Menu Plan 3/1-3/7---

Well, last week was a strange one!  We lost power Wednesday for most of the day and ended up eating dinner at the diner.  I made the Turkey Chili on Thursday and there was so much of it that we have been eating it ever since.  I think we are all a little sick of it, but we really despise wasting food and I don't like how chili with meat in it freezes.

MONDAY- Pasta with Shrimp and Veggies

TUESDAY- leftovers

WEDNESDAY- Beef Bourguignon

THURSDAY \- leftovers

FRIDAY- Pasta and Ground Turkey Bake

SATURDAY- leftover pasta

SUNDAY- Meditteranean Chicken (check back soon for the recipe)

For more Menus head over to MPM!

Shopping Week 2/20-2/26-----I DID IT and I'M Sticking to IT!

Well, I set the goal at $25 for this week and I beat it by $3 + change, spending a total of $21.88.
In more exciting news.....................I saved 92%!!!  Yes, I know the savings is high because there is not much in the way of fresh produce, but................I did buy a lot of protein at way below rock bottom!

My favorite deal this week was the Butterball Ground Turkey that was 49c/lb after sale and coupons at Shoprite!  At regular price this is $3.99/lb and even the sale price is $1.99/lb.  Just this ground turkey would have been around $28 without the coupons!  Needless to say, we'll be eating a lot of ground turkey in the weeks to come!

And now the proof is in the pictures!
(Missing from the pics: 2 Newspapers, 2 kotex liners, 2 bottles soy sauce, 2lt rootbeer, Rice-A-Roni Rice, 2 pkg tuna, 3 carolina rice pkgs, and 2 pkgs ground turkey----wow, I missed a lot of pics this week!)

Shoprite: $9.28

This was the most expensive trip of the week!

CVS: $0.67

CVS: $0.90

Target: $0.07 (I used a Target Giftcard from a previous deal)

Shoprite: $1.88

Shoprite: $4.24

Shoprite: $0.76

So, I have 3 more coupons for the Ground Turkey and the sale is good for one more day. If tomorrow allows, I'll stop by Shoprite to use those last 3 coupons!

I'm thinking about a budget cut for the month of March.  I normally try and average $40/week (even though it may be $60 one week and $20 the next), however, our freezer is now very well stocked as are our pantries.  My tentative plan is to cut my budget for the 5 weeks of March, but you'll have to check back and see what I decide on officially!

Famous Amos Cookies- Win a Kitchen Make-Over ($10,000)

Enter today for your chance to win:

1 GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:
$10,000 toward a kitchen makeover.
(To be awarded in the form of a check)
- or -
200 FIRST PRIZE WINNERS
WILL RECEIVE:
A Famous Amos™ Cookie Jar.
Store your favorite Famous Amos® Cookies inside! (Actual item may vary) (AVR: $35 each winner)
Sweepstakes ends 5/31/2010

Wednesday Tip Day----Another Tip in Light of the Storm

(Spencer Ainlsey/Poughkeepsie Journal)

I know I already posted a tip for today, but I thought this might be appropriate for any readers who are experiencing this winter power outage or who might experience one in the next storm.

REMINDER:

LEAVE YOUR FAUCET DRIPPING TO HELP PREVENT FROZEN PIPES.

IF YOUR PIPES FREEZE, MAKE SURE TO LEAVE A FAUCET OPEN TO ALLOW PRESSURE OUT AS THEY THAW AND HELP PREVENT BREAKS.

STAY SAFE.

Wednesday Tip Day----Make your Candles Last Longer

Photo courtesy of http://www.cozyhearthandhome.com/

Chilling your candles before burning them can extend the life of the candle and also help it to burn more evenly.  There are two methods:

1)Freeze the candles for 24 hours before burning them.

2)Store them in the refrigerator for eight hours before you burn.

Do you have a preferred method?

New $2 Glade Fragrance Collection Coupon from Right at Home!

Go here to print a coupon for $2 off any reed diffuser or 3-wick soy-based candle from The Fragrance Collection by Glade®

(excludes 2 oz. soy-based candle & 4.9 oz. soy candle)

These are often on sale at Walgreens and CVS and combined with this coupon you should be able to find a great deal!

Menu Plan 2/22-2/28

Last week's Chicken, Snow Pea & Cashew Fried Rice was a hit. We ended up having more Ropa, so we got extra leftovers out of that and moved the Chicken Fried Rice to Sunday night.  And the good news is there are plenty of leftovers from that, too!

MONDAY- Leftover Chicken Fried Rice (Yum!)

