CVS Trip 02/05/2013

I was so excited to get back into shopping at the drug stores.  Our stock-pile is growing thin, so I was so happy to get back in the action.  CVS was pretty uneventful.  I had $10 ECB's expiring, and Joe has been asking for some chocolates, so that's what I got, win, win!

4 Variety pks Mars Chocolates $4.49 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $1/1 CVS Coupon - $1/2 MC x 2 - $4 ECB wyb $12 = 4/$5

1 Wonderful Pistachios $1

+ $0.72 Tax

- $10 ECB 

Total OOP: $0.72, JUST TAX!  Earned $4 ECB for next week!

ALDI Trip 02/05/2013

Joe and I also stopped into ALDI this week to stock up after our freezer/pantry challenge in January.  Here's what we ended up with...

2 containers Sour Cream $1.29 ea = 2/$2.58

1 bunch Organic Bananas $1.38

1 bag Yogurt Raisins $1.79

1 box Onion Soup Mix $0.79

1 bar Mint Chocolate $1.89

1 box Baking Mix $1.99

1-5 lb bag Baking Potatoes $2.39

1-3 lb bag Onions $1.69

1 pk Plain Bagels $1.69

+ $0.23 Tax

Total OOP: $16.42

Giant Trip 02/05/2013

Tuesday Joe and I stopped into Giant to use the rest of our gift card towards a $50 purchase, which would earn us an additional $0.30 off per gallon of gas (up to 35 gallons).  We now have a total of $1.10 off each gallon, I cannot wait to go fill up the suburban, and then let it set until the tool show we are doing next month!  Here's how our grocery shopping went down!

Turkey Hill Naturals Chocolate Ice Cream $4.69 - $1/1 MC - $3.69

1 box Eggo Waffles $2.79 - $0.79 Sale = $2

2 boxes Mrs Paul's Fish Patties $5.99 ea - $3 ea Sale - $1/2 MC = 2/$4.98

1 Qt Organic Half and Half $3.79 - $0.25 Sale = $3.54

1 pt Organic Heavy Cream $3.79 - $0.25 Sale = $3.54

2 lbs Laura's Lean Ground Beef $6.30 and $6.36 = 2/$12.66

1 large JIF PB $5.49

1 Nature's Promise Organic Beef Broth $1.25

4 Newman's Own Pasta Sauces $2.89 ea - $0.89 ea Sale - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4/$6

1 Organic Cream of Mushroom Soup $2.69

2 Bull's Eye BBQ Sauces $1.99 ea - $0.32 ea Sale = 2/$3.34

1-100 ct Giant Tagless Tea Bags $1.25

1 pkg Potato Rolls $3.49 - $0.99 Sale = $2.50

2 bottles Giant Bleach $0.77 ea (50% clearance price) = 2/$1.54

+ $0.10 Tax

- $0.15 for using 3 reusable bags

- $48 Gift card used

Total OOP: $70.81 - $16.49 Sales and Coupons - $48 Gift card = $6.42 oop!

ALDI Deals, starting 02/06/2013

Here are some of this week's deals...

• Wednesday 02/06 ONLY: Cattlemen's Ranch Fresh Filet of Beef Garlic Peppercorn 16 oz $5.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Red Velvet Cake Mix 18.25 oz $1.29 ea
• Aunt Maple's Pancake Mix Pink Chocolate Chip or Red Velvet 8-8.5 oz $1.99 ea
• Belmont 9" Chocolate Cheesecake Sampler 50 oz $9.99 ea
• O'Donnell's Strawberry Cream 750 ml $8.99 ea
• Reggano Fettuccine or Linguine 16 oz $0.99 ea
• Chef's Cupboard Beefy Onion Soup Mix 2.2 oz $0.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Honey or Cajun Cornbread Mix 14.25-15 oz $1.29 ea
• Fit and Active Yolk Free Noodles 12 oz $0.99 ea
• Happy Harvest Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz $0.89 ea
• Anchor Hocking True Seal 6 piece Glass Bowls with Lids $9.99 ea
• Navel Oranges 4 lb bag $1.79 ea
• Strawberries $1.99/lb
• Cantaloupe $1.39 ea
• Pineapple $1.89 ea
• Grapefruit $0.39 ea
• Mandarins 3 lb bag $2.59 ea

For more information about ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday: Chili Recipe

With the Superbowl just over, this recipe was fresh in my mind, so I thought I would share it with you today.  My husband loves this chili recipe, and I love that it is so easy to make!  This chili is great with crackers and cheese, and is also wonderful atop a taco salad!  You should make a pot today!

