Peak in my Fridge/Pantry/Stockpile

 I get asked a lot about what foods I buy or staples, what I stock up on, prices for those items,etc...
So, I did something crazy...I took pictures of every place in my house where there is food. Yep, you heard that right Fridge,Pantry,Stockpile, etc...

In our house we have been taking BABY steps to eating healthier. So you will see some packaged items that we haven't given up on yet but, you will also see that we do not keep sodas,ice cream,hamburger helper,spam,white bread,etc...in our house.

It's crazy how I have shared all these shopping trips with y'all yet for some reason this feels so personal. Ha Ha  
P.S. I did NOT clean up before taking any of these pictures, thought we would keep it real :-)

I'm starting with my Fridge/Freezer.
Here.We. Go.

Just going to do an over view of what you would find in our fridge most of the time.

Fridge-Top Shelf 
V8 Juice
OJ
Buttermilk
Salsa
Blueberries,Blackberries,Strawberries
( I believe there is Vodka,Wine, and Cap M in the back...just keeping it real Ma)

2nd Shelf 
I keep Sissys water bottles on this shelf
Sour Cream
Yogurt(tubs)
Tomatoes
(This day I had 2 bread loaves thawing)
Pizza Sauce and Cherries and such in the back
(I seriously couldn't tell you the last time those cherries where even looked at...maybe I should check the expiration date! I don't eat them and not sure if Big Daddy bought them for ice cream or what. Ha Ha)
Tub Butter- Same as above, not sure why it was bought or last time it was used.

3rd Shelf 
Eggs(Brown,Free Range,etc... I get from local farm for $1.50 dozen)
Kids yogurt
In the pink basket you would find cream cheese, sausage,bacon, and canned biscuits(if we have any)

Bottom Shelf 
Milk
In the white basket you will find all different veggies Broccoli, Brussels, salad mixes,etc..
(After saying that we do not keep soda in the house, I just realized that there is a coke in there...Papaw bought Big Daddy a jar of "Popcorn Sutton whisky" and to "try it out" he bought some coke to go with it. So that's what's leftover. Ha Ha)

1st Drawer 
Sandwich/Deli Meats(Ham,Turkey,Salami, Pepperonis...)
All Cheeses (Shredded,Deli,Babybel, etc..)

2nd Drawer
Other Veggies- Celery,Carrots,Cucumbers,etc..

Door
Butter(Real, stocked up when Land O Lakes was on Mega for $1.99)
Minced Garlic(Large bulk jar from Walmart)
Jelly
Condiments/Sauces
Coffee Creamer
Pickles


Freezer 
I'm not going to list everything in here but, a few things you will find..

Meat(Beef,Chicken,Pork,Sausage,Bacon,etc) Fish
Veggies(from garden, some store bought broccoli etc..)
Fruit(for smoothies)
Bread flour
Bread dough
HM Spaghetti Sauce
HM Chili
Top shelf there are some Chicken Tenders Big Daddy got from Aldis a while back because he wanted Buffalo Chicken Wings(Guess I should ask if they need thrown out) Also a Reds Burrito that I got in the Organic freezer section, it was WAY spicy and not that great...

Door 
Ice packs
Almonds and other nuts
More butter
Guacamole
(Jar of snow from last storm we had, Sissy wanted to keep it)

Cabinet in the Kitchen 
Top Shelf
Bread Crumbs
Hot Chocolate
Left-over Chocolate Easter Bunny
Bacon Bits(how did those get there) ;-)
Coconut water
Cocoa
Maple Syrup
Honey(local, we get about 4 jars a year free from a local bee keeper who happens to be friends with Papaw)
Pedialite packs
In the back-Rice Vinegar, Chili oil, Peach Schnapps, etc..

Middle Shelf
Mac and Cheese(we were having with a dinner that week)
Coffee
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Oats
Corn Starch
Panko Bread Crumbs
Box of mixes-Taco,Beef Stew,Brown Gravy,Gravy,etc...

Bottom Shelf 
PB2 (I love this stuff!!)
Popping Corn
Crushed Pineapple,Pudding,and coconut (was in there for a recipe I made that day)
Popcorn Seasoning
Peanut Butter
Chocolate Chips
Nutella (don't judge)
Fried Onions
Ovaltine(Be Sure.to drink.your.Ovaltine.) Yes I am a dork..oh well...Yummy in my tummy!!
Hot Sauce
Vitamins
I think there are tea bags and such in the back.

