CVS Trip 1/30

2 Gillette Men's Body Washes (on clearance for) $2.49 each = $4.98 - (two $2/1 coups) = $0.98 + $0.39 (tax) = $1.37

Not too shabby!!

Rite Aid 1/30

Went to Rite Aid today because I saw in their flyer they had Stayfree feminine products BOGO and I had a BOGO coupon.  I'm going to donate these to the food pantry/homeless shelter.

2 Stayfree 24 ct Feminine Products = $3.99 (Used BOGO coup) = Tax which was $0.31.  Yay!!

Grocery Trip 1/30

Well, I already did my shopping for the week yesterday, but I forgot we needed trash stickers so I had to go back today.  They had quite a few packages of hamburger on markdown, so I stocked up a bit.  Here's my trip.

Transaction 1 - This was just the trash stickers.  You have to go to the customer service desk to get these instead of the regular checkout.  Ridiculous.  But these were $5.

Transaction 2

Chocolate frosting $1.39
Zatarains jambalaya $2.79
can of green chilies $1.69
Smoked sausage $3.19
Hamburger $2.68
Hamburger $2.94
Hamburger $2.52
Hamburger $2.73
Hamburger $2.88
Hamburger $2.67

Total - $35.91

Tater Tot Casserole

Another one of my husby's favorites!  I usually halve the recipe since its just the two of us.  If you halve the recipe use an 8x8 inch baking dish.

2 lbs. lean hamburger
1 (10 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 (2 lbs.) package frozen tater tots
ketchup (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Brown hamburger until no longer pink.  Drain grease.
3. Put hamburger in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
4. Spread cream of mushroom soup on top of hamburger.
5. Cover with cheese.
6. Top with tater tots.
7. Husby likes ketchup on top of his tater tots so I'll usually zig zag some ketchup lines on top of his side of the casserole.  This is totally optional.
8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
9. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes.

Menu Plan 1/30 - 2/5

Sunday - Grilled chicken breast
baked potato for husby
sweet potato for me

Monday - tv dinners/grilled cheese (my BFF and I have Financial Peace University class on Mondays so I make something easy)

Tuesday - Sour cream chicken enchiladas
salad

Wednesday - out for my birthday!

Thursday - Grilled NY Strip
buttered noodles
corn on the cob

Friday - Hot dogs
macaroni and cheese

Grocery Trip 1/29

Went to Food Lion today.  They were having some serious BOGO (buy one get one) sales, so I hit up a couple of those.  I did two transactions for rebates.

Transaction 1

egg noodles $1.59
tortillas $0.50
Hot dog buns $1.27
Bread $2.69
Ranch dressing $1.69
Swiss Rolls $1.33
2 boxes Cap'n Crunch $3.88
Chicken breast $3.37
Chicken breast $3.55
Chicken breast $3.17
Stew beef $2.80
1/2 gal organic milk $2.79
Sour cream $1.50
gal milk $3.49
dozen eggs $1.59
shredded mexican cheese $2.29
frozen corn on the cob $2.00
2 boxes Texas garlic toast $3.48 (used $0.50 coup) = $2.98
1/3 lb. Pepperoni $1.60
1/3 lb. white american cheese $1.75
4 cans friskees $1.60
Fancy Feast $6.99

Total - $56.02

Transaction 2

3lb clementines $1.99
2 bananas $0.53
salad $0.99
baby carrots $1.75
2 blood oranges $1.58
1 baking potato $0.89
1 sweet potato $0.59

Total - $8.49

Party Weiners

Everyone loves these!  I prefer to use Lil' Smokies, but you can also use meatballs.  These are great for parties or potlucks.

3 to 5 pounds Lil' Smokie sausages or meatballs
1 (32 oz.) jar grape jelly
2 (12 oz.) jars chili sauce (I use Heinz)

1. Combine all ingredients in a crockpot.
2. Cook on high for a couple of hours until heated through.

Super Easy Nacho Dip

I think this would definitely be good to serve for the Super Bowl.  Definite "Man Food".

2 packages cream cheese
2 (15 oz.) cans of chili with or without beans (I used Hormel)
1 bag of shredded cheese

1. Lay the 2 packages of cream cheese on the bottom of an 8x8 glass baking dish.
2. Evenly cover with both cans of the chili.
3. Evenly cover with the bag of shredded cheese.
4. Put in oven at 350 until the cheese in the center is bubbly.
*This can also be microwaved.
Serve with Fritos scoops.

