Ah, this is one of those weeks where I really didn't feel like menu planning. I felt like just winging it, but I know where that would lead me--right to take out even though I have a lot of food I could eat. So, here is the plan (you may notice some repeats from last week as I didn't get to make them all):
Monday--OAMC Favorite Macaroni & Cheese, broccoli
Tuesday--Cheeseburgers & Oven Potato Wedges
Wednesday--Stuffed Shells & carrot sticks
Thursday--Tuna Noodle Casserole, veggies
Friday--dinner out
Saturday--One Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup & bread
Sunday--Split Pea Soup & bread
I will also be finishing up a new batch of freezer meals on Monday. To see what I have planned for my freezer cooking day, go here.
Lunches will be leftovers or sandwiches.
Breakfasts will be cereal, oatmeal, toast, omelettes, or pancakes.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Pizza Loaves - Once a Month Cooking
I am planning to join Fish Mama at Life as Mom and Crystal at Money Saving Mom and gearing up for another freezer cooking day. I know that some of my readers are, too, so I thought this week I would share one of the yummy once a month cooking meals I made last month, Pizza Loaves. These were easy to assemble and made 4 meals for us; we have eaten all but one meal of these. I never use Cheez-Whiz, but I used it and made a few minor changes, and our family loved the finished results.
Pizza Loaves
Pizza Loaves
1.5 lbs. hamburger
1 clove garlic, minced
2 loaves French bread, split down the center, each half cut into 4 portions (16 portions total)
1 - 8 oz. jar processed cheese spread
4 oz. mushrooms
½ green pepper
1 - 8 oz. can tomato sauce
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
2 loaves French bread, split down the center, each half cut into 4 portions (16 portions total)
1 - 8 oz. jar processed cheese spread
4 oz. mushrooms
½ green pepper
1 - 8 oz. can tomato sauce
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
In skillet, cook beef until no longer pink. Drain. Stir in garlic.
Place each bread on a heavy duty foil piece. This will be used to wrap after assembling.
Spread bread with cheese sauce. Top with beef mix, mushrooms, green peppers. Drizzle with pizza sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese.
Wrap and freeze up to 3 months.
To Bake: Unwrap loaves and place on baking sheet at 350 for 25 minutes.
I shared this post at The Grocery Cart Challenge, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and $5 Dinners.
Place each bread on a heavy duty foil piece. This will be used to wrap after assembling.
Spread bread with cheese sauce. Top with beef mix, mushrooms, green peppers. Drizzle with pizza sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese.
Wrap and freeze up to 3 months.
To Bake: Unwrap loaves and place on baking sheet at 350 for 25 minutes.
I shared this post at The Grocery Cart Challenge, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays and $5 Dinners.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Just Ask - Part II
I bought some tortillas cheap a few weeks ago for .99/package. I wanted to buy some imitation crab meat for Seafood Enchiladas, and I found a package for $4.83. I noticed that the expiration date was 2/19 (and I was shopping on 2/19); there was another package with an expiration date of 3/2. It would have been easy to just pick the package with a later expiration date, but I decided to ask the woman behind the fish counter if I could get a discount since the expiration date was the same day. She smiled, slapped a sticker on the package and handed it back to me. She gave me 50% off, so I got the crab for $2.41.
Just ask. (To see my previous post on just asking and saving money, go here.)
Food Waste, 2/25/10
It was a bad food waste week.
There is really no good excuse. We just didn’t eat the food. And it went bad. And we essentially threw money into the garbage. End of story. Self-flogging over.
1 cup macaroni & cheese & veggies = .30
½ avocado = .39
½ container sour cream = .50
Almost a full onion = .80
Chicken burrito filling = .80
(These prices are my best guess based on the price for which I usually buy items.)
Total wasted this week = 2.79
Total wasted in February = 5.79
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Freezer Cooking Plan and Links
Our third baby will be here in less than two months, so I am trying to fill my freezer with meals. I had a freezer cooking day in February, but we have already eaten most of those meals.
These are the new recipes I am planning to try for freezer cooking this time around:
Ultimate Taquitos
Parmesan Garlic Chicken
Monterey Jack Stuffed Chicken
Baked Ham Sandwiches
Steak Packets
Favorite Macaroni & Cheese
And, we are making some of our old favorite standbys:
Lighter Meatloaf
Pumpkin Bread
Stuffed Potatoes Primavera
I may not be able to make everything on my (perhaps overly ambitious) list as I only have 2.5 weeks left of work before my maternity leave, and I am quite busy trying to wrap everything up. There have been several evenings when I have had to bring work home with me. Also, I don’t have any chicken yet, so if it is not on sale this week, I will be scrapping the chicken recipes.
I will let you know next week how successful I was.
Are you cooking any freezer meals? Consider joining Money Saving Mom and Life as Mom for Freezer Cooking Days.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Dining Out Challenge Blog
My husband and I love to eat out. It is our one true vice that keeps us from living as frugally as we would like. It is not unusual for us to spend $50 on dinner out.
I conducted a poll on my blog a few weeks ago and asked how much my readers averaged on dinner out for a family of four including tax and tip. The results showed that my husband and I are not alone. Forty-one people responded, and only 16% of them spent less than $30 when eating out. Forty percent spent between $31 and $50, and 41% spent $50 or more going out to eat. If eating out is a special treat, this is not that big of an expenditure, but for many Americans, eating out is something done at least weekly, if not more than that. This can take a huge chunk out of a family’s budget.
