February's Freezer Cooking Results

Freezer Cooking Results

 Cooked Pinto Beans: 5-1c pkgs + enough for the Nachos and Taco Meat

 Homemade Chili's-style Salsa

 Homemade Chip Cookie Dough: 4 batches, White Chocolate, Butterscotch Chip, and 2 Milk Chocolate Chip

Taco Meat: 5-1c pkgs + Nachos and a little leftover

Cooked Beef 1/2 lb pkg x 2, Cooked Beef with Onions 1/2 lb pkg x 2

 4 - 1/2 batches Pizza Dough (each 1/2 batch makes Joe and I each a personal pizza)

Homemade Bone Broth x 2

Yard Sale Finds for May

I'm finally getting around to posting my yard sale finds from May.  Joe and I hit a lot of sales, and grabbed up a lot of good deals, here's our great finds...

 We stopped out to Mt Airy Days, which is HUGE!  I had never been, so it was a wonderful surprise! 
Wicker Trash Can (Transformation post coming) $1
2 Children's Books 2/$1
1 Table Linen $1
1 Air Pump (Joe uses these for the grill) $0.75
Total: $3.75

The above finds are from 2 yard sales we hit one weekend.
Basket $0.25
Jar $0.75
Total: $1

 This Saturday we stopped at a church flea market and a nice little yard sale.
Pitcher $1
4 Crystal Light mixes $1 ea = $4
Total: $5

Grand Total for May: $9.75!

Frugal Finds Friday: 'Swiffer' Solution Recipe

I bought a refillable Libman 'swiffer' mop a couple of years ago, and LOVE that I can wash and reuse the scrub pads, as well as refill the solution container.  It saves me money, and is very Eco-friendly!  To save money even further, I make up my own cleaning solution.  It's so simple, and only takes 3 ingredients, so you should try it out if you can...

1. Take solution container and fill 1/3 with white vinegar.
2. Add a large squirt of dish soap; I use Dawn cause it's what I have, but I have used Ivory as well.
3. Fill the container the rest of the way up to the fill line with water.  Gently shake to combine.  
4. Go clean your floor!

What are your frugal finds for this week?

Linked to Works for Me Wednesday! 

ALDI Deals, Starting 06/19/2013

Here are some of the great deals this week at ALDI...

• Roseland Baby Back Pork Ribs Original or Honey Garlic 24 oz $8.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Patriotic Cake Mix $0.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Patriotic Marshmallows 10 oz $0.99 ea 
• Baker's Corner Regular Marshmallows 10 oz $0.89 ea
• Choceur Milk Chocolate 5.29 oz $1.49 ea
• Benton's Graham Crackers 14.4 oz $1.49 ea
• L'oven Fresh Everything Bagels 20 oz $1.69 ea
• Great Gherkins Refrigerated Kosher Dill Pickles 32 oz $2.69 ea
• Nature's Nectar All Natural Lemonade, Limeade, or Raspberry Lemonade 59 oz $1.99 ea
• Friendly Farms Mocha or Vanilla Iced Coffee 64 oz $3.49 ea
• Kirkwood Frozen Chicken Breasts 48 oz $5.99 ea
• Lunch Buddies Pudding Cups 4 pk 13-14 oz $0.89 ea
• Bolthouse Farms 100% Carrot Juice 32 oz $2.99 ea
• Boulder July 4th Tableware 8-18 ct $0.89 ea
• Adventureridge Foldable Flag Print or Mesh Chair With Carrying Case $9.99 ea
• Range Master Portable Charcoal Grill $13.99 ea
• Crane Ladder Ball $16.99 ea
• Crane Bean Bag Toss $14.99 ea
• Strawberries $1.59/lb
• Blueberries $1.49/pint
• Honeydew $1.89 ea
• Red Grapes $2.78/2 lbs
• Cantaloupe $1.49 ea
• Peaches, Plums, and Nectarines $0.39 ea

For more information about shopping at ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Taco Salad

 Taco Salad is one of my husband's favorite meals, and I am also pretty fond of it myself.  It is healthier than a plate of nachos, but tastes just as good, and is super simple to make.
All you need is...

• Taco Beef/Chicken
• Shredded/Torn Lettuce
• Shredded Cheese (I like mild cheddar)
• Salsa
• Sour Cream
• Crushed Tortilla Chips (like those in the bottom of the bag, Doritos are tasty too)
• Any salad veggies/legumes you like (I like bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, and extra pintos)
• Salad dressing (optional, I like just some sour cream and salsa mixed together, Joe prefers things a little more fattening wet)

1. Place lettuce and salad veggies/legumes in desired bowl.
2. Heat up your taco meat (I make beef ahead and time and freeze it, so all I have to do is nuke it)
3. Add crushed chips to veggies.
4. Top with meat, and cheese, and any other toppings/dressings you desire.
5. Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Linked to Homemade Mondays, One Project at a Time!

Sunday's Target Trip

I read on a blog that Target was going to have the cat food deal this week where you buy two bags and get a $5 gift card, which was a God-sent miracle, 'cause we were out of cat food.  So Joe and I quickly ran made a leisurely stop at Target on Sunday before they were out of said Cat Chow.  I used a few other coupons while we were there.  Here's what we ended up with...

4-16 lb Cat Chow Cat Foods (2 Original and 2 Indoor, not pictured) $15.29 ea - $3.30 ea Sale - $5/2 Target Coupon x 2 - $1/1 MC x 3 - $5 Target Gift Card wyb 2 x 2 = 4/$24.96 ($6.24 ea!!!!)

