Menu 5-23/5-29

We have a few things going on this week at Sissy's school and Friday will be her LAST day of Kindergarten- ALREADY!!!! Then..."SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER..."

Here is what I have planned for this week:

Monday:
Banana w/Granola
Bento/Salad
Natchitoches Meat Pie

Tuesday:
Cereal
Bento
Unstuffed Pepper Bake

Wednesday:
Muffins
Bento
Baked Spaghetti w/Green beans and Toast (Supposed to have Sunday but Big Daddy wanted to switch)

Thursday:
Cereal
School
Grilled Italian Chicken w/Alexia Mixed Veggies

Friday:
Oatmeal w/Fruit
**Eat Out for Kindergarten Graduation
Weeknight Beef Skillet

Saturday:
French Toast w/Smoothie
Crabby Patties w/ Raw Veggies (Carry Over)
Chicken Spaghetti w/Green Beans and Toast

Sunday:
Biscuits and Gravy w/Eggs and Bacon
     ?
**Cook Out- Rancheros w/HM Fries

There are 4 NEW recipes in there so HOPEFULLY I will get them posted through the week! :-)

Sunday Shopping

Today was an OK day. I got a lot of "junk food" that I don't normally buy. HOWEVER it was great price so I would rather pay little and put it in stockpile than to pay full price for it later when we want some!

WALGREENS:

2 packs Little Swimmer Diapers- On sale $6.99 (REG $9.99)
 Used 2- $2/1 MF coupon +2- $2/1 Walgreens coupon
 Final price- $2.99 each

3 Knox News Sentinel- $6.00

2 Advil(50ct)- On sale $4.99 +$5RR WYB 2
 Used $3/2 coupon
Final Price with RR  .99each

Scunci hair bands: $2 +$2RR
 Final Price: FREE

2 Lipsmacker Lip Gloss:  .87each

Total Spent Today: $19.15
Tax $2.76
Total SAVED: $30.43

K-MART

On sale $2 each (Reg $3.99)
 Used 2-$2/2 coupon
 Paid $1 each

Sissy's shoes on sale $3.99- SHE LOVES THEM

Paid $8.60
Tax $1.04
Saved $12

***Just want to NOTE that I saw Huggies Little Swimmers on "sale" for $9.99 there. Baahahaha


CVS

Purex Detergent- On sale $1.98
 Used $1 coupon
 Paid .98 each

Green Bag Tag .99
 Free coupon from Kiosk

Paid $2.35
Tax .39
Saved $11.61

KROGER

Bananas $1.08

Potatoes $3.59

Tri-Color Peppers $5.99
 Used .65cent coupon
 Paid $5.34

Green Pepper .88

Squash .88

Zucchini $1.17

Red Onion $1.03

Pie Crust $2.29

Kool-Aid Singles $1each
 Used $1 coupon
 Paid .50each

Italian Seasoning $1.05

Tyson Cooked Chicken $1.99 (Reg $3)
 Used .55/1 coupon
 Paid $1.44each

Steak $7.06

Noodles $1.79

2 Kroger Petite Diced Tomatoes .67
 Used .40 coupon
  Paid .94

5 Cookies- On sale $1.99 (Reg $3.49)
 Used .50 coupon that doubled to $1
 Paid .99 each

Yoplait Yogurt Tub- $2.49
 Used .50 coupon that doubled to $1
 Paid $1.49

Bush's Baked Beans- On sale 3/$5
 Used $1/3 coupon
 Paid $4 or $1.33 each

Used $4 Catalina Coupons from last week

Paid- $41.34
Tax- $3.92
SAVED- $32.28 (46%)

WALMART

White Cloud TP- $2

Texas Toast- $1.97

4 Milano Melts- Priced Matched to Kroger $1.99
 Used $1 coupon
 Paid .99each

Ground Pork- $2.98

Strawberries- $1.78

4 Rayovac Batteries- .97each
 Used 4 $2/1 coupons
 FREE BATTERIES + $1.03 MONEY MAKER!!!!

Paid $12.52
Tax $1.98
SAVED $12
*Big Daddy and I figured out that we got the batteries for free and then the overage from batteries paid for the cookies. So everything else was around $2each!!

Everything under $1

Airwick Freshmatic + Refill  $4.98
  Used $4 coupon
   Paid .98 each

Airwick Room Spray .97each
  Used B1G1 coupon
    Paid .48 each

Pert Plus Travel 2n1 .97
  Used $1 coupon
  FREE + .03 OVERAGE

Gain Dryer Sheets  $1.87
  Used $1 coupon
   Paid .87

Subtotal: $3.77
Tax: $1.44
TOTAL: $5.21

Spent: $89.17
SAVED 100+

May 18th- A day of Blessings!

Today was a GREAT day!!!!!! The blessings have poured down on me, and I have thanked the Lord over and over!

