Menu this week

Well this week's menu looks a little lame, I was really at a loss of putting the energy in to finding some new recipes this week. June sort of snuck up on me and I didn't have a lot of ideas already.

I am planning on having a baking day this week. I've have plenty of Bananas in the freezer just waiting to be turned into some tasty banana bread and last week's recipe swap I saw a recipe for homemade whole wheat English muffins that I can't wait to try. I also can't wait to try these cake balls. I've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to try them and I'm so pumped because I have a baby shower I'm helping with this coming weekend. So cake balls here I come. I'm also in love with this bread machine. If I would have known how wonderful they were I would have snagged my mom's earlier. I'm eager to try out some new recipes, if you have a favorite I'd love for you to pass it on.

Breakfast
Cold Cereal, English Muffins, homemade toast, banana bread

Dinner
Monday-Taco Salad with all the fixins
Tuesday-Baked Ziti, salad, steamed carrots and homemade bread (in bread machine)
Wednesday-Leftovers
Thursday-Pasta Salad
Friday-Crockpot Mac & Cheese with Large Salads (hopefully I'll make some homemade croutons too)
Saturday-Grilling Brats, sweet potatoes (in crock pot), steamed veggies & Salad
Sunday-Pancakes, Eggs & Sausage Patties

For more great ideas check out Menu Plan Monday's home over at Org Junkie.

Weekly $ Report

This week's grocery trip to Dillons was awesome. I was pretty pumped at the savings I managed to find. I love sales and coupons! I spent $35.47 on groceries and got 4 packages of Diapers for 18.46, minus 3.00 for my caregiver marketplace rebate that I'll submit and they were $3.87 each! AWESOME. I'm stocked up on diapers right now and hopefully by using a combination of cloth diaper and disposibles I can make it till the end of September.

***Everything in italics are items that I used coupons for and the best buys of the week are in bold.

Dillons

$12.96 groceries $18.46 diapers

4 package of Huggies 18.46 and will turn in for a 3.00 rebate
Cottage Cheese 1.00
2 cucumbers 1.78
Cheddar Smoked Sausage 1.24
2 Sweet Potatoes 1.06
Frozen Corn .65
Cantaloupe 1.97
Cascadian Farms Edamme .79
MS Organic Valley Milk FREE
MS Yogurt .15

Aldi

$22.51

American Cheese Slices 1.49
1 lb. Lunch meat 2.99
Whole Milk 2.40
Skim Milk 2.30
Ketchup 1.15
2 cans Diced Tomatoes .49 each
Onions .69
Great Northern Beans 1.98
2 packages Roma Tomatoes 1.49 each
Eggs .79
2 loaves of bread 1.29 each
Marshmallows .85

Frugal Family Birdwatching Fun

My toddler loves birds. I'll often find him trying to run after them in the yard. At the zoo the birds are by far his favorite. He could sit forever and watch the flamingos. I decided it would be fun to try to attract a few more near the window of our dining room. It's our favorite place to sit and have a snack and he loves pointing and making bird sounds anytime he sees one.

I knew we could make the traditional peanut butter pine cone birdseed bird feeder but we don't have any pine trees in our yard, so we'd have to go hunting for pine cones. Instead I ran across a suggestion that you could use a toilet paper roll for the same thing. This was perfect because we have plenty of those.

Here's what you do:

You'll need an empty toilet paper tube, peanut butter, plate, spreader, birdseed and string of some sort to hang it up.

1. Pour a bit of birdseed onto a plate

2. Cover your toilet paper roll with peanut butter

3. Roll your peanut butter covered toilet paper tube in birdseed.

4. Run a string through the tube, it it, and hang on a tree.

I also saw that you could do the same thing but with a bagel. I'm very excited to see if this attracts any birds within a closer view.

I'm hoping to try this homemade hummingbird feeder. I haven't seen any hummingbirds around so we'll see if it works. They truly are my favorite bird, it would be fun to have a few around.

It's Greek to Me

I would have to rank Greek food in my top 5 favorite types of foods. I love it. Now obviously this recipe for gyros is a bit different than the real deal, but since I don't have a spit fire grill it works for us and it tastes pretty yummy too.

Homemade Takeout Gyros $7.35 (price includes sauce, pita and toppings)
¼ c. olive oil .50½ c. minced onion .102 cloves garlic, minced .051 ½ lb. ground beef or lamb 3.00
2 T. lemon juice .01½ t. dried oregano .01
¼ t. dried rosemary .011 t. cumin .011 t. salt .01¼ t. black pepper .01

Pita bread, lettuce, slice tomatoes, sliced red onions, (.75) tzatziki sauce (2.89)

Heat 2 T. oil in skillet and sauté onions for 2 minutes, add garlic and sauté an additional 2 minutes. Transfer the onion mix to a large bowl and allow to cool.

Once cooled add meat, lemon juice, oregano, rosemary, cumin, salt, and pepper to onion mix and mix well. Form the meat into 8 patties about 2 ½ inches wide.

Heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook about 5 minutes, flip patties and heat until juices run clear. Like you would a taco pita bread with a meat patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, tzatziki and close. (If you use store bought you can actually open it up an use fill the inside, but it is absolutely delish on homemade pita. After you have homemade you'll never want to buy the store bought cardboard pita bread ever again.)

Tzatziki Sauce 2.892 c. plain yogurt strained for at least 3 hours or use Greek yogurt 2.00
1 large cucumber, peeled and seeded .80
1 large garlic clove, minced .05
1 T. olive oil .01
1 T. lemon juice .01
½ t. salt .01
1/8 t. black pepper .01

After yogurt is ready, grate the cucumber or finely chop, place it in a strainer and squeeze the cucumber to release some of it’s liquid. Add to the yogurt and combine the remaining ingredients. Makes about 2 ½ cups.

Check out more great recipes over at Grocery Cart Challenge's Recipe Swap on Friday.

Dillons Deals 5/27-6/2

This week's ad looks a lot like last week's. So if you missed any of these deals you're in luck.

