Menu Plan Monday: 03/11/2013

This week Joe and I have a lot to do to get ready for the tool show this weekend.  So we'll be gone two whole days this week working at Joe's grandfather's house, and the rest of the meals, I tried to keep super simple.  The weather has started to warm up here in Westminster, but there is still a little chill in the air, so I'm getting in one more week of cozy crock-pot comfort foods while I can :-)  Here's what's on the menu this week...

Breakfasts: Cereal, Waffles, Bagels

Lunches: Leftovers, or Sandwiches with Chips

Dinners:

Sunday - Sandwiches

Monday - Crock-pot Lasagne, Garlic Bread, and Green Beans

Tuesday - Crock-pot Pork Roast with Baked Potatoes, and a Vegetable

Wednesday - Away at Joe's Grandfather's house

Thursday - Away at Joe's Grandfather's house

Friday - Nachos (with this meat)

Saturday - Homemade Pizza, and Veggies with Dip

Extras: Butterscotch Pudding

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie and Money Saving Mom

Weekly Spending Report: 03/03-09/2013

This week was the first full week of spending for March, and I think I did pretty good.  I spent close to half our budget for March, but I finally feel stocked back up again.  The freezers actually have enough things in them to make meals, which is nice.  I think my spending should be minimal the rest of the month, or at least I'm going to try and curb it.

• Sunday's Big Lots Trip: $19.46 oop
• Sunday's Giant Trip: $20.61 oop
• Sunday's CVS Trip: $8.20 oop, Earned $1.99 ECB's
• Sunday's Rite-Aid Trip: $7.46 oop, Earned $4 ECB's 
• Tuesday's Giant Trip (1 Gelato, 1 magazine): $5.10 oop
• Tuesday's BJ's Trip (1-2 pk Hotdogs, 1-3 pk Butter Spread, and 1 pkg Chicken Breasts): $24.44 oop (used $3 in coupons)

• Tuesday's ALDI Trip: $10.22 oop
• Friday's ALDI Trip: $ 18.26 oop
• Friday's BJ's Trip (1-2 pk Hotdogs, 1-2 pk Provolone Cheese): $10.98 oop

• Saturday's Giant Trip (Salads for dinner, 2 newspapers, and 1 gelato): $27.51 oop

Total OOP: $ - Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $152.24 - $5.99 Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $146.25 - That's a LOT, but I feel that we are stocked back up again.  Next week should be better!

Linked to Couponaholic 

Friday's ALDI Trip - Score on Organic Butter!

Today I made a major score at ALDI, if you have an ALDI near you, you might want to go check it out!  I ran in to pick up a few things while Joe was picking up his prescriptions at CVS; I was rounding the corner to the check-out, and I spotted it - Organic Butter $0.99/lb!!!!!!  Here's what I ended up with...

8 lbs Organic Butter marked down to $0.99 ea = 8/$7.92!

1 box no-cook Lasagne Shells $0.99

1 bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese $3.29

1 bag Yogurt Raisins $1.79

2 pkgs Sage Seeds $0.49 ea = 2/$0.98

1 Cabbage $0.79

1-5 lb bag Russet Potatoes $2.39

 + $0.11 Tax

Total OOP: $18.26

Frugal Finds Friday: Freezer Cooking - Garlic Bread

 Garlic bread is delicious paired with soup, or pasta, but can cost a pretty penny when you want the convenience of having it pre-made and ready to pop into the oven.  So I started getting bread from the bakery and making my own.  Then I thought, why not make it ahead of time and freeze it - DUH!  So that's what I do now, sometimes I even get lucky and can get the day-old bread from the bakery!

 All I do is spread the halved bread with butter (I use Land O Lakes Butter and Olive Oil spread), then I sprinkle on garlic powder, a little Italian seasoning, and some grated Parmesan.  I put the two halves together and wrap them in foil.  I can fit three wrapped 'loaves' per gallon freezer bag.

I usually get the bread down in the morning and let it thaw in the fridge, but if not, you can just bake it a little longer.  If I forget and have to bake it longer, I usually pop the two pieces apart half-way through.
Thawed: Bake at 400 degrees F 10 minutes
Frozen: Bake at 400 degrees F 15-20 minutes, depending on your oven
* this bread is also delicious topped with a little shredded mozzarella as pictured above - yummy!

What was your frugal find for this week?

Tuesday's ALDI Trip

Tuesday Joe and I stopped into ALDI to pick up a few things before the snow hit. The lasagne sheets are an amazing deal; I might stop in and get a couple more before they're all gone...

2 boxes no-cook Lasagne Sheets $0.99 ea = 2/$1.98

1 container Ricotta Cheese $1.79

1 tub Sour Cream $1.29 

Organic Bananas $1.38

1 bag Yogurt Raisins $1.79

1 pkg Hot Dog Buns $0.89

1 pkg Tortillas $0.99

+ $0.11 Tax

Total OOP: $10.22

Sunday's Big Lots Trip

Big Lots wasn't originally on the agenda for today, but when I found a 20% off coupon last night, I decided that it was worth a stop, and I'm so glad that we stopped in.  Joe, my husband, LOVES

his snacks, but they get expensive.  So I decided to stock up on snack for Joe, and they should last at least the month, probably into April.  (I'll share a frugal tip for keeping portions in check on Friday).  I also got some pudding/gelatin that I can make later, and stevia sweeteners.