Clearly, with our decision for me to quit my job and become a stay-at-home mom, we cannot afford to continue eating out the way that we do. We considered not going out to eat at all, but neither of us really wanted to do that. Instead, we decided to set some ground rules—we can only go out to eat once a week, and we cannot spend more than $1300 on eating out for an entire year. (That averages out to $25/week for us and our two—soon to be three—children.) We want to still enjoy the experience of going out to eat but to be smarter about the way we use our money when eating out.
To document our eating out experiences and to share the ways we try to spend less than $25/week, I have created another blog, The Dining Out Challenge. Come join us there to learn tricks to save money eating out, to share your own experiences and to read our reviews of the restaurants we dine at.
We will try hard to avoid the typical fast food choices; we want to eat out like we used to at restaurants we enjoy without paying the high sticker price, so to speak. Hope to see you there!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Grocery Shopping, 2/22/10
Finally, a week I completely stayed within budget!
Tony's:
1 bag egg noodles = .99
1 can cream of mushroom soup = .59
2 pkgs. spaghetti noodles (14 oz. total) = .50
1 pkg. taco mix = .99
1 pkg. coffee filters = .95
1 can cat food = .50
1 onion = .94
2 plum tomatoes = .38
1 head Romaine lettuce = .50
1 bunch green onions = .34
2 broccoli crowns = .52
3 navel oranges = 1.82
1 pkg. eggs = .99
1 pkg cheese = 1.50
1 pkg. mozzarella cheese = 2.69 (I must have picked up the wrong one; this was supposed to be $1.50 too)
Total = 14.20
Dominick's:
1 box Fig Newton’s = 3.00
2 gallons milk = 3.98
2 boxes butter = 5.98 – 2.00 Q = 3.98
1 loaf Butternut bread = 1.79
1 pkg Johnsonville brats = .99
2 lb. ham lunchmeat = 4.99
1 pkg. imitation crab = 2.29
3 yellow peaches = 1.44
2 cantaloupe = 2.99
10 lb. bag potatoes = 1.99
1 lb. baby carrots = .99
1 pineapple = 1.99
Total = 31.20
Tony's:
1 bag egg noodles = .99
1 can cream of mushroom soup = .59
2 pkgs. spaghetti noodles (14 oz. total) = .50
1 pkg. taco mix = .99
1 pkg. coffee filters = .95
1 can cat food = .50
1 onion = .94
2 plum tomatoes = .38
1 head Romaine lettuce = .50
1 bunch green onions = .34
2 broccoli crowns = .52
3 navel oranges = 1.82
1 pkg. eggs = .99
1 pkg cheese = 1.50
1 pkg. mozzarella cheese = 2.69 (I must have picked up the wrong one; this was supposed to be $1.50 too)
Total = 14.20
Dominick's:
1 box Fig Newton’s = 3.00
2 gallons milk = 3.98
2 boxes butter = 5.98 – 2.00 Q = 3.98
1 loaf Butternut bread = 1.79
1 pkg Johnsonville brats = .99
2 lb. ham lunchmeat = 4.99
1 pkg. imitation crab = 2.29
3 yellow peaches = 1.44
2 cantaloupe = 2.99
10 lb. bag potatoes = 1.99
1 lb. baby carrots = .99
1 pineapple = 1.99
Total = 31.20
Walgreens:
1 large pack Pampers wipes = 5.99 – 3.00 RR = 2.99
Total for week = 48.39
Total for February = 196.06
Total for the year = 513.37 (73.34/week average)
1 large pack Pampers wipes = 5.99 – 3.00 RR = 2.99
Total for week = 48.39
Total for February = 196.06
Total for the year = 513.37 (73.34/week average)
To see the meals we will make for the week, go here.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Menu Planning, 2/21/10
I have quite a few packages of tortillas to use up that I bought on sale for .99/each, so you may notice a Mexican theme this week.
Monday--Seafood Enchiladas, lettuce, tomato
Tuesday--Tacos with lettuce & tomato
Wednesday--Lighter Meatloaf & Oven Potato Wedges, Broccoli
Thursday--Omelet for Two, Strawberry-Blueberry Smoothies
Friday--Tuna Noodle Casserole, Baby Carrots
Saturday--dinner out
Sunday--Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup & Olive Garden Breadsticks
Lunches will be leftovers & sandwiches.
Breakfasts will be pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin bread, omelettes, breakfast muesli, oatmeal, fruit, breakfast burritos
To see the groceries we bought for the week, go here.
Monday--Seafood Enchiladas, lettuce, tomato
Tuesday--Tacos with lettuce & tomato
Wednesday--Lighter Meatloaf & Oven Potato Wedges, Broccoli
Thursday--Omelet for Two, Strawberry-Blueberry Smoothies
Friday--Tuna Noodle Casserole, Baby Carrots
Saturday--dinner out
Sunday--Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup & Olive Garden Breadsticks
Lunches will be leftovers & sandwiches.
Breakfasts will be pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin bread, omelettes, breakfast muesli, oatmeal, fruit, breakfast burritos
To see the groceries we bought for the week, go here.
Friday, February 19, 2010
OAMC Breakfast Burritos
I found this recipe for Breakfast Burritos and made them for my freezer cooking day in December. We really liked them, so I thought I would share.