Produce
1 lb Driscoll's Strawberries 1.49
6 oz. Blackberries or Raspberries or 4 oz. Blueberries 1.99

Meat
Chicken Leg Quarters .55lb sold in 10lb bag 5.50
Kroger Value Pack Chicken Drumsticks and Thighs .95 lb
Boneless Pork Sirloin Chops or Pork Steak BIGI FREE

Other Grocery Items
Kroger Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream or Dips 1.00
Kroger Frozen Vegetables 1.00
Heinz Ketchup 1.99
Kroger Tortilla Chips 1.00
Big K Soft Drinks 2/$1
Doritos 1.98

Cool Whip Topping 1.00
Use 1.00/2 IP from bottom of page
Total=$1.00/2

Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise 2.49Use 1.00/1 IP through coupons.com on bottom of page
Total= 1.49

Kraft Salad Dressing 1.69
Use 1.50/1
Total=$0.19

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables 1.00
Use .60/2 IP from Eat Better America
Total= $1.00/2

Ritz Crackers 2.99
Use BIGI FREE wheat thins wyb ritz or 1.00/1 IP bottom of page
Total=$1.99/1- $2.99/2

Weber Grilling Spices 1.00
Use .50/1 MF
Total=FREE

Pringles 2/$3
Use .50/1 or 1.00/2 MF or .50/1 MF
Total=.50-1.00 each

Household Products
Quilted Northern Bath Tissue Double Rolls 4 pack1.99

All or Wisk Laundry Detergent 32-40 loads 4.49
Use 1.50 MF Wisk
Total=$2.99

Dixie Tableware 2/$5
Use .50/1 MF
Total= $1.50 each

Colgate Toothpaste 1.00
Use .75/1 MF
Total=FREE

Save $3 Instantly at Checkout when you buy $15 worth of Huggies Products in 1 Transaction (Limit 2 rewards per transaction)
Use 1.50/1 or 3.00/2 MF various Huggies Qs
Plus 3.00/2 Cellfire and 1.50/1 Shortcuts 4.00/1 Pull ups1.50/1 MF Little Swimmers
Total= AWESOME DIAPER DEALS
**Don't forget you can turn your receipts into Caregiver's Marketplace for a rebate of .75 per package of Huggies you buy.

Happy Savings!
Erica

Staying Cool and not breaking the bank

I love air conditioning, but I also love how low our bills have been the past couple of months without our heat or AC on. We are really trying to delay turning on our AC as long as possible and thankful for that the hot summer weather has yet to make it's appearance in Kansas yet, but it's coming.

We have plenty of experience of living without the luxury of air conditioning and yes it is a luxury. There are plenty of ways to keep cool even without turning on your AC

1. One of the easiest ways to stay cool is to minimize your heat sources in your home. During the day try to use natural light rather than reaching for the light switch. Try to spend time in rooms where the sun is not shining into. Keep these curtains closed until the sun has moved elsewhere. Sure the sun is lovely but it will heat up your room very quickly.

2. Utilize fans and outside temperatures. It goes without saying that if it is cool outside you'll want to draw this air into your home, if it is hot then you don't. If you have an attic fan these are beautiful ways to keep cool. Flip those on at night and you'll be reaching for a blanket before you know it. If you don't have an attic fan utilize your fans, you'll want all types osculating, ceiling and box fans. Place a box fan in your window to draw the air inside. When it warms up in the afternoon, why no try to close your windows. I know it may seem odd, but I promise you it works. Open your windows after it cools off a bit at dusk. In the mean time circulate the air you have to the best of your abilities.

3. Try to minimize the use of your oven and stove top. Utilize these beautiful inventions, crock pot, rice cooker (also great for steaming veggies), and a bread maker. Rather than heat up your whole house with your oven try making various crockpot meals and why not make a loaf of bread to go with it using your bread machine. (I borrowed my mom's for the summer and am very excited to still have bread this summer.) Lastly steam a pot of veggies in your rice cooker. You've got a complete meal without every having to turn your oven on. A friend of mine actually takes her crock pot to the garage so that it won't heat up her house. I just cleared a space in my laundry room and hope to follow this concept too. Whoever thought such smells would be coming from the garage or laundry room.

4. Utilize your oven before you go to bed. Since it is coolest during the night your house will have plenty of time to cool off. When we lived overseas I would often cook my meals at night and then place them in the fridge for the next day. Try making several things in one swoop and freeze them, this way you'll only need to heat the oven up once.

5. Hydrate and rehydrate. Keep a cold glass of water handy and sip your day away. These are the best days to bring out that blender and make you a nice cold smoothie, or other icy drink.

6. Dress appropriately. Obviously jeans and long sleeves are going to make you hot. It's time to bring out your shorts an summer skirts out of storage and enjoy lounging in your coolest attire.

7. When it is time to turn the AC on try turning it up a few degrees. I think the lowest we had it set last summer was 75 degrees. But utilizing some of these same tips you can keep your AC from running constantly. Utilize your programable thermostat, programing it to the lowest temperature around 2:00-5:00 in the afternoon.

There are plenty of other ways to stay cool. What's your favorite? Mine's a nice lemon snow cone! For more great tips check out WFMW's home over at We Are That Family.

Monday Meal Plan

I hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day Weekend. Our family is certainly enjoying our long weekend together. I am very thankful to be raised in a country who desires to defend freedom and extremely thankful for the men and women who have given their lives for the sake of our country.

It's back to the swing of things this week in the kitchen. I'm trying to utilize my crockpot so we can delay turning on the AC another couple of weeks. We are loving our energy and gas bills being so low. It's a blessing to see how God provided a few months of low bills so that we could afford another grad class for my husband this summer. He certainly provides for our needs.

We hopefully will get to enjoy the company of my in-laws the end of this week, so I actually planned some breakfasts this week, hopefully cooking breakfast will motivate me to get out of bed and go jogging in the morning. We shall see, we shall see, the tricky part is doing so and not waking up our Toddler.

Breakfast:
Homemade Yogurt & Fruit
Pumpkin Apple Muffins
Baked Oatmeal
Sausage Biscuit Bake

Dinner:
Monday-Visiting Family

Tuesday-Crockpot ribs courtesy of my parents, spinach salad, and cooked carrots

Wednesday-Tuna Melts, Salad (our first from our garden!!!), and Sweet Potato Fries

Thursday-(Crockpot) Shredded Steak Sandwiches, salad, & Fruit

Friday-Greek Meatballs, Hummus, Homemade Pita Bread, & Greek Salad

Saturday-(Crockpot) Chicken with White Beans and Chorizo, Steamed Rice, & Steamed Veggies

Sunday-Leftovers

Check out what others are having all around the country by visiting Org Junkie.

Weekly $ Report

Sorry guys I've been in a sneezing haze this past week and it's zaps the life out of me. I've been a bit behind on my blog posts. Here's this week's money report. I spent a bit more than $50 but I'm stocked up on soda for a while. My sweet husband has been hanging with me until it went on sale. He was very pleased

Total=60.89

Dillons 23.87

3 bars of of Cheese 3.00 each

3 boxes of butter 1.58 each

Green Giant Veggies 1.19

MS Pork Steak 1.65

Peas .93

Sweet Potatoes .98

Half & Half .89

French Fries .99

Whole Wheat Flour 2.00

Aldi 18.42

Strawberries .99

Skim Milk 2.30

Whole Milk 2.40

Sugar 2.53

Corn 1.29

Chips .99

Cream of Chicken Soup .49

Bread 1.29 each

Spinach .79

Tortillas .99

Dillons Trip #2 18.60

Milk free used Q for 2.50 off next order

Watermelon 3.99

5 packs of Pepsi 2.50 each

Bread .78

Weber's spice rub Free

Utilizing Store Sales

For mother's Day this year my husband and son gave me a gift card to Kohls. I was very excited because I just signed up to receive Kohl's newsletters via e-mail and also received a $5.00 coupon to be used on anything. I knew going in that I would have $35 to spend. I wanted to use it wisely and to purchase some nice pieces.

