Menu Plan Monday 06/21/2010

This week Joe and I will be at the beach!  We are SUPER EXCITED!  But since it is vacation, I only have a tentative Menu Plan, so check back this week for recipes, and updates, and pictures!

Joe's Birthday Tractor Cake!

I know this is a little late, like almost a whole week late to be exact, but who's counting, right?

Any who, this is the cake I made and decorated for my husband's birthday picnic last Tuesday night.  Both of our families came over to eat some hot dogs and have cake.  We did have a wonderful time!

We're Goin' to the Chapel...

Joe and I had the pleasure of attending his cousin's wedding on Saturday.  We had a blast for the little amount of time we actually go to spend there (we had 4 parties going on here at the museum)!

I just wanted to show everyone my beautiful dress!

Quick Rite-Aid SCR Stop!

My Rite-Aid trip, I will admit is kinda boring, but I thought I would post it anyway as it is an AWESOME deal!

2 Motrin PM 20 ct (bought in separate transactions) $3 ea on Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 = $2 ea or 2/$4 - $3 UP+ Rewards ea = 2 FREE + $2 Money Maker!!!

Martin's Coupon Trip!

While I was shopping at Walgreen's I decided that I would stop in across the street and grab some good deals at Martin's...

1 pkg Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $15.32 - $8.45 Sale = $6.87

2 gallons Turkey Hill Ice Tea $2.85 ea - $0.85 ea Sale - $1/2 MC - 2/$3

4 Heluva Good Sour Creams $1.95 ea - $0.66 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled x 4 = 4/$1.16

3 - 4 pks Yoplait Delights Yogurt $2.75 ea - $0.25 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled x 3 - 3/$4.50

Total OOP: $37.07 - $21.54 Sales & Coupons  = $15.53 -- Savings of 58%!

Walgreen's - Rollin' Those RR's!

I

I stopped into Walgreen's earlier this week to roll my RR's before we go to the Ocean next week!  I just made things simple and did one REALLY AWESOME transaction!

1 Nivea Men's Body Wash $5.99 - $3/1 MC - $6 RR = FREE + $3.01 MM!

1 Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide Razor Kit $9.89 - $4/1 MC - $5 RR = $0.89

3 Eucerin Lotions $1.37 ea on Clearance! - $1/1 MC x 3 = $0.37 ea! or 3/$1.11

3 Butterfinger Snackerz $0.39 ea on Sale = 3/$1.17

+ $1.30 Tax

- $9 RR's used to Pay

Total OOP: $3.85 + I earned $11 in RR's for the next time I shop!

Rite Aid SCR Stop

I was able to stop into Rite-Aid earlier this week and grab up most of the SCR deals!  Here's what I ended up with...

2 Gillette Body Washes $4.99 ea - $2 ea Sale - $4/2 MC - $2.99 SCR = 2 FREE + $1.01 MM!

1 pkg Rite-Aid Baby Wipes $6.99 - $1.40 Sale - $3 SCR = $2.59

1 Pantene Detangler Spray $4.99 - $2.50 Clearance - $1/1 MC - $3 SCR - $4.98 MIR = FREE + $6.49 MM!

2 Nature's Bounty Cranberry Supplements $10.49 ea - BOGO Free Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$8.49

2 Herbal Essences Shampoos $4.49 ea - $2 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 - $1.50 SCR x 2 = 2 FREE

1 Physician's Formula Concealer $7.65 - $1.53 Card Discount - $5/1 RAC = $1.12

1 Visine for Contacts $4.99 - $1 Sale - $2/1 in-ad C - $2/1 MC - $0.99

1 Libby's Chunk Pineapple $0.99 - $0.20 Card Discount - $0.30 RA Video Values C = $0.49

+ Tax $1.78

- $5/25 RA C

- $4 UP+ Rewards from Previous Purchase

Total OOP: $19.30 - Expected SCR/MIR $16.97 = Net OOP: $2.33!  And I was in desperate NEED of the Cranberry Supplements, so it really worked out well!

Quick Food Lion Stop

I also stopped into Food Lion one day when I was going to CVS as well because they are on the same side of town.  Here's the deals I found:

1 Tombstone Pizza $3.58 - $0.25 Sale - $1/1 FLC = $2.33

1 pkg Rib Eye Steaks Manager Markdown to $7.34 (for Vacation!)