12 eggs, beaten
½ lb. ham, diced
½ cup chunky salsa
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
24 flour tortillas
1 green pepper, finely diced
Scramble eggs in large skillet until done; stir in cooked ham, green pepper and salsa.
Warm tortillas in microwave 20-30 seconds or until warm and flexible
Place 1/2 cup egg mixture into tortilla; roll burrito-style.
When cooled, wrap burritos in plastic wrap and then foil.
TO SERVE: Unwrap burritos from foil or plastic wrap that you used for freezing.
Wrap in a paper towel.
Cook in microwave until heated through (about 2 minutes).
I shared this post at The Grocery Cart Challenge, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays , Life as Mom and $5 Dinners.
12 eggs, beaten
½ lb. ham, diced
½ cup chunky salsa
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
24 flour tortillas
1 green pepper, finely diced
Scramble eggs in large skillet until done; stir in cooked ham, green pepper and salsa.
Warm tortillas in microwave 20-30 seconds or until warm and flexible
Place 1/2 cup egg mixture into tortilla; roll burrito-style.
When cooled, wrap burritos in plastic wrap and then foil.
TO SERVE: Unwrap burritos from foil or plastic wrap that you used for freezing.
Wrap in a paper towel.
Cook in microwave until heated through (about 2 minutes).
I shared this post at The Grocery Cart Challenge, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays , Life as Mom and $5 Dinners.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Food Waste, 2/18/10
I was on target for no food waste until I went to make mashed potatoes and found this.
These potatoes no more than 2 months old. I know some people buy potatoes cheap in the fall and are able to use them all winter. I had these potatoes stored in an unheated closet off the study. It is considerably colder in there than the rest of the house, maybe 50 some degrees.
When I pulled out these potatoes, they were soft, wrinkly and full of eyes. I would have still used them, but the bottom ones were all wet and slimy.
Please, if someone knows how to store potatoes properly so they last a long time, let me know how. Potatoes are on sale this week 10 lbs. for $1.88, but I don't want to buy them if I can't figure out how to store them properly and not waste them.
I bought this bag of potatoes for $2.99, so I have wasted another $1.50 this week. That makes my food waste total for the last two weeks $3.00.
These potatoes no more than 2 months old. I know some people buy potatoes cheap in the fall and are able to use them all winter. I had these potatoes stored in an unheated closet off the study. It is considerably colder in there than the rest of the house, maybe 50 some degrees.
When I pulled out these potatoes, they were soft, wrinkly and full of eyes. I would have still used them, but the bottom ones were all wet and slimy.
Please, if someone knows how to store potatoes properly so they last a long time, let me know how. Potatoes are on sale this week 10 lbs. for $1.88, but I don't want to buy them if I can't figure out how to store them properly and not waste them.
I bought this bag of potatoes for $2.99, so I have wasted another $1.50 this week. That makes my food waste total for the last two weeks $3.00.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A Little Inconvenience in the Name of Lowering the Grocery Bill
My family likes milk. I, on the other hand, LOVE milk. I drink it frequently, but now that I am in my 7th month of pregnancy, I have several glasses a day. We also use it in oatmeal, breakfast muesli, omelettes, mashed potatoes, etc. For our family of 4, we usually go through three gallons a week. A bit excessive, I know.
This week I was trying to keep my grocery expense low, so when I had spent $55, I knew that I did not have the money for the $4 to 7 it would cost to buy milk for the week. This was not really an issue because I had powdered milk in the cupboard that I bought many months ago, and I really should use it up. I mixed up a quart at a time and stirred it up in my quart canning jar. Everything was going smoothly until the quart canning jar cracked in the dishwasher.
We had no other drinking containers to use. My five year old son suggested I just go out and buy milk already. However, I did not want to do this because I really want to bring down my grocery bill. I found a round container to use, and now we are making milk in this. It is not a perfect situation because I can’t really pour milk out of this big container. Instead, we find ourselves ladling out milk every morning. It is a bit strange, but it will work for this week until the powdered milk is gone, and it will help me keep on track grocery wise.
This week I was trying to keep my grocery expense low, so when I had spent $55, I knew that I did not have the money for the $4 to 7 it would cost to buy milk for the week. This was not really an issue because I had powdered milk in the cupboard that I bought many months ago, and I really should use it up. I mixed up a quart at a time and stirred it up in my quart canning jar. Everything was going smoothly until the quart canning jar cracked in the dishwasher.
We had no other drinking containers to use. My five year old son suggested I just go out and buy milk already. However, I did not want to do this because I really want to bring down my grocery bill. I found a round container to use, and now we are making milk in this. It is not a perfect situation because I can’t really pour milk out of this big container. Instead, we find ourselves ladling out milk every morning. It is a bit strange, but it will work for this week until the powdered milk is gone, and it will help me keep on track grocery wise.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Do You Search for Internet Discount Codes?
A few months ago, I was reordering my checks from Checks in the Mail. As I was checking out, I saw that they had a box for a discount code. I did not have a code, but I decided to open another browser window and see if I could find a code by typing in “Checks in the Mail discount code.” Sure enough, I found one and received $2 off my $14 order.
