent that.  Oh well, I love the country look of them.

 

 

 

Another Granola Bar Version

I LOVE homemade granola bars.

Ok I LOVE homemade granola bars using this recipe.  I posted about my first few attempts here, and I'm still making them almost weekly.  I seriously can't stop eating them.  They are my breakfast, snack, and dessert.  The best part is I don't feel guilty eating them.  I figure with all the dried fruit, nuts, and oats I could find worse things to indulge in.

 

I've tried a bunch of different variations of this granola bar and haven't had a failure yet.  Here are a few other variations I have made

- Apple, cinnamon, pecan 

- Blueberry, apricot, almond, cinnamon

- Cranberry, blueberry, almond, cinnamon, and coconut (pictured above)

 

I hadn't tried coconut in any other of the recipes I've made but I had seen other recipes that used it so I thought I'd give it a try.  I'm not a big fan of anything coconut flavor but this just added a little sweetness to the bars and I will probably add it into any other ones I make until I run out.

 

My husband has been taking all my variations to work and he says all the guys love them as well.  In my opinion anything healthy you can get a bunch of guys to love, has to be a true winner of a recipe.



Meal Plan Week #2

#1 Spaghetti with garlic bread (I scored some New York garlic bread at Giant Eagle about 3 weeks ago for free with a coupon!)
#2 Pizza Pasta Box Mix

#3 Meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
#4 Grilled chicken and baked potato
      We had this as part of a cookout for Father's Day using the Mountain Dew marinade recipe:

2cups Mountain Dew

1cup soy sauce

1/2cup olive oil

1/2t garlic powder (I have also slice 1 garlic clove and put it in when I've been out of garlic powder.  It works just as well

Let chicken marinade in this overnight.  I've used this recipe dozens of times and everyone I've served it to raves about how delish it is.  The chicken always comes out super moist and even though the combinations of ingredients in the marinade sound kind of disgusting together they make for one tasty piece of poultry.

 



#5 Breakfast
#6 Leftovers
#7 Frozen Pizza (Jack's pizza I bought this week with a coupon for $1.00!)

Grocery Shopping Week 2 of the $30 Grocery Challenge

Here is week 2 and while last week seemed to take me extra time in the stores with the multiple transactions and multiple stores, this week has taken me extra time in the list process.
This week Meijer and Kroger are having similar promotions.  Meijer is having a Buy 8 get $8 off, Kroger is having a Buy 4 get $4 off.  Both of which are fantastic sales the problem I had was narrowing my list down to fit into my small budget.  There were so many fantastic deals I could have went over my $30 in the blink of an eye.  However I was good,  I kept things in check and narrowed my list down.

KoolAid Jammers- $0.99 used a$1.00/2 coupon paid $0.99 for 2

Skittles $0.50 each used a $0.50/2 coupon that doubled to $1.00=2 for free

Dove Chocolate bars $0.50 each used a $0.50/2 coupon that doubled to $1.00=2 for Free (I bought 4)

Kraft Homestyle Mac & Cheese $1.29 used a $1.00/1 coupon=$0.29 (I bought 2)

Miracle Whip $2.49 used a $1.00/1 coupon=$1.49

Philly Cream cheese $0.99 used $0.50/2 coupon doubled to $1.00=$0.99 for 2

A1 steak sauce $1.99 used $0.55/1 doubled to $1.10=$0.89 (I bought 2)

Kraft Cheese Singles $1.49 used $0.50/2 coupon doubled to $1.00=$0.99 each (I bought 2)

Jack's Frozen Pizza $2.50 used $0.75 coupon that doubled to $1.50=$1.00 (I bought 2)

Delifresh Lunch Meat $1.49 used 2-$1.00/2 coupon=$1.00 each (I bought 5 and received a $4 Catalina Coupon printout at checkout)

Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs $0.99 coupon $0.50/2 coupon that doubled to $1.00 (I bought 2)

Mott's Fruit Snacks $2.00 used $0.75 that doubled to $1.50=$0.50 (I bought 1)

Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage Links $1.68 used $1.00/1 coupon=$0.68

Nutella $2.49 used $1.00 coupon=$1.49 each (I bought 2)

Oscar Meyer Bologna $0.99 (I bought 3 and was supposed to get a $2 Catalina printout but aparently  that offer had ended without me realizing because I didn't get the printout and the customer service people couldn't find any information about it)

 Total=$23.38

**I used the $4.00 catalina that printed from the Delifresh lunchmeat purchase to buy

Angel Soft Toilet Paper $4.99 used $0.55/1 coupon that doubled to $1.10=$3.89

and Bread=$0.85 

Total=$4.99 (with tax)-$4 Catalina= $0.99

 

 

Pampers Wipes $0.99 used $0.50/1 coupon that doubled to $0.99 making all 5 I bought Free!

