Sledding Spots in the Hudson Valley

 

I came across this article in Hudson Valley Mercantile and thought it entirely appropriate given the recent snowfall and 

the frugal nature of sledding! 

Hurry back over to Shoprite for 99c Mozzarella (thru Saturday 12/18)

There is a great new $1/1 IP that makes for some cheap mozzarella with the sale ending tomorrow(12/18/10) at Shoprite.

99c- Polly-O Mozzarella $1.99- $1/1 IP

$1.99- Polly-O Ricotta $2.99 - $1/1 IP

Pair this with the cheap/free Ronzoni pasta and some inexpensive Al Fresco Chicken Sausage(next week) for a great, frugal meal!

Free-Ronzoni Quick Cook 88c- 50c/1 IP

Free-Ronzoni Garden Pasta 3/$4 - (3) 75c/1 IPs (multiple computers) 

or 

$1/3-Ronzoni Garden Pasta 3/$4 - (2) 75c/1 IPs (one computer)

Week of 12/19-12/25

$1.49-Al Fresco Chicken Sausage $3.49- $2/1 IP

Shopping Wk ending 12/17/2010---Catalinas Pay Off Big Time!

I knew the catalina deals from earlier in the month would pay off 

and here's the proof!

Aldi: $4.38

Adams: $5.08

Shoprite: $0.00

Shoprite: $0.55

Shoprite: $2.32

Total Spending = $12.33

Total Savings = $169.58 or 93%

December Spending Weeks 1 thru 3 = $115.98

I'm feeling pretty happy with the deals and my stockpile and am pleased to know I'll end the year in a great way!

Wednesday Tip Day---- Save by saving time

 

Save time by avoiding shopping during the peak hours.

You will most likely be less stressed and less likely to make an impulse purchase.  You'll also be likely to save gas since you'll be avoiding the traffic on the road that is associated with the traffic in the stores.

Plan accordingly whenever possible :)

Shoprite Printable Only Match-Ups 12/12-12/18

It's not a bad week for printables at Shoprite!

Here are some match-ups to get you started.  

I'll add more as I find them.

Free-Fisher Boy Fish Sticks 99c-75c/1 IP

Free- CoffeMate Creamer $1.24 - 75c/1 IP when you register

Free- Breakstone's Sour Cream 99c - 55c/1 IP

49c- Heluva Good Cheese $1.49- 50c/1 IP

Catalina Deal:

Pillsbury Refrigerated Buy 6 Get $3 ONYO

Buy 6 Grands @ 99c (make sure to get 2 varieties)

$5.94 total before Qs

Use (3) 30c/2 IPs here, here or here

$4.14 OOP, Receive $3 ONYO

Final Cost = $1.14/6 or 19c each

A slow week was good for me :)

 

 I did shop a little more than this, but I didn't have the energy for pictures.

I needed to grab some fixings for salad and couldn't resist stocking up on a little more $1.29/lb chicken breast at Adams.  I also made one last run to Shoprite Saturday night to get in on some more of the hot deals from last week.  Aside from that, my husband ran to Shoprite on Sunday when I was hit with a mighty cold.  He took advantage of the Theraflu catalina there. I made a quick stop at Shoprite today for a few freebies and some things we needed, namely eggs!  All in all my total spending for the week was $34.52!

Total Spending = $34.52

Total Savings = $99.55 or 74%

Wish me luck for next week.  I'll be finishing up my Holiday shopping and though I may or may not post it here and don't include it in my household $40/week budget, I will need some energy to get this done!

Wednesday Tip Day-- A bow that's pretty, thrifty and no so bad for the environment!

In the midst of the Holidays, I thought a post on creative and frugal solutions to gift wrapping would be appropriate!

This cute bow is featured in an article over here on how to make bows out of recycled paper!

Need an alternative for your children's artwork.  Use it as wrapping paper!

We can't possibly save everything they create and this is a great way to let others enjoy it.

One of the more obvious and simple ways we save money on holiday wrapping is to buy it on clearance at the end of the year.  We can usually find rolls for 90% off and use it the next year!

And in case you need more ideas, you can visit the Seventh Generation site!

What are your creative and frugal ways to wrap gifts???

this is a repost from last year with an update

Great New Coupon at Redplum makes for cheap (possibly free) items at Shoprite

 

Head on over to Redplum and print this 75c/2 Goya Coconut items.

Goya makes coconut cookies and sodas that are priced around 49c-79c.

That makes for some free goodies.

If you need coconut milk:

Buy 2 @ $1.25/each = $2.50

Use 75c/2 IP doubled = $1 for two or 50c each!