This is where we keep all of our grab and go/snacky foods

Top left,clockwise-
#1 My crackers,Bread
#2 Daddy's Box-Frito's,Protein Bars,Trail Mix
#3 Pretzels,Animal Crackers
#4 Crackers,Granola,Chex
#5 Brothers Box-Cereal Bars,Yogurt
#6 Dried Fruit,Oatmeal,Protein bars
Gum stuck in next to it
#7 Fruit Cups,Applesauce,Fruit Leather
Bag of Peppermints(I always have a bag of these sitting on that shelf, it has become my "GO TO" after eating since I quit smoking)
Fruit Bowl- Bananas.Apples,Oranges,Pears,etc..

This is a small closet pantry that I have upstairs...

Top Shelf 
Tea
Noodles
Packaged Rice(something we try not to buy much of)
Honey
Bread
Cornmeal mix
Wheat Flour,Sugar,Self Rising Flour, All Purpose Flour (these get rotated out quickly)
Oats
Dry Milk
Rice
Cake Mix
Bisquick
Ice Cream Cones( no idea when Big Daddy bought these, probably need thrown out)

2nd Shelf 
Chicken and Beef Broth
Almond Milk
Soups
Canned Vegetables
Canned Tomatoes
Marinara Sauce
Canned Beans

3rd Shelf 
Water Chestnuts
Canned Fruit
Sauerkraut
Evap Milk
Manwich(I haven't found a HM recipe that I love as much as Manwich)  :-(
Extra Condiments
Balsamic Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar
Basket- Cracker Chips,Muffin Mix,Peanut Butter,Etc..
Boxes- Extra Kitchen doo dads
            Extra Spices

Stockpile 

Just an over view on stockpile as well. (I will list prices as I remember, or what I think is a good stock-up price)

Top Shelf 

Protein Bars- .69 cents each

Stovetop Stuffing- .63 cents each

Taco Shells- .50 cents each

Rice Brown/White- .29cents each

Bag of animal crackers that someone bought for kids

2nd Shelf 

Annie's Mac and Cheese .69 cents each

Goldfish- .99 cents (which would be my stock up price because I think they are like $2.69 a bag)

Wheat Thins- I think like $1.49 each

French Fried Onion- I do not remember exactly on these I want to say I used a .50 coupon that doubled making them $1.49 each, but not positive.

Cocoa- $1.84

Pancake Mix-Mega .49 cents each

Salsa- Bought on Mega $1.09 each


3rd Shelf

All Pasta- FREE-.49 cents each

Spaghetti Sauce- Mega at Food City .49 cents each (I would rather make my own but in a pinch these are good)

Hot Sauce- .19cents each

Balsamic Vinegar- Got this on clearance for $1.64

Relish- .38 cents

BBQ Sauce- Mega .19 cents each

Turkey Brine

Peanut Butter

Salad Dressing- .99cents or less

Mustard- .44 cents each

Spicy Mustard- .49 cents or less

Brown Gravy- Mega .36 cents each

4th Shelf 

Rotel- .19-.49cents each

All Tomatoes(Diced,Sauce,Stewed,etc..) .49 cents each

Canned Chicken
Canned Tuna- .69 cents each
Canned Salmon

Mushrooms,Black Beans, Baked Beans -Aldis

Canned Veggies- .25 cents- .49 cents each

5th Shelf 

Water-24 packs free with Kroger coupons

Ziploc Bags- Around $1.09 each

In the boxes- Rice,Dried Beans,Marshmallows,etc..

Peg Board 

Razors,Toothbrushes,Straws,Pens, Hair ties, etc..

Top Shelf 

Pineapples

Cranberry Sauce- Mega .99 cents each

Evap Milk

Beef Stew and Ravioli( I bought these over the winter in case power went out, we could warm them up on grill. We didn't need them so there they sit, ha ha)