Just last week, I was purchasing a restaurant.com certificate for a Mexican restaurant my husband and I were going to. The price was $15, which would give us $25 off our order at the restaurant. However, I once again opened another browser window and typed in “restaurant.com discount code” as my search. After opening a few links, many of which had expired codes, I found a valid code, so our certificate that would have cost $15 only ended up costing $6. I saved $9 by taking another minute (if that) to search for a discount code.
If you haven’t tried this, try it. You will be amazed by all the discounts you can find!
Just last week, I was purchasing a restaurant.com certificate for a Mexican restaurant my husband and I were going to. The price was $15, which would give us $25 off our order at the restaurant. However, I once again opened another browser window and typed in “restaurant.com discount code” as my search. After opening a few links, many of which had expired codes, I found a valid code, so our certificate that would have cost $15 only ended up costing $6. I saved $9 by taking another minute (if that) to search for a discount code.
If you haven’t tried this, try it. You will be amazed by all the discounts you can find!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Grocery Shopping, 2/15/10
Our grocery bill this year thus far has been above the $50 a week that I was aiming for, so I tried to reign in my spending this week. I was still over budget, but only a little bit this time.
Tony's:
1 jar tomato sauce = .34
1 pkg. pasta = .88
1 container beach = .99
3 soft cat food = 1.20
5 lb. bag grapefruit = 1.99
2.29 lbs. bananas = .76
1.75 lbs. bananas = .58
4 navel oranges = 2.01
1 red bell pepper = .55
1 green bell pepper = .79
1 lb. bosc pears = .77
1 avocado = .79
2.26 danjou pears = 1.79
1 16 oz. bag frozen corn = 1.00
1 16 oz. bag frozen peas = 1.00
2 dozen eggs = 1.98
Total = 17.98
Mitsuwa:
I can’t find the receipt for this one, but the total was $19.49.
2 international coffees = 5.38
2 boxes of cereal = 6.98
Total = 12.36
Walgreens: (no picture)
1 pkg. Huggies = 8.99 -2.00 Q – 3.00 RR = 3.99
1 candy bar = .69
Total = 5.55
Tony's:
1 jar tomato sauce = .34
1 pkg. pasta = .88
1 container beach = .99
3 soft cat food = 1.20
5 lb. bag grapefruit = 1.99
2.29 lbs. bananas = .76
1.75 lbs. bananas = .58
4 navel oranges = 2.01
1 red bell pepper = .55
1 green bell pepper = .79
1 lb. bosc pears = .77
1 avocado = .79
2.26 danjou pears = 1.79
1 16 oz. bag frozen corn = 1.00
1 16 oz. bag frozen peas = 1.00
2 dozen eggs = 1.98
Total = 17.98
Mitsuwa:
I can’t find the receipt for this one, but the total was $19.49.
Meijer:
2 international coffees = 5.38
2 boxes of cereal = 6.98
Total = 12.36
Walgreens: (no picture)
1 pkg. Huggies = 8.99 -2.00 Q – 3.00 RR = 3.99
1 candy bar = .69
Total = 5.55
Total for the week = 55.38
Total for February = 147.67
Total for the year = 464.98 (averaging 77.49/week)
To see the meals we will make for the week, go here.
Total for February = 147.67
Total for the year = 464.98 (averaging 77.49/week)
To see the meals we will make for the week, go here.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Menu Planning, 2/14/10
Happy Valentine's Day!
Here is our menu plan for the week. We are utilizing many freezer meals as I try to reduce our grocery bill.
Monday--Pan Seared T-Bone Steak, Mashed Potatoes, and veggie
Tuesday--Slow Cooker Roast with Baby Carrots & Barley (I'll post this later if it turns out to be good)
Wednesday--Grilled Cheese & Vegetable Soup
Thursday--Pizza Loaves & Veggie
Friday--Dinner out
Saturday--Beef & Cheese Lasagna & Veggie
Sunday--Chicken Fajitas with Red & Green Peppers & Avocado
Lunches will be leftovers, noodles, or sandwiches.
Breakfasts will be oatmeal, pumpkin pancakes, apple pumpkin muffins or omelettes.
To see the groceries we bought for the week, go here.
Here is our menu plan for the week. We are utilizing many freezer meals as I try to reduce our grocery bill.
Monday--Pan Seared T-Bone Steak, Mashed Potatoes, and veggie
Tuesday--Slow Cooker Roast with Baby Carrots & Barley (I'll post this later if it turns out to be good)
Wednesday--Grilled Cheese & Vegetable Soup
Thursday--Pizza Loaves & Veggie
Friday--Dinner out
Saturday--Beef & Cheese Lasagna & Veggie
Sunday--Chicken Fajitas with Red & Green Peppers & Avocado
Lunches will be leftovers, noodles, or sandwiches.
Breakfasts will be oatmeal, pumpkin pancakes, apple pumpkin muffins or omelettes.
To see the groceries we bought for the week, go here.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Feed a Family of 4 for $4--Tuna Noodle Casserole
I grew up eating traditional Tuna Noodle Casserole with potato chips crushed on top. My husband never ate Tuna Noodle Casserole until after we were married, and he didn’t care for it much, so I think he was thankful I only made it once or twice a year.
I did make it last week following this recipe I found on recipezaar.
I tweaked it a bit to suit our tastes and make it a bit healthier, and it went over much better. I loved it, and my husband said it was much improved over the traditional dish.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
1 – 8 oz. package whole wheat egg noodles (.49)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (.99)
1 (12 oz.) can flake tuna, drained (1.98)
6 oz. frozen peas (.99)
¼ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. paprika
½ c. milk (.49)
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese (.99)
Cook the egg noodles and peas together in boiling water following package directions. Drain
Combine noodles, peas, tuna, paprika, salt and pepper in a bowl.