 Ingredients:

1/2 lb fried and drained Ground Beef (or turkey if you want)

1 diced Onion
1 large Red Bell Pepper, diced
1 medium Green Bell Pepper, diced
1 can Pinto Beans, rinsed (or 1 cup crock-pot cooked beans)
1 can Great Northern Beans, rinsed (or 1 cup crock-pot cooked beans)
3 large cans Diced Tomatoes (or 1 Qt + 1 pt home canned)
1 can Chili Seasoned Diced Tomatoes (I get my from ALDI)
1-2 pkts McCormick Mild Chili Seasoning

1. Fry ground beef (or turkey) with onion, drain fat.
2. Add beef/onion mixture to crock-pot with peppers, beans, tomatoes, and seasoning.
3. Cook on low for at least 2 hours and up to 8.
4. Serve with shredded cheese, and crackers.  Refrigerate leftovers.

Linking up to Tempt your Tummy Tuesday!

Menu Plan Monday: 02/04/2013

This week I am planning on doing a lot of paperwork sorting, filing, and organizing.  It should be a nice quiet week here.  We had a good flea market on Saturday, and made enough for groceries for this month, plus some, so that was nice!  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold or Hot Cereals, Waffles, and/or Bagels with Cream Cheese

Lunches: Leftovers, PB and J Sandwiches, or Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Nachos - Superbowl Sunday!

Monday - Zuppa Tuscana with Foccacia Bread

Tuesday - Pork Chops in the Crock-pot with Mushroom Gravy over Rice, with a Vegetable

Wednesday - Salsa Chicken Bake with a Vegetable

Thursday - Homemade Shrimp Alfredo with Garlic Bread and a Vegetable

Friday - Homemade Pizza 

Saturday - Out :-)

Extras: Brownies leftover from last week, and maybe some new-recipe cookies later in the week.

For more AWESOME menu plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 01/27-02/02/2013

Here's this week's spending totals...

• Monday's Shopper's Trip (1 box Baking Mix): Zero oop, used gift card to pay
• Thursday's ALDI Trip (2 dozen Eggs, and 3 cans Chili Diced Tomatoes): $5.07 oop
• Thursday Giant Trip: Zero oop, cashed in coins for a gift card, and used that to pay

• Friday's Dollar Tree Trip: $16.92 oop (used $3.50 in coupons!)

• Saturday's Shopper's Trip (2 newspapers, PB, and Doritos): $11.98 oop

Total OOP: $33.97 - I LOVE gift cards!

Frugal Finds Friday: Slower Cooker Beans

I have discovered the joys of freezer cooking, and I am finding new ways to get food into the freezer without a lot of work.  Cooking beans in the crock-pot is not only cheaper than buying canned, but healthier as well, and so easy!

I sorted 3 cups dried Pinto Beans, and washed them thoroughly.

I put them in the crock-pot with enough water to cover them, plus a little more, and a little salt. 

I let them cook on low for 8 hours, and then let them cool until I could touch the crock.

I measured the beans out into freezer bags, by the cup, I ended up with 5-1 cup bags for the freezer (which equals about 5 cans), plus 2 cups to use in my 2 lbs of taco meat.

Healthy, easy, and FRUGAL!

What kind of frugal finds did you discover this week?

Linked to Works for Me Wednesday!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Crock Pot Pork and Baked Potatoes

This is one of my favorite recipes, easy, simple, and delicious!  It is my go to recipe for pork roast.

1. Put pork roast in Crock-pot with a little bit of water.  Then I shake some Worcestershire sauce over the top and 2 tbsp of butter.

2. I wash the potatoes and place them on top of the roast in the Crock-pot.

3. Cook on low for 8 hours.

4. Eat a delicious meal!

Linking up to Tempt your Tummy Tuesday!

ALDI Deals Starting 01/30/2013

Here are some of this week's awesome ALDI deals...

• Weds. 01/30 ONLY: Smithfield Fresh St. Louis Spare Ribs $2.49/lb
• Kitchen Living Baking Pans 6 cup Bundt, Flower, or Heart, or 12 cup Muffin Tins $3.99 ea
• Boulder Valentine's Paper Tableware $0.99 ea
• Little Salad Bar Greek Yogurt Dips Spinach, Spicy Red Pepper, or Tzatziki 8 oz $1.99 ea
• Happy Farms Cheese Block 8 oz $1.79 ea
• Yancey's Buffalo Wing Cheese 7.6 oz $3.49 ea
• Nature's Path Love Crunch Organic Granola Dark Chocolate and Red Berries 11.5 oz $2.99 ea
• Beaumont Caramel Creme or Cinnamon Spice Ground Coffee 12 oz $4.99 ea
• Celery $0.79 ea
• Baby Carrots 16 oz $0.69 ea
• Avocados $0.59 ea
• Grape Tomatoes $1.29/pint
• Cucumbers $0.39 ea
• Multi-Peppers $1.99/3-pk

For more information about ALDI, visit their homepage!