I am so happy to announce that I am one on the 10 finalist for the All You contest!
YEAH! They are announcing the winner tomorrow and I am so nervous!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
five for under 50
First week total- See below!!
Some shoppers have learned to be a really good "saving Sam."
If if are a good shopper, you know how to stockpile items when they are both on sale AND have a coupon.
However, how do you start from scratch, stockpile (have some left for tomorrow) and still feel your family?
I am going to do only one store each week to make it simple (although not always the best bang for the buck).
This is bare bones but it can be done!
Here is the challenge- feeding 5 people pretty healthy meals and still stockpiling some stuff!
This week is Kroger!
Shopping list
Kroger cheese-2 1.29 each 2.58
Kroger buns 1.00
7 Frozen steamers 1.69 each 11.83
4 Grands biscuits** 1.49each 6.23
1 fruit snacks ** 1.99
2 Cheerios** 1.99 each 3.98
2 cin toast cr 1.99 each 3.98
2 trix 3.98
skim milk 1.98
Kroger tortilla 1.00
green beans .68 cents an lb .68
rice 1.00
bananas -3 lbs 1.49
blueberries -1 pints 1.28
Whole chicken fryer- 7.42
8 Quaker rice cakes ** 7.92
celery-2 1.36
2 Betty Crocker brownie ** 1.99
lettuce .77
8 corn .19 an ear 1.52
eggs .99
salad bag .98
Kroger dressing 1.19
2 bacon -smithfield 5.98
Hamburgers -angus-marked down 4.19
Total Before coupons 77.31
*** You need to buy 10 of any of the item (mix and match) to get the $5 0ff
Coupons
$5 off 10 items 5
$5 off 10 items 5
$5 off 10 items 5
$2 off Kroger Angus beef 2
2 cheerios .55 off one (doubled) 2
2 Cin toast crunch .45 off one(doubles) 2
2 trix .55 off one (doubles) 2
2 Grands coupons .55 off 2 (doubled) 2
fruit snacks .40 off one (doubled) .40
.50 cell fire coupon fruit snacks .50
.50 shortcuts coupons fruit snacks .50
.55 brownie mix (doubled) off 2 1
2 shortcuts brownie mix .75 .75
.75
cellfire brownie mix .75 .75
2 smithfield coupon 3.00 each 6
free kroger dressing 1.19 1.19
Total coupons and other savings 36.84
Total out of pocket 40.47
plus Arby's 5.95
Total week spending 46.42
Breakfast
cereal and fruit with milk
lunch
soft taco with cheese and lettuce
Salad sandwiches with lettuce, cheese
leftover dinners
Arbys for lunch 5 for 5.95
dinners
1st night - Cheeseburgers with lettuce, corn
cut leftover corn off cob and freeze half-leave half in fridge
2nd night- chicken (make both chickens) and green beans
3rd night - fried rice with pieces of chicken, beans and corn
4th night -chicken salad with leftover corn, chicken and celery (save leaves) Use Kroger dressing
5th night- chicken soup using chicken bones, celery and bits of chicken, one steamer, 1 grands biscuit package, salad
6th night- fried rice using corn and beans and pieces of chicken
7th night-breakfast for dinner- eggs, bacon biscuts
Snacks
rice cakes
fruit
celery
STOCKPILE
cereal
brownie mix
fruit snacks
2 grands biscuits
6 steamers
rice cakes
Note the Cellfire and shortcuts coupons are available electronically throught the Kroger web site.
Some shoppers have learned to be a really good "saving Sam."
If if are a good shopper, you know how to stockpile items when they are both on sale AND have a coupon.
However, how do you start from scratch, stockpile (have some left for tomorrow) and still feel your family?
I am going to do only one store each week to make it simple (although not always the best bang for the buck).
This is bare bones but it can be done!
Here is the challenge- feeding 5 people pretty healthy meals and still stockpiling some stuff!
This week is Kroger!
Shopping list
Kroger cheese-2 1.29 each 2.58
Kroger buns 1.00
7 Frozen steamers 1.69 each 11.83
4 Grands biscuits** 1.49each 6.23
1 fruit snacks ** 1.99
2 Cheerios** 1.99 each 3.98
2 cin toast cr 1.99 each 3.98
2 trix 3.98
skim milk 1.98
Kroger tortilla 1.00
green beans .68 cents an lb .68
rice 1.00
bananas -3 lbs 1.49
blueberries -1 pints 1.28
Whole chicken fryer- 7.42
8 Quaker rice cakes ** 7.92
celery-2 1.36
2 Betty Crocker brownie ** 1.99
lettuce .77
8 corn .19 an ear 1.52
eggs .99
salad bag .98
Kroger dressing 1.19
2 bacon -smithfield 5.98
Hamburgers -angus-marked down 4.19
Total Before coupons 77.31
*** You need to buy 10 of any of the item (mix and match) to get the $5 0ff
Coupons
$5 off 10 items 5
$5 off 10 items 5
$5 off 10 items 5
$2 off Kroger Angus beef 2
2 cheerios .55 off one (doubled) 2
2 Cin toast crunch .45 off one(doubles) 2
2 trix .55 off one (doubles) 2
2 Grands coupons .55 off 2 (doubled) 2
fruit snacks .40 off one (doubled) .40
.50 cell fire coupon fruit snacks .50
.50 shortcuts coupons fruit snacks .50
.55 brownie mix (doubled) off 2 1
2 shortcuts brownie mix .75 .75
.75
cellfire brownie mix .75 .75
2 smithfield coupon 3.00 each 6
free kroger dressing 1.19 1.19
Total coupons and other savings 36.84
Total out of pocket 40.47
plus Arby's 5.95
Total week spending 46.42
Breakfast
cereal and fruit with milk
lunch
soft taco with cheese and lettuce
Salad sandwiches with lettuce, cheese
leftover dinners
Arbys for lunch 5 for 5.95
dinners
1st night - Cheeseburgers with lettuce, corn
cut leftover corn off cob and freeze half-leave half in fridge
2nd night- chicken (make both chickens) and green beans
3rd night - fried rice with pieces of chicken, beans and corn
4th night -chicken salad with leftover corn, chicken and celery (save leaves) Use Kroger dressing
5th night- chicken soup using chicken bones, celery and bits of chicken, one steamer, 1 grands biscuit package, salad
6th night- fried rice using corn and beans and pieces of chicken
7th night-breakfast for dinner- eggs, bacon biscuts
Snacks
rice cakes
fruit
celery
STOCKPILE
cereal
brownie mix
fruit snacks
2 grands biscuits
6 steamers
rice cakes
Note the Cellfire and shortcuts coupons are available electronically throught the Kroger web site.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Last day
It is hard to believe that the contest is almost over! YEAH and BOO.