2 bags Riesen Candies $1 ea - 20% Coupon = 2/$1.60
2 bags Buffalo Blue Cheese Combos $1.80 ea - 20% Coupon = 2/$2.88
2 bags Gardettos $1 ea - 20% Coupon = 2/$1.60
1 box Pop-Tarts $2.50 - 20% Coupon = $2
2 boxes Pyure Stevia 40 ct Sweeteners $1.80 ea - 20% Coupon = 2/$2.88
2 boxes Royal Strawberry Gelatin $0.40 ea - 20% Coupon = 2/$0.64
2 boxes Royal Chocolate Pudding $0.40 ea - 20% Coupon = 2/$0.64
2 bags Pop Weaver White Chocolate Covered Pretzels $0.85 ea - 20% Coupon = 2/$1.36
1 bag Garden of Eatin' Tortilla Chips $1.80 - 20% Coupon = $1.44
1 bag Doritos $2.75 - 20% Coupon = $2.20
1 bag Cable Ties $2.50 - 20% Coupon = $2
+ $0.22 Tax
Total OOP: $19.46, Saved $4.81!

Sunday's Giant Trip

Since I was out running errands Sunday afternoon, I decided to stop into Giant for a few things, some we needed for meals this week (chips, salsa, olives), and others were great deals (bread, BBQ, jelly).  Here's what I ended up with for this week...

Olives off Salad Bar $0.30
Gelato $4.99 - $1 Sale - $1/1 MC = $2.99
2 Bulls Eye BBQ Sauces $1.99 ea - $0.32 ea Sale = $1.67 ea or 2/$3.34
2 Newman's Own Salsa $2.79 ea - $1/2 MC = 2/$4.58
2 Welch's Natural Grape Spreads $3.19 ea - $1.19 ea Sale = 2/$4
1-2 pk Day-old Bakery Bread $2.59 - $1 Giant Coupon = $1.59
1 MintBag Tortilla Chips $3.79
+ $0.02 Tax
Total OOP: $20.61

ALDI Deals, Starting 03/06/2013

Here are some of this week's ALDI Deals...

• Weds. March 6 ONLY: Cattlemen's Ranch Fresh Filet of Beef Original or Teriyaki 16 oz $5.99 ea
• Weds. March 6 ONLY: Cattlemen's Ranch Fresh Corned Beef Points $1.99/lb 
• Sea Queen Popcorn Shrimp, Buffalo or Original 8 oz $1.69 ea
• Season's Choice Frozen Blueberries 12 oz $1.99 ea
• Season's Choice Frozen  Berry Medley or Raspberries 12 oz $1.99 ea
• Season's Choice Frozen Sliced Peaches, Strawberries, or Mixed Fruit 16 oz $1.99 ea
• Fusia Mandarin Orange Chicken 26 oz $4.99 ea
• Millville Cereal Assorted Varieties 12-16.3 oz $1.99 ea
• Kitchen Living Microwave Cookware Assortment $4.99 ea
• Kitchen Living Waffle Stick or Mini Doughnut Maker $14.99 ea
• Sealtite 10 piece Durable Round Container Set $4.99 ea
• Sealtite Stackable File Box $8.99 ea
• Kitchen Living mini Aluminum Fry or Grill Pan $4.99 ea
• Millville Rainbow Chip Chewy Granola Bars 8.4 oz $1.69 ea
• Kerrygold Irish Cheese Blarney Castle or Dubliner 7 oz $2.99 ea
• Organic Russet Potatoes 3 lbs $2.29 ea
• Baby Carrots 16 oz $0.69 ea
• Cabbage $0.79/head
• Organic Fuji Apples 3 lbs $4.29 ea
• Blackberries 6 oz $0.99 ea
• Oranges 4 lbs $1.79 ea

For more information on ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday: Pasta Bake

Pasta bake is a great meal on it's own or a great way to use up leftover sauce and pasta.  Sometimes I freeze the leftovers from pasta meals, separately of course, so I can use them for other recipes, or mix them together to make a delicious pasta bake.

To make this recipe from scratch...

1.) Cook pasta (of your choice) until done based on the directions on the box.

2.) Fry ground beef or turkey* with a diced onion until done, drain.  Add 1 jar marinara sauce.  

3.) Mix pasta, meat/onions, and sauce together and put in a greased pan.  Top with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.  Bake at 350 degrees F until the cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes depending on your oven.  

4.) Serve hot with garlic bread and a side of veggies.  Enjoy!

* Meat is optional, I've made pasta bakes without any meat; I've also used pepperoni in a pinch.

Linked to One Project at a Time

Linked to Tempt my Tummy Tuesday

Menu Plan Monday: 03/04/2013

This week Joe and I are going to work on getting the office in order, I have a lot of organizing to do as well as a lot of projects we can both work on.  We will also be spending Wednesday at his grandfather's house helping him with some projects.  I kept things fairly simple in regards to the meals this week.  Here's what cooking...

Breakfasts: Bagels, Waffles, and/or Yogurt

Lunches: Leftovers, or Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Nachos

Monday - Smoked Ribs with Baked French Fries and a Vegetable

Tuesday - Newman's Own Bagged Meal: Chicken Florentine, Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Working at Joe's Grandfather's house - Probably Chili's for dinner with him.

Thursday - Ham and Potato Soup with Homemade Bread

Friday - Homemade Pizza with Veggies and Dip

Saturday -Undone Stuffed Pepper Casserole (new recipe), Vegetable

Extras: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pudding

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!