Cascadian Farms Cereal $1.99 used $0.85 coupon that doubled to $1.70 = $0.29 (I bought 2)

Smart Balance Butter Spread $1.59 used $0.50/1 coupon that doubled $1.00= $0.59 (I bought 2)

Juicy Juice $1.88 used $1.00/1 coupon= $0.88 (I bought 2)

3 Gallons Milk =$2 each (these were on sale at Giant Eagle)

2 lbs Grapes $0.97/lb

Total=$11.46

 

Total Spent at both stores = $35.83

 

The total was supposed to be $33.83 because I thought I would be getting a $2 Catalina for the Oscar Meyer Bologna which was going to be used to pay for the 2lbs of grapes I bought.  Whenever I need toilet paper or lots of toiletries I give myself no more than $5 wiggle room.  What is the reason for this you may be asking?  Well lets face it, its hard enough to buy enough food to get by for $30 but when you add toilet paper, laundry detergent, cleaning products, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc, it can be near impossible to not go over budget.  Another reason for the wiggle room is that I don't buy toiletries every week and the only thing I buy regularly is toilet paper, which depending on the sale and the week I can usually make it fit into the budget.  I make my own laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, cleaning products, and buy my shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, etc when it is at the lowest price possible and buy enough to last me 6 months to a year.  So when other people are spending $4/bottle for shampoo, I normally pay $1.00 or less.  Deodorant I don't pay more than $0.25 for women's and $0.49 for men's.  I never pay for toothpaste, and shave gel is not more than $0.49 for men's and $0.20 for women's.

 

Once you start couponing and start a small stockpile you will get a feel for the sales and what items you can get at certain prices.  I know I can get deodorant for under $0.49 so I don't buy it unless it's at that price.  When it is on sale I buy 4 which lasts me until the next time it's free or at the price I want to pay.  That's how you start saving the most, by stocking enough of the item to get you through until the next sale when the item's at the lowest price.

 

If you coupon for nothing else, which would be crazy might I add, coupon for toiletries.  These are the items that can take up the bulk of any budget during any given week and contributes nothing to the bellies of your hungry family.

 

Sausage and Sauerkraut

I love easy throw together meals and smoked sausage and kraut is 1 of my favorites.  2 of my grandparents are southern and therefore I partly grew up on southern cooking and let me tell you, I don't know if there is any better.  My Mamaw used to make sausage and kraut on a regular basis, always with some good ol' mashed potatoes, so cooking it now is like a trip down memory lane.

 

All I do is put a jar of partially drained Vlasic kraut in a pan or pot, add some sliced smoked sausage or Lil' Smokies and let simmer for about 20 minutes.  Whip up some mashed potatoes and you are set. 

That's what Rachel Ray and I call a 30 minute meal.

 

 

 

Start Couponing and Start Saving

Couponing is one of the main ways I keep my grocery budget at a mere $30 a week.  I have been serious about it for the last year and have gotten pretty good, if I do say so myself.  I have yet to figure out how to get $500 worth of groceries for free but I also don't know what I would do with all those groceries anyways, so I thought I'd share just a few things I've learned.

Every couponer has their own way of doing things.  If there's one thing I have learned it's you have to do what makes sense to you.  I started out with a little accordian folder.  That got old really fast and I quickly switched to a binder with baseball card holders inside.

 

This was the only thing that made sense for me. I've seen other's use shoe boxes, accordian files, and even suitcases. Do what works for you.

 

I don't carry my binder with me, into every store, every day.  Cuz that would be crazy.  Instead I carrry a little 4x6 photo album that I use as a small coupon organizer.  I have slots labeled with the names of the stores, with the coupons I need for each store in those slots.

I also use envelopes if I need to do more than 1 transaction.  This keeps me more organized in the store.  I have my list with what I'm purchasing in each transaction and put those coupons in the envelope.

 

Then those envelopes go in the store's slot.

For easy quick access.

 

When I've taught a couple family members how to start couponing one of the questions I got was "how do I make my lists?"  Well here is how I start:

1st I visit my favorite coupon websites for their store match-ups.  While looking at those sites I make a list for the store(s) I plan on shopping at, the items at the lowest prices, and the coupons needed (to make sure I have them).