This contest has really encouraged me to think outside of the box and do some fun stuff like picking our own veggies and fruit!
Friday
We went and picked corn and blackberries! YUM!
b-cereal
L- MCD using a gift card from a friend as a thank you for watching kids
D- Chicken salad
Saturday
B-cereal
L- Mismash-grilled cheese we made using a sandwich maker we got a a yard sale DH had a Knorr side. Everyone had some fruit
D- Brats and the corn we picked YUMMM YUMM YUMM
Sunday
B- blueberry pancakes
L- My almost kindergartener and I went to the swim club, swam and had our special lunch. He was happy to eat there (a rarity) and swim! We had so much fun! Other kids and DH had Speghetti, fruit, grilled cheese
D- Mismash/leftovers including some of the corn.
This contest has really encouraged me to think outside of the box and do some fun stuff like picking our own veggies and fruit!
Friday
We went and picked corn and blackberries! YUM!
b-cereal
L- MCD using a gift card from a friend as a thank you for watching kids
D- Chicken salad
Saturday
B-cereal
L- Mismash-grilled cheese we made using a sandwich maker we got a a yard sale DH had a Knorr side. Everyone had some fruit
D- Brats and the corn we picked YUMMM YUMM YUMM
Sunday
B- blueberry pancakes
L- My almost kindergartener and I went to the swim club, swam and had our special lunch. He was happy to eat there (a rarity) and swim! We had so much fun! Other kids and DH had Speghetti, fruit, grilled cheese
D- Mismash/leftovers including some of the corn.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Monday-Thursday
Oh gosh I am behind. This is suchOY Oy Oy! I am so behind in posting. My daughter banged her head and they of course thought it was a concussion! So anyway I am behind!
This week is a little different because we are eating out more then we usual are. At the beginning of the summer I told the kids that each kid could pick one place to eat out over the summer. (Each kid also gets their own day of the week but this is a bonus)
Well, school starts for my kinder gardener next week so I had to make good on my promise for the 2 remaining kids. I also try to do a special day out with each kid individually before school (and the crazy schedule) starts again! This usually includes lunch so I needed to leave money aside for my kindergartener and I to go out to lunch on Sunday!
So I am using a lot of stuff from our stockpile and being creative so we can do these "out to eats."
Here goes:
Sunday-
b- French toast
L-weekly trip to Skyline which we luckily had some coupons for
D- Jumbula using some smoked sausage I got for .25 cents a few weeks ago and the zucinni and yellow squash form the church farm that the nice church members gave us a couple weeks ago. (I froze it)
Monday-
Did a great trip to Meijer and even got 4 lbs grapes for 1.36. I took them and made homemade raisins in the oven. (On the yucky rainy day on Tuesday) I also got free Peanut Butter and some cherry tomatoes that were marked down to .40 YUMMY!
b-cereal
L- Steak and shake (My oldest son picked this)
D- Brats/cheeseburgers and the corn that we had frozen from the farm (great suggestion to freeze it in the husk.)
Tuesday-
A very yucky rainy day! I was glad to hear that friends in Louisville were OK. (We are only about 70-80 miles from there)
B- cereal/oatmeal
L- Leftovers brats and corn
D- Spaghetti with meat and mushrooms. Some leftover lettuce for salad
Wednesday
B-Cereal/oatmeal
L-McDonalds - My daughters choice. She just loves the grilled chicken wrap and apples!
D- Eggplant sandwiches and potatoes
I adapted some of the recipes that I learned from all of these great All You bloggers.
The new potatoes were just baked with some salt (More Meijer Markdown 5 pounds for .93)
The Eggplant Sandwiches were awesome! Here is the recipe
Slice Eggplant
Brush with a little olive oil and broil for 4 minutes a side
While it is broiling slice, onion, buffalo mozzarella (I splurged on this but regular mozzarella is good too) and tomatoes.
Get the eggplant out and stack ingredients like a sandwich. Bake for 5-9 minutes until cheese is melted
Even my not so great veggie eater liked this!
