Food Lion

So glad I went here today because I caught some unexpected meat deals!

24 pk water $2.99
Corn pops $3.99
2 Cocoa Krispies $3.98
Goldfish $2.19
Country style ribs $4.33
Hamburger $2.54
Hamburger $2.53
Spiral Ham (originally $29.00) - $6.24
Spiral Ham (originally $30.00) - $6.31
Grapes $0.95
Kraft singles $2.99
5 frozen breakfasts $5.00
Pepperoni $2.99
Salami $2.99
Cat litter $8.99
Friskees $7.39
Fancy Feast $7.49
Cat food $3.99
Charmin 4pk $2.59
1 Brawny $1.25

Total - $84.86

CVS 2/19

Sorry that there is no picture today.  It was raining when I did my shopping so I came home in an irritable mood and just didn't feel like taking a picture.  Here's what I got:

1 Coldcalm medicine $6.99

Used $4 in ECBs.

Total - $3.46 plus I have $6.99 in ECBs to use next time.


YTD Savings - $142.41

CVS 1/12

2 Nivea Lip Balm $5.00 (used $3/2 coup) = $2.00

1 Got2B hair styler $3.99 (used $3/1 coup) = $0.99

2 Colgate Total toothpaste $5.50 (used $0.50/1 coup and $1.50/2 CVS coup) = $3.50

2 Arm & Hammer laundry detergent $6.99 (used $1/2 coup) = $5.99

Also used $6.00 in ECBs.

Total - $7.93 plus $4 in ECBs to use next time.

YTD savings - $115.46

Food Lion 2/12

Swiss rolls $1.79
Strawberry cake mix $1.25
Marshmallow fluff $1.99
Red sprinkles $2.19
2 bananas $0.42
1 microwave bake potato $0.60 (I think she under charged me for this)
2 naval oranges $1.70
Strawberries $1.88
4pk Dannon yogurt $1.99
Honey butter spread $1.79
half gallon milk $3.39
24 pk Eggos $3.99
2 frozen breakfasts $4.00
Shredded cheddar $2.39
1 qt skim milk $1.49
Cat litter $8.99
Meow mix $4.50
Reynold's foil $4.49 (Used a $0.55/1 coup) = $3.94
1 meow mix wet food $0.60 (used a free coup) = $0.00

Total - $53.40 plus I bought $5 in trash stickers = $58.40

CVS 2/5

I'm sorry for the even poorer than normal picture today.  For some reason I have not been taking the clearest pictures lately.  I think it might be time for a new camera.

1 Russel Stover heart box $0.99

1 Zarbees children's cough syrup $6.00

I used $3.87 in ECBs I had from my last shopping trip and a $3 coupon CVS emailed me for my birthday.

Total - $0.57 plus I have $6 in ECBs to use on my next trip!

Husby and I do not have children, only furbabies, so the cough syrup will be getting donated to the local food pantry/shelter.

YTD savings - $105.10



Food Lion 2/5

I decided not to go grocery shopping at Wal Mart today because Food Lion is having their deal on Unilever where if you buy $15 worth you automatically get $5 off.  I thought this would be a good time to stock up on Ragu and Knorr Pasta/Rice sides. 

Corn Pops $2.50
Bisquick $2.49
Comet rice $0.99
Knorr Rice/Pasta sides $5 (Used a $0.50/2 coup) = $4.50
4 Ragu $8.76 (used a $1.25/3 coup) = $7.51
1 Bertolli alfredo sauce $2.89
Franks hot sauce $1.39 (used a $0.75/1 coup) = $0.64
2 cans Swanson chicken breast $3.98 (used a $0.60/2 coup) = $3.38
Fritos Scoops $3.00
Shredded lettuce $1.50
1 red pepper $1.61
1 sweet potato $1.39
1 baking potato $0.99
Mozzarella $2.50
Italian bread $1.89
Honey ham $2.99
Hard salami $2.99
Pepperoni $2.99
Cat litter $8.99
Tide $4.99 (Used a $2/1 coup) = $2.99
Fancy Feast $7.49 (Used a $1/1 coup) = $6.49
FL brand cat food $3.99

Used a $1/off your next shopping trip coupon plus got $5 taken off the total automatically for the Unilever deal.

Total with tax - $65.90

Menu Plan 2/4 - 2/10

Saturday: bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches

Sunday: Jamie's buffalo chicken dip
Italian sub sandwiches

Monday: beef fried rice
green beans

Tuesday: cube steak
macaroni and cheese
mixed vegetables

Wednesday: out

Thursday: pancakes and bacon

Friday: NY strip
baked potato for husby
baked sweet potato for me
garlic cheddar biscuits

Jamie's Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is my friend Jamie's recipe.  She made it for a work potluck a long time ago and it was a big hit!  It would definitely be a great Super Bowl food!  I'll be making this tomorrow for my husby.  Here's the recipe!