TUESDAY- Potato Bacon Chowder with Grilled Cheese & Tomato Sandwiches

WEDNESDAY-Turkey Chili

THURSDAY- Leftover Chowder & Chili

FRIDAY- Penne with Meatballs & Salad

SATURDAY- Leftover Penne

SUNDAY- Beef Bourguignon

I'm planning on stocking up on the 49c/lb ground turkey at shoprite this week.

I'd love to hear any recipes you have for ground turkey!

head over to MPM for more great plans!

New Kraft Brand Target Coupons! Valid 2/21-2/27

There are some great new Target coupons available!

My favorite is the $1 kraft shredded or block cheese.  We should be able to find some close to FREE cheese when combining these with some of the $1/2 MQs that are out there!

(And I just ran out of cheese!!!) 

$1/2 oscar mayer bacon

$1/2  4 or 6 pk of ez mac cups

$1/2 nabisco teddygrahams
$1/2 planters nuts

$1/2 6pk of nabisco 100 calorie pak
$1/2 crystal light mix
$1/2 kraft salad dressings

$1/2 kraft squeeze mayo
$1/2 oscar mayer lunchmeat

$1/2 nabisco ritz crackers
$1/2 nabisco wheat thins or triscuits

$1/2 kraft cheese singles or deli slices
$1/2 nabisco oreo cookies
Leave a comment and let me know what other great deals you can come up with using these great new Qs!

Smuckers Uncrustables $1/1 Coupon!

Head on over here for a $1/1 Coupon for Smuckers Uncrustables!

Let us know if you find a great deal to match-up with this coupon!

Shopping Week 2/13- 2/19

As I sit down to type this out, I'm not even sure I remember shopping this week.  I must have done it though, cause I have these lovely receipts and some (incomplete-1 gal Milk, Grapes, and Ice Cream) pictures to prove I was OVERBUDGET!

Shoprite: $28.95

Shoprite: $.39

CVS:$1.93

Hannaford: $11.92

Shoprite: $15.78

Target: $0.00 (I had a Giftcard from a Previous Deal!)

Adams: $10.21

On the plus side I got some fish (3lbs) and Shrimp (2lbs) that we haven't had in awhile.

I also got about 12lbs of chicken, so we are pretty stocked on "proteins". I am also pleased that my savings percentage was still pretty darn good for so much protein and produce!

Final Total = $72.19

Total Saved = $129.51

64% Savings

Next Week's Goal: $25

How did you do this week?!?

New Muir Glen $1/1 Coupon!

There's a new $1/1 any Muir Glen here!

You can use this anytime at Shoprite to get free Tomato Sauce ( 8oz can) or 39c tomato paste.

You can also wait for a great sale and get 14.5 oz cans of tomatoes for around 30-60c!

The Fire Roasted Crushed Tomatoes are my favorite!

Shoprite Deals wk of 2/21-2/27

I'm putting this up now and will be working on the Coupon Match-Ups for the Dollar Days Deals and get those up as soon as I can!

FREE-Solo Bare Plates/Cups $1.49 - 75c/1 1/24/10 SS

FREE-Oikos Greek Yogurt $1 - $1/1 1/3/10 SS

FREE-Coffeemate Flavored Creamers 16 oz $1.24 - 75c/1 02/07/10 RP

FREE-Trident Layers Gum $1.49 - 75c/1 02/07/10SS

14c - Solo Heavy Duty Plates $1.64 - 75c/1 1/24/10 SS

15c each WYB 12- Dannon Yogurt 6oz 10/$3.99 - (2) 75c/6 IPs

49c- Wise Snacks $1.49-50c/1 IP

49c - Butterball 93% Ground Turkey $1.99 - 75c/1 IP

50c each WYB2- Wishbone Salad Dressing 2/$4 - 75c/1 IP

99c - edy's ice cream $1.99-$1/1 1/31/10 SS

$1.49 each wyb 2 peter pan peanut butter $1.99-50c/2 1/10/10 SS

$2 each WYB2 - Earthbound Farm organic romaine hearts 2/$5 - $1/2 IP (page 3)

$3.49-Marcal 12pk Bath Tissue $5.49-$2/1 1/31/10 SS


4 DAY SALES
FREE-Ny Texas Toast Frozen 88c- 50c/1 IP

29c each WYB2- Gogurt Yogurt $1.49-40c/1 IP or 80c/2 IP and 80c/2 Cellfire

FREE -Select Post Cereals $1 (limit 4 boxes) - $1/2 1/17/10SS and $4/4 Shoprite Holiday Savings Store Q
Amiyrah has also reported there is a Catalina deal starting on Friday the 26th!
Buy any Post Cereal (10oz or larger) cereal between 2/26/10 and 3/21/10 

and save up to 4.00 on a future order with coupon.