Thursday-
B- Cereal, oatmeal
L- DH had lunch at work and the rest of us had leftovers and/or homemade skyline adn soem veggies
D- Whole chicken and veggies (carrots, frozen spinach etc.)
I try not to use frozen veggies in the summer but everything from the Doctor appt to the event at school ran so much longer than I expected!! MY DH was nice enough to put the chickens in on his way back out the door.
Hang in there frugal buddies...only a couple more days!
This week is a little different because we are eating out more then we usual are. At the beginning of the summer I told the kids that each kid could pick one place to eat out over the summer. (Each kid also gets their own day of the week but this is a bonus)
Well, school starts for my kinder gardener next week so I had to make good on my promise for the 2 remaining kids. I also try to do a special day out with each kid individually before school (and the crazy schedule) starts again! This usually includes lunch so I needed to leave money aside for my kindergartener and I to go out to lunch on Sunday!
So I am using a lot of stuff from our stockpile and being creative so we can do these "out to eats."
Here goes:
Sunday-
b- French toast
L-weekly trip to Skyline which we luckily had some coupons for
D- Jumbula using some smoked sausage I got for .25 cents a few weeks ago and the zucinni and yellow squash form the church farm that the nice church members gave us a couple weeks ago. (I froze it)
Monday-
Did a great trip to Meijer and even got 4 lbs grapes for 1.36. I took them and made homemade raisins in the oven. (On the yucky rainy day on Tuesday) I also got free Peanut Butter and some cherry tomatoes that were marked down to .40 YUMMY!
b-cereal
L- Steak and shake (My oldest son picked this)
D- Brats/cheeseburgers and the corn that we had frozen from the farm (great suggestion to freeze it in the husk.)
Tuesday-
A very yucky rainy day! I was glad to hear that friends in Louisville were OK. (We are only about 70-80 miles from there)
B- cereal/oatmeal
L- Leftovers brats and corn
D- Spaghetti with meat and mushrooms. Some leftover lettuce for salad
Wednesday
B-Cereal/oatmeal
L-McDonalds - My daughters choice. She just loves the grilled chicken wrap and apples!
D- Eggplant sandwiches and potatoes
I adapted some of the recipes that I learned from all of these great All You bloggers.
The new potatoes were just baked with some salt (More Meijer Markdown 5 pounds for .93)
The Eggplant Sandwiches were awesome! Here is the recipe
Slice Eggplant
Brush with a little olive oil and broil for 4 minutes a side
While it is broiling slice, onion, buffalo mozzarella (I splurged on this but regular mozzarella is good too) and tomatoes.
Get the eggplant out and stack ingredients like a sandwich. Bake for 5-9 minutes until cheese is melted
Even my not so great veggie eater liked this!
Thursday-
B- Cereal, oatmeal
L- DH had lunch at work and the rest of us had leftovers and/or homemade skyline adn soem veggies
D- Whole chicken and veggies (carrots, frozen spinach etc.)
I try not to use frozen veggies in the summer but everything from the Doctor appt to the event at school ran so much longer than I expected!! MY DH was nice enough to put the chickens in on his way back out the door.
Hang in there frugal buddies...only a couple more days!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Saturday
We went to a really fun coupon exchange today! I learned a few new things and had a lot of fun.
We then ran through Meijer and got 11 items for 2.14 including
2 jars jelly
3 warm delights
2 cookie mixes
4 Grands biscuts
Here are our meals for the day
b-french toast, fruit
L-Boys had homemade skyline (Chili, speghetti , onion, cheese) and some carrots My daughter and I went to the coupon swap and got free pizza for lunch! YEAH
D- We had tuna patties (free tuna from Meijer) and biscuits. My recipe for tuna patties is simple and had almost all the food groups in one dish.
I can give some more exact measurements if they want but it is another use up what is in the fridge so each time it is a little different.
It is
Carrots
celery
bread crumbs
eggs
tuna
parsley
lemon balm (or whatever other spices you like)
Chop up the veggies. Beat the eggs. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Using a spoon make into patties on a skillet coated with oil or non stick cooking spray.
Fry for about 5-7 minutes a side.
YUM
We then ran through Meijer and got 11 items for 2.14 including
2 jars jelly
3 warm delights
2 cookie mixes
4 Grands biscuts
Here are our meals for the day
b-french toast, fruit
L-Boys had homemade skyline (Chili, speghetti , onion, cheese) and some carrots My daughter and I went to the coupon swap and got free pizza for lunch! YEAH
D- We had tuna patties (free tuna from Meijer) and biscuits. My recipe for tuna patties is simple and had almost all the food groups in one dish.
I can give some more exact measurements if they want but it is another use up what is in the fridge so each time it is a little different.
It is
Carrots
celery
bread crumbs
eggs
tuna
parsley
lemon balm (or whatever other spices you like)
Chop up the veggies. Beat the eggs. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Using a spoon make into patties on a skillet coated with oil or non stick cooking spray.
Fry for about 5-7 minutes a side.
YUM
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Today was "If it is free it is for me" day! YEAH. My kids and I got really into what we could get for free today.
We go a gallon of Lactaid (lactose free milk) for my DH using milk coupons (you save 9 coupons from this store get 1 free) They expired today! (I found out from the store that they don't really expire so I need to go dig in recycling and find the one that was expired.