2 (8oz.) packages softened cream cheese
1 cup ranch dressing
3/4 cup Franks hot sauce
1 (10oz.) can drained chicken
shredded cheddar cheese
Fritos Scoops

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mix cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and chicken.

3. Spread into a sprayed pie dish.

4. Bake for 15 minutes.

5. Sprinkle as much cheese on the top as you'd like.

6. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

7. Serve dip warm with Fritos scoops!

February's Book of the Month

So I didn't do so well with January's book of the month: "The Witch's Daughter".  I'm in about 100 pages.  I'm finding it very hard to get into so I had to put it down to come back to another time.  I started another book a friend lent me to read, "Fireworks Over Toccoa".  I'm about 30 pages in and finding it hard to really get into as well.  Maybe i've just not been in a reading mood or something?  So, I have these two books on the backburner for now.

February's books of the month is one I received for my birthday on Groundhog's Day.  It was one that was on my wish list and I was thrilled to receive it and started it right away.  Its: "The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches: A Practical (and Fun) Guide to Enjoying Life More by Spending Less"

(Photo courtesy of Google Images)

Basically it is about learning to enjoy life more by spending less money.  I saw Jeff Yeager on a tv show called "Extreme Cheapskates" and a few other guest spots on other tv shows here and there and that is what made me interested in reading his book.  I'll let you know what I think!

CVS 1/29

I'm upset with myself over this trip.  I misread the CVS ad this week and thought I was going to get a much better deal on the Fusion ProGlide razor than what I did.  Ugh!  I guess I need to quadruple check myself next time.  Oh well, I still didn't do too bad all in all.

1 Cadbury Egg $0.87 (These are my favorite!)

2 Puffs Plus $1.76 (Used a $1/2 coup) = $0.76

2 Dawn Hand Renewal $1.96 (Used two $0.50/1 coups) = $0.96

1 Regular Dawn $0.98 (used a $0.50/1 coup) = $0.48

3 American Greeting Cards $2.97 (used a $2/3 coup) = $0.97

1 Gillette Fusion Proglide razor $12.99 (used a $5/1 coup) = $7.99

Used $4 in ECBs I had from a couple of weeks ago.

Total - $9.48 and I received $3.87 in ECBs to use next time.

YTD savings - $86.23

Wal Mart 1/29

2 bananas $0.42
2 apple/grape bags $1.96
Pineapple chunks $2.50
2 applesauce pouches $1.76
Bread $1.50
1/2 gallon skim milk $2.93
1/2 gallon whole milk $2.62
cream cheese $1.98
Blue bonnet $3.00
egg beaters $2.68
smoked sausage $2.78 (used $0.50/1 coup) = $2.23
bacon $3.50 (used $1/1 coup) = $2.50
potatoes $2.32
chocolate sauce $1.98
oreos $2.98
2 boxed drake apple pies $4.64
chicken broth $1.78
friskees cans $5.88
2 bounty $4.24 (used $1/2 coup) = $3.24
Charmin $7.97 (used $1/1 coup) = $6.97
fancy feast $6.68 (used $1/1 coup) = $5.68
friskees dry food $3.98 (used $0.55/1 coup) = $3.43
cat litter $7.88

Total - $76.29

I also had to run into Food Lion to get two trash stickers.  That was $5.

Menu Plan 1/29 - 2/6

Sunday: Copycat Panera Bread potato soup

Monday: leftover bbq beef cups for husby
leftover soup for me

Tuesday: smoked sausage
macaroni and cheese

Wednesday: steak
buttered egg noodles
green beans

Thursday: out for my birthday

Friday: cube steak
rice
peas

Food Lion 1/22

Just needed a few things today so I ran into Food Lion.  Here's what I got:

Hamburger buns $1.50
Apple juice $2.50
Macaroni $0.89
Fruit cups $2.69
Poultry seasoning $2.29
Swiss rolls $1.50
2 bananas $0.46
Biscuits $0.79
Biscuits $2.00
Brownie cheesecake ice cream $4.99
Mocha frappachino ice cream $4.99
9 Lives $3.99
Cat litter $8.99
Dishwasher soap $4.29

Total - $43.53

Menu Plan 1/21 - 1/27

Saturday: we had grilled cheese sandwiches

Sunday: cheeseburgers
macaroni salad

Monday: oven fried chicken
buttered egg noodles
corn

Tuesday: steak
leftover macaroni salad or french fries

Wednesday: out

Thursday: bbq beef cups

Friday: bourbon chicken
rice
green beans

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits (Like Red Lobster!)

These are fairly inexpensive and super super easy to make.  They taste wonderful!