I saw an advertisement that you could save up to an additional 30% off your entire purchase if you used your Kohl's card. We've thankfully have never had any credit card debt and we've always passed when offered store credit cards. After seeing this type of sale multiple time the last year we decided it was worth it, since this is where we shop the most for new clothing. Since we pay for pretty much everything with cash I can just paid my balance right there at the register. If you are considering store credit cards please, please, please be very careful think about it and don't do it on a whim just to save a few bucks. Most importantly never buy anything you can't afford.

I am very excited to add these (pictured below) to my wardrobe. I went looking for a few things to wear to an upcoming interview. (Being a stay at home mom I don't have a lot of business wear anymore.) I love what I found. 1 jacket on clearance for 16.80, 1 skirt on clearance for 8.00, Black sweater on clearance for 12.00 Short sleeved shirt 8.99 on sale. After my $5 coupon and 30% off this totaled 30.35! That's about 7.59 per item.

The best time of year to find some great clearance items is shortly after the season is ending. Right now Kohl's has a ton of long sleeved shirts and pants on clearance. Since I never buy clothing at full price this is good place to find some real bargains.

Make sure you look over the pieces you plan to buy, especially things on clearance. Check all seams (especially underarm and crotch seams) & buttons. Some of these might be missing, or need some minor repairs. If this is the case ask yourself it it is worth it. I passed on a long sleeved t-shirt today that was 4.00 but the seams didn't look very cheap.

Never buy anything you don't love, just because it is cheap. If you don't love it don't buy because chances are it will sit in your closet and you've wasted money. I follow this same principle anywhere I shop whether it is a garage sale or the mall. I'd rather walk out of a store with nothing than spend $10 on a shirt I'll only wear once. Lastly try it on and make sure you love it.

Happy Savings!

Erica

Dillons Deals 5/20-5/26

Another great week at Dillons. I hope you can snatch up some of these deals this week.

Produce
Seedless Watermelon 3.99
Ripe Sweet Texas Cantaloupe 1.97 each
Jumbo Orange, Yellow or Red Bell Peppers 1.49 each
New Crop California Apricots 2.99 lb.
Red Ripe Driscoll's Strawberries 1.99 lb.

Meat
Sterling Silver Fresh Ground Chuck 1.99 lb

Oscar Mayer Original, Bun Length, Lite or Jumbo Meat Franks 2/$3
Use 1.00/2 MF or IP below
Total=$2.00/1

Hillshire Rope or Link Smoked Sausage 2.25 each
Use .55/1 MF or .75/2 MF
Total=$1.25/1 or 4.00/2

Chicken Leg Quarters sold in 10 lb. bag 5.50 bag

Other Deals
Kroger Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream or Dips 1.00
Kroger Frozen Vegetables 1.00
Kroger Deluxe Pints or Kroger Novelties 1.00
Pepsi 2.50 wyb5
Lay's Potato Chips, Fritos or Cheetos 1.88
Kroger or Private Selection Spices or Extracts 33% off
Van Camp's Pork and Beans 2/$1
Heinz Ketchup 1.99
Kroger Tortilla Chips 1.00

Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise 2.49
Use 1.00/1 IP through coupons.com on bottom of page
Total= 1.49

French's Mustard 1.49
Use .50/1 MF
Total= $0.49

Kraft Salad Dressing 1.69
Use 1.50/1
Total=$0.19

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables 1.33
Use .60/2 IP
Total= $1.63/2

Weber Grilling Spices 1.00
Use .50/1 MF
Total=FREE

Household Products
Quilted Northern Bath Tissue Double Rolls 4 pack1.99
All or Wisk Laundry Detergent 32-40 loads 4.49
Use 1.50 MF Wisk
Total=$2.99

Dixie Tableware 2/$5
Use .50/1 MF
Total= $1.50 each

Save $3 Instantly at Checkout when you buy $15 worth of Huggies Products in 1 Transaction (Limit 2 rewards per transaction) From the looks of the ad Pure and Natural diapers are not a part of this deal. I’ll scope it out today and see if they are.

Use 1.50/1 or 3.00/2 MF plus various Huggies diapers plus 3.00/2 Cellfire and 1.50/1 Shortcuts
4.00/1 Pull ups
1.50/1 MF Little Swimmers
Total= AWESOME DIAPER DEALS

Happy Savings!
Erica

Walgreen's $5/$25 Coupon Today and Tomorrow only

Oh how I used to love these coupons. They've been hiding for a while and today and tomorrow you can utilize saving an additonal $5 on purchases of $25 or more. This is after all coupons are deducted, so you'll have to try to aim for $25 after coupons. These are great items to use for items that you will get a rebate for.

Click here for coupon.

Freezer Week Recipes

Simple BBQ Chicken
Desire amount of cooked, shredded chicken
Favorite BBQ Sauce

Combine and heat through. Serve over rice or on sandwiches.

Baked Chimichangas
2 ½ c. shredded chicken
1 c. salsa
1 small onion chopped
¾ t. cumin
½ t. dried oregano
Simmer until heated through and most of the liquid is evaporated

Place mixture in 6 flour tortillas, add 2 T Cheese and roll. Bake 15 minutes at 425

Sauce:
1 c. chicken broth with 1/8 t. pepper to a boil
Then add 1/4 c. all-purpose flour and 1 c. half-and half cream. Stir until smooth. Add 1 can green chilies and heat through.

Serve ½ Chimichanga with sauce poured over the top.

Chili Kolachesuncooked dinner rolls
10 oz. canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained (about 1 1/2 cooked)
1 c. chunky salsa
1 t. chili seasoning mix
½ c. plus Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Preheat oven to 400, spray cookie sheet evenly Place rolls on sheet. Make an indention in the center of each roll. Spoon bean mixture into the center of the the roll indention. Top bean mixture with cheese and bake 12-15 minutes. Remove and cool.

Sweet and Sour Chicken or Pork
1 can pineapple chunks
1/3 c. water
3 T. Vinegar
1 T. Soy sauce
½ c. packed brown sugar I just substituted ¼ c. regular sugar
3 T. cornstarch
1-2 c. Cooked cubed chicken or pork
1 large green pepper
1 red onion cut
Hot cooked Rice

Cook chicken or pork until it is fully cooked, set aside.

Drain pineapple; reserving juice. Set aside pineapple and add water to the juice if need to measure to 1 c. Pour into large skillet. Add 1/3 c. water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch; still until smooth. Cook over med. Heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add pineapple, chicken, onion, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Serve over rice.

Bierocks
homemade uncooked rolls
1 lb. Hamburger
1 can cream of chicken soup
6-8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Brown hamburger and drain grease, then add soup and cheese to hamburger mixture. Roll out dough and put 1 heaping T. of hamburger mixture on dough. Pinch all sides closed, place on greased cookie sheet with pinch sides down and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake 15-20 minutes at 375 or until golden brown. Brush with Melted butter when taken out of oven. (This usually makes aroudn 16 Beirocks.