In a saucepan mix milk and soup and heat through.
Add 6 oz. cheese and stir until cheese is melted.
Add to noodle mixture and stir well.
Place in a 2 qt casserole dish coated with non-stick cooking spray.
Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
Cover and bake at 425 for 20 minutes, until bubbly.
Makes 6 servings, $1.00 per serving.
I shared this post at $5 Dinners , Life as Mom and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays.
I did make it last week following this recipe I found on recipezaar.
I tweaked it a bit to suit our tastes and make it a bit healthier, and it went over much better. I loved it, and my husband said it was much improved over the traditional dish.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
1 – 8 oz. package whole wheat egg noodles (.49)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (.99)
1 (12 oz.) can flake tuna, drained (1.98)
6 oz. frozen peas (.99)
¼ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. paprika
½ c. milk (.49)
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese (.99)
Cook the egg noodles and peas together in boiling water following package directions. Drain
Combine noodles, peas, tuna, paprika, salt and pepper in a bowl.
In a saucepan mix milk and soup and heat through.
Add 6 oz. cheese and stir until cheese is melted.
Add to noodle mixture and stir well.
Place in a 2 qt casserole dish coated with non-stick cooking spray.
Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
Cover and bake at 425 for 20 minutes, until bubbly.
Makes 6 servings, $1.00 per serving.
I shared this post at $5 Dinners , Life as Mom and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Food Waste, 2/11/10
Last week we made a beef dish in the slow cooker that required 1/2 can of cream of mushroom soup. My husband made the meal and put the other 1/2 can of the soup in the refrigerator, where it sat until I threw it out today.
We also wasted a package of cream cheese that expired on 1/7/10. Honestly, I can't remember how long ago I bought it or even why I bought it.
This week, I decided that in addition to showing my food waste, I should also put a price on it. I believe I bought each item for .99, so our waste this week cost us roughly $1.50. $1.50 straight in the garbage.
We also wasted a package of cream cheese that expired on 1/7/10. Honestly, I can't remember how long ago I bought it or even why I bought it.
This week, I decided that in addition to showing my food waste, I should also put a price on it. I believe I bought each item for .99, so our waste this week cost us roughly $1.50. $1.50 straight in the garbage.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Eliminating Time Wasters
In the evening, I tend to relax by watching tv. I have many favorite shows—
Law & Order SVU
Lost
Chopped
The Amazing Race
Brothers & Sisters
Medium
The Suze Orman Show
Til Debt Do Us Part
And then there are some nights when I am tired and not watching anything in particular.
However, as my husband and I become “gazelle intense” in our money saving efforts and as the baby’s due date draws closer, I think I need to maximize my time. That means less tv. I know once the baby comes I won’t be able to get much work done for a few months.
So, I am going to try to limit myself to the shows I love—Brothers & Sisters and Lost. I will also allow myself to watch The Suze Orman Show & Til Debt Do Us Part as long as I am filing and organizing coupons during that time.
The rest of the shows will have to go on without me.
Law & Order SVU
Lost
Chopped
The Amazing Race
Brothers & Sisters
Medium
The Suze Orman Show
Til Debt Do Us Part
And then there are some nights when I am tired and not watching anything in particular.
However, as my husband and I become “gazelle intense” in our money saving efforts and as the baby’s due date draws closer, I think I need to maximize my time. That means less tv. I know once the baby comes I won’t be able to get much work done for a few months.
So, I am going to try to limit myself to the shows I love—Brothers & Sisters and Lost. I will also allow myself to watch The Suze Orman Show & Til Debt Do Us Part as long as I am filing and organizing coupons during that time.
The rest of the shows will have to go on without me.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Grocery Shopping
Every semester, my son is assigned to bring groceries for his class. This was our designated week. Everything with a * after it was bought for his class. (Sorry, there is only one picture because my camera died after my Aldi trip.)
