April Ends on a good note!

It was a pretty slow week for deals, which was ok with me since I didn't have a lot of extra time to do big shopping trips.

Aldi: $11.94

Stop & Shop: $6.60

This was a great deal...I got back 2-$2 CATS, which means the yogurt was 6.5c per container.

Something strange happened with the doubling and the Qs that should have full doubled did not.  I was in a rush, so I didn't bother trying to get it fixed.  If the Qs had full doubled it would have been closer to 2c per container.  A good deal either way.

Shoprite: $14.95

See my post on the clearance finds at Shoprite!

Total Spending this week = $33.49

Total Savings this week = $91.97 or 73% Savings

 

Total Spending April = $140.90

Total Savings April = $548.44 or 81% Savings

 

Our pantry is still pretty stocked, although my freezer continues to dwindle.  There have been some good deals on fish, but nothing exciting for chicken in awhile.  We're down to one package in the freezer, so I'm really hoping for some sales.

Clearance milk, paprika and cake!

While shopping I always try and keep an eye out for clearance deals.  My kids were a bit tired while shopping today, but I managed to sneak into the passover clearance for a moment and also noticed big yellow clearance tags on milk while picking up eggs. 

Milk: 2 quarts @ $0.42 each

Chocolate Chip Cake: 1 @ $0.59

Paprika: 1 @ $0.45

We were low on paprika, so this was great timing!

The milk is in the freezer already since it was clearanced with a VERY short expiration date.

April 29-30--Ree-Play Sale---Beacon, NY

April 29, 30 and May 1 University Settlement Camp Theatre, BeaconAll proceeds will go towards improving Beacon's playgrounds and other child-centered programs in Beacon For more information visit the Wee-Play website!
Please note: I have never been to this sale, but wanted to make those interested aware of the dates. 

Visitor Centers are for Locals, too!

In search of some local coupons?  Stop by your local visitor's center, welcome center or chamber of commerce and see what they have to offer.  These places can be a great resource for local restaurant savings and even local grocery savings.

April 28th---Soujourner Truth---Hurley, NY

Carolyn Drake performs as Soujourner Truth.

7:30pm April 28, 2011

Main Hall of Hurley Reformed Church

11 Main Street

For more information call 845-338-1661

Event is free.

a big jump from $19.54 to $68.33!

Well, the last two weeks were really low spending weeks coming in at $19.54 each, but this week was a big week!  We spent a whopping $68.33 this week.  Here's what we purchased.

You can read about our reasons for NOT joining Sam's Club here. 
Sam's Club: $31.37

Shoprite: $3.67

 Aldi: $10.31

Shoprite: $6.30 (including the free ham)

Target: $3.56

Adams: $13.12

Total Spending this week = $68.33

Total Savings this week = $190.28 or 74% Savings

 

Total Spending April = $107.41

Total Savings April = $456.47 or 81% Savings

 Remaining April Budget= $52.59

Let's see how this week evolves and determines the fate of April's final budget!

Peacocks, feathered friends, and bees at Forsyth in Kingston

 

All events are free but limited in space.

Peacocks on Parade

Event date:

04-26-2011 03:30 PM

Event end date:

04-26-2011 04:30 PM

Visit the FNC and witness the Peacocks and their elaborate display of courtship.
Learn about peafowl lifecycles and behaviors as we observe these beautiful birds!
Free and open to all. Weather Permitting

• Register (Individual)
• Register (Groups and Families)
• Details

Feathered Friends

Event date:

05-07-2011 11:00 AM

Event end date:

05-07-2011 12:00 PM

Feathers, wings and avian things. Program examines anatomy, behaviors, adaptations and habitats of birds. Features live birds, including birds of prey. Free and open to all. Weather permitting.

• Register (Individual)
• Register (Groups and Families)
• Details

Buzz on Bees

Event date:

05-07-2011 01:00 PM

Event end date:

05-07-2011 02:00 PM

Did you know the FNC is home to more than 30,000 bees? Come and discover the Apiary (beehive) and all of its busy wonders at the FNC. This program is free and open to all. Weather permitting.

Through April 28: Canstruction art benefits local food pantries--Albany, NY

4th Floor
April 14–27: 9:30 am–5:00 pm
April 28: 9:30 am–3:00 pm
FREE

Canstruction®, a not-for-profit organization committed to ending hunger, uses the “one can” concept to make a difference in the lives of many. This special exhibition will feature 10 unique structures designed by teams of the Capital Region’s best and brightest members of the design community, using only canned goods.

For directions to the museum visit their site.

Note: The New York State Museum is worth a trip even if you don't make it to the CANSTRUCTION exhibit.  The exhibits are great and super kid-friendly.  Don't forget to ride on the restored carousel while you are there!

Store incentive's for "going green"

Many companies offer recycling programs and other incentives to help you make the green choice.

 Earn prizes and rewards for doing the green thing when you register with Recyclebank!


Costco: swap laptops, cell phones, cameras, MP3s, Blu-Ray discs, games and more for a Costco Cash Card. Visit the site for more information.
MAC (cosmetics): return 6 packaging containers to a counter and receive a free lipstick through Back to MAC.
Staples: recycle ink and toner cartridges for $2 in Staples rewards.
Starbucks: bring in your own mug and receive a 10c discount.  Enjoying your morning coffee in-store.  request a ceramic mug instead of a to-go cup. Learn more about Starbucks environmental efforts on their site.