Buy 4 and get 3.00 ONYO

Buy 5 or more and get 4.00 ONYO

Deal Idea: 

#1-Buy 4 Raisin Bran $4 - (2) $1/2 SS qs

Pay $2 OOP and get back $3 ONYO

Final Cost = $1 MM

#2-Buy 4 Raisin Bran $4 - (2) $1/2 SS qs and (1) $4/4 SR Q

Receive $2 Overage and get back $3 ONYO

Final Cost = $5 MM

Skinny Water 50c Printable Coupon

There's a great 50c/1 coupon here!

If your store doubles this will likely make for some free drinks!

Shoprite has these for $1, which means Free Skinny Water for all you SR shoppers!

$3/2 Aveeno Baby Essential Moisture Shampoo

Here's a great new coupon for Aveeno's new baby shampoo!

According to Aveeno's website this is "mom approved"!

91 % saw softer hair

82% saw easier to manage hair

91 saw healthier hair

Big Lots 20% off Sunday Feb 21st Only

Head on over here to register for Buzz Club Rewards and get your coupon!

It's BACK!

Remember my post for the MoneyMaker Scenario on Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls at Shoprite???.....

Well, the 95c/1 IP has reset!  Head on over here to print it, but hurry, this won't last long!

New Huggies Enjoy the Ride Code

Are you a member of Enjoy the Ride?

If not head on over here to register and find out more.

Here's a 5 pt code to start you out!

RRLBG-BJTDG-SPCLD (5pts- exp 2/28/10)

Menu Plan Monday 2/15-2/21

Well, I didn't even get to post a plan last week, so you can guess at how well the "plan" went!

I'm feeling better and back into the swing of things.

 

PHOTO COURTESY OF "ALL YOU"

MONDAY- Ropa Vieja (this is quickly becoming a weekly fav!)

TUESDAY- Chicken Yassa (one of these days I'll type out this recipe!)

WEDNESDAY- Frozen Pizzas and Salad

THURSDAY- Chicken Legs in Buffalo Sauce with potatoes and corn

FRIDAY- Shrimp with Pasta and Veggies

SATURDAY- Chicken, Snow Pea & Cashew Fried Rice

SUNDAY- Leftovers

Head on over to MPM for more great Menu Plans!

CHEAP or MoneyMaker Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls at Shoprite

Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls are on sale this week (2/14-2/20) for $2.

If you printed the 95c/1 Sweet Rolls IP (no longer available) and held on to it for a great deal you can get a great deal this week.

With just 1 IP you will pay 10c after the 95c/1 doubles.

With 2 IPs you will want to stop by CELLFIRE and load the 40c/2 Q there.

2 x $2 = $4

- (2) 95c/1 IPs doubled = 20c

- 40c/2 CF Q = 20c MM

With 4 IPs you can take advantage of the Catalina Deal running through the end of the week.

4 x $2 = $8

- (4) 95c/1 IPs = 40c

- 40c/2 CF Q = $0.00

Get Back $2 ONYO = $2 MM

Shopping Week 2/6-2/12----Where did the week go?

This was a hectic week for me and I've been a bit under the weather, too.  Not to mention there was the threat of BIG SNOW on Wednesday that kept us all peering out the window, wondering when it would arrive. (We got about 4 inches, but up here that's not much).
I did some shopping early in the week and missed pictures of my trip to Stop & Shop. 
I bought an apple, 2 bags of Gold Fish, and 8 containers of Tribe Hummus and spent a whopping $1.30 for it all!

Freihofers Bread Outlet = $6.88

Adams = $9.61

Aldi = $5.45

Shoprite = $.48

Grand Total = $23.72

78% Savings!

I am determined to make it to Shoprite to pick up a few things that are only on sale through tomorrow, but those will be included in next week's totals!

Ore-Ida Steam N Mash Printable Coupon

Head on over here to sign up for a $1/1 Steam N Mash Coupon!

Aveeno Nourish+ Sample

Head on over here to register for a free sample of Aveeno Nourish + and product coupon!

Exciting news! Introducing the AVEENO® NOURISH+ Hair Care Collection. This innovative full line of products combines the best of nature with the proof of science to meet the specific needs of different hair types. Made with a breakthrough ACTIVE NATURALS® Wheat Complex formula, these products nourish damaged hair back to life in just three washes.

Hot New Coupon!