Today started out with Big Daddy taking my van to be looked at because it been making a whining noise AND the engine light was on. We knew we wouldn't be able to afford to get much done but, we needed to see what was wrong with it! Turns out it was the EGR valve/gasket AND the power steering reservoir(If you know what these are raise your hand)  HA HA!
Anyways all I heard was 524 DOLLARS!!! HOLY COW! We don't have an extra 500 just laying around!
By the grace of God the guy checked it out AND FIXED IT FOR FREE!! FREE!!! WOW!!
Between one friend giving me clothes, one friend giving Brother shoes, and now this?!? My faith in the Lord and in people is coming back! :-)

Big Daddy and I decided to go to Maryville to do some shopping later in the day. As we were getting ready to go out I was thinking that Brother needed another little light jacket because the one he had was getting a little snug. And I thought to myself that I would pick one up at a yard sale.

So we get to Target and we are walking through the parking lot and I see a piece of paper on the ground, as we get closer I see "FREE". Big Daddy almost stepped on it and I about had a conniption trying to move him to get to it!

Milano Melts   Mmmm Mmmm Good! :-) Especially when they are FREE!!!
Who loses FREE COUPONS?? Come on People no effort in that! Thank you though!

After I tucked that FREE coupon SAFELY in my coupon binder we get in the store and I make a b-line for the clearance racks! I'm looking though and everything is 4,5,8,10 (In CLEARANCE) then I found it! The perfect little jacket

It says "ROCKER"

Was $8 and I got it for $2. Yes I realize that I could have got it at a yard sale cheaper! But it's new, it's cute, and Brother said he wanted it...LOL That's my story and I'm stickin to it!
Speaking of Brother...How about some before and after? OK BEFORE:

AND AFTER:

His little curles are in a bag and he looks more like a "big boy".  (Not to say it won't be grown back out) :-)
We actually didn't do this today but had just remembered I forgot to share!


Tonight my Baby Girl lost her first tooth! She was very brave and I was so proud of her!

She was so excited and jumping around it was hard to get a picture!
Speaking of pictures she got her school pictures back today...Thanks YaYa and Papa!

This post is my 100th post on my blog!! I want to thank ALL of you for coming here and checking it out and giving me all the feed back that you do! I hope that some of you have tryed my recipes with GREAT results and that you will keep coming back to get new Recipes, Menu Ideas, Bento ideas AND Coupon info (Which I hope to be doing more of) Thank You again!

 AND THANK YOU LORD FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS YOU HAVE GIVEN TO ME. I AM TRYING TO HAND MORE THINGS OVER TO YOU AND I KNOW THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE OK! I AM SO GLAD FOR THE CHANGES YOU MADE IN MY LIFE, I KNOW NOW THAT I WAS NOT IN A GOOD PLACE BEFORE! I FEEL BETTER MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY SINCE I HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM THAT SITUATION!

Shopping 5-17

Today was a good shopping day! :-)  Here are my good deals today:

 ****PAID $3.90****   Saved $47.89!!!!

Here is how I did it:

6 Wisk-on sale $3.99
Use $2/1 coupon(from Sunday paper) pay $1.99 get back $2 catalina coupon!
So FREE!!  There was plenty and I was told they were ordering extra for later in the week so I had NO problem getting 6 of them!  :-)

4 Garden Delight Pasta- on sale for .75 
Use $1/1 coupon(from Sunday paper).25 money maker at my store

1 Velveeta Shells and Cheese- $1.99
Use $1 coupon (Big Daddy had to have these)

2 Kool-Aid singles- On sale $1.
(A REALLY GREAT guy @ my Kroger store gave me a $1/2 coupon) So I paid $1 for 2! Then we got ANOTHER $1/2 Catalina

My total paid today was $15.90 and then I got the $12 catalina coupons which I can use on next weeks trip! So $3.90 total!


Big Daddy went back for me later when he went to get Sissy. Here is what he got:

His total WITH TAX was *** .46 CENTS ***  Saved $17.12

The candy bars were FREE and he used the same coupons on the pasta. Used the other Kool-aid Catalina and it printed another one!

WALMART

Paid $7.21  Saved $8.04

Pull Up Wipes $1.64
Use $1/1 coupon(from Sunday paper) and pay .64cents each

Italian and French bread marked down to .90cents each. Sliced and put in freezer for toast!

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers $1.97
Use $1.50/2 coupon makes them .47cents each

Black Flag Fly Swatter .98cents
Use $1/1 Black Flag coupon (Sundays paper) = FREE plus .02 overage!

Today was a GREAT DAY!!

It's not ALL coupons...