Shopping Week of 11-27 thru 12-3, 2010

Well, I spent a good deal this week, but I got back lots of Catalinas, so the next few weeks will be lower OOP to make up for this week!  I found 2 receipts from last week that hadn't been accounted for, so I'm adding them in here.  My grand total for the week was $69.13 + $11.35 from last week = $80.48.

I'm under budget for the year, so even two weeks in a row of higher spending isn't stressing me out!

 

Total Spending = $69.13

Total Savings = $255.38 or 79%

How was the first week in December for you?

Year End Goal!...52 weeks @ $40/wk = $2080 for the year

Wow!  I'm evaluating my "unspoken" goal of an average budget of $40/week or $2080/year and realizing that leaves me $394.11 for the month of December (November 27- December 31).  I'm pleased to realize I have that much room in my budget and also pleased because it is highly unlikely I'll spend that much!

Check back soon for my shopping trips from the 1st week of December!

Adams Farms $1.29/lb chicken breast

Sales for 12/3- 12/6, 2010

$1.29/lb boneless, skinless chicken breast

59c/lb sweet onions

59c/1lb golden yams

For the full ad visit Adams website!

A New Favorite Recipe!---Lemony Bean Duo

We tried this recipe in place of the go-to green bean casserole for Thanksgiving Dinner and I just had to share it!!!  It was delicious warm right after it was prepared and it was so delicious cold the next day that no one else in my house got leftover green beans.

I made it without the wax beans since they are not available this time of year.

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup(s) packed fresh mint leaves

* 1 1/2 pound(s) green beans, trimmed

* 1 1/2 pound(s) wax beans, trimmed

* Salt

* Pepper

* 2 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil

* 1 lemon



Directions

1. Heat 7- to 8-quart covered saucepot of water to boiling on high. Meanwhile, finely chop half of mint.

2. To saucepot, add beans and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook 7 to 8 minutes or until just crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Drain well.

3. While beans are still warm, in large bowl, toss with oil, chopped mint, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to large shallow serving bowl. Grate lemon peel directly over beans, then tear remaining mint leaves and scatter over beans.

Pay Attention- The Service Car Light

It Pays to Pay Attention!

Life is so busy that sometimes paying attention is near impossible.

However, taking a moment to give things a once over can be very rewarding.

In my last post on this topic I discussed the benefits on paying attention to your register receipts.

Well, this post is on the topic of automobiles!

Several weeks ago I noticed my headlight was out.  As I began to pull out of my driveway (I was driving in daylight, so the headlight was not an urgent matter) I noticed the service light come on.  I also noticed that it triggered flashing headlights.  I was determined to change the headlight myself and hopeful that, as odd as it sounds, the flashing of the headlights coinciding with the service light meant the problem was simply that the headlight needed to be replaced.  I headed to the auto parts store and purchased the necessary lamp.

When I finally got around to changing the lamp, the service light went off.  I took the car for a quick drive and nothing appeared to be wrong. 

Paying attention to my automobile and recognizing the correlation between the blown lamp and service light saved me a trip to the mechanic and the bill that accompanies that trip!

It pays to pay attention!

Adams Farms Deals 11/30-12/2

79c/lb- Green Beans

89c/lb- Green Peppers

99c/lb- On the Vine Tomatoes

39c/lb- Chicken Leg Quarters

For the full ad visit Adams' website!

Shoprite Printable Deals wk of 11/28/10

There are a few great deals to go with the Holiday Cash catalinas this week at Shoprite and some are even better deals since they are working on Pre-Price Plus Prices!

 Hormel Chili $1.67-$1.69 ~ 55c/2 Hormel Chili Products
Hormel Chili Master $1.99 75c/1 Hormel Chili Master
Buy $20 Get $20 in Catalinas

If you have access to multiple computers:
Buy 8 (at least 2 varieties) of $1.67-$1.69 chilis
Buy 4 Chili Master $1.99
Total = $ 21.48
Use 4 55c/2 IPs
Use 4 75c/1 IPs 
Total after Qs = $11.08
Receive $20 worth of catalinas
$8.92 Money Maker!

