Menu Plan Monday: April 23rd 2012!

This week things are finally starting to level out.  You'll notice a lot of salads on the dinner menu; Joe and I are both trying to lose weight, and eating lots of veggies is the most efficient way I know to make that happen.  Also, a trip to the farmer's market last week resulted in lots of fresh fruits and veggies in the house, so I hope to stop back again this week on either Tuesday or Wednesday.  Anyway, here's what's cooking...

Breakfasts: Cereal, Yogurt and Granola, and/or Fruit

Lunches: Leftovers, Salads, Canned Soup, and/or Sandwiches

Dinner Choices:

Out :-)

Cobb Salads

Taco Salads

Big Mac Salads (my new creation, recipe to come)

Homemade Pizza or Cheese Bread sticks with Salad

Shrimp Alfredo with Garlic Bread, Steamed Vegetable, and Salad

Popcorn Shrimp with Crock-pot Baked Potatoes and Steamed Vegetable

French Toast with Strawberries

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Sunday's Walgreen's Trip

I also stopped into Walgreen's on Sunday to get some Zantac before it was all gone.  I will be going back later in the week to get more.  Here's what I ended up with today...

3-24 ct Cool Mint Zantac $7.99 ea on Sale - $2/1 Walgreen's Coupon x 3 - $5/1 MC (newspaper) x 3 = $0.99 ea or 3/$2.97
2-16 oz bags Nice Raw Almonds $6.49 ea - BOGO 50% off Sale ($3.25) + 1-11 oz bag Nice Sunflower Seed Kernels $2 - $2 RR wyb $10 Nice Items = 3/$9.73 ($0.23/oz!)
Total OOP, no tax: $14.70!

Sunday's Shopper's Trip

Sunday I stopped into Shopper's just to grab some needed groceries and newspapers.  Here's what I picked-up...

1 head Iceberg Lettuce $1.69
2 Newspapers $1.88 ea = 2/$3.76
1 bag Potato Chips $3
+ $0.23 Tax
Total OOP: $8.68

Spring has Sprung!

 I thought that I would share a beautiful picture with you all illustrating that Spring has sprung here in Westminster!

Weekly Spending Report: April 15-21, 2012!

Here's this week's spending report...

• Tuesday's Rite-Aid Trip: $13.30 oop, Earned $2.99 SCR and $2 UP+Rewards
• Saturday's Target Trip: $21.32 oop
• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (no post, just 2 drinks): $2.12 oop 
• Saturday's Flea Market Finds: $3.50

Total OOP: $40.24 - $4.99 Earned Rewards/Rebates = Net OOP: $35.25!

Saturday's Flea Market Finds!

Saturday Joe and I stopped out at a flea market before it was about to close, and we were able to score some awesome deals!  Here's what we ended up with...

1 Aluminum Roaster Pan (I have the next size larger than this already!) $0.50

1 small Grater (for homemade laundry detergent!) $0.50

1 Aluminum Pizza Cutter $1

1 pair Ball Jar Salt and Pepper Shakers $0.50/pair

1 Crystal Jar with a Sprayer + an Extra Sprayer $1

Total Spent: $3.50!

Saturday's Target Trip

Saturday afternoon, Joe and I stopped into Target to use a few coupons before they expired.  This is what we ended up with...

6 boxes Annie's Macaroni and Cheese $1.77 ea - $0.52 ea Sale = 6/$7.50
2 boxes Annie's Granola Bars $3.69 ea - $0.70 ea Sale - $0.75/1 TC x 2 = 2/$4.48
1 box Annie's Snack Mix $3.99 - $1 Sale = $2.99
2 boxes Up & Up Tissues $1.39 ea - $0.50/1 TC x 2 = $0.89 ea or 2/$1.78
2 bottles Method Spray Cleaner $2.69 ea - $1/1 TC x 2 - $1/1 MC x 2 =$0.69 ea or 2/$1.38
2 bottles Green Works Spray Cleaners $2.49 ea - $1/2 TC - $1/1 MC x 2 = $0.99 ea or 2/$1.98
1 box Up & Up Dryer Sheets $1.37 - $0.75/1 TC = $0.62
+ $0.59 Tax
Total OOP: $21.32
* I also picked up a pair of Sandals, but they come out of a different budget, so they are not listed here ($15.89 with Tax)

Assignment #14: Clean Utensil and Kitchen Junk Drawers!

I had just recently accomplished the task of cleaning out my junk and utensil drawers, so I didn't take any before pictures, but I will share my finished products with you...

This is the clean junk drawer.  I threw away a lot of misc things from the drawer, and just kept essentials, batteries and charger, fasteners and tape, a couple tools I use, and my take out menu organizer (which is going to be re-done soon!).  

 This is the everyday silverware drawer, it also holds my chef and paring knives, and apple corer.

 This is my misc kitchen utensil drawer (gotta love those utensil holders from the dollar store!)  I did clean quite a few utensils out for the flea market pile, and only kept what we use on a regular basis.

 This drawer holds my cutting boards, measuring cups and spoons (which I finally got a basket for).

Lastly, this is my baking utensil drawer.  Since I do a lot of baking for other people, it's necessary to keep my utensils organized, so things are easy and quickly located.

These are the things I ended up getting rid of: 1 Planter's jar I once used for coffee, 4 candy molds that I don't use anymore (I kept a few for different holidays though), 3 spatulas, and 1 cookie scooper (because it's the kind I don't use).

I'm linking up at Money Saving Mom!

Assignment #8: Clean Dresser Drawers

 Things have been so crazy here at the museum, but I finally got around to another one of Crystal's assignments.  There were only three of our drawers (1 of Joe's and 2 of mine) that need to be cleaned out.  The other drawers hold clothing, which was just cleaned out after Christmas, so I just focused my time on the drawers that tend to accumulate clutter.  First up, Joe's drawer.  Nothing really interesting, but I did re-fold the ties and sorted his hankies and bandanas nicely. 

 Next up were my two drawers.  The one on the right is for more important things, like my inhaler, change purse, nail scissors, mints, funeral cards, and extra contacts.  The one on the left is kind of my misc drawer.  It's for things that I need to keep some where I can easily get to them, but that I don't use too often.  I have my ear buds, extra travel pill holders, neck messager's for when I have a migraine, an extra pair of sunglasses, and a cooling wrap for my neck.

 After putting back the things that were needed, this is what I was left with for the donation/flea market boxes: 2 Men's Dress Belts, 2 Ties, 2 old Lanyards, 2 key chains, a velvet pouch, a small Change purse, and a handful of temporary tattoos.  This does not include the two handfuls of stuff that just went into the trash.

I'm linking up at Money Saving Mom!

Tuesday's Rite-Aid Trip

Tuesday while I was out grocery shopping with my mom, I stopped into Rite-Aid for a few deals this week, and was able to stock back up on my vitamins while I was there!  Here's what I ended up with...

1-4 pk Bodi Heat Patches $3.99 - $1 Sale - $2.99 SCR = FREE!
2 bottles Shout $4.19 and $3.99 - $1.69 and $1.49 Sale - $0.55/1 MC x 2 (magazines) - $2 UP+Reward wyb 2 = 2/$1.90
2-80 ct Sundown Naturals B-100 Vitamins $10.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale ($10.99) - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$8.99
2 small Jar Candles (these smell so yummy!) $1.29 ea - $0.29 ea Sale = 2/$2
+ $0.42 Tax
- $5 UP+Rewards used to Pay
Total OOP: $13.30, Earned $2.99 SCR and $2 UP+Reward!