2-40 ct boxes Up and Up Freezer Zip Bags $2.49 ea - $0.38 ea clearance = 2/$4.22

2 Up and Up Pump Hand Soap (which took incredibly too long to find - Dear Target, please don't move things to weird places, thank you!) $0.89 ea - $0.50/1 Target Coupon x 2 = 2/$0.78 ($0.39 ea)

2 large Up and Up Rubbing Alcohols $1.97 ea - $0.50/1 Target Coupon x 2 = $1.47 ea or 2/$2.94

+ $1.98 Tax

- $0.05 Reusable Bag Credit 

- $5 Gift Card from Previous Purchase

Total OOP: $44.83 - $10 Earned Gift Cards = Net OOP: $34.83!!!

Sunday's CVS Trip

This week I wanted to stop into CVS to start stocking up on soda for our vacation in August, and I grabbed a few other good deals while I was there...

3-12 pks Coke Products (not pictured) $6.29 ea - $7.87 Sale - $3 ECB's wyb 3 = 3/$8

2 Fruit Waters $1.27 ea - $0.27 ea Sale - $1 ECB's wyb 2 = 2/$1

1 bag Gummy Bears $0.99 - $0.25/1 CVS Coupon = $0.74

1-8 ct CVS Sleep Aid $1.99 - $1.50 clearance = $0.49

+ $0.83 Tax

- $7 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $8.06, Earned $4 ECB's for next week!

Linked to Simply CVS!

Menu Plan Monday: 06/17/2013

This week I don't have too much plan.  Saturday Joe and I are doing a flea market, so I don't want to plan anything too strenuous, since I want Joe to have plenty of energy to help me then.  I have some blogging and housework to catch up on, and then I think I am going to go through our extra clothing storage shelf.  It should be a pretty 'chill' week.  Here's what's on the menu...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Waffles

Lunches: Leftovers, Salads, and/or Sandwiches

Dinners: (All served with Salad or Veggies)

Sunday - Free Soiree we got invited to (a fancy dinner, but free, so good!)

Monday - Take Out

Tuesday - Crock-pot Pork and Baked Potatoes

Wednesday - Zuppa Tuscana with Garlic Foccacia Bread

Thursday - Fresh Takes Baked Chicken Breasts, Vegetable Saute from Freezer, and Frozen Roasted Potatoes (Green Giant)

Friday - Homemade Pizza (Joe's mom has a table at the show too, so she is staying with us)

Saturday - Out?

Extras: Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Chocolate Pudding with Mint Chunks

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

ALDI Deals, Starting 06/12/2013!

Here are some of the awesome deals at ALDI this week...

• Wednesday 06/12/13 ONLY: Cattlemen's Ranch Fresh Filet of Beef Garlic Peppercorn 16 oz $5.99 ea
• Sweet Corn pk $1.59 ea
• Avocados $0.79 ea
• Peaches or Nectarines $0.39 ea
• Cantaloupe $1.49 ea
• Red Grapes $2.78/2 lb pkg
• Seedless Watermelon $4.69 ea
• Casa Mamita Southwestern Bean Salad 15 oz $1.19 ea
• Millville Blueberry Crunch Squares 13 oz, and Honey Grahams Cereal 12 oz $1.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Blueberry Pie Filling With More Fruit 21 oz $2.69 ea
• Tuscan Garden Dressing Coleslaw, Spicy Ranch, or Poppy Seed 16 oz $1.39 ea
• Specially Selected Gourmet BBQ Sauces Original, Chipotle, or Mesquite 18 oz $1.99 ea
• Clancy's Pretzel Thins 16 oz $1.29 ea
• Delicia Sparkling Strawberries and Cream 750 ml $4.99 ea
• Sundae Shoppe Red, White, and Blue Pops 16 ct $1.89 ea
• Sundae Shoppe Summer Blast Pops Assorted Varieties 42.3 oz $1.89 ea
• ALDI Thermal Totes $1.99 ea
• Bestway Rectangular Family Pool $22.99 ea
• Banzai Water Sprinkler Assortment $8.99 ea
• Splash Time Round Pool43" $7.99 ea
• Huntington Home Beach Mat 22" W x 64" L Assorted Colors $7.99 ea
• Aqua Force 750 Water Balloons $4.99 ea
• Ornamental Trees Assorted Varieties $12.99 ea
• 5" Easy Orchid Assorted Colors $9.99 ea

For more information about shopping at ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Weekly Spending Report: 06/09-15/2013

This week I got paid, and then proceeded to spend it all, between shopping to restock the house, and then pay three bills, I have $4 left.  But Joe and I are doing a flea market next Saturday, so we should be able to make it through the month.  Here's what I go this weekend...

• Sunday's Shopper's Trip (donuts and newspapers): $7.11 oop
• Wednesday's CVS Trip: $9.91 oop, Earned $8 Cash and $7 ECB's 
• Wednesday's ALDI Trip: $9.16 oop

• Wednesday's Petco Trip (1 can Friskies Cat Food, used Free Coupon): $0.04 oop (tax)
• Wednesday's Party City Trip (5 Graduation/Father's Day Cards): $4.19 oop
• Wednesday's Good Will Trip (a DRESS BARN gray sheath dress, and a Kim Roger's White short sleeve shirt, which I really needed!): $9.64 oop (Dress was 50% off, so only $5.28!!!)

• Wednesday's Wal-mart Trip (2 hand soap refills, 1 box screws): $10.95 oop
• Wednesday's Giant Trip: $29.20 oop, Saved $16.14 in Sales and Coupons (Earned $0.10 off a gallon!)

• Saturday's Kohl's Trip (bought  Christmas present): Zero oop - Used a $10 coupon to get it for FREE!
• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (Utz Nacho Cheese Chips, Athlete's Foot Cream, 1-8 ct Shoe Laces, Black Pepper, and Felt Furniture pads): $5.12 oop

Total OOP: $85.32 - $15 Earned Rewards/Cash = Net OOP: $70.32!!!!

Linked to Couponaholic!