Menu 1/22 - 1/28

Saturday: Beef and Noodles
veggie

Sunday: Baked Cornish hens
stuffing
veggie

Monday: chicken (leftover cornish hen) alfredo
mayonnaise rolls
salad

Tuesday: pancakes and bacon

Wednesday: macaroni cheddar beef bake
veggie

Thursday: TV dinners

Friday: leftovers or grilled cheese or out to eat

Grocery Trip 1/19

Went to Food Lion to grocery shop for next week and to get some things to stock up my desk drawer at work.  I did 3 separate transactions and husby did one transaction, for rebates of course.  Here are my transactions.

Transaction #1
Pepperoni $1.59
Chuck Steak $3.99
Total - $5.69

Transaction #2
2 bananas $0.38
Pineapple chunks $3.49 (I know its expensive but I LOVE pineapple!)
Total - $3.95

Transaction #3 (Husby's transaction)
4 24-pks of Nestle Water $12.00
Bottle of wine (he snuck this in on me!)
Total - $16.54

Transaction #4

2 Kraft Easy Macs $2.00
2 Dole Fruit Packs $4.00
Marie Calendar mac and cheese $3.19
5 cans Tuna $4.00
Pancake mix $2.49
Queso dip $3.00
Grape jelly $1.67
Gravy $2.25
Tostitos $3.99
Bread $2.69
2 Chicken salad $2.98
Hungry man tv dinners $5.97
Good humor ice cream $4.39
15 cans of Friskees $6.00 ($1/15 coup) = $5.00
Cat litter $8.99
Fancy Feast cat food $6.99
Total - $66.15
(Can you tell I went kinda hungry!?)

Combined total - $92.33

This is one of the largest groceries bills I've had in a very long time.  But I wanted to stock up on the water because I have a rebate for $5 back when you buy $10 worth of bottled water.  I also have a couple of other miscellaneous rebates to fill out for my other receipts as well.  I am a bit disappointed with my lack of coupon usage, but the things I bought there werent really coupons for.  Better luck next time!

Cheesecake Cookie Bars

These are delicious!

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (16 oz) tube of refrigeratede chocolate chip cookie dough

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Divide cookie dough in half.  Press half of the dough into the bottom of an 8x8 baking dish.
3. Cream the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Add the egg and the vanilla, beat until smooth.
5. Pour over cookie dough, spreading evenly.
6. Put remaining cookie dough on top of the cheesecake mixture in small chunks.  Spread out as evenly as possible.
7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until set and the cookie dough is golden brown.
8. Cool 1 houra nd refrigerate.
*You can double this recipe and use a 9x13 baking dish.

CVS Trip 1/16

I had to go to CVS to pick up a couple of prescriptions today.  I didn't have any plans on doing any shopping but I had a few minutes to kill while I waited for one of my prescriptions and started looking around.  I found a good deal on razors so I snatched those up.  Here is my transaction.

2 prescriptions $16.00
1 Schick Quatro Razor (Men's) $5.99
1 Schick Quatro Razor (Women's) and it came with  2 trial size Caress body washes $5.99
1 8 pk mini Kit Kat bars $1.59
1 20 ct. Excedrin Extra Strength $5.49

Used two coupons for $2 off on each of the razors
Used a coupon for a free Excedrin Extra Strength product up to $5.99
Used $10.89 in ECBs

Total - $16.06

I think I did pretty good.  The only down side is I didn't get any ECBs to use for next time so I'll have to search out some good ECB deals in the next few weeks to up my ECB stock again.

Grocery Trip 1/15

Went grocery shopping at Food Lion this evening for next weeks groceries.  I did two transactions - one meat and one with the other miscellaneous for rebating purposes.  Some of you all may be wondering why I don't grocery shop at Wal Mart.  I know Wally has lower prices, wider selections, etc.  But I HATE that place!!  The crowds, the general unhappiness amongst the employees and the customers...I just can't stand it.  Plus, their meat always tastes funky.  So anyway, on with my transactions.

Transaction #1

Pepperoni $1.59
Ham slice $2.99
Country style pork ribs $3.44

Total - $8.18

Transaction $2

2 bags of Munchies $5.98 (Used $1 coup wyb 2) = $4.98
Bread $2.69
Bagels $2.99
Wheat thins $2.99
Ritz crackers $3.79
(I used a coup for $1/2 Nabisco crackers)
Mac and cheese $0.99
Stove Top $2.39
Cream of potato soup $1.69
Canned chicken $2.99
2 cans of tuna $1.58
1/2 gallon milk $2.79
2 tubs of country crock $2.98 (I used a $0.50 coupon off 1) = $2.48
Cheddar cheese block $1.89
Colby jack cheese block $1.89
Eggos $2.69
Crescent rolls $2.00

Total - $40.67

Combined total - $48.85

Chips Ahoy! Dessert

A coworker's wife made this one evening for us.  Its super easy to make and really yummy!