I have spoke of coupons and yard sales but there is more!!  :-)

This is what I got in the mail yesterday and today:

2 Mary Janes Farm magazines (THANKS YAYA)
Purex with Zout sample with a $1 coupon
Fusion ProGlide razor (FREE Sample with 2-$2 coupons)
H2O Sea Pure Deep Moisture Cream Sample

About a week ago I told Big Daddy I needed some clothes. None of my clothes fit me lately :( 
I wanted to go rummaging but gas is just crazy and I drive a van...
So, today I was talking to a friend of mine and she said she had some clothes she was getting rid of and did I want them? Free clothes? Heck ya!!  THANK YOU TO MY VERY GIVING FRIEND!! :-)
This is just some of the clothes, ask and ye shall receive! Very blessed!

And I ran in to Walmart today while I was out

Spent $5.21 and Saved $10


Lysol Toilet cleaner (.97)

Pull-Up wipes (.64each)

2 Black Flag Fly Swatters (FREE + .03 overage)

2 Black Flag Fly strips (FREE +.03 overage) I think these things are nasty...HOWEVER  we have a basement and usually when we go down there the door gets left open while we are down there. So flys and mosquitoes get in. So these will go in the basement for that.

Lunchable with Fruit ($1.76) My Walgreens was out of the FREE ones and Sissy was driving me nuts wanting one so I gave in!

Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad

1 can tuna in water, drained
1 can tuna in oil, slightly drained
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup water chestnuts, chopped
1-2 Tbsp mayo (your preference)
Garlic Powder
Salt
Pepper

In medium bowl/container add all ingredients and mix well. That's it..SUPER EASY and VERY tasty!

This is especially good with the Special K Multi-grain crackers! OR the Triscuit crackers I got for FREE  :-)
Sorry about the pictures- It's hard to photograph tuna and make it appealing  Ha Ha

Shopping 5-14/5-15

OK so I didn't do as well as I wanted to do but I STILL think I did pretty good. I was out of a few things that I didn't have a coupon for but needed anyway so that ran my bill up some.
Here are my shopping trips from this weekend:


WALMART:

 Spent $20.36    Saved $14.75

Here is what your looking at:

Gallon Milk ($2.99)
Sugar ($2.78)
Parmesan Cheese ($2.62)
Country Crock Cinnamon spread (Sissy THINKS she will eat this on a bagel) (.72)
3 Mitchum deodorant (.99each) I only payed for this b/c it's my favorite and didn't want to wait! LOL
Pink Salmon ($1.98)
Relish (.23)
Expo Markers ($1.24)
5 packs Razors- FREE (Some we keep, some we donate)
*Note there is one thing missing from this picture that cost $3, however I can't include it b/c its part of a Fathers Day present that Sissy picked out for her Daddy)   :-)

WALGREENS:

Spent $29.93   Saved $57.96

Here is what your looking at:

3 bags Tostitos chips ($1.49each)
3 boxes Duncan Hines brownie mix (.50 each- I could have waited and got these free...)
5 Dole Fruit Crisp (.50 each-Could have waited on these as well but we have been wanting to try them)
2 Schick Shave Gel (.99 each)
2 Schick Razors (Normally $8.99 each. On sale B1G1, then I had 2-$3/1 coupons so I paid $1.49 each)
2 Hefty Ziploc (On sale B1G1 $3.29 and I had a $1/2 coupon so I got them for $1.14 each)
4 boxes Old El Paso Taco Shells (.50 each)
4 Old Spice Body Wash (.99 each) I should have waited on these but they are Big Daddys FAVORITE.    However I am not buying ANY more body wash...It has to be FREE before I will pull it off shelf! :-)
2 boxes Kleenex ( On sale B1G1 $ 2.29 so $1.14 each)

KROGER:

Spent $49.80  Saved $39.28    46% savings

Here is what your looking at:

3 Gerber Snacks ($2.10 each)
Kroger Coffee (FREE)
Cheerios (FREE)
Triscuits (FREE)
Bisquick ($1.19)
Hot Shot Spray ($1.97)
Hot Shot Ant (.99)
Light Bulbs ($1)
Chicken Tenders ($3.99)
Kroger Bacon (FREE)
Tyson Cooked Chicken ($2)
Wamplers Sausage ($2.99)
2 Ground Beef ($3.17each)
8 candy bars- (FREE AND the ONLY reason I got them! Hopefully Big Daddy will ration them!)
Plastic Cup $1- I just wanted it :-)
Kroger Sharp Cheddar Cheese- ($5.99)
Salad Mix ($1.10)
Word Books ($1)
Baby Book (.74)
Corn on Cob ($1.90)
Roma Tomatoes (.88)
Apples ($1.72)
Bananas (.87)
Carrots (FREE)
*NOT pictured: Loaf of Italian Bread (.99) + Sourdough Bread ($2.99)

FOOD LION:
4packs Huggies Diapers ($19.99  Saved $22.29)

BIG LOTS:
6pks Taco Seasoning (.50each)

With my papers I spent a total of $128.33 and saved $137.28

*Please keep in mind that EVERY store I have mentioned is less than a mile from my house with the exception of Walmart which is around 2 miles  :-)    So I do not waste alot of gas driving to all the stores!