Cooking a Week at a Time

I must admit it was very nice popping dinner in the oven yesterday. I was able to get most of my sewing projects cut out yesterday during my son's nap. I have a feeling this is going to be a very productive week. For more great ideas check out Works for me Wednesday.

Here's what I made during my cooking marathon:

• BBQ Chicken and Rice
• Chicken Chimichangas
• Chili Kolaches
• Sweet and Sour Pork (I had planned on making chicken but I bought a smaller chicken)
• Bierocks
• Taco Meat
  

This took me around 2 1/2 hours to complete all 6 of these meals as well as kitchen clean up. Go here to find the recipes for all of the recipes with the execption of tacos (just follow your packet's instructions.)

Some tips to making this event go well include:

• Pre-chop onions/veggies needed.
• Make sure you thaw your meat ahead of time.
• Cook a whole chicken in the crockpot a day before your marathon and I de-boned it. Refrigerate your cooked chicken so it is ready to be added to your recipes.
• Shred cheese if using block cheese ahead of time.
• Start with a clean kitchen, empty sink and dishwasher. You'll have a lot of dishes to do at the end and it's much better when these are the only ones you must tackle.
• Cook when you have uninterrupted time. The best times for me are evenings after little man is in bed.

Below are your Step by Step instructions of how to prepare these 6 meals in 2 1/2 hours.

1. Start your rice. I used a rice cooker but you can cook it however you wish. Here's my most recent find of how to prepare brown rice. It works beautifully and I'm so glad I came across this article.

2. Prepare your dinner Rolls. This is my favorite recipes because it requires no rising. I let my kitchen aid do all the work of kneading for me. Once you have finished kneading your dough split dough in half.

3. Begin to prepare you Chili Kolaches. Dump your beans with salsa and seasoning and stir together.

4. On a cookie sheet roll half of the dough into little balls about the size of an egg. Once you have all your dough balls ready smash them down and create a crater in the middle, using your thumbs. Pour your bean mixture into the middle of the crater. Top with cheese.

5. Bake Chili Kolaches for about 15 minutes. Be sure to set a timer!

6. Cook your ground beef. Use about 1 1/2-2 lbs. ground beef divided into two pans. In one pan season meat with taco seasoning. Cook simultaneously and drain grease when finished. Add some onion if you desire.

7. Set aside taco meat and allow to cool slightly.

8. Using the second pan of unseasoned ground beef will be used for the Beirocks. Combine this cooked beef with one can cream of chicken soup and 1 c. shredded cheese, mix together

9. Using the second half of your bread dough, again divide dough into balls about he size of a tangerine.

10. Take a dough ball and stretch it out with your hands into a flat circle. Drop a spoonful of meat mixture into the center of the dough circle. Bring the remaining dough around the meat mixture and pinch to close it.

11. Place on a greased cookie sheet seam side down. Bake for 15 minutes or until the dough turns a golden brown. As soon as it comes out of the oven spread butter on the tops. Move to cooling racks and allow time to cool.

12. To prepare your BBQ Chicken use half of your cooked chicken add desired BBQ sauce to chicken, heat briefly and then set aside to cool.

13.Take the second half of chicken 2 1/2 c. and prepare the chicken mixture of your chimichangas. Add onion, salsa and spices to mixture and stir. Add mixture to the center of a tortilla and roll it up leaving the ends open. Place in a 9 x 13 baking dish, with the seams on the bottom of the pan. Freeze as is. (You will need to prepare the sauce for the topping as these bake the day you eat them.

14. Cook your meat for Sweet and Sour Pork/Chicken. Add the remaining ingredients and follow recipe until finished. Allow to cool before transferring to a container to freeze it in.

15. After all food has cooled place it in bags or Tupperware and label it and add any more instructions the recipes needs. (For example the chimichangas need sauce, include the recipe.)Divide your rice into two containers. One will be for BBQ chicken and the other will be for Sweet and Sour Pork. Bag up some shredded cheese for your taco meat.

16. Once everything is added containerized, find space in your freezer, clean up your kitchen and congratulate yourself and preparing a week's worth of meals. It's time for you to relax, or at least enjoy a piece of chocolate.

Happy Cooking!

Erica

Monday Menu Plan

Well it's another freezer week, which means I've already prepare these meals and all that's left is to heat them up. I hope it will give me more time to concentrate on sewing this week. I have a ton of fabric just calling my name.

Here's the plan for the week:
Monday-Shredded BBQ Chicken over Rice, Steamed Veggies
Tuesday-Chicken Chimichangas, Tomato Wedges & Steamed Veggies
Wednesday-Sweet & Sour Chicken, Sweet Potato cubes
Thursday-Leftovers
Friday-Chili Kolaches, steamed veggies & fruit
Saturday-Tacos with all the fixins and fruit
Sunday-Tuna Melts, oven fries & steamed veggies

Check back on Tuesday for the breakdown of how to prepare the main freezer meals in 2 1/2 hours start to finish, recipes will follow I promise.

For more menu plans make sure you visit Meal Plan Monday at Org Junkie for great ideas.

Weekly $ Report

This week I shopped for two weeks worth of main dishes and I don't think I came out too bad, $57.44. I'm looking forward to having 2.50 off this coming week when I go at Dillons. They are running a catalina deal where if you buy 5 bottles of Kraft BBQ sauce you can get 2.50 towards your next purchase, 4 bottles 2.00 catalina, and if you are lucky enough to have 6 coupons you can get 3.00 off your next purchase. Considering these are only .08 each with the 1.00 coupon it's a great money maker and you're stocked up on BBQ sauce for the summer.

You'll have to bear with me, allergy season has struck hard and I'm a little fuzzy so I'm only going to post my great deals for the week. Here's where I shopped this week:

Aldi $21.20

3 lb. bag Gala Apples 1.29
Tomatoes on the vine .99

Dillons $33.68 I used a ton of coupons this week

MS Ground Beef for 1.81/lb
5 bottles of BBQ Sauce .08 each (not pictured), plus I got back 2.50 towards my next transaction. (I hope you printed all those Kraft coupons, multiple times(FYI you can also print them from Kraft.com.)
Kraft Singles 1.27 each!
MS Chicken Thighs .77 lb!
5.98 Pork Tenderloin (I used a $1 off coupon I received at Riverfest!)
Free Strawberries (thanks to my most recent Dillon's mailer)
Kashi Waffles FREE (thanks to vocal point mailer)
Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs .50 each!
Raisin Bran and Frosted Flakes .98 each!

Wal-Mart .98

.18/lb bananas Thursdays, price matched to Leekers

Hostess/Wonder Outlet 1.58

12 pack of Whole Wheat Buns

Check out Super Saturday Savings over at Money Saving Mom to see what great deals others got this week.

Frugal Family Fun...Making Your Own Toys

I have only purchased a few toys for my son brand new. The rest have come from garage sales, Craig's list or given to him as gifts. But I'll be honest his favorite toys aren't 'toys' or they are things I've made. You don't even have be crafty at all to make a few toys. Below are a few of our favorite "non toys" around our parts.