Aldi:
Aldi:
1 pkg. Broccoli = .99*
1 pkg. broccoli = .99
1 cottage cheese = 1.99
1 pkg. baby carrots = .49*
1 pkg. baby carrots = .49
1 bunch bananas = .84
Total = 5.99
Tony’s Finer Foods:
1 - 2 lb. bag powder sugar = 1.79
1 can pineapple = .99
2 cans tuna = 1.761 cantaloupe = 1.50*
1 cantaloupe = 1.50
1.68 lb. apples = 1.33*
1.87 lb. apples = 1.64
1 - 8 lb. bag grapefruit = 3.49
1 – 3 lb. bag apples = 2.99*
.78 lb. nectarines = .76
2 loaves bread = 2.78
1 pkg. cream cheese = .99
½ lb. ham lunch meat = 1.67
Total = 23.71
Dominick’s:
4 pkgs. Flour tortillas = 3.96
1 pkg. fig cookies = 2.50
2 cans cat food = 1.20
1 – 20 lb. container cat litter = 6.99
1 tube cinnamon rolls = 2.492 dozen eggs = 2.78
1 pkg. string cheese = 3.49*
2 gallons milk = 3.98
1 gallon milk = 2.49*
1 tub yogurt = 1.99
1 – 8 lb. bag oranges = 2.99*
Total = 34.67
Jewel:
1 bag Pirate’s booty = 2.00
2 bags Chex Mix = 3.40 - .50 Q = 2.90*
Total = 5.00
Walgreens = 21.09
CVS = 1.83
Total for the week = 92.29, ($19.71 of which was for DS’ school)Total for February = 92.29
Total for the year = 409. 60 (averaging 81.92/week)
1 pkg. broccoli = .99
1 cottage cheese = 1.99
1 pkg. baby carrots = .49*
1 pkg. baby carrots = .49
1 bunch bananas = .84
Total = 5.99
Tony’s Finer Foods:
1 - 2 lb. bag powder sugar = 1.79
1 can pineapple = .99
2 cans tuna = 1.761 cantaloupe = 1.50*
1 cantaloupe = 1.50
1.68 lb. apples = 1.33*
1.87 lb. apples = 1.64
1 - 8 lb. bag grapefruit = 3.49
1 – 3 lb. bag apples = 2.99*
.78 lb. nectarines = .76
2 loaves bread = 2.78
1 pkg. cream cheese = .99
½ lb. ham lunch meat = 1.67
Total = 23.71
Dominick’s:
4 pkgs. Flour tortillas = 3.96
1 pkg. fig cookies = 2.50
2 cans cat food = 1.20
1 – 20 lb. container cat litter = 6.99
1 tube cinnamon rolls = 2.492 dozen eggs = 2.78
1 pkg. string cheese = 3.49*
2 gallons milk = 3.98
1 gallon milk = 2.49*
1 tub yogurt = 1.99
1 – 8 lb. bag oranges = 2.99*
Total = 34.67
Jewel:
1 bag Pirate’s booty = 2.00
2 bags Chex Mix = 3.40 - .50 Q = 2.90*
Total = 5.00
Walgreens = 21.09
CVS = 1.83
Total for the week = 92.29, ($19.71 of which was for DS’ school)Total for February = 92.29
Total for the year = 409. 60 (averaging 81.92/week)
Monday, February 8, 2010
A Frugal Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. My husband and I don't have extra money this year for elaborate gifts, but while browsing through my copy of The Tightwad Gazette, I saw this cute idea.
Make one square cake and one round cake. When they have cooled, cut the round cake and half and place each half at the side of the square cake to make the top of the rounded part of the heart. I made a banana cake with cream cheese frosting. (This would be really cute if the frosting was colored red or pink, but food coloring and my son don't seem to get along.)
My family loved the cake. It is a cute, frugal way to show someone you care on Valentine's Day.
I shared this post at Life as Mom , Simply Sweet Home and The Grocery Cart Challenge.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Menu Planning, 2/7/10
My grocery bill was atrocious this week (I will post about that tomorrow) in part because I had to bring groceries for my son's school. So, I am trying to eat mainly from the pantry; that will be even more necessary next week as I try to bring my grocery average down. Here is what's on tap for this week:
Monday--Grilled Salmon, rice & sugar snap peas
Tuesday--Sweet & Sour Meatballs & rice
Wednesday--Slow Cooker Roast, Potatoes, Carrots
Thursday--Quick & Easy Beef & Rice & broccoli
Friday--dinner out
Saturday--Stuffed Shells & baby carrots
Sunday--Tacos
In addition, this week I am trying my hand at a banana cake with cream cheese frosting.
Lunches will be leftovers or sandwiches.
Breakfasts will be eggs, pancakes, pumpkin bread and cereal.
Monday--Grilled Salmon, rice & sugar snap peas
Tuesday--Sweet & Sour Meatballs & rice
Wednesday--Slow Cooker Roast, Potatoes, Carrots
Thursday--Quick & Easy Beef & Rice & broccoli
Friday--dinner out
Saturday--Stuffed Shells & baby carrots
Sunday--Tacos
In addition, this week I am trying my hand at a banana cake with cream cheese frosting.
Lunches will be leftovers or sandwiches.
Breakfasts will be eggs, pancakes, pumpkin bread and cereal.
Walgreens--Where Did I Go Wrong?
I hardly ever go to Walgreens because I find it to be more of a hassle than CVS and the Register Rewards always seem to expire before I can use them. However, I had heard of the great Huggies diaper deal, so I went.
By the time it was over, I was so confused, I felt like I did when I was 18 and working part-time at a cafeteria and some wise guy managed to swindle me out of $20 from the register. I knew something had gone wrong, but I wasn't sure what.
Please, if there are Walgreens experts out there, tell me how these transactions went so wrong:
Transaction 1:
1 package of Huggies 8.99 (first mistake--the very nice cashier told me if I used my $2 coupon, the RR wouldn't print. I didn't think that was right, but like I said, I don't shop at Walgreens much, so I didn't use the coupon.
Total = 9.80, earned 3 RR
Transaction 2:
1 Dove Men's Body Wash, 5.99, used the 3 RR
Total = 3.53, earned 6.00 RR
Transaction 3:
1 package Huggies diapers = 8.99 - 2.00 Q (she had me try it just to see if it would work)
1 pack Pringles .99 (I couldn't use the RR from Transaction 2 until I added a filler), - 6.00 RR
Total = 2.81, earned 3 RR
Transaction 4:
2 bottles Children's Motrin = 9.98, - 3.00 Q = 6.98
1 candy bar = .69 (again, I needed a filler before the register would take my RR from Transaction 3) - 3.00 RR
Total = 4.95, earned 3 RR
So, I spent a grand total of $21.09 OOP and I have one $3 RR left. Somehow, this doesn't seem like a great deal.