Menu 5-16/5-22

Just the menu for now. Going to do a shopping post later today.


Monday:
Muffins
Bento/Sandwich
Pot Roast w/Cornbread

Tuesday:
Cereal
Bento/Soup
Grilled Chicken Salad

Wednesday:
Banana w/Granola
School
Taco Casserole

Thursday:
Yogurt
Bento
BBQ Chicken, Corn on Cob w/Roasted Potatoes

Friday:
Cereal
Bento
Chili Baked Potato

Saturday:
Eggs, Toast and Bacon
Salmon Patties w/Raw Veggies and Fruit
       ?

Sunday:
Sausage Pie
Quesadillas w/Carrots and Apple
Baked Spaghetti w/Green beans and Toast

What are y'all having this week?

Marinated Pork Chops

Marinade:
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup lime juice
4tsp balsamic vinegar
2tsp sugar
2tsp Worcestershire sauce
1tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 clove garlic,minced
6 boneless pork loin chops

In a large Ziploc bag, combine the first 8 ingredients; add the pork chops. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Drain and discard marinade. Grill pork chops, covered over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or 160 degrees. (I put a wire rack in a cookie sheet and put these in my oven on 500degrees for about 10 min and flipped once after 5 minutes)

I was pretty skeptical on these, I thought the combination of the marinade was a little weird.. HOWEVER they were AMAZING! So good! Even Sissy said "These are some good chops Momma!"
I served these with baked potato and baked beans and it was perfect! With the marinade it kinda tastes like a steak!  :-)

Try these out this summer, you won't regret it!

Saving Money

Saving Money....Who doesn't want to do that?!? Well, changes in our house recently have forced us to figure out a different strategy and so I jumped in with both feet and this is where I am so far...

Yard Sales: I have always loved yard sales but, I love them even more now since that is where I will be getting the majority of our clothes,shoes,and junk  from now on  :-)  Here is an example of why I LOVE yard sales!

Here you have 2 pairs of Timberland boots(Retail:$45-$50), a pair of Superball shoes(Retail $50) and a pair of Keen sandals(Retail $55)   The total for all 4 pairs retail would be around $190-$200.....I PAID $8 That's right folks $8 for all of these shoes and they don't even look like they were wore that much! I was SUPER excited about these.

With gas prices the way they are I will have to scope out the good yard sales before I leave the house!

Now on to the shopping...My new obsession is coupons! I have used coupons in the past but I never used them to the full potential...Now I know how,and let me tell you I will never go back the other way!

Some things that I will NEVER pay for again(b/c you can get free with coupons):
*Deodorant     
*Soap
*Tooth brushes
* Tooth Paste
*Shampoo/Conditioner
* Body Wash
*Band aids
*Antacids
*Razors
*Air Freshener
* Just to name a few, there are LOTS of other things that you shouldn't pay for because you can get it free with a coupon!

Here are some shopping trips:

These are priced $7.99 at Walgreens. With coupons I only paid the tax on them, so around $2. That's almost $16 saved! And these are GREAT for the arthritis in my knee from multiple surgeries!

These were priced $1.99 at CVS. With coupons I paid just .49cents a piece for them! :-)

  

Paid $19.26 for this order. (The deodorant not on sale cost $5each) Saved $75.14

             With tax I paid $5.44 for this order at Walmart-keep in mind those body wash are $3each! :-)

This was a large trip I had at Kroger, here is what your looking at:

40 boxes of pasta- ALL FREE (Some for me, some for family, and some to donate)
Cheez-Its
Triple pack of  Gerber puffs
Pinesol
2 pks of Hillshire lunch meat
4 pks Butterball Turkey Bacon
4pks Starkist Tuna -FREE
Ground Turkey
PAM
2pks Kraft Cheese
2 bags Boulder chips
Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns (cheap for a cook out- I don't like buying these..cheap...white...blah)
Sourdough Bread
3 BRUT Deodorant- FREE
(There was also a gallon of milk don't know why it's not in picture)

My total was $157 and some change on this order. I PAID $ 37.02!!!   :-D YAY!!

I would also love to have a garden to save EVEN MORE money and to do some canning with my momma.. That hasn't happened yet so for now I am going to be looking to friends with abundant gardens...hint hint   HA HA

**** Just so everyone knows I AM NOT A "Extreme Couponer". Those shows are fake and there are ALOT of BS that goes behind the shows, not to mention some of them commit coupon fraud in order to get those huge orders for pennies!!!!

I am trying to be a frugal as I can since we have gone from a 2 income family to just 1. So any more suggestions would be appreciated! :-)