Kitchen pots and pans

When I'm cooking I'll give my toddler a spoon, whisk, measuring cups or whatever I'm not using and let him play around in old pots and pans. He loves being able to cook and he'll often come over and offer me a taste of something. If I'm really feeling adventurous I'll add a bit off water to his pots.

Stackers and Shakers

Fill a container with what every you desire. I've filled mine with various things that make different sounds rice, pasta, cornmeal, bells, beads, fuzzy pom poms, ribbon. Make sure you super glue the lid on tight to prevent anything going into your child's mouth. Cottage cheese or large yogurt containers make perfect "blocks" for stacking. I cut out pictures of magazines and taped them to the container then I covered them with clear packing tape. It adds to some life to the plain white containers.

Wipe Containers and Milk Carton lids, Orange Juice lids

My son has so much fun putting things in and taking them out of these container. I guess it's what Toddler's do best. This is one of our car toys and I can easily add new stuff as we find them. Leaves, sticks and rocks often find their way into the container.

I spy books

Create little I spy books for your child by making a collage of pictures from magazines or from the advertisements in Sunday's paper (this is what I used). If you child has a special love for something try to hide it through out the pages of the book. If you want your book to last cover it in contact paper. This is a great road trip book as your child can find various things as you are driving.

Cardboard boxes

I loved cardboard boxes as a child, the creativity you can have with a simple box is too fun. Occasionally I let me son have the diaper box and he loves getting in and out of it and putting things inside. Once he gets a little older the creativity is limitless of what the box can be used for.


After seeing how much he loved playing with the kitchen at the church nursery I decided to create his own kitchen by using a card board box. I simply covered it with a paper bag. Cut out a door and added a little handle. He now has his own microwave. Rather than buy him a kitchen I simply used a permanent marker and drew a couple burners on a plastic bin that holds all the extra toys that are hiding. Simple, easy and I didn't have to spend any money to make it.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble Wrap is another fun toy for kids, but please closely monitor your kids at all times when playing with bubble wrap. Some favorite things to do with bubble wrap around our house is to walk on it. My toddler loves running across it. If you don't want your child to pop it with their feet tape it to the table and give them a few cars to drive across it.

Balloons

The fun never grows old with balloons. Whether you are playing keep it up, soccer, creating a little static or putting them in front of a fan, you're sure to have a ton of fun. I like to keep a package around the house for rainy days.

Green Bean Tator Tot Crockpot Casserole

This is definitely comfort food. I haven't made Tator Tot Casserole in years and when I was flipping through the pages of Fix it and Forget it and I saw that this version had green beans I thought it was worth making, and I'm glad I did. Yum.

Green Bean Tator Tot Crockpot Casserole $5.87
1 lb. ground beef (I always use 3/4 lb) 1.99-1.50
1/2 t. salt .01
1/4 t. pepper .01
1 onion chopped .15
1 lb. bag frozen string beans 1.49
1 can cream of mushroom soup .49
1 c. shredded cheese .43
1 -21 oz. bag tator tots or equivalent in raw shredded potatoes 1.79

1. Crumble raw ground beef in bottom of slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. Layer remaining ingredients on beef in order they appear in ingredient list.

3.Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low and cook for 3 hours.

Enjoy!
Erica

For other great recipes check out the recipe swap Friday over at Grocery Cart Challenge.

Dillons Deals 5/13-5/19

I'm excited for this week at Dillons, it looks like a great week to stock up on Cheese and my family goes through it like you wouldn't believe.

Produce
Red Ripe on the Vine Tomatoes .98/lb
Fresh Express Garden Salad .88
New Crop Sweet Red Cherries 3.99 lb.
Ripe-N-Ready to Eat Haas Avocados or Mangoes 1.00
Vidalia Sweet onions .77/lb.
DelMonte Gold Pineapple 2.99 each

Meat
Tyson Fresh Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs .99/lb
Honeysuckle Fresh Ground Turkey Breast or Turkey Bratwurst, BIGI FREE $2.20 each
Ball Park Meat or Beef Franks BIGI FREE $1.90-2.60 each
Oscar Mayer Original Meat, Bologna or Cotta Salami .88
Use 1.00/2 IP Bologna Below from coupons.com
Total=$0.76/2!


Other Grocery Items
Kroger Potatoes .99
Kroger Salad Dressing .88
Kroger BBQ Sauce .59
12 pack Big K Soft Drinks 1.67
2/$5 Dillons Gallon Milk (Cheaper than Aldi this week)
Kroger Value White or Wheat Bread .79
Kroger Cheese 24 oz shreds or Bars 3.99 wyb1 or 3.49 wyb2 or 3.00 wyb3!!! (Aldi price for 24 oz. of bar cheese is 3.87)
Kroger Butter 1.99 wyb1 1.79 wyb2(good price) 1.59 wyb3!!! (Aldi's price is 1.99)
Kroger Cottage Cheese or Sour Cream 1.89 wyb1 1.79 wyb2 1.69 wyb3!!!!
Pepsi 3/$11 and get 1 free Diet Pepsi 12 pack
Kroger Yogurt 10/$4
Use .35/5 from Dillons Mailer (will not double)
Total=$1.65/5 or .33 each

General Mills Cereal 2/$5
Use .50/1 cellfire eQ and .50/1 & .55/1 shortcuts eQ Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Total=$1.45

Toaster Strudels & Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowls 2/$4
Use .50/1 cellfire eQ (Toaster Strudel)
Total $1.50/1 Toaster Strudel

Green Giant Vegetables 2.69
Use .50/1 19-24 oz shortcuts eQ and .50/1 19-24 oz MF
Total=$1.09

Comforts Puff Baby Snacks 1.29
Use 1.00/2 SC from Dillons Mailer if you received it
Total=$1.58/2


Household products
Comforts Diapers Big Pack Box 14.97
Use 3.00/1 IP
Total=11.97 each

Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner 1.99

Quilted Northern 4 pack double rolls 1.99
Tide or Downy 5.98
Use 1.00/1 MF
Total=4.98

Let me know if you see something I missed.

Happy Savings!
Erica

Saving on Things We Toss

I despise spending money on things that we throw away like napkins, paper towels, trash bags. Here are 5 ways our family saves money (or would love to save money) on things we toss.

1. Recycle. Our lack of trash is due to the fact that we recycle. I found a great place here in Wichita that takes about anything: cardboard from packaging, any type of plastic, cans, glass, newspapers, magazines. I've had the best help going here and usually volunteers help you get unloaded in a hurry. Recycling those take some thought and a little space but it's worth it. Here's a picture of my frugal recycling system. I purchased these bags for .50 bags at Walmart. I covered the logo with fabric and then ironed on labels. Simple and easy and they hang on the wall so they don't take up too much space. The smaller size forces me to recycle often.

2. Use Cloth Napkins. Rather than letting my cloth napkins collect dust I decided to pull them out and start using them. I haven't purchased napkins since Christmas and I've only gone through a couple rolls of paper towels. I also try to save any napkins that we didn't use when we get take out or fast food. These make great napkins than can be thrown in you lunchbox or used for messy meals. If you like to sew, it's a breeze making your own. The hardest part is mitering the corners here's a great tutorial on how to make them.