We also got free Eggos. Kroger is having a 50% off sale today only on lots of Kellogs products. The eggos are .98 and I had 1.00 coupons. They won't do overage but free eggos are filling my already pretty full freezer. We may need to give some away!
Our meals for today were pretty simple
breakfast- mismash I had cereal, one kid oatmeal another biscuts. DH had a couple biscuits too!
lunch-
picnic with friends for us. DH had leftover chicken salad for lunch. Chicken salad for me and the special treat .90 cent lunchables for kiddos. Carrots for all.
Dinner- Cheeseburgers and beans we picked last week.
snacks-watermelon
We go a gallon of Lactaid (lactose free milk) for my DH using milk coupons (you save 9 coupons from this store get 1 free) They expired today! (I found out from the store that they don't really expire so I need to go dig in recycling and find the one that was expired.
We also got free Eggos. Kroger is having a 50% off sale today only on lots of Kellogs products. The eggos are .98 and I had 1.00 coupons. They won't do overage but free eggos are filling my already pretty full freezer. We may need to give some away!
Our meals for today were pretty simple
breakfast- mismash I had cereal, one kid oatmeal another biscuts. DH had a couple biscuits too!
lunch-
picnic with friends for us. DH had leftover chicken salad for lunch. Chicken salad for me and the special treat .90 cent lunchables for kiddos. Carrots for all.
Dinner- Cheeseburgers and beans we picked last week.
snacks-watermelon
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday
It is fun to see my kids getting into the spirit of the challenge. My kids have become very aware of eating out and that that really does make a difference. I am not the bad guy when I say we can't go out, the challenge is!
Wednesdays meals
Breakfast- three berry muffins my daughter made from scratch
lunch- mix of stuff, fried chicken from yesterday, carrots etc.
snack-popcorn, mushrooms
dinner-Chicken salad and biscuits (.20 cents from Meijer)
Our chicken salad recipe is yummy and is a good way to get my kids to easily eat the rainbow and can use up leftovers.
Chicken
grapes
celery
carrots
Chop up all of the above and then add Mayo. I try to go heavy on the veggies. I have also done raisins or peas for a change of pace.
Wednesdays meals
Breakfast- three berry muffins my daughter made from scratch
lunch- mix of stuff, fried chicken from yesterday, carrots etc.
snack-popcorn, mushrooms
dinner-Chicken salad and biscuits (.20 cents from Meijer)
Our chicken salad recipe is yummy and is a good way to get my kids to easily eat the rainbow and can use up leftovers.
Chicken
grapes
celery
carrots
Chop up all of the above and then add Mayo. I try to go heavy on the veggies. I have also done raisins or peas for a change of pace.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday and Tuesday-week 3
Monday
Breakfast-usual assortment-cereal, pancakes, fruit
Lunch-We had friends over and so we kinda ate a little at a time, fruit, popcorn, grilled cheese, salami etc.
Dinner- Speghetti with mushrooms and meat from freezer, salad from neighbor
Tuesday
bfast- mishmash
Lunch- We were out doing our major shopping trip for the week and the kids were really good. We got fried chicken from Biggs (a grocery store) as a special treat and because they give us money back on our gas. (ten cents a gallon!)
Dinner- whole chickens that I bought a Meijer today for .68 cents a pound because they had a "sell by" day today!
Corn from our trip to the upick farm last week.
Monday
Breakfast-usual assortment-cereal, pancakes, fruit
Lunch-We had friends over and so we kinda ate a little at a time, fruit, popcorn, grilled cheese, salami etc.
Dinner- Speghetti with mushrooms and meat from freezer, salad from neighbor
Tuesday
bfast- mishmash
Lunch- We were out doing our major shopping trip for the week and the kids were really good. We got fried chicken from Biggs (a grocery store) as a special treat and because they give us money back on our gas. (ten cents a gallon!)
Dinner- whole chickens that I bought a Meijer today for .68 cents a pound because they had a "sell by" day today!
Corn from our trip to the upick farm last week.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
years ago, my husband went through survival training. They were allowed to use anything that they found. Most of the teams came back several pounds lighter and very hungry. My Husband and his partner came back 10 pounds heavier and not hungry at all.
As I do this challenge, I am reminded of that story. Using the couponing skills I already had, ideals from all of you (Thanks so much) and other things I find (in my stockpile or from others) we have eaten quite well.
I kept my total for the week under budget but find it hard to turn down great deals. For example, I have bought 35 packages of cheese over the past 2 weeks. Clearly, we will not eat that much in the next month. However, it is so much better than paying over $2.00 for the same thing!
Well the week finished up quite well! We had a total of 137.26! YEAH!
Here are the rest of the weeks meals!
Friday breakfast was a mix of cereal and eggos and fruit.
We then went "Pickin'" and got tons for corn and green beans! (TOTAL $20.00)
Lunch was our favorite Skyline (Daddy was off work and it was a great treat!)
I bought a Gift certificate which I used to pay since I got a free T-shirt out of the deal!
Dinner was Corn (we picked YUM) and Brats
Saturday-
Breakfast- Our anniversary
My wonderful daughter woke up early and made us two berry muffins using strawberries we had in the fridge and the blackberries we picked! WOW! I am so happy that I am raising such a nice young lady!
Lunch was packed for the pool (lunchmeat, cheese, crackers, fruit, carrots)
Dinner - The kids went to a babysitter who fed them dinner but were still hungry when they got home so they ate and assortment of stuff.