1 package Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies
1 container Cool Whip
1 cup milk

1. Dip cookies in milk.
2. Shake and lay (1 cookie deep) in a  9x13 pan.
3. Add a layer of Cool Whip.
4. Repeat three more times.
5. Refrigerate overnight.

Menu Plan 1/15 - 1/21

Saturday - Meatballs, rice, veggie

Sunday - bbq ribs, Bert's macaroni salad

Monday - NY strip, macaroni and cheese, veggie

Tuesday - turkey pot pie using turkey I have diced in the freezer from the tenderloin a couple weeks ago

Wednesday - cornish hens, stuffing, veggie

Thursday - grilled cheese sandwiches or leftovers

Friday - pizza

Yummy Chicken Salad

2 1/2 cups cooked, diced chicken

1 cup finely chopped celery

1 cup green grapes, halved

1 cup chopped pecans

1 small onion, minced

1/2 cup Miracle Whip

a dash of salt

couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce

1. Combine all ingredients and chill.  Overnight is best.

2. Serve on big buttery croissants.

Frugal Tip of the Day

Learn to cut your husband's hair.  My husband likes his head shaved.  We purchased a pair of clippers and we do it for free at home.  We've saved a lot by him not having to go to the barber.

Grocery Trip 1/9

Went to Food Lion to get some groceries for the week.  Here's what I bought:

Bread $1.99
Hamburger Buns $1.27
2 liter Sierra Mist Natural $1. 50 (used coup for Free Sierra Mist) = FREE!
Chocolate Donuts $2.00
Pringles $1.67
Syrup $2 (used a coup for $1 off) = $1
Elbow macaroni $0.79
2 box Kraft macaroni and cheese $1.33
Success white rice $1. 39 (used a coup for $1 off) = $0.39
Tuna salad snack pack $1.59
Alfredo sauce $2.79
Apple Jelly $1.39
2 cans green beans $1
2 cans peas $1
1 can mexicorn $0.89
2 bananas $0.41
2 granny smith apples $1.83
gallon milk $1.79 (marked down expires in 5 days)
waffles $1.99
kraft singles $1.99
Bag of fancy feast dry cat food $6.99 (used a coup for $1 off) = $5.99
11 cans of friskies roughly $4
gallon ziploc bags $2.99
quart ziploc bags $2.99
trash stickers $5.00

Total - $50.53

CVS Trip 1/9

Went to CVS today because they were having a killer Pepsi deal and the husby drinks Pepsi like its going out of style.  Here is what I bought:

Six 12-pks of Pepsi 6/$20
1 Dove chocolate bar $0.89

Used $8 in ecbs.

Total - $14.51 and I got $10.89 back in ecb's to use on my next trip! 

Make Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches

Take a couple of hours over the weekend to make these bagel sandwiches.  Take them and microwave them straight from the freezer for a quick weekday morning breakfast.

12 english muffins (you can also use mini bagels)
12 pieces of cooked cooled bacon, cut in half or use 12 canadian bacon slices
12 eggs (use egg whites or substitute to cut down on fat/cal if you'd like)
12 cheese singles (like Kraft)
1/2 cup butter

1. Slice each muffin in half.
2. Lightly butter each side.

TO COOK EGGS:

Spray a microwave safe mug, beat 1 egg in mug and microwave for 30 seconds or until egg is cooked. Remove the egg in one piece.  Set aside.  Repeat for the remaining eggs. Let cool.
You can also bake the eggs in a greased muffin tin at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.  Let cool.

ASSEMBLING:

For the candadian bacon:
1. Place slice of canadian bacon on the bottom half of the muffin.
2. Place egg slice on top of canadian bacon.
3. Top the egg slice with the slice of cheese.
4. Top with top of muffin.
5. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place all in a large freezer safe bag.  Keep in freezer.

For the bacon:
1. Place egg slice on the bottom half of the muffin.
2. Place cheese slice on top of the egg slice.
3. Place 2 bacon slices on top of the cheese.
4. Top with top of muffin.
5. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place all in a large freezer safe bag. Keep in freezer.

TO SERVE:
1. Remove muffin from bag in freezer and remove the plastic wrap.
2. Wrap in a paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds.
3. Turn upside down and microwave for 30 more seconds or until heated through.
*Time may vary according to microwave, so heat until it is warmed to your liking.