Pompeian Organic EVOO $3.99 ~ $1/1 any Pompeian Olive Oil
Buy $10 Get $10 in Catalinas


The great thing is that this is working on pre-price plus card value, which is $6.99.
Buy 2 Organi EVOO $3.99
Total = $7.98
Use 2 $1/1 IPs
Total after Qs = $5.98
Receive $10 worth of catalinas
$4.02 Money Maker 

Fruitables 2/$4 MB2 ~ 75c/1 Fruitables Q
Buy $10 Get $10 in Catalinas


This is another great deal, since it is working on Pre-Price Plus Values, which means each bottle counts as $3.69 toward the $10!
Buy 4 Bottles Fruitables $2
Total = $8
Use 4 75c/1 IPs
Total after Qs = $2
Receive $10 worth of catalinas
$8 Money Maker
 

Menu Plan- The week after the turkey! :)

MONDAY-  Shredded chicken and chili tacos with

rice, peppers and zucchini

TUESDAY-  $5.55 Pizza Night with side salad

WEDNESDAY- Baked chicken legs with rice and brussel sprouts

THURSDAY- Spaghetti with meat sauce and side salad

FRIDAY- Salmon with pasta and pesto

SATURDAY- Sheperd's Pie

SUNDAY-  Chicken Yassa with rice and carrots



Shopping Trips 11/13-11/26---WAY OVER BUDGET!

I finally sat down to add up all of my receipts and was only moderately surprised to find that I went Way Over Budget this month!  On the plus side, there have been several months where I was under budget and very few where I have been over budget, so all in all this month's splurges are not the end of the world.  It was also nice to try a few new recipes that required more expensive ingredients.  I really liked the Gruyere cheese in the Walnut and Sage Gratin we made for Thanksgiving!
I don't have pictures of all my trips, but here's the shopping I did the day before Thanksgiving!

Total Spending Weeks 1&2 = 39.52

Total Spending Week 3 = $48.43

Total Spending Week 4 = $121.73

Total Spending for November = $209.68

Total Budget for November = $160
November Savings = $895.xx or 81%

Over Budget by $49.68

Did your Thanksgiving budget put you over budget?

Mine certainly did, but I'm perfectly fine with it :)

I've been really under the weather, but I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things here.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  I have so much to be thankful for!

Check back soon for my end of November shopping trips wrap up!

Adams Farms 11/19-11/24

 

$3.99-Full Peck Ida Red Apples (that's 10.5lbs or 38c/lb)

69c/lb- Hot House Tomatoes

For the full ad visit Adams website!

Menu Plan Monday- Wk of 11/15-11/21---I'm back to menus!

It's been awhile since I've posted a menu, but I assure you we've been eating!

MONDAY- Potato Bacon Chowder with grilled cheese sandwiches

TUESDAY- Salmon with Zucchini and couscous

WEDNESDAY- Campfire Sausage and Potato Soup with Rice and Salad

THURSDAY- Leftovers

FRIDAY- Spaghetti and Meat Sauce with Green Beans

SATURDAY- I'd love a suggestion...my parents will be here and I'd love to try something new!

SUNDAY- Leftovers

Shoprite Printable Only Match-Ups 11/14-11/20

FREE- Whole Grain Total $1.99 - 75c/1 IP here, here or here and 75c/1 Cellfire
FREE- International Delight Creamers 99c- 55c/1 IP
FREE + Money Maker- Green Giant Boxed Veggies $1 - 50c/1 IP , Buy 3 and also load the 60c/3 Cellfire
29c- Heluva Good Dip $1.29 - 50c/1 IP
33c- Muir Glen Tomatoes $1.33 - $1/1 IP when you register
49c- Wise Cheese Doodles $1.49- 50c/1 IP
49c/each WYB2- Friendship Sour Cream 99c- $1/2 IP
50c/each WYB2- Totino's Party Pizza or Rolls $1 - 50c/2 or $1/2 IP
54c/each WYB 2- Goya Olives $1.29 - 75c/2 IP
74c- Fisher sliced Almonds $1.74- $1/1 IP
99c- Stash Teas $1.99- 50c/1 IP 
$1.75/each WYB2- Ziploc Containers 2/$5 - $1.50/2 IP
$1.99- New England Coffee $2.99 - 50c/1 IP

Did you find any great deals that match-up with the printable coupons available?

Shopping Trips 11/6-11/12---Another great week!

Well, for the second week in a row I spent around $20 on our groceries.
I didn't buy a lot, but a few things that were needed here and there and it definitely helped that I had a Rite Aid gift card and (2) $10 ONYOs to use up at Shoprite!  Here are the pictures:

 Walmart: $0.44 (tax Only)

Shoprite: $1.88 (used $10 Cat, received $3 Cat)

Adams: $10.07

The oily paper bag contains the best apple cider donuts in the world! 

The deli ham was a special lunch treat!

Shoprite: $0.68 (I used another $10 Cat)

Rite Aid: $0 ( I used a GC from a previous deal.)