Head on over here to print a coupon for $2 off any 20ct or larger Excedrin.

Shopping Week 1/30-2/5----I did it! (almost)

I set a goal to keep this week's budget at $15 and I almost did it!
I spent a total of $15.69! The total value of the items purchased is $222.73, which makes for 93% savings!

CVS & Shoprite

$3.66

Shoprite

$3.08

Stop & Shop

$0!

Adams & Shoprite

$7.79

MY GOAL FOR NEXT WEEK:

I'm really hoping for some great deals on chicken at Adams.

It's been awhile since they had a great sale on chicken breast and we are pretty much out.

I've selected some recipes that freeze well and am hoping to do a freezer cooking day before February is over, so a great sale on chicken would really be a blessing!

Adams Farms 2/5-2/8

79c/lb plum tomatoes
99c/lb red peppers
99c/5lb bag white or russet potatoes
$1.69/lb 85% lean ground beef

Check out the full ads for the Kingston, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie stores here!

Financial Update February 2010-Slowly but surely!

I outlined our financial goals in a post back in the early part of January and it seems about time to post an update!

1. Continue to pay off credit card debt focusing on one card at a time. We currently take any extra income and put it all toward this goal. I am setting a goal to payoff all credit card debt by January 1, 2011. We've made some headway this past month and continue to use all "extra" money for this goal.

2. Pay off Auto Loan by May 2010. We have set ourselves up so that this should be easily accomplished. This will mean that in May we will own two cars completely. We will then take about 1/3 of our current car payments and put that money into a savings account for car repairs and/or a new car when the time comes. One car is older and we hope to drive it as long as possible, but you never know when it might quit, so we want to have some savings to deal with anything that might come up. We hope to increase the contributions to this savings account once our Credit Card Debt has been dealt with.
No Changes here.  Everything is still in place.

3. Research options for Health Insurance. We are currently covered under a plan that will no longer be available to us as of this fall, so we need to start researching our best options for coverage and cost.
I've started a little research on this and it looks like we might do this through our business.  There are some plans that look like good options and would also allow us to offer insurance to our employees.

4. Explore opportunities to earn extra income. Any extra income will help to reduce our debt faster.
We've spent a lot of time getting things "in order" around the house and I feel great about that on the organizing front.  I've got some work lined up for one full week each month, now thru April.  That means guaranteed extra money for the pay-down of debt.  I hope to list a few items on ebay this month and will continue to explore other options.

All in all I'm feeling pretty good with our progress.  We will need to step it up a little to hit the goal of eliminating credit card debt by Jan 2011. 

Shoprite----Something a Little Different! wk of 2/7-2/13

I got my sales ad for next week's sales at Shoprite and I must report that there isn't much exciting in the ad.
Instead of a post with deals...here's my shopping list thus far.
If I come up with some more deals from this ad, I'll post/add them to my list.
For now, here's what I'll be shopping for!

(4) (3) Eggland's Best dozen Eggs $1.49 = $5.96
     - (1) BOGO IP (facebook) = $4.47
     - (3)(2) 50c/1 Magazine Qs doubled = $1.47/4 dozen eggs! or 39c/dozen!
     - (1) 35c/1 1/31/10SS Q doubled = $1.77

(2) Hot Pocket Side Shots $2 = $4
     - (2) 75c/1 1/24/10SS Qs doubled = $1

(1) (4) boxes Quaker Instant Oatmeal $1.99 = $7.96 = $1.99
     -(1) (4) $1/1 IPs = $3.96 99c
I decided to save my Qs for a sale on quick oats instead, but will pick up one of these for convenience!

(1) 4lb bag California Navels (4 Day Price Break Wed-Sat) = $1.99

Total OOP = $8.72 $5.45

Check back for updates as the week evolves!

Smithfield Bacon 55c Printable Coupon!

Go here to print a 55c/1 coupon for Smithfield Bacon.

These are often on sale for $2.50 at Shoprite (and elsewhere).

Combine this coupon with a great sale at your favorite store that doubles and you can get bacon as low as $1.40!

Wednesday Tip Day- back in the kitchen!

Ok, we've all made this mistake before!

Did you over salt your dish?

Add a halved potato and drop it in to absorb the salt!

New Pepperidge Farm Gold Fish Coupon!

Go here to print a coupon for 75c off any 6.6-8oz bag of Goldfish Parmesan, Original, Pretzel, or Flavor Blasted Pizza!

Combine this with a sale for some very cheap snacks!

If you can print from multiple computers, you can get these 3/50c this week at shoprite.

They are on sale 3/$5-Must Buy 3!