3. Wash plastic utensils. My husband takes his lunch everyday to work and I usually send him with plastic utensils, that I just throw in the dishwasher when he gets home. This stretches the amount I plastic utensils I have to buy and I don't have to worry about our silverware getting misplaced. Once they are broken or cracked I just throw them in with the recycling.

4. Use our plates. There have been a few times over the last year when I have pulled out the paper plates but these times have been few and far between and I still have the same package I purchased last year. Rather than reaching for disposables we choose to use our plates, it doesn't take too much more work to throw them in the dishwasher along with the other dishes we're bound to have. There certainly is a time and place for disposables but we like to use them wisely.

5. Compost. Currently we do not compost, although we would love to. If we would be in one place long enough we would completely do this. We've done this in the past and you'll be surprised how much space rinds, vegetable peels, and eggshells add up. Here's a great website that provides some info on composting. Composting is a wonderful way to save space in your garbage can and will help enrich your soil over time. What a win win money saving solution.

For other great tips check out Works for Me Wednesday over at We are THAT family.

Happy Saving!

Erica

Coupons, Coupons, Coupons

Make sure you print the new Kraft coupons from my coupon tool down below. Today is the last day for the Kraft cheese sale at Dillons, you can use some of these coupons for great deals on cheese that is on sale this week for 1.77 ( kraft singles & shredded cheese).

I went to Dillons yesterday but I'm seriously considering going back for more Kraft singles $1.27 each using the 1.00/2 IP below.

Other great coupons you won't want to miss include:
1.00/1 Wheat Thins
1.00/1 Kraft Salad Dressing
1.00/1 Ritz Crackers
1.00/1 Velveeta Shells and Cheese or Kraft Deluxe
1.00/1 Honey Maid Graham Crackers
1.00/1 Miracle Whip Dressing
1.00/1 Kraft BBQ Sauce
1.00/2 Cool Whip
1.00/2 Kraft Natural cheese
1.00/1 Premium Cracker
1.00/2 Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs
1.00/2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese Bricks

Also I just discovered that you can get another free one day membership to Sam's Club now through May 23rd. This is a great way to stock up and some basics without paying the membership. Check out this site for details.

And the Winner is.....

Congrats to Goal Mom for winning a pair of Twinkle Toe Topichkiis! I can't wait to mail them to you. If I don't hear from Goal Mom in the next 24 hours I'll choose a new winner. Thanks for entering and I do have another giveaway planned in the coming weeks. It's so much fun to give things away.

Menu Plan for the Week

I hope you had a great Mother's Day, it's such a blessing to be a mom and it is fun to reflect on all the beautiful ways the Lord has richly blessed me thes past 19 months.

Since the temperature is heating up I'm trying to use my crockpot as much as possible. I'm also doing another cooking marathon this week. Hopefully by cooking things in advance will help our house stay a bit cooler, so we won't can get by without turning our air on for a few more weeks.

I don't have anything special planned for breakfast or lunch this week. I'm hoping to pull breakfasts out of the freezer and if I feel up to it I"ll make a batch of pancakes to freeze this week.

Monday-Crockpot Green Bean & Tater Tot Casserole, Salad & Oranges

Tuesday-Simple Risotto with Steamed Veggies

Wednesday-Crockpot Country BBQ Ribs, oven fries, & Steamed Veggies

Thursday-Leftovers

Friday-Marinated Steak Salads & Fruit

Saturday-Grilled Teriyaki Turkey Burgers, Rice Pilaf, & Salad

Sunday-Taco Salad

For other great meal plans check out Org Junkie.

Walgreens 5/10-5/16

Happy Mother's Day to all! I hope you have a great day and feel loved and pampered today.

This will be my final Walgreens post. After praying about it and with the urging of my husband I decided not to reinvent the wheel and to enjoy our family time on the weekends, which means no blogging, other than scheduled posts. There are several great websites for you to check out that post the deals of Walgreens each week and I hope they can bless you as you save your family money at Walgreens. I hope to still alert you to any coupons you might need to print out for Deals at Walgreens.

There aren't too many deals this week but here are the best ones I see:

Register Reward Deals
Colgate Max Fresh or Max White Toothpaste or toothbrush $2.99
Get $2 in RR
Use .75/1 MF
Total=$0.75 overage after RR!

Iceland Health Omega 3 Fish Oil $8.00
Get $8 in RR
Total=FREE after RR

Roots of Nature Hair Care $6.00
Get $6 in RR
Total=FREE after RR

Clairol Natural Instincts 8.99
Get $2 in RR Use 4.00/1 MF
Total=$2.99 after RR

Kelloggs or Kashi Cereal 3/$10
Get $3 in RR wyb 3
Use 1.00/1 IP Various Kelloggs IPs using toolbar on the bottom of this site Use 1.50/2 IP Kashi or 1.00/1 IP Kashi found on bottom of this site.
Total= $1.34 Kelloggs/Kashi

Other Deals this Week
Walgreens brand jumbo pack diapers, training pants, youth pants BOGO FREE
Walgreens comfort smooth wipes BOGO FREE

You have until 10:00 p.m. central time today to enter my giveaway for a pair of Twinkle Toe Topichkiis (baby shoes). Go here to enter, it's as simple as commenting.

Happy Savings!
Erica

Weekly $ Report

I did it! I only spent $27.47 on groceries this week! It was a good week to pull from what we already had in the freezer and pantry. Here's how I stretch my $27.47 this week.

Dillons

$7.06 groceries $0.50 household products

Pace Salsa 1.50 each (not as great of deal as I had hoped, but next time I'll read my coupons closer)
Sierra Mist FREE w/catalina coupon I got a couple weeks ago
Cheerios .68!
Dawn .50!
Sausage 1.79 each!

Aldi

$16.04 Grocery

Bread 1.29
Nacho Chips .99
Bag of Oranges 1.29
Marshmallows .79
3 pkgs Strawberries .99 each
Milk 1.39
Lettuce
Spaghetti Sauce 1.19
Hot Dogs (I kicked myself because they were cheaper at Dillons
Diced Tomatoes and Chilies .49
Sliced Cheese 1.49 (again kicked myself because I forgot it was cheaper at Dillons)

Walgreens $1.61 off of gift card

two 6 packs Charmin 2.29 each & Crackers for a filler item since I had too many coupons .69. I used a $4 RR.

Walmart $0.88 Bananas

K-Mart Double Coupon Days$3.49

4 boxes cereal .75 each

2 bottles of Squeezable Jelly $1.64 each

You have until 10:00 p.m. central time tomorrow to enter my giveaway for a pair of Twinkle Toe Topichkiis (baby shoes). Go here to enter, it's as simple as commenting.

Frugal Family Riverfest Fun without breaking the bank

Does your family enjoy going to festivals or theme parks? They can be great family events but often the price of admission takes a heavy dent out of your wallet, not to mention all the games, rides your kids are begging you to do. I won’t even go there on the price of food at these places.