Here is what it looks like:

After I have my list of the best deals and their prices after coupons, I start figuring out what I'm actually going to buy with my whopping $30.

I have a few websites I check regularly for coupon match-ups, here are my favorites:

freetastesgood.com - this site is by Joni from Extreme Couponing and she lives in Toledo, Ohio so most of the deals and prices she lists are relevant for my area as well which is why her site is the one I check most frequently.  This is the one I use to make my weekly shopping lists.

krazycouponlady.com- this site is by Joannie from Extreme Couponing but she lives in California so some of the stores she lists and deals aren't good where I live.  She does have great deals for magazines.  I've gotten Rachel Ray and Taste of Home for under $4 a year the last couple years.

livingonacoupon.com-this site is by Jessica from Extreme Couponing and she lives in Idaho.  Once again many of the stores and deals aren't relevant to my area but she does post coupons and other deals the other sites don't have.

These sites are how I create my shopping list.  I generally write down all the best deals and then go through to pick what I need and what will work within my budget for that week.  I have had to pass up some great deals because of my small budget and what I need for that week, but we have never done without any necessities.

I get the Sunday paper delivered to my house every week, but unless it is full of loads of amazing coupons I don't normally buy any more than the 1.  Instead I go to coupon clipping websites and purchase multiples of the coupons I need.  This also gives me the opportunity to get regional coupons that I didn't get in my paper.

thecouponclippers.com based in Florida, and I've had great success with them.  They do have a minimum purchase of $3.96 which can be annoying when you only want a handful of coupons.

klip2save.com based in Tennessee.  I love them because I get the coupons the quickest and they have no minimum purchase, which is fantastic.  I can order 5 coupons or 50 and it's ok.

weclipusave.com based in Tennessee.  They have their coupons up the Wednesday before they actually get in your paper.  Haven't a clue how they do this but they do.  They also sell the whole coupon insert.  I've never needed to purchase the whole thing but it's nice to know I could if I wanted.

Couponing is kind of like a learned art form.  It's quite a bit of information to take in but go to the websites and start perusing through them.  Print a couple coupons, take them to the store, and save some money.   It takes practice and like anything else, the more you do it, the better you will get.  Then you too can make your $30 budget work.  I promise once you start saving you won't be able to stop, it's seriously addicting!

Cherry Cupcakes

My Mom's birthday was this week and she requested cherry cupcakes.  I've never made them before so I was a little hesitant.  I have has some bad experiences with attempting recipes I've never made before and them turning out really badly.  I got the recipe from the girls of Georgetown Cupcake.  Their book has a few recipes and this one is Cherry Blossom.

 

The only alterations to their recipes I make is to decrease the sugar content, so the tops of the cupcakes are not sticky.  I also added about 1/2 a vial of cherry Lorann's flavoring.  When I tasted the batter before adding the flavoring I couldn't get any cherry flavor unless I bit into a cherry.  I decided that wasn't good enough and I didn't want to search for flavors in a cake.  Adding the Lorann put it over the top yummy!

Crockpot Beef Stew

Because I was going to be gone all day yesterday I decided to make beef stew in the crockpot.  I've made Pioneer Woman's recipe on the stove before so I figured all I would have to do is throw all the ingredients in the crockpot and turn it on.

Beef Stew

6 cups water

6t beef boullion (you could also use 6c beef stock)

leftover beef roast (it's already cooked so that step is done, you could buy stew meat but it tends to be super expensive so use some leftovers and save yourself some money)

4 potatoes-peeled and chunked up

4 carrots- unpeeled and sliced

1 medium onion-chopped

2 garlic cloves minced

salt and pepper to taste

1 bay leaf

3 dashes worcestershire sauce

*Pioneer Woman's recipe called for paprika & a couple other ingredients I didn't have so I just omitted them.

 

Put all these ingredients in the crockpot, turn it on high for about 5 hours.  I decided I wanted a little thicker stew so I took a ladle full of the stew liquid, put it in a bowl and wisked in about 2T flour.  Then I poured it back into the crockpot and let it cook for another 20-30 minutes to give it time to thicken. 

 

This stew was delicious and there is more than enough for a couple leftover meals.

Pulled Pork BBQ & a Snack To-Go

Last night was leftover night.  I know it seems kind of strange to have leftover night on a Monday but I had some pulled pork BBQ left from Friday so I pulled a bag of Steamfresh Honey Roasted Corn from the freezer and canned pineapple and dinner was made.