What other companies offer incentives?  Share the information in the comments and I'll add them to the post!

Get involved, play a role. Recycling and beyond.

When you recycle:You save.

10 cans/wk:Enough energy for 30hrs of TV
4 Sunday newspapers/month: 4 trees per year
15 plastic bottles/wk: fiber to make 156 t-shirts
1 glass bottle:Enough energy to light a 100w bulb for 4hrs or a computer for 30mins or a TV for 20mins
Source-Family Circle, Nov 2010

Get involved in your community!

Local resources for "Going green"

 

Need help in "going green" in the Hudson Valley?

-The Cornell Cooperative Extension's website.

-Sustainable Hudson Valley's website.  

- The U.S. Green Building Council of NY's website. 

Do-it-yourself Easter egg dyes

Photo Source

Kiwi's April/May 2011 issue had a great article on natural egg dyes. 

Pink

1 15oz jar of beets

1 cup water

1 tsp vinegar

Bring beets and water to a boil 

and let simmer for five minutes.  

Strain and cool, then add vinegar.

Yellow

1 tbsp turmeric or curry powder

2 cups water

Bring spice and water to a boil and simmer

for five minutes. Cool.

Green

1 cup water

3 chlorophyll capsule(vitamin/healthfood stores)

Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat.  

Open capsules and stir into water. Cool.

Blue

2 cups frozen blueberries

2 cups water

1 tsp vinegar

Bring blueberries and water to a boil, let simmer 

for five minutes.  Strain, cool, then stir in vinegar.

Do you have any "natural" dye recipes to share?

 

Adams 4/19 & 4/20

79c/lb- Zucchini

99c/lb- Broccoli

For the full ad visit Adams' website !

Sam's club is not for me

With the "open house" this weekend at Sam's Club my darling husband, girls and I headed over to re-evaluate the deals at Sam's.  We wandered through the store and picked up a handful of things.  Most of the items we purchased are about the same prices as I find at regular stores (Aldi, Target, Walmart).  We did purchase a large box of garbage bags, which was a pretty good price, but not worth the yearly membership for us.  

Sam's Club: $31.37

So, what did we find upon re-evaluating the club?  In case you haven't guessed from what I have written previously...I don't think it works for us right now.  It might be a good deal at some point in the future, but at this time I don't think it will help our family save money.

Did you check out the "open house?"

Another week at $19.54...hmmm

Ok, so I just added up my receipts for the week and it's an exact spending repeat from last week.  I spent $19.54!  I just picked up the best deals and some sale produce.  We've been eating proteins from the freezer, but I hope there are some sales in the near future because we're depleting our stash pretty quickly.
Here are the pics for the week.

Shoprite: Free sour cream, cheap grapes, and money-make nescafe.  In my opinion the real stars at Shoprite were the Annie's, which was 99c and only 24c after a tearpad Q, and the Birdseye, which was 99c and only 29c-49c after IPs.

Some produce from Aldi and a few more things from Shoprite.

Free milk and more cheap grapes this time from Stop & Shop.

Adams for some produce and a few treats from their bakery plus a few more things from Shoprite.

Total Spending this week = $19.54

Total Savings this week = $137.34 or 88% Savings

 

Total Spending April = $39.08

Total Savings this week = $266.19 or 87% Savings

 Remaining April Budget= $120.91

I'm ready for a meat/poultry sale with the money in my budget to support it!

 

Under $20 = A great start to the month!

We are pretty well stocked and I didn't see a lot of great deals that I needed.

Shoprite: $0.78

I had some Cats to use up.  The blocks of cheese were a great deal at 99c/each and the rest of the items were ok deals just to use up the expiring Cats.

Shoprite: $0.69

Using up more Cats.

Ollie's: $5.22

Some odds and ends plus proof of a shopping mistake.  The girls were cranky during this trip and in a rush, I grabbed the Naproxen thinking it was a great deal.  Well, we got home and I realized it was only a 12ct bottle.  It wasn't such a great deal after all, but we live and learn!

Shoprite: $0.00

Aldi: $4.23

Walmart: $8.62

Some odds and ends for the week's final shopping.  Included, but not pictured, is some soil for our vegetable garden.  Last year was our first big garden and I kept the garden budget separate from the household $40/wk.  We had to build up a raised bed, which was really a project.  This year, I'm trying to include the garden supplies in our household budget since it ultimately reduces our food budget.  The girls and I started seeds today!

We are back on track for our annual average budget of $40/wk, so this month (April 2-29) will be set at $160.

Total Spending this week = $19.54

Total Savings this week = $128.85 or 87% Savings



I DID IT!----back on track with the average budget of $40/week!!!

I had just over $15.25 remaining in my March reduced budget and I came in at $13.21.  Wahoo!

Stop & Shop for another round of cheap cereal.  I did this deal mostly because I wanted the Free Milk Cat that accompanied the cheap cereal!
$1.55

 

Shoprite: $0.88

Adams: $6.34

Rite Aid: $4.44

Total Spending this week = $13.21

Total Savings this week = $177.22 or 93% Savings

 

Total Spending March = $134.99 ($2.04 under budget)

Total Savings March = $1081.61 or 89% Savings

 

I'm back on track for my yearly average budget goal of $40/wk!

We're still trying to get more fresh foods into our diet on the existing budget.  Our pantries are pretty packed, so the focus will be on fresh fruits and veggies.  We'll also need to buy some chicken in the next few weeks.