Amazon: $0 (The REAL VT Maple Syrup was a special deal on Amazon and I used swagbucks giftcards to pay, so this was a great way to score something that rarely is on sale!)

Mother Earth's: $7.43 (That's Spices and Couscous!)

Total Spending = $20.50

Total Savings = $183.13 or 90%

November Budget (4 wks..Oct 30-Nov 26) = $160

Total Spending Weeks 1&2 = 39.52

Remaining Budget for November $120.48

I'm super pleased that I'll have the extra money for some special ingredients for Thanksgiving Dinner!

November 21st-- Hudson, NY---Locavore on a Budget

 

1-4pm Sunday, November 21
Locavore On a Budget: Talk, Workshop and Book Signing
Wagon House Education Center/Farm Complex
FREE and For Adults

Register by preceding Saturday: (518) 828-1872 x 109. 

Most of us want to eat green and local (just as the Church's farm bounty was presented on the dinner table). Tight schedules and even tighter budgets can make it seem like an unattainable goal. Leda Meredith will cover budgeting; sourcing, growing, and preserving food; shopping efficiently; and supporting local merchants and planet Earth. Meredith will also demonstrate ways to preserve the herb harvest. Her book: The Locavore's Handbook: A Busy Person's Guide to Eating Local on a Budget will be available for purchase/signing.

Olana State Historic Site
5720 Route 9G
Hudson, NY 12534

Pay ATTENTION!

 

It Pays to Pay Attention!

Life is so busy that sometimes paying attention is near impossible.

However, taking a moment to give things a once over can be very rewarding.

Last week Shoprite had a "manager's special" on select varieties of Activia at 97c.  I had a couple 75c/1 IPs in my coupon folder.  I was prepared to pay 22c for the yogurt.  Now, here's where it gets a little complicated.  For those of you who know Shoprite, you are wondering why I was expecting to pay 22c when the coupon should double to make it FREE.  Let me backtrack for a moment.  Sometime ago ( a year or so) my local Shoprite "upgraded" their registers.  I began to notice that not all of my Qs were doubling correctly.  There are a variety of scenarios, but in most cases if something was on sale for $1.49 and I had a 75c/1 Q it would not double.  Previously (and according to Shoprite policy) the Q should double by taking off 75c then 74c to make the total 0.  You may remember my post "Why I'll pay 9c for a can of beans I could possibly get for Free!", which also deals with this same issue.  Well if a coupon didn't double I had to get CS to override the Q and so forth and so on.  This often was a waste of time.

So, back to the Activia....

I like to try and keep an eye on the register as the cashier scans the coupons, but on this particular trip I had a rather speedy cashier.  As the numbers flew by on the screen I was pretty certain I saw the Activia double 75c and 22c to 0.  I checked my receipt and sure enough, this was the case.  I've tested this out with a variety of Qs now and it appears Shoprite has resolved the computer problem!

It pays to pay attention!

Check back next week for another Pay Attention post!

Shoprite Printable Only Match-Ups 11/7-11/13

It's a pretty slow week so far, but there are a couple very cheap/free items using IPs!

FREE- Ronzoni Quick Cook 88c - 50c/1 IP here, here or here

(some of these have reset since I printed them a month or so ago, 

so you may want to check even if you have printed before)

24c- Hefty Garbage Bags $1.24- $1/1 IP (zip 30015)

38c- Carnation Evap Milk 88c - 50c/2 IP

$1.27- Nestle Baking Morsels $1.77- $1/2 IP

Shopping Trip 10/30- 11/5--- Under $20!!!

I had a great week!  While my budget is set at the usual $40/ week I was "secretly" hoping to keep it under $25 this week, so I can build up some extra money for Thanksgiving Dinner.  So, you all know I was quite pleased when I did my final tally and was under $20!!!  Another reason that this week was great is that I earned my Free Shoprite Turkey!  We're planning to donate this to a local soup kitchen with some other pantry goods.  I didn't get pictures of everything, but I did get pictures of a few shops, so here they are...

Shoprite: $0.12 

( I used Catalinas from previous deals to pay!)

Adams: $4.54

(See we really did start to buy produce, again)

Shoprite: $2.29

(I had another Catalina to use up!)

Walmart: $4.81

Adding these trips to the others not pictured here:

Total Spending = $19.02

Total Savings = $264.68 or 93%

November Budget (4 wks..Oct 30-Nov 26) = $160

Remaining Budget for November $140.98

How was your first week of November?

November 6th- Poughkeepsie, NY- Magic's in the Air!

 

11 a.m. Saturday, November 6

FREE and Open to the Public

Dutchess Community College

James and Betty Hall Theater

53 Pendell Rd

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

845-431-8000

November 14th- Hudson, NY -- What are we feeding our kids?

