Monthly Archives: May 2010

Monday Menu Post 5/31

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I am hoping to post several times today but I wanted to start with the Menu post so I can stay on track. This week will be busy with me working Wednesday, Thursday and Friday so those day will be something that can cook ahead or in a very short time to make our lives easier!

Monday- Grilled Steaks, pasta salad
Tuesday- tator tot cassrole
Wednesday- Spaghetti with meatballs
Thursday- Chicken nuggets with corn and fruit (Matt will have to cook as I have a workshop to present from 4pm-6pm)
Friday- Grilled chicken- I will start to marinate on Wednesday!

Detailed CVS post

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I am going to do a detailed post on my trip to CVS today. It is a beginner transaction that anyone who uses diapers or wipes can repeat this week as well. I had not planned on buying diaper but the body wash ECB printed out together as one 8 instead of two 4ECBs.

I did start out with 3ECB from the Pantene deal that is also running this week. But I did 2 transactions today.
First Transaction: 2 Gillette body washes on sale for $4.00 each.
Used BOGO coupon from 5/2 PG and 2 ECB. Total OOP 2.62 and earned 9ECB (8 for Body wash and 1 for 4th time using Green bag tag)

Second Transaction: Huggies Wipes (216 count) $5.99 (Sale)
Huggies Jean Diapers (sale) $9.99
CVS lip balm 30 SPF $1.99
Used CVS printed Wipes coupon 2.00, Man. coupon 1.00, Diaper coupon 3.00, CVS printed $1 off any sunscreen product and 9ECB from previous transaction. Total OOP $1.09 which was tax!

This made by total OOP $3.79 and my saving $31 or 91% . Now just to be fair I am adding my trip from Sunday because I would have done a similar transaction if they would have not been out of the body washes already. My total OOP at CVS for the week is $23 with a savings of $47 or 67%. Prior to couponing, I would have spent $23 on the two packs of diapers on sale and a large pack of wipes. So I am still REALLY pleased with my trip. In fact Amanda and I may go tomorrow and use her card for body wash just as a money maker!

Randon Thoughts Tuesday

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I actually remember to do this on Tuesday!

I realized on my trip to Harris Teeter last Wednesday that I have not been reporting/giving credit to myself for the actual amount saved. I have not been including my “VIC” saving in my total.

On Sunday, Matt, myself and the 3 little kids made a second trip to HT this week. I spent $55 saved $124 or 69%. This was a great trip considering we ended up with 5 cases of drinks for Matt’s lunch. I am debating a third trip today but it probably will not happen.

We also went to CVS on Sunday. There were already out of the Body wash that would have made this an awesome trip and I forgot my free coupon for “Little swimmers.” So I will most likely make a trip to another CVS this week to take advantage of the money maker. I did get a raincheck for the body wash but I will be able to do this deal twice if I can find the items in stock.

I have totally shot the grocery budget for this month, my excuse is that I bought all the food for Amanda’s shower. So to try and at least use some of this food for us I have spent the better part of the last 2 days steaming, and freezing things such as broccoli and carrots. I will also be freezing the celery to use in soups this winter. Today, I am trying a new recipe that involved using alot of veggies that I had already decided I need to use up! I hope it turns out well because I ended up using 6 chicken breast in it as well. I have made 2 dozen muffins and need to freeze half of these and then make a batch of banana bread to use the rest of the 9lbs of bananas I bought at half price last week. I hope to finish all this up today and make some baby food for Zach to eat. Yesterday he ate no “bought” baby food which was awesome. If I do nothing but save on the purchase of baby food that should get me back on track for June with the budget. I did come in 150 less than the average in April so if I can do the same in June, I will break even.

My garden is growing awesomely. I notice this morning that the jalapeno pepper is blooming. I have now transplanted everything and each square has something growing in it! I will try and get a picture to post soon.

Monday Menu Post 5/24

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I did okay sticking to the Menu plan last week. We ended up with Pork Chops on Wednesday and eating out on Friday. That makes a total of 3 times eating out last week. The kids and I had lunch out on Thursday, Matt, myself and the babies ate out on Friday and again on Sunday after church. Friday night was a necessity as it was 6:30pm and everyone was starved so. This week I hope to do better and stay on track. I will be posting about all my shopping this weekend later but I wanted to make myself start to plan first.

Monday- Matt has a dinner meeting and I have ALOT of food to prepare so that it does not go bad so it will be sandwiches or pick a meal for everyone at home.
Tuesday- Steaks on the grill… pasta salad and fruit
Wednesday- Crockpot Lasagna with a batch to freeze for the summer
Thursday- Chicken ??? not sure how or why, may try a new recipe or just make a chicken pie or fried chicken
Friday-

Potty Training- Kendall Style

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Kendall is approaching 2 so the dreaded potty training is looming over us! We actually got down the small potty several weeks ago and I bought and put up (out of sight) the rewards. Kendall has been sitting on the potty at least once a day with no results. But I had decided to not stress and just be laid back with this effort. Yesterday, Amanda, Lily, Kendall, Zach and I went to Winston to Target and Costco for groceries and items for Amanda’s baby shower. We decided that Olive Garden would be good for lunch. So after we ate I took Lily and Kendall to the bathroom. Kendall was still dry and asked to “Pee on Potty” because that is what Lily was doing. I decided to let her sit and she DID IT! Within a minute of sitting down,she had peed! I was so excited and let her use my cellphone to call Matt! I am hoping this will be the start of an easy journey but I doubt it.