Manwich-Mega .57 cents

 Body wash- FREE-.98 cents

Shaving Cream Free-.99cents

Deodorant- Free-.99cents

Shampoo/Conditioner $1 or less

Face Wash- .99 cents

Toothpaste- FREE

Shampoo/Conditioner- .99cents or less

Lotion- .99cents or less

Kids 3n1/No more Tangles- .29 cents each

Soap- Free-.18 cents

Batteries- Bought on black Friday for $4 each

Sunscreen- On clearance .96 cents each

2nd Shelf 

Ketchup- Mega $1.88 each

Mac and Cheese cups(Big Daddys Favorite kind) .49 cents or less

Veggies

Soups- .23 cents-.49 cents

Cake Mix-Mega .67 cents
Frosting-Mega .99 cents

Beef,Chicken, and Veggie Broth- Mega .49 cents or less

Coconut Oil

Girl Stuff

Wipes- Free-.99 cents

Top Shelf 
(Can you tell who puts stuff up there???) Unorganized...
Toilet Paper- Midnight Madness sale $2.49 each

Paper towels- .50 or less

Cereal

Sprite-Mega .49 cents


2nd Shelf 

Boxes- Medicine,travel lotions, Cough Drops,etc...

Kleenex- Free

Coffee- $4 at Dollar General

Black Shelf 

Dishwasher Tabs $1.99-less

Dish Soap- .99 cents or less

Air Wick- .98 cents each

Scrubbing Bubbles Cleaner- .99 cents or less

Candles

Gain Fireworks $1,99 each

409- .29 cents

Pinesol .79 cents

Scrubbing Bubbles-.99 cents or less

Febreeze .99 cents each

Laundry Detergent- $1.99 each or less

Bleach- Mega $1.49 each

Trash Bags- $5 or less

Swiffers- Free

 This freezer mainly just has meat in it, Ground Beef,Steaks,Turkey Bacon,Hot Dogs, Ham,Turkey, etc...

We also have an extra fridge on side porch that I did not photo.
Fridge Part is where Big Daddy keeps his tea,beer,etc.. We keep extra Milk and eggs in there too.

The freezer part has a few meats and extra butter,Popsicles(that Papaw bought) etc..


So there you have it, that's the items that I keep in my house as "staples" and some stuff that aren't staples but I have got good deals on, etc..

I know you can't tell from these pictures but my house is not big at all, our actual living space upstairs is smaller than an apartment, but then we have a full size basement as well that we utilize as best as we can!

**I am working on a better price list, one that's updated and for our area, so be sure to watch for that and come back and check it out.

Thanks for stopping by Y'all! :-)

Peperoncini Salad

Peperoncini Salad 
From:Pearls,Handcuffs,and Happy Hour

Salad-

4-6 cups Salad Mix (chopped)

1/2 cup sliced peperoncini peppers, chopped

1/2 cup sliced peppers(your choice), sliced

Feta Cheese

Grilled Chicken, shredded

Dressing-

1 tsp dried Oregano

1/2 tsp minced garlic

2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1 Tbsp Peperoncini brine (from the jar)

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Add salad mix to a bowl with pepperoncini and peppers

2. Add all of the dressing mix to a small bowl and whisk together.

3. Add the dressing to the salad and toss to coat, then add the chicken and cheese and toss again.

Kroger Power Shopping 5-2-13 (((SAVED 99%)))

Kroger 

2 Pretzel Crisps: On sale B1G1 (Rang up $1.74 each)
 Used 2 $1 printable coupons
Paid .74 cents each

2 Green Giant Veggie Chips: On sale $1 each
 Used 2 .50/1 printable coupons that doubled
FREE

4 Gwaltney Hot Dogs: On Sale $1 each
 Used 4 .45/1 coupons that doubled
Paid .10 cents each

9 Skinny Cow Candy Bars: On sale B2G1
 They ring up individually at .89 cents each but the sale is B2G1 Free so I started with that(thats why I bought 9) so after the first 2 the register rings up 0.00 for the 3rd. So 3 free. Then I had 4 B1G1 coupons making 4 more free. So it was like paying for 2 at .89 cents each. Making them around .20 cents each.

8 McCormick Taco Seasoning: .49 cents each
 Used 4 .50/2 coupons that doubled
FREE

Crystal Light On the Go: $2.50
 Used FREE Kroger Coupon
FREE

4 Colgate Toothpaste: On sale $1
 Used 4 .50/1 coupons that doubled
FREE

12ct Razors: $2.49
 Used FREE Kroger coupon
FREE

4 Advil: $1.79
 Used 4 $3 coupons(NO size restrictions)
FREE +$1.21 OVERAGE...($4.84 MONEYMAKER)

Pepsi $1.69

Paid: $2.75
Tax: $2.24
SAVED: $51.33(99%)

So BEFORE TAX was .51 CENTS!!!!!!AWESOME TRIP!!
They were out of the Guacamole that I wanted to get which would have been FREE and a couple other hiccups but all in all a great trip!!!