2 cups Bisquick
2/3 cup milk
3/4 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter
1/4  teaspoon garlic salt
garlic salt, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Combine Bisquick, milk, cheddar cheese, and a generous sprinkling of garlic salt until a soft, sticky dough forms.
3. Drop by good sized mounds onto a lightly greased baking sheet.
4. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown.
5. While the biscuits are cooking, melt butter and 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt in the microwave.  Mix well.
6. As soon as the biscuits come out of the oven, brush the tops with the garlic butter mixture.
7. Sprinkle light dusting of additional garlic salt over top.
8. Serve warm!

CVS 1/15

(That's Persie's tail you see there to the right)

1 Dawn Hand Renewal $0.99 (used $0.50/1 coup) = $0.49
1 Dawn $0.99 (used $0.25/1 coup) = $0.74
1 Colgate Total $2.77 (used $1/1 coup) = $1.77
1 Ivory soap 3 pk $0.99 (used $0.50/1 coup) = $0.49
2 Glade candles $6.00 (used $1/2 coup and a cvs $3/2 coup) = $2.00
3 American Green cards $2.97

Used $6.24 in ECBs

Total - $3.21 and I got $4 ECBs to use next time

Wal Mart 1/15

2 24pks bottled water $5.94
Skim milk $1.98
Egg beaters $2.78
Heavy cream $2.28
Bread $1.50
2 bananas $0.36
Fruit assortment $3.50
3 fruit drinks $2.64
Fruit snack $0.88
Shredded cheddar $2.32
Sausage links $2.98
2 cans chicken broth $1.54
Fancy feast $6.68
Cat chow $3.98
Friskees $5.88 (used $0.50/1 coup) = $5.38
Idahoan hashbrowns $1.25 (used a free coupon) = $0.00

Total - $46.62

Food Lion 1/15

I needed to stock up on some meat as we were down to one NY strip steak left in the freezer.  I did my primary shopping at Wal Mart today, but I forgot cat litter while I was there, so you'll see that on this shopping trip as well.

NY Strip $3.98
Cube Steak $1.71
Cube Steak $1.47
Beef Bites $2.52
Fresh ground $1.99
Ground chuck $3.49
Ground chuck $3.27
Ground chuck $3.21
Boneless skinless chicken breast $4.49
Boneless skinless chicken breast $4.38
Boneless skinless chicken breast $4.10
2 Hanks orange cream sodas $3.00
Cat litter $8.99

Total - $48.10

Menu Plan 1/14 - 1/20

Saturday: ham fried rice

Sunday: copycat Dixie Stampede soup
grilled cheese sandwiches

Monday: bbq meatballs
buttered egg noodles
corn

Tuesday: pancakes
sausage links

Wednesday: out

Thursday: cheeseburgers
waffle fries

Friday: leftovers

Easy Delicious Fudge

This fudge is delicious and so easy to make.  I made this around the holidays for DH and myself, and I also put some in tins for the neighbors. I prefer my fudge without nuts, but I know some of you are pro nuts, so I'll write the recipe out for both ways.

WITH NUTS

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup mini marshmallows (for a fun look, use the colored ones)
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1. Spray an 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper (making sure paper comes up at least two of the sides for easy removal.
2. In a medium sized pot, melt the chocolate chips into the sweetened condensed milk.  Stir constantly until mixture is smooth.
3. Remove from heat and mix in the marshmallows and nuts.
4. Spread in baking pan evenly.  Refrigerate for a few hours or until firm.
5. Grasp edges of parchment paper and remove fudge from pan.  Cut into squares.  This is rich, so go small.
6. Store in a container in the fridge. Or place in a nice tin to give as gifts.

WITHOUT NUTS

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup mini marshmallows (for a fun look, use the colored ones)

1. Spray an 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper (making sure paper comes up at least two of the sides for easy removal.
2. In a medium sized pot, melt the chocolate chips into the sweetened condensed milk.  Stir constantly until mixture is smooth.
3. Remove from heat and mix in the marshmallows.
4. Spread in baking pan evenly.  Refrigerate for a few hours or until firm.
5. Grasp edges of parchment paper and remove fudge from pan.  Cut into squares.  This is rich, so go small.
6. Store in a container in the fridge. Or place in a nice tin to give as gifts.