 

I love pulled pork BBQ for a couple reasons. 1-because all it takes is a crockpot and some BBQ sauce. 2-leftovers are just as good as the first time around.

I actually still had too much leftover, about enough for 2 servings, so I froze it for a lunch on another day.

 

If your wanting a way to make a jar of store bought BBQ sauce taste a little more homemade, add some minced dried onion (about 1T), about 1 1/2T brown sugar, and a squirt or 2 of honey, to any bottle of sauce and let it simmer on the stove for about 15 minutes.  I use this trick all the time and it works like a charm.

 

Since I got season passes to the zoo we are headed there again this week.  I like making special little snacks to take so we are not tempted to grab the super pricey ones while we are there.  One of my favorite muffin recipes I found at Small Fry & Co for Brown Sugar Muffins.  I like making them into mini muffins and I've made them with blueberries and mini chocolate chips and they are scrumptious.

 

This batch I made 1/2 regular and 1/2 with mini chips.

 

Mmmm! don't you just want to eat the batter.

 

Are they cute or what?

I got 24 regular and about 20 mini chip ones out of one recipe.  Who needs Little Debbie and Hostess right?

 

And Bonus: these muffins freeze really well too so if you can't eat them all before they start going bad, throw them in a freezer bag and pull them out as you need them.  Just nuk them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds and you have fresh warm muffins.  I like to keep some of these in the freezerto give Grant something different for breakfast.

 

I swear he would eat a dozen of these if I would let him.

 

 

Grocery Shopping Week 1 of the Challenge

It took me a little extra time this week to work every thing in I needed to get this week and still stay on budget. 
Here was the haul I brought home on my first trip (yes, there were 2 seperate trips needed due to a cranky 2 year old boy and a cranky 27 year old mom).

 

Meijer:  Spent $11.77

Had the best price on meat this week. Pork Loin 1.79/lb mine cost $7.98

Pure silk shave gel $1.59 coupon $0.70 doubled to $1.40= $0.19each (I bought 4)

3 Musketeer bar $0.50 coupon $50/2 doubled to $1.00=2 bars for free

1/2 gallons Meijer brand orange juice $1.50 each coupon 1.50/2= $0.75each (I bought 2)

Propel Zero water (not pictured) $1.09, I had a store coupon for 1 Free

Pampers Wipes 72count $1.99 coupon $0.50/1 double to $1.00=$0.99

Total $11.77 with tax and after coupons

 

Giant Eagle: Spent $9.87

I did 2 transactions for this store to take advantage of a Catalina that printed off at the register.

Transaction#1

Milk $2.00/gal (I bought 3)

Grapes $0.99/lb mine were $1.60

International Delight Coffee Creamer $1.67 coupon $0.55/1 doubled to $1.10/1 =$0.57(bought 1)

Colgate toothpaste $1.00 coupon for $1.00/1=free

New York Garlic Bread loaf $1.50 coupon $0.75/1 doubled to $1.50=free

Activia yogurt $2 coupon $1.00/1=$1.00 (I bought 1)

Dole Pineapple 8oz cans $0.89each coupon $0.75/2 doubled to $1.50 I used 2 coupons making the 4 I bought =$0.56 *buying these 4 canned pineapple printed a Catalina coupon with my receipt for $0.50 to use toward my next purchase

Transaction #2

International Delight coffee Creamer $1.67 coupon $0.55/1 double to $1.10 = $0.57

I used my Catalina from the 1st transaction of $0.50

Total for this transaction $0.07

Total $9.80 with tax and after coupons

 

Walmart: Spent $0.09

Almay makeup remover pads 15count $1.14 coupon $4.00/1 (I bought 2)

**my walmart allows me to use overage from my coupons to apply it to the other items I buy.  Most stores do not allow this.

flour $1.82

Sugar 4lbs (not pictured above) $2.26

Sauerkraut $1.58

$8.09 after tax and before coupons

I paid $0.09

 

 

Trip #2

 

Kroger: Total Spent $5.88

Kroger had a Catalina printing this week for participating General Mills products, when you bought 5 items you got a $5 Catalina for your next order.