Being Frugal- My Way

I have had several people ask me questions about how we budget, how we live on one income. How I organize things and plan ahead, why do I coupon,etc.. Well this is the post where I will tell you all. It's going to be long...I am going to start with 10 things that we do that save us money/time etc...

1.Budget
 * You have to have a budget!It doesn't matter how much or how little you make, everyone has to have a budget.  Sit down and write out all income for a month, then write out all of your expenses for a month. (This is everything, if you stop and get a coffee every morning that needs to be budgeted in). There are also sites online that can help you with this.
 One thing that really makes life smoother is the fact that I KNOW where every penny goes from our income. If you are only making 3,000 a month but you have 4,500 worth of bills/expenses you need to back up and punt again!
Set a realistic budget for your groceries and stick with it. For my family of 4 we spend $100 a week on groceries/toiletries/household items(yes that includes diapers,wipes,cleaning supplies,etc..)

We do live off one full time income in our house right now, and we are OK with that! In fact it has worked out great! When I lost my job in 2011 we immediately thought "Oh no, what are we going to do?" But it ended up being the best thing! I stay home with Brother while Sissy is at school and Big Daddy is at work. This is where being frugal has REALLY came in to play and worked out for the best!
We also do not have any credit cards(we learned early).

2. Envelope System
   * I started doing this years ago and we love it. I take out money when the check is cashed and I separate out to the different envelopes. When the money is gone from the envelope it's gone!
My envelopes are: Groceries,Running Money,Bills. Then when something specific is coming up I will make an envelope for that, Birthdays,School clothes,Christmas,etc...

3. Coupons/Meal Plan/Stockpile
   *These 3 things will save you the most time and money in the long run! Learning to coupon can be confusing/rough in the beginning but once you get the hang of it you will save loads of money. There are lots of sites that will walk you through this process, my #1 being SouthernSavers.com  The longer you do it you will start recognizing what's a good deal on your own. You can't be brand specific and you have to shop at more than one store!

   *Meal Planning really doesn't take that much time either and it makes life so much easier! I am a planner...with everything. I do not like the feeling/anxiety I get if I don't have a plan and 5pm rolls around and I don't know what I am going to feed my family or I start cooking to realize that I don't have everything. Here is a link to a post I did a while back about HOW I menu plan. My menu planning
Also think of how much money your family will save if you are not eating out 4-5 times a week!

   *The true key to lowering you grocery bill is to have a stockpile. Stockpiling is simply buying groceries/household goods at their rock bottom price and buying enough to last your family until the go on sale at rock bottom price again.
Most of the items in my stockpile are items we use a lot so they get rotated out fairly quickly. #1 tip is to not try to fill your stockpile all at once! Let it build over time as the sales come in!
*Picture of my stockpile at the bottom of page*

 * Also be sure to check the clearance/markdown sections every time you go in a store.


4. Yard Sales/Thrift Stores/Goodwill/Craigslist etc... 
   *People ask me why I like to thrift shop and go to Yard Sales and I say because I save a TON of money!
I really do not understand why so many people waste money on new clothes/shoes/toys/house decor etc.. all the time. All of these items I find at Yard Sales and Thrift shops and they are just as good as new store bought items. I can get name brand items cheaper doing this than I could if I went to Walmart and bought all new items! When Goodwill has their 50% off everything in the store I can find nice housewares items very cheap,clothes,gifts,etc...
The only time we buy new items are if we need something specific and tennis shoes. Which I buy 3 times a year(a friend shared this one with me) We buy tennis shoes when school starts, Christmas, and in the Spring.

5. Sell old to buy new
  *We have a yard sale once a year. I also have Yard Sale sites on Facebook that I sell lots of things on too. Sell all the clothes your kids have outgrown and toys they don't play with etc... Now, take THAT money and put up for school clothes, new shoes, Christmas, etc.. We do not use our Yard Sale money to pay bills unless it is an absolute must.


6. Tax Return
  * We get a tax return every year. And we utilize it! We use it to pay House Insurance, Life Insurance, Land Taxes, pay ahead on vehicle(we stay 3 months ahead),  Sissys Birthday(because it's in March) and we pay what bills we can and then the rest goes in the bank to have in case of emergencies. (car maintenance, unexpected expenses, etc..)