Wal Mart 1/8

So I braved Wal Mart today.  Its one of my undocumented New Year's goals to shop there more often.  Its worth it for the monetary savings.  I guess.  Here's what I got:

Charmin 12pk $7.97 (Used $0.25/1 coup) = $7.72
Cat Litter $7.97
1 rolls Brawny paper towels $1.77
Cinnamon Toast Crunch $2.84
Frosted Cinnamon Toast Crunch $2.50
Pringles $1.58
Pringles Ranch $1.58 (Remember when these were $1 a can!?)
Swiffer furniture polish $3.47
Egg beaters $2.68
2 Drakes apple pies $4.64
Mrs. Buttersworth $2.72
Manwich $1.00
Shredded cheddar $2.32
Sour cream $0.98
2 cans cream of chicken $2.44
Welch's jelly $1.98
Peter Pan pb $2.58
Cat chow $4.97
Low carb wraps $2.98
Friskees $5.88
1/2 doz eggs $0.95
2 bananas $0.28
Whitewheat bread $1.98
3 lbs Clementines $3.88 (Used $0.55/1 coup) = $3.33

Total plus tax = $74.01

I also had to swing into Food Lion to get trash stickers.  That was $5.00.

CVS 1/8

1 Snickers bar $0.75

1 CVS Vitamin D 100ct $3.49

1 GE Energy Smart light bulb $2.99

Total - $7.23 (Used $7 in ECBs) +6.75% tax = $0.72 plus I got $6.24 in ECBs to use next time

CVS YTD savings $55.42

The vitamins will be donated to the food pantry/homeless shelter, the Snickers will probably go in a care package to my dad, and the lightbulb will go in the stockpile.

Menu Plan 1/7-1/13

Saturday: cube steaks
bbq rice
green beans

Sunday: beef and noodles

Monday: chicken casserole

Tuesday: Manwich casserole

Wednesday: leftover casserole day

Thursday: bbq chicken
buttered egg noodles
peas

Friday: out/leftovers/fend for yourself

Breakfasts for me - breakfast rollups
Lunches for me - leftovers or egg salad sandwiches

Allowance

I've decided in another effort to save money, I am giving myself a $20 cash allowance each week.  I plan to use this for any eating out, gift contributions at work, snack machine snacks, etc.  Once it runs out, I don't get anymore until the next week.  If I have extra left at the end of the week, I'm going to put it in my loose change jar and hold on to it as an extra savings.  This way I will cut down on my debit card usage and will spend less.  I think spending cold hard cash will make me more aware of how much money i'm actually spending.

Frugal Tip of the Day

When eating out in restaurants, order ice water.  Its usually free.  Sometimes it even comes with a lemon wedge.  You can squeeze the lemon juice into your water, add sweetener of your choice, and voila!  Free lemonade. 

January's Book of the Month

The Witch's Daughter

I received this book from my in-laws for Christmas.  I've been wanting to read it for awhile now and was very happy when I unwrapped it.  The synopsis from Amazon states:

"My name is Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith, and my age is three hundred and eighty-four years. Each new settlement asks for a new journal, and so this Book of Shadows begins…
In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same fate at the hands of the panicked mob: the Warlock Gideon Masters, and his Book of Shadows. Secluded at his cottage in the woods, Gideon instructs Bess in the Craft, awakening formidable powers she didn’t know she had and making her immortal. She couldn't have foreseen that even now, centuries later, he would be hunting her across time, determined to claim payment for saving her life.
In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life for herself, tending her garden and selling herbs and oils at the local farmers' market. But her solitude abruptly ends when a teenage girl called Tegan starts hanging around. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth begins teaching Tegan the ways of the Hedge Witch, in the process awakening memories--and demons--long thought forgotten.
Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, The Witch’s Daughter is a fresh, compelling take on the magical, yet dangerous world of Witches. Readers will long remember the fiercely independent heroine who survives plagues, wars, and the heartbreak that comes with immortality to remain true to herself, and protect the protégé she comes to love."

I'll let you know how I thought it was when I'm finished reading it.  That will hopefully be by the end of this month!



CVS 1/1/12

I was pretty excited to hit CVS this morning, especially when I got the surprise at the coupon kiosk of $9.50 in ECBs from, i'm guessing, my fall spending.  Here's a picture and a run-down of my transaction:

2 Old Spice deodorants $5.00 (Used $1/2 coupon) = $4.00

2 Secret deodorants $5.00

1 Tide $5.49 (Used $2/1 coupon) = $3.49

3 Puffs tissues $2.97 (Used $0.25/3 coupon) = $2.72

1 Dawn Hand Renewal $0.99 (Used $0.50/1 coupon) = $0.49

1 Oral-B Cross Action toothbrush $5.99 (Used $3.00/1 coupon) = $2.99

1 Always Infinity $3.99 (Used $1/1 coupon) = $2.99

2 CVS gummi vitamins $7.99

1 Gillette Fushion Proglide razor $12.99 (Used $5/1 coupon) = $7.99

Used $15.49 in ECBs, a coupon that was sent to my email for $5/$25, and $10.06 I had leftover on a giftcard.

Total OOP - $9.01 plus I got $7 in ECBs to use next time

Today's savings: $55.42