So how do you do it on a budget?

Look for the free events before you go. Know what you are planning to do and share this with your kids. If your kids know what is going to take place next they’ll know they don’t have time to stop and buy such and such or ride that really cool looking thing in your path. Clear expectations can help elevate the family stress of all the temptations thrown your way.

Try giving your kids a budget and helping them stick to it. The week before would be a good time for your kids to earn some spending more doing a few out of the ordinary jobs around the house. Let your kids be in charge of their money and their choices, but do counsel along the way.

Try to eat a big meal before you go and if allowed bring in a few snack and water bottles to help fuel you through your day. If you can leave the park, pack a lunch and enjoy a parking lot picnic.

Today is the start of Riverfest and there are loads of fun free family events. Make sure you check out the Riverfest website to help you plan your day, as well as pick up your buttons ahead of time. Kids under 2 are free everyone else will need a button which you can pick up from gobs of places around town for $5. the best part is this button is goof for the entire week worth of events. Now that’s a great day. So go out and support our community.

Happy Riverfesting!
Erica

Crockpot Chicken & Chorizo Stew, frugalized $4.06

My original inspiration for this dish was found in The Best Make Ahead Recipes, but like most things I make I tailored it to our budget and taste buds. My hubby always loves to come home to the smell of Mexican food and right before we sat down to eat he said, I have a feeling this meal is going to make me very happy. I hope you enjoy!

Crockpot Chicken & Chorizo Stew $4.06

Ingredients:
3 boneless skinless Chicken breasts or boneless skinless thighs (I think thighs would have been better but we made do with what we had.) 2.00
2 c. chicken broth .05 (I used bouillon and water)
1 can Rotel, spiced as you prefer .50
½ bag frozen corn .50
1 can black beans rinsed and drained or 1 ½ c. cooked black beans .23
1 t. salt if using canned beans (2 t. salt if using cooked beans) .01
1 t. ground cumin .02
¼-1/2 of one link of chorizo .50
1 small onion chopped .20
1 clove minced garlic .02
A little oil of your choice .05


In a small skillet heat oil to a medium temperature add onions and garlic sauté until onions are soft and translucent.

In your crockpot place uncooked chicken on the bottom of the pot. Next dump everything else except the chorizo in. Remove casing from desired amount of chorizo. Crumble chorizo over the top. Use a spoon to stir everything up, leaving the chicken on the bottom. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6. I love easy recipes. When ready to serve shred chicken with a fork, give it a good stir and you are done.

We lucked out because Tuesday was a cold rainy day, but this would be perfect summer recipe served over rice using a slotted spoon. A great easy summer recipe. I served ours topped with a bit of shredded cheese and sour cream.

Check out the Recipe Swap over at Grocery Cart Challenge on Friday.

Also enter my giveaway this week for a free pair of Twinkle Toes Topichkiis (baby shoes) here. Entering is a simple as commenting. Even if you don't have a baby these would make a great baby gift.

Don't forget about Freebies Today

Remember today is the day you can get a free 8x10 printed at Walgreens. Upload your picture online, choose your Walgreens store and select pick up at Store. Enter the code MOTHER at the checkout and you'll walk away with a nice 8x10 picture at no charge.

Also print coupons for a free KFC Grilled Chicken meal with two sides and a biscuits. The website says you can print up to 4! Awesome, guess what we will be eating on Saturday? Exactly! Today is the last day to print these. Check out Common Cents with Money for more details.

Want a chance at another freebie? Don't forget to enter my giveaway, it's as simple as commenting. Click here to enter.

Dillons Deals 5/6-5/13

Here are the best deals I see this week. I am so glad I have my full $50 to use this week because it looks like I'm going to need it.

Produce
4 lb. Red Ripe Strawberries 4.77
Cameo Apples .88 lb

Meat
Oscar Mayer Meat Franks 10/$10
Pork Loin Boneless Thin Cut Chops BIGI
Boneless Pork Loin In Bag 1.99 lb (love this price)
Little Sizzlers Sausage or Pride Of Farm Ground Turkey 10/$10
Chicken of the Sea, StarKist or Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna .49
Kroger IFF Chicken Breast (like this price)

Other Grocery Deals
½ Gallons Dillons Milk or Kroger Active Lifestyle $1.25 each
Dr Pepper .84 WYB 6
Kroger Pasta Sauce 10/$10 (cheaper than Aldi)
Home Pride Wheat Bread 1.48 (good price

Kellogg's Cereal 1.98
Use 1.00/1 Frosted Mini Wheat MF (from vocal point mailer) or BIGI FREE MF
1.00/1 IP Frosted Flakes
1.00/1 MF Raisin Brain using Coupons.com at the bottom of the page
Total=$0.98!

Duncan Hines Cake Mix & Frosting 4/$5
Use .35/1 MF or 1.00/Cake mix and Frosting
Total=$0.55 for cake mix and $1.50 for mix and frosting

Household Products
Starburst Liquid Laundry Detergent 1.88

Tide Laundry Detergent Liquid 32 loads, Cottonelle Bath Tissue 12 Double Rolls, Downy Fabric Softener, Viva Towel 6 pk. 5.98
Use 1.00/1 MF Tide & .50/1 eSaver eQ; 1.00/1 MF Bounty .50/1 eSaver eQ; Use
Use .50/1 MF Cottonelle & .25/1 cellfire eQ
Use.60/1 MF Viva
Total=$4.48-$4.98

Always or Tampax 5.79
Use 1.00/1 MF and .50/1 eSaver eQ
Total=$4.29

Cover Girl Face & Lip BIGI
Use two 1.00/any CG product
Total=-$2.00 of one product

Happy Savings!
Erica

Saving Money by making it yourself..why I love my sewing machine

Since this week's theme for Works for Me Wednesday is frugal edition, I thought I'd share one of the ways we save money on gifts. I make most of them myself. Now before you have visions of cheesy Popsicle sticks held together by mounds of hot glue, let me stop you because you can really make some pretty tasteful homemade gifts. One of my recent creations was this bag. I love the fabric and it makes the perfect diaper bag because of all of the pockets.

A simple google search will yield some creative projects that won't cost you an arm or a leg and are custom tailored to the recipient.

Mother's Day is around the corner, have you thought of what you will do for you mom this year?

Here are some of my favorite mother's day projects I've seen this year. I won't tell you which ones I'm making, but they all are darling and some can even be done by those with less experience in the crafting world!

Mother's Day Fabric Flower Corsages
Dressed Up Tea Towels
Picture Frame Dry Ease Board
Quick & Easy Half Apron
Coffee Cozy's

Make you enter my giveaway here for a pair of adorable Twinkle Toe Topichkiis (Baby Slippers)! Entering is simple, even if you are out of the baby phase of life these would make great baby gifts.

Happy Creative Savings!
Erica

Twinkle Toe Topichkii Giveaway!

I'm very excited to announce that my etsy shop, From Head 2 Toe is up and running!!! From Head 2 Toe currently features a line of nursing aprons and Twinkle Toe Topichkiis. (Topichkii--pronounced top-itch-key, and is Russian for slippers). I hope to soon add a few burp cloths and my line of hair clips/bows.