7. WAIT
 * You do not have to have something right here right now, just because you want it!
 I really want a new oven(mine is around 30 years old), but I have to have a wall oven and they are around $7-800 dollars! So I have been patiently waiting hoping I will stumble on one at a yard sale or a thrift store, and saving my money! This goes for everything but mainly in more expensive purchases. I like to wait it out, do some research,save some money,etc.. before buying. This is another reason why we do not have credit cards, I know a lot of people when they want something they just go get it and put it on the credit card. We try not to buy anything unless we have cash for it.

8. Plan Ahead
 * Some things come every year no matter what Birthdays,Christmas, other holidays,school clothes,teacher gifts,Summer Activities,etc... You know it's going to be there so plan ahead for it! Buy things through out the year! If your child gets a gift that they really aren't interested in hold on to it and re-gift it! I watch every yard sale/thrift store etc.. for anything new that I can give as a gift!

9. Lists/Calenders/Organize
 * I have lists for EVERYTHING, I have a list for THIS post I am typing now :-)
I have to have a list for everything that I do, if not I will forget(but mainly because I like the satisfaction I get of crossing something off a list when I am done)  :-)  Keeping lists keeps you on top of things! Write down that those coupons need clipped, and that you need to make a menu,what parts of the house need cleaned now, etc..
I have 3 calendars(yes 3) I have one that I keep track of just bills/money and when they are due and when we will needs extra money.(For events,Birthdays,Holidays,etc..) I have one I keep on the fridge that I change out month to month and that's where we keep track of appointments for that month, sports,school events,etc.. Then Momma has a Master calender that keeps track of everything for the year! Sometimes you don't want your kid to see that you are POSSIBLY going somewhere next week because they will drive you nuts about it, or worse you end up not being able to go! And this way I can write down appointments that get schedules 3-6 months out, and plan family activities,etc..

 10. Learn from others
 * This is one of my best pieces of advice. Ask questions, all the time. Learn  a new way of doing things,etc..  One of the reasons I am good with my money is because I have learned from watching others of how I do not want to manage it.
Go to Coupon Classes/Frugal Fairs even if you think you know whats being discussed you might learn something new! :-)
I have coupon buddies, that have turned in to friends just from discussing coupons and ways to save money.



**Since my stockpile is what I get asked about the most, here is a picture. I will go in depth more on the next post about what I stock and how much and what determines that. So please come back and check that out! :-)

Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad

I have seen these on Pinterest a few times and decided this would make a great Spring lunch...and it did!

Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad 
From: Cheeky Kitchen

1 cup chicken breast, cooked and shredded

1/4 cup corn

1/4 cup black beans, rinsed and drained(I used a little more)

1/4 cup green onions,chopped

1/4 tomato,chopped

2 Tbsp Cilantro

1/4 cup corn chips, crushed

2 Tbsp Vinegar

3 Tbsp Mayo

Salt to taste

2 Avocados


In a medium bowl, toss the first 7 ingredients well.

 Then add the vinegar,mayo, and salt and toss to coat.

Spoon the salad into the avocado halves and enjoy! YUM-O!!

Menu 4-29/5-5-13

Baseball is in full swing at our house, and I was informed that you can't have baseball with out hot dogs(plus they are super quick) so we have been doing that on game nights to make it easier.

Sissy is warming up to baseball, when we are there she loves it. When we are getting ready to go to a practice or a game she HATES it and doesn't want to go! We are going to make her stick with it because she is getting good! :-)
Brother brings along books and cars because he isn't interested in watching at all.

I have some blanks because we will have a pretty flexible week.


Monday:
?
Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad
?


Tuesday:
Smoothie
*Daddys Choice*
Hot Dogs,Chili,Chips

Wednesday:
Smoothie
Grilled Cheese,Applesauce and Popcorn
BBQ Kielbasa, Rice, and Green Beans


Thursday:
Veggie Omelet
Tuna Salad with Tomato and Cucumber
Tilapia Tacos with Black Beans and Corn

Friday:
Cereal with Fruit
Pepperoncini Chicken Salad
Freezer Meal

Saturday:
Egg and Black Bean Breakfast Burritos
?
?

Sunday:
Biscuit and Gravy with Eggs,Bacon and Sausage
Cook Out for Race
?