Total = 9.80, earned 3 RR
Transaction 2:
1 Dove Men's Body Wash, 5.99, used the 3 RR
Total = 3.53, earned 6.00 RR
Transaction 3:
1 package Huggies diapers = 8.99 - 2.00 Q (she had me try it just to see if it would work)
1 pack Pringles .99 (I couldn't use the RR from Transaction 2 until I added a filler), - 6.00 RR
Total = 2.81, earned 3 RR
Transaction 4:
2 bottles Children's Motrin = 9.98, - 3.00 Q = 6.98
1 candy bar = .69 (again, I needed a filler before the register would take my RR from Transaction 3) - 3.00 RR
Total = 4.95, earned 3 RR
So, I spent a grand total of $21.09 OOP and I have one $3 RR left. Somehow, this doesn't seem like a great deal.
CVS, 2/7/10
I had $10 ECBs to use up, and my son has to bring crackers to school this week, so I did the cracker deal.
3 boxes Wheat Thins = 5.97 - 1.00 Q = 4.97
2 boxes Ritz = 3.98
1 box pantyliners = 2.39
Total = 1.83 OOP after $10 ECB used. I earned $3 ECBs
The bigger challenge is that I have one solid block of $18 ECBs to use up by tomorrow. I am thinking about buying Pampers, but I am not sure yet because I will earn no ECBs for that transaction.
3 boxes Wheat Thins = 5.97 - 1.00 Q = 4.97
2 boxes Ritz = 3.98
1 box pantyliners = 2.39
Total = 1.83 OOP after $10 ECB used. I earned $3 ECBs
The bigger challenge is that I have one solid block of $18 ECBs to use up by tomorrow. I am thinking about buying Pampers, but I am not sure yet because I will earn no ECBs for that transaction.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Seafood Nachos
Last week I shared a recipe for Cheesy Salsa dip, perfect to serve at a Super Bowl party, or any party for that matter. Today, I have another good appetizer recipe; it is sooooo good that we sometimes have this for dinner. (I have had this recipe for years, so I don’t remember where I originally got it.)
Seafood Nachos
30 baked tortilla chips
8 oz. imitation crabmeat, chopped
¼ c. reduced-fat sour cream
¼ c. reduced fat mayonnaise
2 tbsp. finely chopped onion
¼ tsp. dill weed (I often omit this)
4 oz. reduced fat cheddar cheese
¼ tsp. paprika
Arrange tortilla chips in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. In a bowl, combine the crab, sour cream, mayonnaise, onion and dill. Spoon about 1 tbsp. onto each chip. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serves 6.
I shared this recipe at The Grocery Cart Challenge, $5 Dinners & Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Food Waste
Why do I have a picture of flowers in my food waste post? Because for only the second time since I have been documenting my food waste, I actually have none!!!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Our Newest Baby
I have gotten 3D ultrasounds with each of my children. I just love getting a glimpse of what the baby looks like.
I went last Saturday to get one for our daughter due in April, and the quality was so much better than either of the two I have done before. We could see her so clearly! She was sleepy and kept yawning and rubbing her eyes.
Do you see her chubby cheeks in the picture? It looks like she will be a big baby like my other two.
This one also moves all the time, especially when I am trying to sleep. When we first started the 3D ultrasound, she was transverse--her head was on one side of my belly and her feet were on the other. I felt a large movement, and the technician was amazed because right before our eyes she flipped herself into the breech position.
I can't wait to meet her in April!
I went last Saturday to get one for our daughter due in April, and the quality was so much better than either of the two I have done before. We could see her so clearly! She was sleepy and kept yawning and rubbing her eyes.
Do you see her chubby cheeks in the picture? It looks like she will be a big baby like my other two.
This one also moves all the time, especially when I am trying to sleep. When we first started the 3D ultrasound, she was transverse--her head was on one side of my belly and her feet were on the other. I felt a large movement, and the technician was amazed because right before our eyes she flipped herself into the breech position.
I can't wait to meet her in April!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Grocery Shopping
The bad news is that I am WAY over budget for groceries. The good news is that I am now very stocked up on diapers for the new baby. Here are the damages:
Tony's Finer Foods:
1 box cereal = 4.49
1 box tea = 2.99
1 pkg gravy mix = .67
3 prune juices = 2.07
1 garlic powder = .99
1 cream mushroom soup = .99
raisins = 1.50
1 lb. salmon = 3.99
1 cucumber = .99
2.48 lbs. grapes = 2.46
1 orange pepper = .24
1 green pepper = .36
1.88 lbs. pears = .92
1 pkg. string cheese = 2.99
1 lb. butter = 1.49
1/2 lb. sliced cheese = 1.55
1/2 lb. sliced lunch meat = 2.46
Total = 33.44
Dominick's:
2 cans tuna = 1.58
1 honey = 2.99
3 soft cat food = 1.80
1 18 ct. eggs = 1.99
2 gallons milk = 3.98
1 orange juice = 1.69
1 loaf cinnamon bread = 2.29
1 pkg crab meat = 2.03
2.40 lbs. grapefruit = .60
1 pkg mushrooms = 1.50
Total = 22.05
Jewel:
8 pkgs stage 1 diapers = 31.92 (on clearance $3.99/pack)
1 pkg. stage 3 diapers = FREE (I bought some on clearance last time, and the next time, a coupon printed out for a free pack of the new and improved ones)
1 coffee drink = 4.59
1 tomato = .92
1 bag lettuce = 2.50
1 pirate's booty = 2.00
2 Starbuck's ice cream = 6.98
2.96 lbs. bananas = 1.15
Total = 51.81
Total for the week = 107.30 (all bought on 1/31/10)
Total for January = 317.31
I set a goal for myself to try to average $200 a month for groceries for 2010. I am obviously over that, so I need to try to trim back in February to even it out.