In honor of my shop's grand opening and Mother's Day I'm offering free shipping to all orders this week through Sunday, you have to love free shipping!


If free shipping is not a great deal I'm giving away one pair of Twinkle Toe Topichikiis. The winner will get to their choice of the following Topichkiis:

Garden Bliss or Funky Bubbles

There are 3 ways to enter this giveaway:

1. To enter leave me a comment about which shoe you like best.

2. Add Effortless Savings to your Blogroll (If I'm already there just leave a separate comment telling me so).

3. Follow me, just sign up on the sidebar and leave me a seperate comment(if you already follow this blog just leave me a comment telling me so.

If you aren't a blogger please leave your email address of how I can contact you, should you win. I'll draw a winner next Sunday at 10:00 central time!

Best of Luck!

Erica

Digging to the Depths of our Pantry/Freezer Menu Plan

Make sure you enter my Giveaway this week for Twinkle Toes Topichkiis!

I'm hoping to spend around $25-$30 this week on groceries, so I took a gander at my pantry and freezer and this is the menu I came up with.

Since I had my Uppercase Living Party I have a ton of breakfast dishes in the freezer. I'm looking forward to pulling from my stash this week. This will be very nice because I'm hoping to jog in the mornings before my toddler wakes up. It will be nice not to have to hurry back and fix something for breakfast, maybe I can even squeeze in a shower?!?!

For lunches we'll either have leftovers or I'll brown some ground beef and add it to something yet to be decided. Last week my toddler was very unsuccessful at eating much meat despite our attempts, I hope this week goes better.

Dinner

Monday-Sausage biscuit bake, skillet garlic potatoes & fruit

Tuesday-Happy Cinco De Mayo! Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken & Chorizo Stew, cornbread & spinach salad (check back on Thursday for the recipe)

Wednesday-Leftover Night (I have an AWANA award thing to get to and I'm bringing Cheerio Treats)

Thursday-Lentil Rice Casserole (in crockpot), steamed veggies from freezer & fruit

Friday-My dad's having heart surgery so my son and I will be out of town. Hubby will have leftovers.

Saturday-Back home for the River Run, ready of not this two miles is mine! Out and about for lunch but dinner we will have grilled hot dogs, macaroni salad & cooked carrots.

Sunday-Happy Mother's Day! Homemade pizza, frozen veggies, fruit and I'm taking a NAP!

Check out what other's are eating this week over at Org Junkie!

Walgreens Deals 5/3-5/9

It looks like this week is a slow week at Walgreens. Here's the best deals that I see. Remember you need to make sure you have the same number of items as coupons at the register and this includes RR.

Register Reward Deals
Nilla Wafers, Oreos, Lorna done, Fig Newtons 2/$6
Get $2 RR WYB 2 nabisco products plus a gallon of Milk
(some sources report you do not need to buy the milk, ask your store)
Use 1.00/2 MF or 1.00/2 IP
Toal=$3.00/2 after RR

Conagra ProductsGet $3 RR WYB $10
Also Conagra has a MIR for $34 in coupons WYB $25 in products from 5/03-5/29
Butterball Chicken Broth $.50
Chef Boyardee $1.50
Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers $3 (Use 1.00/1 IP)
Healthy Choice Soup $1.50Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding $1.25
Healthy Choice Frozen Entrees $2.50 (Use 1.00/2 MF)
Hunt's Tomato Sauce $.50
Poppycock $2
Van Camps Pork & Beans $.50
Bic soleil or Comfort Razors $5.99 get $2 RR Use 2.00/1 MFTotal=$1.99 after RR

Nexxus get $10 RR WYB $20

Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste 4.6-6 0z $4.49
Get $4.49 RR
Use .75/1 MF
Total= $0.75 overage after RR!

Right Guard Deodorant $2.99
Get $2 RR
Total=FREE after RR!

Tide or Gain $5.99
Get $1 RR
Use 1.00/1 MF
Total=$3.99 after RR

Other Good Deals
Dawn 10.3 oz $.99 w/ in-ad coupon
Use .50/1 MF
Total=$0.49

Lindsay Olives $.99 w/ in-ad coupon

Nature Made Vitamins BOGO
Use two 1.00/1 MF
Total=$2.00 price of one bottle

WEDNESDAY ONLY FREE 8x10 enlargement
Enter the word MOTHER at checkout and send it to your store for no charge
Total=FREE

Scotch paper cutters 2/$3
Use 1.00/1 MF (from Q off of tape at Christmas time)
Total=$1.00/2

Charmin 6 pack $3.29
Use 1.00/1 MF
Total= $2.29

Bounty 2/$3
Use 1.00/1 MF
Total=$1.00/2

Happy Savings!
Erica

Weekly $ Report

I knew I'd be over for the week since I had to purchase a few abnormal, yet delicous items for my party, so my total for the week for groceries came to $75.66, yikes! I figured I'd be over but was surpised when I added it all up, darn debit card. I did feed several extras for brunch and I have some extras for the freezer. I'll be digging deep in our pantries this week check back on Monday for my meal plan.

Wal-Mart $7.54

Nutella 2.98

Milk Chocolate Chips 2.28

Bananas .83

3 lemons 1.00

Dillons $27.77

Bananas .37

Plain Yogurt .70

4 lb. Strawberries 4.99

Whipping Cream 1.39

4 lb. Oranges 2.99

Soy Sauce 1.00

Garlic .40

2 cans of Tomato Paste .19

2 bags of salad 2.00

Bread 1.00

Frosted Mini Wheats 1.18

Organic Vegetable Shortening 6.99 (ouch)

White Chocolate Chips 2.65

Aldi $32.85

Sweet Onions .49

White Onions .49

3-8 oz. Cheddar Cheese 1.29

8 oz. Mozerella Cheese 1.29

Carrots .00

Chorizo 1.99

Quick Oats 1.79

Graham Crackers 1.29

Frozen OJ 1.29

Lemon Juice 1.25

Frozen Corn .95

Flour Tortillas .99

Spinach 1.49

Sausage 1.99

2 Avacados .49 each

Tomatoes 1.49

3 cartons of Eggs .89

2 packages Unsalted Butter 1.90 each

Walgreens

$14.37 household produts (completed 3 transactions and still have $4 in RR for next week)

Braums $7.50

3 gallons milk & 1 bar of cheese (I used a coupon for $4 off wyb $10 in store products)

For the month I spent $226. 46, I was pretty close to coming in on budget until this week. I'm determined to make up for it this week. To see how others came out this week check out Money Saving Mom.

Frugal Family Building Fun

Tomorrow May 2nd Home Depot will be hosting another Kid's Workshop. Go to Home Depot Saturday any time from 9:00 a.m to noon and your kids can create a wheelbarrow planter for free. What a fun project for dads to do with their children. Mom's don't miss out on the fun too, but I always love it when I see ways for fathers to be involved with their kiddos. Way to go Home Depot!