Menu 1/8 - 1/14

Saturday - cube steak, baked potato for husby, baked sweet potato for myself, veggie

Sunday - cheeseburgers, baked beans, and Bert's pasta salad

Monday - baked chicken, teriyaki noodles, veggie

Tuesday - bbq meatballs, buttered rice, veggie

Wednesday - NY strip, macaroni and cheese, veggie

Thursday - grilled cheese sandwiches, french fries or potato chips

Friday - cheese ravioli in alfredo sauce with garlic bread

lunches this week - for husby: tuna fish sandwiches, pbj, chicken salad
for me: I ordered meals Tues, Wed, and Thurs. from one of my coworkers whose mom is selling lunches, the other two days i'll be taking leftovers

Money Saving Challenge

Well, i've decided to give up posting about the money saving challenge.  Mainly because i'm pretty lazy and don't feel like posting everyday about ways i've saved money.  But don't worry, I'm still planning to do all I can to save money!  I just can't count on myself to post about it everyday. 

Donna's Hashbrown Casserole

My coworker gave me this recipe a couple of years ago.  Its very good!

30 oz. frozen hash browns (thawed)
2 (10 1/2 oz.) cans cream of potato soup, undiluted
16 oz. sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine hashbrowns, soup, sour cream, 1 3/4 cups cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese.
3. Spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish.  Sprinkle top with remaining cheddar cheese.
4. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
*Sometimes I like to top this with French's fried onions for even more deliciousness!

Frugal Tip of the Day

Dont throw out those used Ziplock bags.  Simply wash with hot water and soap and dry in your dish rack.  (Do NOT reuse ones that contained meat of any kind).  You can do the same thing thing with aluminum foil.

Biscuit Bake

These are super good!

1 (16 oz.) can cheap refrigerated biscuits
4 tablespoons butter, melted
dash or two of garlic powder
dash or two of oregano
salt and pepper to taste
Butter flavored cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x11 baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Separate biscuits into six pieces. Cut each piece into quarters. Roll biscuit pieces into ball shapes.
3. Melt the butter and roll the biscuit balls in the butter and place in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the spices.
4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. If it browns too quickly cover the top with foil.

CVS Trip 1/3

My first CVS trip of 2011!  Yay!  So I went to CVS becaus there were a few things I legitimately needed and wanted to use some ECBs to pay for.  But then I learned about the Wisk deal.  They have Wisk laundry detergent on sale for 2/$10.  When you buy $25 worth of Wisk products you get 10 ECBs.  I walked into CVS and scanned my card first thing at the Coupon Machine and it gave me 5 ECBs for my fall or winter spending.  So all together I went in with 24 ECBs.  Here's my purchases:

Transaction 1:
5 bottles of Wisk laundry detergent
I used a $5/$20 CVS coupon, two $2/1 Wisk coupons, and 16 ECBs.
Total = $1.16 plus I got 10 ECBs

Transaction 2:
1 Clorox Bleach $1.99
1 Cascade dishwasher soap $2.99
1 Act Fluoride rinse $4.99
I used a $0.25 Cascade coupon and 10 ECBs.
Total = $0.77

Because I bought the mouthwash, they scanned a ticket for me that caused a coupon to print on the end of my receipt for 10% off any beauty product which includes toothpaste, shampoo, etc.  So I may find a way to use that as well.  I still have 8 ECBs to use for my next trip.

Money Saving Challenge 1/1/11

Husby and I woke up yesterday morning and decided to head out to New Bern and run some errands.  First we returned a Christmas gift I received to JCPenney and got a gift certificate in return.  Then we headed to IHOP for breakfast.  Husby had been talking about it for a couple of days and I had a buy one menu item get one free coupon so I decided to treat us to breakfast.  Husby had the breakfast sampler and a coffee.  I had an orange juice and the stuffed french toast combo.  Our total came to $23.55 - $8.69 (for husby's meal) and our total was $14.94 we left a $5 tip bringing our grand total to $19.94.  We also went shopping at Target and Big Lots.  Husby bought the stuff we picked up at Target and he used a gift card to purchase the things we wanted at Big Lots.  I won't be incorporating husby's purchases into my MSC. On the way home we stopped at Bill's petshop to pick Persie and Louis up a cat toy and some cat nip.  My total there was $7.35.
We had spiral ham for dinner with homemade mashed potatoes and a salad.  I got the spiral ham on sale a couple of weeks ago for $10 and was able to send in a $10 rebate for it. Nothing like free ham!

Chocolate Chip Bisquick Bars

I love these bars.  They use ingredients you have in your pantry.  Great for potlucks!

2 1/2 cups Bisquick
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine Bisquick, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
3. Spread batter in a 9x13 greased baking dish.
4. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges are browned.  The center will look light and bubbly.

Frugal Tip of the Day

Keep the freezer full. If you have to, put milk jugs filled with water in the freezer. It’s less expensive to keep a full freezer cold than an empty one.  During the summer you can use those frozen milk jugs in coolers to cool your food or beverages.

Happy New Year!

Here is hoping 2011 brings everyone a lot of happiness, good health, and lots of wealth!