My DH and I went to Outback using a gift certificate.
I traded a neighbor for some Ramon noodle cabbage salad (I gave her green beans)
Sunday
Some slept late and skipped breakfast. Some had pancakes, others cereal.
Brunch- My parents had us over. I traded them green beans for Sourdough bread!
Dinner- Jumbula- We used the corn from Friday, the .25 cent sausage and the leftover zucchini and squash from the church garden along with some brown rice and canned tomatoes.
WEEK TOTAL 137.26 (not sure if I should include part of the babysitter cost)
As I do this challenge, I am reminded of that story. Using the couponing skills I already had, ideals from all of you (Thanks so much) and other things I find (in my stockpile or from others) we have eaten quite well.
I kept my total for the week under budget but find it hard to turn down great deals. For example, I have bought 35 packages of cheese over the past 2 weeks. Clearly, we will not eat that much in the next month. However, it is so much better than paying over $2.00 for the same thing!
Well the week finished up quite well! We had a total of 137.26! YEAH!
Here are the rest of the weeks meals!
Friday breakfast was a mix of cereal and eggos and fruit.
We then went "Pickin'" and got tons for corn and green beans! (TOTAL $20.00)
Lunch was our favorite Skyline (Daddy was off work and it was a great treat!)
I bought a Gift certificate which I used to pay since I got a free T-shirt out of the deal!
Dinner was Corn (we picked YUM) and Brats
Saturday-
Breakfast- Our anniversary
My wonderful daughter woke up early and made us two berry muffins using strawberries we had in the fridge and the blackberries we picked! WOW! I am so happy that I am raising such a nice young lady!
Lunch was packed for the pool (lunchmeat, cheese, crackers, fruit, carrots)
Dinner - The kids went to a babysitter who fed them dinner but were still hungry when they got home so they ate and assortment of stuff.
My DH and I went to Outback using a gift certificate.
I traded a neighbor for some Ramon noodle cabbage salad (I gave her green beans)
Sunday
Some slept late and skipped breakfast. Some had pancakes, others cereal.
Brunch- My parents had us over. I traded them green beans for Sourdough bread!
Dinner- Jumbula- We used the corn from Friday, the .25 cent sausage and the leftover zucchini and squash from the church garden along with some brown rice and canned tomatoes.
WEEK TOTAL 137.26 (not sure if I should include part of the babysitter cost)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday and Thursday Week 2
I am getting a little behind in my blogging AHH!
Our breakfasts and lunches are often "catch as Catch can." I don't really mind being a short order cook for those meals but insist that we all eat the same dinner together.
Wednesday
Breakfast-oatmeal and fruit for all but one kids who had cereal!
snack- The showcase near us has free second run movies with a book report (good way to get the kids to read and write over the summer!) We hada B1GF1 free coupon for popcorn! YUMMY!
Lunch- No one was super hungry after popcorn but some hot dogs, turkey, carrots and fruit were all eaten by various members of our family
Dinner- A WONDERFUL SURPRISE. My 10 year old daughter decided to do it all herself. She made rice and chicken and even adapted the recipe for my DH who is lactose intolerant. She made frozen veggies (would have liked to use the fresh ones up but so be it!) and made Zuccinni bread BY HERSELF. Can you tell I am a proud Mom?
Thursday-
Breakfast was an assortment of french toast and cereal
Lunch was a mix of hot dogs, sandwiches etc and some of te frozen veggies from the night before.
Dinner was an edamane dish that was from an ALL YOU recipe a while back but we have tweaked it a bit. It was bacon, chicken, edamane and cabbage with a little garlic and soysauce.
Snack-popcorn
I have to confess that sticking to a budget these two weeks has been tough because of the great sales going on. It is hard to turn down buying lots of cheese for my stockpile when it is only .49 cents for 8 0z!
Our breakfasts and lunches are often "catch as Catch can." I don't really mind being a short order cook for those meals but insist that we all eat the same dinner together.
Wednesday
Breakfast-oatmeal and fruit for all but one kids who had cereal!
snack- The showcase near us has free second run movies with a book report (good way to get the kids to read and write over the summer!) We hada B1GF1 free coupon for popcorn! YUMMY!
Lunch- No one was super hungry after popcorn but some hot dogs, turkey, carrots and fruit were all eaten by various members of our family
Dinner- A WONDERFUL SURPRISE. My 10 year old daughter decided to do it all herself. She made rice and chicken and even adapted the recipe for my DH who is lactose intolerant. She made frozen veggies (would have liked to use the fresh ones up but so be it!) and made Zuccinni bread BY HERSELF. Can you tell I am a proud Mom?
Thursday-
Breakfast was an assortment of french toast and cereal
Lunch was a mix of hot dogs, sandwiches etc and some of te frozen veggies from the night before.
Dinner was an edamane dish that was from an ALL YOU recipe a while back but we have tweaked it a bit. It was bacon, chicken, edamane and cabbage with a little garlic and soysauce.
Snack-popcorn
I have to confess that sticking to a budget these two weeks has been tough because of the great sales going on. It is hard to turn down buying lots of cheese for my stockpile when it is only .49 cents for 8 0z!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Week 2
We finished up week 1 just under budget at 149 for our family of 6. We ate out twice and enjoyed it! There were some amazing sales and I got some great things for our stockpile like shredded cheese for .47 cents.