For the baby that is due in April, I now have 3 packs of newborn diapers and a total of 10 packs of size 1 diapers, all bought on clearance, so I am feeling good about that.
To see the meals we will make for the week, go here.
To see the freezer meals I just made for February, go here.
Tony's Finer Foods:
1 box cereal = 4.49
1 box tea = 2.99
1 pkg gravy mix = .67
3 prune juices = 2.07
1 garlic powder = .99
1 cream mushroom soup = .99
raisins = 1.50
1 lb. salmon = 3.99
1 cucumber = .99
2.48 lbs. grapes = 2.46
1 orange pepper = .24
1 green pepper = .36
1.88 lbs. pears = .92
1 pkg. string cheese = 2.99
1 lb. butter = 1.49
1/2 lb. sliced cheese = 1.55
1/2 lb. sliced lunch meat = 2.46
Total = 33.44
Dominick's:
2 cans tuna = 1.58
1 honey = 2.99
3 soft cat food = 1.80
1 18 ct. eggs = 1.99
2 gallons milk = 3.98
1 orange juice = 1.69
1 loaf cinnamon bread = 2.29
1 pkg crab meat = 2.03
2.40 lbs. grapefruit = .60
1 pkg mushrooms = 1.50
Total = 22.05
Jewel:
8 pkgs stage 1 diapers = 31.92 (on clearance $3.99/pack)
1 pkg. stage 3 diapers = FREE (I bought some on clearance last time, and the next time, a coupon printed out for a free pack of the new and improved ones)
1 coffee drink = 4.59
1 tomato = .92
1 bag lettuce = 2.50
1 pirate's booty = 2.00
2 Starbuck's ice cream = 6.98
2.96 lbs. bananas = 1.15
Total = 51.81
Total for the week = 107.30 (all bought on 1/31/10)
Total for January = 317.31
I set a goal for myself to try to average $200 a month for groceries for 2010. I am obviously over that, so I need to try to trim back in February to even it out.
For the baby that is due in April, I now have 3 packs of newborn diapers and a total of 10 packs of size 1 diapers, all bought on clearance, so I am feeling good about that.
To see the meals we will make for the week, go here.
To see the freezer meals I just made for February, go here.
Monday, February 1, 2010
February Freezer Cooking Update
I tried all new freezer meals this week and made most of them by doubling what I was making as our dinner.
We loved the Pizza Loaves, and I now have 9 more in the freezer which will make 2 to 3 meals for February. I used a French loaf of bread that was on clearance for being a bit stale, which worked perfectly for the pizza loaves so they didn’t get soggy.
I made two batches of Stuffed Shells. This is one meal we didn’t get to eat; both batches went straight to the freezer. I thought they would be a breeze to stuff because the shells didn’t have to be cooked, but it turns out to be difficult to stuff shells that are hard and almost completely closed. I’ll make this recipe again if they turn out to be delicious; if they don’t, it isn’t worth the hassle.
I made several loaves of Pumpkin Bread; two made it into the freezer for future breakfasts and snacks.
We also loved the Chicken Burritos and made 6 more to go into the freezer. They will make 2 small meals for us.
Lastly, we liked the Creamed Chicken Pie. Two small ones made it into the freezer.
I learned this month that it is much easier to just double or triple a recipe as I make it rather than stressing myself out having one big freezer meal day. We now have about 6-8 meals made in advance for February. We tend to get bored if we eat freezer meals all month, so this actually works great. We can have a freezer meal or two a week and cook the rest from scratch.
We loved the Pizza Loaves, and I now have 9 more in the freezer which will make 2 to 3 meals for February. I used a French loaf of bread that was on clearance for being a bit stale, which worked perfectly for the pizza loaves so they didn’t get soggy.
I made two batches of Stuffed Shells. This is one meal we didn’t get to eat; both batches went straight to the freezer. I thought they would be a breeze to stuff because the shells didn’t have to be cooked, but it turns out to be difficult to stuff shells that are hard and almost completely closed. I’ll make this recipe again if they turn out to be delicious; if they don’t, it isn’t worth the hassle.
I made several loaves of Pumpkin Bread; two made it into the freezer for future breakfasts and snacks.
We also loved the Chicken Burritos and made 6 more to go into the freezer. They will make 2 small meals for us.
Lastly, we liked the Creamed Chicken Pie. Two small ones made it into the freezer.
I learned this month that it is much easier to just double or triple a recipe as I make it rather than stressing myself out having one big freezer meal day. We now have about 6-8 meals made in advance for February. We tend to get bored if we eat freezer meals all month, so this actually works great. We can have a freezer meal or two a week and cook the rest from scratch.
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