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Trip

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I am super excited after getting back from my first trip to Harris Teeter for Super Doubles. I had made the comment to Matt that I thought Super Doubles would be better right now then Triples and I was right :). I actually made the trip today with a friend, this was her first trip to Harris Teeter so it was awesome to help her “find” the deals. So I spent a total of $27 and saved $124 or 82% this is the highest this year besides one trip to CVS. I was able to grab 9 free items, 6 boxes of cereal, 4 cans of Tomato soup, 5 containers of juice and 3 frozen pizzas. Those are just the highlights. I did use a Raincheck to grab 2 packs of diapers at 0.09 cent each, but these are included in my totals so this was AWESOME! No picture today because my kitchen table is a mess and since it was lunch time when I came in. I decided to clean and take a picture was not worth the effort!

I am super busy this week and now understand how hard it is to keep up with blogging and my crazy life. I will try to get better but the rest of the week includes a second trip to HT, Amanda’s baby shower and a quiz meeting. So I wonder if I actually will!

Monday Menu Post 5/17

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So last week we threw out the menu plan on Thursday and actually ordered Pizza on Friday because that is what we wanted. But at least we were able to spend $20 and feed us all with enough left for breakfast for Matt, Haley and I on Saturday. This week is going to be difficulty as we have something scheduled every afternoon except on Monday. The idea this week is convenience. I am hoping to do the Crockpot Lasagna on Wednesday and put one back in the freezer but it will depend on how long I spend at Super Doubles. But you will notice I have a back up plan just in case or I can always switch my Friday and Wednesday. Flexibility is good this week.

Monday- Country Fried Steak, vegetable and pumpkin pie (Angel Food)
Tuesday- Left-overs from our Mexican dinner party 🙂
Wednesday – Crockpot Lasagna or Frozen Pizza
Thursday- Seafood night- steamed crab legs /fried shrimp
Friday- Shake n bake Porkchops

This should work, next week I hope to use some of the food I purchase at Harris Teeter!

A “Normal” Weekend

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For the past several years (since prior to Lily’s birth) it seems that every weekend during the school year is filled with activities and places/events we need to attend. In addition to that for the past 3 years we have been working on the addition with any and all of our spare time especially on the weekend. But this weekend feels different and I am working if this is what a “normal” weekend is suppose to be.

On Saturday we had Angel Food distribution which meant that Matt was at the church at 6am and I arrived about 7:45am. We have had to move the distribution times forward and it seems like we almost had an extra day as a result. Matt ended up on call this weekend and had to make a trip out after the distribution but that was ok. I was able to come home and make a quick trip to CVS while the little kids napped. Saturday evening after Matt got a short nap we decided to work in the addition. He was able to put up modeling and baseboards to finish out the bathroom closet. So I started moving items and organizing some things as well as cleaning out more junk that needed new home. We ended up at supper time and I spent a couple of hours watching TV.

Today, Sunday, we had church this am. My mom fixed lunch this week so we ate lunch with my whole family today which is a nice treat about once a month! Matt and I decided to invite some friends over for dinner before the variety show at church tonight. We had a Mexican feat that will provide leftovers on Tuesday evening for dinner. I stopped at Aldi and CVS to do my weekend shopping. Matt stayed home and did the last minute cleaning :). Dinner and the variety show were fun! Now tonight I am blogging and working on coupons which I enjoy. The best thing is that I am tired but not exhausted as I usually feel on Sunday night and I “think” I had a weekend! So is this a normal weekend?

Count your Blessing

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Growing up this was one of my favorite songs. I woke up this morning with the tune and words in my head. So after waiting all day to decide what to blog about, I figured this might be a good day to be thankful for what I have and not focus on what I don’t..Will you join me and leave a comment with your “blessing” today?

1. A wonderful husband who is willing to help with laundry, dishes and house cleaning as long as I ask.
2. 5 wonderful children who every day I can see making stride and enjoying life. (OK only the three little happen every day but I still love my teens!)
3. A borrowed van that allows me to work and do simple errors but more importantly give me the ability to not be stuck at home!
4. A job that allows me to work a couple of hours a week.
5. Money to cover the bills for the month and “promised” money to be able to cover the unexpected expense of a new transmission.
6. A garden with growing plants and flowers that is exciting to watch grow!

Count your blessing with me today!