This week I am shopping light because we had a special boys lunch out on Monday (my Daughter got to do something special with Dad so it seemed fair.) We also took advantage of Family night at a local Steakhouse tonight and all ate for about $33. YUMMY! Saturday is our anniversary so I want to same some $$ in our budget so we can go out on a date.
We have tons of stuff in our stockpile but I am also restocking up on some needed items like Gogurt. I found free tuna with a coupon so I was happy!
Our meals for the past few days are as follows:
Monday
Bfast-Cereal with fruit
lunch- out with boys. DH and hubby had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa
Dinner- Other Grandma and Grandpa had us over so all we had to do was Brownies for dessert
Tuesday
breakfast- oatmeal and fruit
lunch- picnic with friends carrots, fruit, lunchmeat, cheese, crackers
dinner- Out at a great steak place that has a Monday and Tuesday night special. We all ate for about $33! YUMMY
I have already gone to the grocery twice this week at different stores to get some great deals! Some highlights:
Free tuna and "I can't believe it's not butter" at Meijer. Great price on Gogurt and stocked up on some brownie mix and flour!
This week I am shopping light because we had a special boys lunch out on Monday (my Daughter got to do something special with Dad so it seemed fair.) We also took advantage of Family night at a local Steakhouse tonight and all ate for about $33. YUMMY! Saturday is our anniversary so I want to same some $$ in our budget so we can go out on a date.
We have tons of stuff in our stockpile but I am also restocking up on some needed items like Gogurt. I found free tuna with a coupon so I was happy!
Our meals for the past few days are as follows:
Monday
Bfast-Cereal with fruit
lunch- out with boys. DH and hubby had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa
Dinner- Other Grandma and Grandpa had us over so all we had to do was Brownies for dessert
Tuesday
breakfast- oatmeal and fruit
lunch- picnic with friends carrots, fruit, lunchmeat, cheese, crackers
dinner- Out at a great steak place that has a Monday and Tuesday night special. We all ate for about $33! YUMMY
I have already gone to the grocery twice this week at different stores to get some great deals! Some highlights:
Free tuna and "I can't believe it's not butter" at Meijer. Great price on Gogurt and stocked up on some brownie mix and flour!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, end of week 1
We are doing Ok on our budget but I have to confess I am craving eating out and thankful to this challenge to help me avoid it.
Todays meals are as follows:
Bfast: The kids and DH slept late so we really didn't eat
lunch: My parents (Thanks Mom and Dad) had us over for brunch
snack: The kids were all starving so they had a mix of fruit, leftovers etc.
Dinner: homemade Skyline chili, noodles, cheese, onions and some great salad we got on sale at Meijer!
Here are my totals for the week:
Texas Roadhouse: 11.96
Meijer: 85.87
Skyline Chili: 36.57
Berries: $5
Krogers $9.64
TOTAL: 149.04 (WHEW!)
Now I have to look carefully at next week since we want to do family night out Tuesday and our anniversary is Saturday!
Todays meals are as follows:
Bfast: The kids and DH slept late so we really didn't eat
lunch: My parents (Thanks Mom and Dad) had us over for brunch
snack: The kids were all starving so they had a mix of fruit, leftovers etc.
Dinner: homemade Skyline chili, noodles, cheese, onions and some great salad we got on sale at Meijer!
Here are my totals for the week:
Texas Roadhouse: 11.96
Meijer: 85.87
Skyline Chili: 36.57
Berries: $5
Krogers $9.64
TOTAL: 149.04 (WHEW!)
Now I have to look carefully at next week since we want to do family night out Tuesday and our anniversary is Saturday!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17th
We had a fun day today and I realized that this is really causing me to make some fun and different choices.
Here was our menu for the day:
bfast: (we all had something different) cereal, french toast, pancakes. For the pancakes, we had blackberry syrup from the blackberries we picked!! YUM!
Lunch: My DH had Knorr noodles and a hot dog. The rest of us had cheeseburgers with blackberry smoothies, lettuce, tomatoes
Dinner: shrimp fried rice
snacks: Popcorn, fruit.
Next week will be a bit more of a challenge since we have an anniversary and want to go out for it.
Here was our menu for the day:
bfast: (we all had something different) cereal, french toast, pancakes. For the pancakes, we had blackberry syrup from the blackberries we picked!! YUM!
Lunch: My DH had Knorr noodles and a hot dog. The rest of us had cheeseburgers with blackberry smoothies, lettuce, tomatoes
Dinner: shrimp fried rice
snacks: Popcorn, fruit.
Next week will be a bit more of a challenge since we have an anniversary and want to go out for it.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Day 5
We decided to do something that we have never done before as a family today, go berry picking. I had heard other bloggers talk about what a great savings this is so I thought we would try it. Lots of fun with the kids on a semi-sunny day: priceless. A whole lot of blackberries: $5
Breakfast was French toast and fruit
lunch was sandwiches and carrots/dip
dinner was Skyline (got home later from Berry picking than I intended!)-YUM!!
Breakfast was French toast and fruit
lunch was sandwiches and carrots/dip
dinner was Skyline (got home later from Berry picking than I intended!)-YUM!!
Thursday, July 16
I go to go grocery shopping today and have to say that I did pretty well. My total was about $85 and I got a lit of stuff to mix and match with what is already in my stockpile. I left singing, "I am Woman hear me shop!"