 

1-3pm Sunday, November 14
From Garden to Table Series: What are we feeding our kids? From Modern Times to the Good Old Days Wagon House Education Center/Farm Complex
FREE and for All Ages

Register by preceding Saturday: (518) 828-1872 x 109.

Times have changed since Frederic Church raised real food for his family on the land at Olana. What is in the food we are serving our kids each day? Local nutritionist Betsy Cashen will teach you how to navigate the grocery aisles and the farmers markets and make informed choices about what your family eats. This workshop will educate about the wonders and the pitfalls in the modern food supply. We will also have a hands-on demonstration of making traditional, fermented sauerkraut.

Olana State Historic Site
5720 Route 9G
Hudson, NY 12534 

 

The 75c/2 Zatarains IP is back!!!

It's just in time to score some cheap rice at Shoprite this week.

25c each WYB2- Zatarains Rice $1 - 75c/2 IP

Wednesday Tip Day- Every Last Drop

I'm frugal and I don't like to waste.  

That being said, nothing stresses me out more than a drop of something good stuck in the bottom of the bottle. 

When you've got some honey or maple syrup that you need to get out of the bottle, simply place the bottle in a bowl of warm water to loosen up the good stuff!

On a related note, I take the last bit of ketchup and add a tiny bit of water.  I then combine this watered down ketchup with the new bottle once there is room and give it a good shake to distribute.

Waste not!

New Karo Q = 99c Corn Syrup at Shoprite!

There is a great new Karo IP here for 75c/1!!!

This is perfect timing for the baking sale at Shoprite!

99c- Karo Corn Syrup $2.49- 75c/1 IP doubled

November 1st---Hyde Park, NY --Great Candy Exchange

Great Candy Exchange!

2:30-6:30 pm Monday, November 1

For every pound of candy donated you will receive a great prize.  All candy goes to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and to the VA Hospital in Fishkill, NY.

Hyde Park Roller Magic

4178 Albany Post Road  

Hyde Park, NY 12538

845-229-6666

Shopping Trips wk of 10/23-10/29---Over budget for October, but pleased none-the-less

I'm still trying to get back to photos, but life has just been too busy.  

I'm pleased if I can get my groceries put away these days!

This week I spent $52.29 and saved $183.36 or 78%.

This means I went over budget for the month of October, but there is a good reason!

There was a fabulous sale on chicken breast at Adams.  It was only $1.29/lb if bought in 10lb bags.  At that price I had to stock up!

Here are the final numbers:

October's budget (October 2-29) = $160

Week 1-3 Spending = $125.44

Week 4 Spending = $52.29

Total October Spending = $178.03

Over Budget by $18.03

How did October go for you?

Two nice Freebies for Shoprite Printable Only Match-ups 10/31-11/6

FREE- Bestlife Spread 99c- $1/1 IP 

27c- Hefty Trash Bags $1.27- $1/1 IP (90210)

40c- Yoplait Greek Yogurt $1 - 30c/1 IP

50c/ each WYB2- Chex Mix 2/$3 MB2 - (2) 50c/1 IPs

(possibly 25c/each if you use Cellfire - note: I've had some problems with cellfire Qs not always deducting)

$1.99/2- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal $1.77 - $1/2 IP and 55c/1 Cellfire (thanks to the tip from and anonymous reader!)

4 Day Price Break

Free- Swanson Hungry Man $1.77 - $2/1 IP (facebook)

27c/each WYB2- Barilla Whole Grain 77c- $1/2 IP

$1.29/lb 1lb Bag Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast at Adams!

 

10/23-10/25

10/26-10/28  

It's still on sale!

Extra Value Savings

10lb bag of boneless, skinless chicken breast for only $1.29/lb!!!

For the full ad visit Adams website!

Wednesday Tip Day--- Use your resources wisely!

                                                                  photo by www.dailyhaha.com

One of the most valuable things in life is time.

This means that we have to add that factor when deciding whether a deal is good.

One of the best resources is the internet.

A quick search of the internet can render all sorts of information instantly.

I used to stop by a local chain, (Adams) where I love to buy produce, a couple times a week to check out the sales.  This extra stop could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes.  That's a lot of time for browsing a farm market.  I then discovered that Adams ads were available online. Adams is a small store, so it's a simple 1 page PDF that takes me about a minute to peruse.  I can then decide whether the sales are worth my time and compare the prices with Shoprite.  I don't know why I never checked for a website with sales, but I'm certainly glad I eventually came to my senses!

Use your resources wisely!