 

Transaction #1

Tuna Helper $1.50 coupon $0.80/4 doubled to $1.60=$1.10 each (Ibought 4)

Chex mix $2.00 coupon $0.50/1 doubled to $1.00=$1.00

Crest toothpaste $1.00 coupon $0.50 doubled to $1.00= Free



 Total $5.40 & got a $5.00 Catalina off my next order

 

Transaction #2

Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie mix $1.50 coupon $0.75/2 doubled to $1.50=$0.25each

Suddenly Salad $1.99 coupon $0.50/2 doubled to $1.00=$2.98

Green Giant Veggie chips $2.00 coupon $0.50/1 doubled to $1.00=$1.00

Total $5.48 used the $5.00 Catalina from transaction #1, paid $0.48 and received another $5 Catalina for my next purchase

 

Trip #3

 

 

 

Kroger:

I used the $5 catalina from the 2nd transaction and bought the following:

eggs $1.79

potatoes $1.98

Beef Boullion cubes $1.79

Tortilla chips $1.00

Bread $0.80

I used the discount my sister gets for being a Kroger employer which takes 10% off any Kroger products you buy.  My total came to $6.63

I used my $5 catalina and paid $1.63

 



 This week was not a usual week for me as far as making multiple trips and doing multiple transactions at each store.  Normally I go to, at most 2 different stores, and try not to do more than 1 transaction.  This week was exhausting and I definately had to work for my savings, but I'm glad I stayed on budget.  Next week will be easier and less work hopefully.

 

Total spent for the week: $29.24

 

 

 

Meal Plan week #1 of the Grocery Challenge

Here's how I do my meal plans.  I do not assign a meal to a specific day because as all Mom's know thing's happen and I may not have the time to make that particular meal or the day might come and whatever I had planned just doesn't sound good anymore.  So instead I make a list of 7 meals I know I have all the ingredients to make and keep that list on my fridge.  I used to write it on my grocery list and of course after I went grocery shopping the list hit the trash and so did my meal plan.  If it's not written down where I can see and find it, I will inevitably forget it.

1. Beef Stew- 3 weeks ago I made a beef roast and froze the leftover meat to use for this meal.
2. Sloppy Joes & potato wedges- 2 weeks ago I bought 4lbs of ground beef 2 store in my freezer and pull out as needed weekly
3. Sauerkraut with Smoked sausage (stored in my freezer after buying it with coupons for $0.57each) & mashed potatoes
4.  Breakfast-I love breakfast for dinner & I never write down exactly what I'm going to make because it all depends on what tickles my fancy that evening.  It can be as simple as pancakes or as fancy (ok not really fancy) as casserole or quiche
5.  Baked Chicken with Kraft Fresh Take breading & steamed broccoli & pineapple chunks
6.  Spaghetti with garlic bread
7.  Leftovers

I always have at least 1 day reserved for leftovers, 1 day reserved for breakfast for dinner, and 1 day without any meat (this saves my freezer stock of meat and makes it last a little longer)

So meal #1 for the week is Sloppy Joes.
I love sloppy joes and I saw a Pioneer Woman recipe for them from scratch, instead of good ol' Manwich, and my oh my they were scrumptious.  Of course in true Lisa fashion I didn't have all the ingredients her recipe called for so I somewhat created my own.

 

Sloppy Joes

1lb Ground Beef

1/2 onion chopped

1/2 green pepper chopped

1/2 red pepper chopped

1 1/2t chili powder

6 dashes worcestershire sauce (don't know if that's how you spell it but you know what I'm talking about)

1c ketchup

3T mustard

1 1/2T brown sugar

salt and pepper to taste

 

brown the ground beef, drain.  Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes.  I like mine a little chunky, if you want yours a little less just make sure you dice your peppers and onions really fine.  Use whatever peppers you have on hand.  I buy mine in the clearance section at my grocery store, bring them home and freeze them.  That way I always have bell peppers available and they aren't added to my weekly grocery list at their most expensive price.

 

Potato Wedges

Potatoes (as many as you need)

salt/pepper to taste

1 pkg onion soup mix

olive oil

 

wash and cut your potatoes into wedges.  Put them in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.  season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle onion soup mix over top.  Now mix it all together,  Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 400 until soft (about 30 minutes).

 

You can use any seasonings you want.  I've used Mrs. Dash, good ol' salt and pepper, garlic & italian seasoning, etc.

 

What's great about these potato wedges is you can make extras and freeze them after they cool from baking.  Just put them in a freezer bag and on a night you want a quick side dish pull them out, put them on a baking sheet at bake at 400 for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

 

Quick and Easy, my favorite kind of meal