So total for the week is $96. (out of the $150 allotted) I new need to decide do I go to Krogers and buy cheese and some other items for the stockpile or do we save it for a Skyline Chili trip as a family over the weekend?
We had cereal for breakfast, lunch was graciously provided by our local park system and Snappy tomato pizza. They have a great science program on many Thursday mornings and then Snappy Tomato Pizza provides pizza and a local church provides popcorn and lemonade. This wonderful church, Faith Community, also brought some veggies to share from their church garden.
They gave us two huge zucinnis and the biggest yellow squash I have every seen.
So total for the week is $96. (out of the $150 allotted) I new need to decide do I go to Krogers and buy cheese and some other items for the stockpile or do we save it for a Skyline Chili trip as a family over the weekend?
We had cereal for breakfast, lunch was graciously provided by our local park system and Snappy tomato pizza. They have a great science program on many Thursday mornings and then Snappy Tomato Pizza provides pizza and a local church provides popcorn and lemonade. This wonderful church, Faith Community, also brought some veggies to share from their church garden.
They gave us two huge zucinnis and the biggest yellow squash I have every seen.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Day 3
We still haven't gone grocery shopping!
I think we may go tonight but we ate pretty well out of the stockpile but are getting very low on fruits and veggies so it is time to go!
Here was out menu all from our stockpile:
bfast cereal, milk and fried fruit
lunch: hot pockets for some and turkey dogs for others. Carrots for all.
Dinner: Tuna patties and frozen spinach
I think we may go tonight but we ate pretty well out of the stockpile but are getting very low on fruits and veggies so it is time to go!
Here was out menu all from our stockpile:
bfast cereal, milk and fried fruit
lunch: hot pockets for some and turkey dogs for others. Carrots for all.
Dinner: Tuna patties and frozen spinach
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
2nd day Tuesday
Today for breakfast everybody kinda did their own thing...one kid had frozen waffles, another rice and 2 scrambled eggs.
For lunch we had cheese sandwiches, apples and carrots. My daughter and I also had leftover jumbula from last night.
We had dinner out (before I went grocery shopping for the week) Sounds crazy I know but I feel like I wanted to know what we spent out so I didn't go over the $150 tomorrow when I shop. Our grand total for an evening out for 6 of us (MY DH had a business dinner but we took a neighbor) was $11 at a chain (Logans) steakhouse! YEAH. You may be wondering how. They give away free kids meal coupons when your child reads for the summer reading club at our local library! Can't beat free kids meals!
OK I have to go plan my mission (grocery store trip) for tomorrow!
For lunch we had cheese sandwiches, apples and carrots. My daughter and I also had leftover jumbula from last night.
We had dinner out (before I went grocery shopping for the week) Sounds crazy I know but I feel like I wanted to know what we spent out so I didn't go over the $150 tomorrow when I shop. Our grand total for an evening out for 6 of us (MY DH had a business dinner but we took a neighbor) was $11 at a chain (Logans) steakhouse! YEAH. You may be wondering how. They give away free kids meal coupons when your child reads for the summer reading club at our local library! Can't beat free kids meals!
OK I have to go plan my mission (grocery store trip) for tomorrow!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Ta Da
Today is the first day of the All You grocery challenge!
Usually we shop midweek so I am using the stockpile for now. I like to shop mid week because the coupons "pundits" have already posted their good deals for the week and any coupons that I ordered have usually arrived.
However, I will not be grocery shopping until Wens. (Payday) I will be using what is currently in stock at my house.
Although we don't have to live payday to payday, we choose to. OK let me explain. My DH and I hate to be in debt. We like to have the "old fashioned" saving net. We therefor "pay ourselves first" with savings and then use what we have in checking until the next pay day.
So here is what we had today:
Breakfast cereal from our stockpile and milk
Lunch- lean pockets and fruit. - Not usually a big fan of these but they were a special treat at .88 each AQ.
Dinner- Jumbula (sp? ) easy and tasty using free sausage from buying cokes a few weeks back.
Usually we shop midweek so I am using the stockpile for now. I like to shop mid week because the coupons "pundits" have already posted their good deals for the week and any coupons that I ordered have usually arrived.
However, I will not be grocery shopping until Wens. (Payday) I will be using what is currently in stock at my house.
Although we don't have to live payday to payday, we choose to. OK let me explain. My DH and I hate to be in debt. We like to have the "old fashioned" saving net. We therefor "pay ourselves first" with savings and then use what we have in checking until the next pay day.
So here is what we had today:
Breakfast cereal from our stockpile and milk
Lunch- lean pockets and fruit. - Not usually a big fan of these but they were a special treat at .88 each AQ.
Dinner- Jumbula (sp? ) easy and tasty using free sausage from buying cokes a few weeks back.
Monday, July 6, 2009
All you
I never knew that I was a "shopper " before I started couponing now I love the rush I get from getting a really good deal!
I am really excited about using my couponing skills to use in the All You magazine challenge. With the 6 people in my family, I can spend $150 a week.
Stay tuned for all the fun ways I can feed our family healthy and enjoyable meals!
I am really excited about using my couponing skills to use in the All You magazine challenge. With the 6 people in my family, I can spend $150 a week.
Stay tuned for all the fun ways I can feed our family healthy and enjoyable meals!
Friday, March 13, 2009
It always amazes me what I can do with coupons:
If you don't check couponing sites on a regular basis, there are some good ones listed.
This is what I got today FREE at Kroger using sales and coupons
3 Colgate Toothpaste
2 Colgate toothbrushes
FREE at Meijer
ziplocks
Yes, couponing takes some time but the results can be so worth it.
If you don't check couponing sites on a regular basis, there are some good ones listed.
This is what I got today FREE at Kroger using sales and coupons
3 Colgate Toothpaste
2 Colgate toothbrushes
FREE at Meijer
ziplocks
Yes, couponing takes some time but the results can be so worth it.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
If you have kids in diapers, this is the week to stock up.
Coupons.com has a $5 off huggies coupon. Even better, Kroger.com has a $3 off their Confort diapers. Even better, diapers are $5.99- $3 = $2.99 this week!
You can not beat approximately 40 diapers for $2.99.
Don't need diapers? Buy a pack for a homeless shelter.
Coupons.com has a $5 off huggies coupon. Even better, Kroger.com has a $3 off their Confort diapers. Even better, diapers are $5.99- $3 = $2.99 this week!
You can not beat approximately 40 diapers for $2.99.
Don't need diapers? Buy a pack for a homeless shelter.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Money is about choices
I frequently hear people say "I don't have the money to..." Often, those are the very same people that I see spending recklessly at the grocery, eating out a lot or generally squandering money.
Here is the simple truth:
Here is the simple truth:
Money is about choices.
Would you be willing to live on Ramon noodles and water to buy your child a Wii?
We all make daily purchasing decisions that may or may not reflect the priorities we have as a family. Experts recommend spending no more than 20-35% on housing. Other cost are random but also pretty fixed: your child probably will need to see the Doctor at least once in the next few months. However, does what you spend the other 65-80% on really reflect what you want as a family?
* Lessons/sports/classes for the kids. (for some families this can be over $1500 a year)
* Convenience foods (i.e. precooked chicken, lunchables etc. )
* Eating out at lunch from work
* Eating out as a family
* Taking the time to clip coupons/send in rebates etc.
* Buying clothes retail
* Buying toys retail
* Membership in a health club, amusement park, museum, Zoo
* Private school tuition
* Trips to visit out of town relatives/friends
* Vacation(s)
* Paying off credit card debt
* Tithing, temple dues, other charitable giving
If you are contemplating some life changes, you may also want to add:
* Having a car (or a second car)
* Having/getting a larger house/apartment
* Having one parent stay home part/full time
* Having one parent go back to work full/part time
Print out your list enough times for you, your spouse and any children old enough to understand budgeting ( somewhere between 6-10 depending on your child). On their own paper, ask each person to rank the items from 1 to 10 with 1 being unimportant and 10 being crucial to them. Then compare notes. You may be surprised that your kids don’t really mind sharing a room and don’t care about a larger house. You may learn that your kids wouldn’t mind giving up lunch out after church every week if they know that they might be able to go to Disney instead. For other families, the weekly lunch may be such a great time to reconnect that no one wants to give up.
Most of us occasionally wish for more. However, most of us also sometimes spend (at least sometimes) without thinking about it. As grandma always said…a penny saved is a penny earned.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wants vs. needs
Many people live paycheck to paycheck or live in debt.
Most people have enough money to meet all of their needs.
Sometime in grade school you learned the difference between wants and needs. Needs are basic food, shelter, transportation, clothing. (not expensive items.) Wants are almost anything else.
In this very materialistic society we live in, it is easy to forget that we really need very little. We want so much more.
There is nothing wrong with spending money on wants. As long as you realize that your cable, kids soccer, expensive coat and dinner out are all wants.
However, if your "wants" are taking over (more on prioritizing tomorrow), then it may be time to remember how little you may really need.
Most people have enough money to meet all of their needs.
Sometime in grade school you learned the difference between wants and needs. Needs are basic food, shelter, transportation, clothing. (not expensive items.) Wants are almost anything else.
In this very materialistic society we live in, it is easy to forget that we really need very little. We want so much more.
There is nothing wrong with spending money on wants. As long as you realize that your cable, kids soccer, expensive coat and dinner out are all wants.
However, if your "wants" are taking over (more on prioritizing tomorrow), then it may be time to remember how little you may really need.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Frugal can be fun
Every day, I hear people grump about the economy.
Yes, it sucks! Yes, we hope it gets better.
However, learning to be more frugal can actually be enjoyable. It can allow you and your family to redefine your priorities and put what is really important in perspective.
If you are already frugal, guess what, we are "cooler" now!
If you are learning to be (more) frugal, remember the following:
F is for figuring out your priorities
R is for being realistic about what you spend and what things cost
U is for understanding where your money goes
G is for giving. Being frugal allows many of us to give back to others.
A is for accepting the gifts you have
L is for Living and Loving Life.
Yes, it sucks! Yes, we hope it gets better.
However, learning to be more frugal can actually be enjoyable. It can allow you and your family to redefine your priorities and put what is really important in perspective.
If you are already frugal, guess what, we are "cooler" now!
If you are learning to be (more) frugal, remember the following:
F is for figuring out your priorities
R is for being realistic about what you spend and what things cost
U is for understanding where your money goes
G is for giving. Being frugal allows many of us to give back to others.
A is for accepting the gifts you have
L is for Living and Loving Life.
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