2 cans Hunt's Manwich Sauce $1.49 ea - $0.49 ea Sale - $1.50/2 FLC = 2/$0.50

1 Right Guard Deodorant $3.39 - $1.70 Sale - $1/1 FLC = $0.69

1 Smart Option Laundry Detergent $1.99 - $1/1 FLC = $0.99

+ $0.11 Tax

Total OOP: $11.96 -- Saved 47%!

CVS Trip #2

Joe and I stopped into CVS again for another prescription and while he waited in line, I did a little more deal shopping...

3 Soy Joy Bars $0.99 ea - $0.99 ECB x 3 = 3 FREE

4 boxes Bayer Crystals $0.75 ea on Clearance - $1/1 MC x 4 = 4 FREE + $1 MM!

1 Gillette Pro-Glide Fusion Razor $9.97 - $4/1 MC - $5 ECB = $0.97

+ Tax $0.60

- $8 ECB used to Pay

Total OOP: $0.54 + Earned $7.97 ECB's back!

1st CVS Stop this Week

Joe and I made quite a few trips to CVS this week, mostly for prescriptions and gift cards!  This is the first stop of the week...

2 Fruitopia Shampoos 1 @ $2.99 + 1 @ $3.49 - $1.48 Sales - $2/1 CVS C x 2 = 2/$1

2 Gillette Body Washes $4.99 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - BOGO Free MC ($4) - $4 ECB x 2 = 2 FREE + $4 MM!

1 Hydro Schick Razor $8.99 - $0.02 Sale - $5/1 MC - $4 ECB = FREE + $0.03 MM!

1 Cover Girl Wet Slicks $5.99 - $1 Sale - $1/1 CVS C - $1/1 MC - $3 ECB = FREE + $0.01 MM!

4 pkgs Hershey Kisses $3.99 ea - B1G1 for $0.01 Sale x 2 - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4/$5.98 + I earned a FREE Movie Ticket from Hershey!

- $5/30 CVS Purchase Coupon

+ Tax $1.56

Total OOP: $14.52, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $15 ECB's for next time!

Saturday's Target Trip

Joe and I stopped into Target Saturday evening to take advantage of the Cat food deal they were running, and I decided to use up some coupons while we were there...

2 pkgs Pamper's Wipes $2.39 ea - $2/1 MC x 2 = $0.39 ea or 2/$0.78

1 bottle Shout $1.97 - $1/1 Target C - $0.55 MC = $0.42

2 Travel Dove Deodorants $1.02 ea - $1.50/1 MC x 2 = 2 FREE + $0.96 MM!

1 bottle Nature Made Fish Oil $5 on Sale - $1/1 Target C - $2/1 MC = $2

1 box Band-aids $1.77 - $0.75/1 Target C - $1/1 MC = $0.02

2 LARGE Cat Foods $10.99 ea - $5 Target Gift card wyb 2 = 2/$16.98

+ $1.49 Tax

Total OOP: $25.73 - $5 Gift card earned = $20.73 -- Saved $29.97 including gift card!!!

CVS Clearance Rampage!

Joe & I stopped into CVS to pick up a prescription and a FREE $25 gift card and while we were there the clearance was calling out our names ;-)

3 - 2 pks Pilot Pens $1.05 ea = 3/$3.15
1 pkg Shoe Inserts $3
1 Grater Platter $1.25 (Will be doing a review on this after we get back from the ocean!)
+ Tax $0.45
Total OOP: $7.85, paid with FREE gift card!

Menu Plan Monday 06/14/2010

Once again it is time for my FAVORITE weekly post, Menu Plan Monday!  This is the week before we go to OC, so it will be full of gardening, packing, a Wedding and shopping for those last little odds and ends.  So, the menu will be simple!  Here's what it looks like:

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Yogurt, Fruit Salad

Lunches: Leftovers, PB&J or Tomato Sandwiches (if you are in the Westminster area, Baughter's has some AWESOME tomatoes that don't taste like the plastic-y ones in the grocery stores!)

Dinners:

Sunday - Pizza Hut $10 Pizza, paid with a Gift card!

Monday - Chicken Salad or Tomato Sandwiches

Tuesday - Joe's B-day Picnic with Family!  Hot dogs, Coleslaw, Pasta Salad, Chips, & Cake -- YUMMY!

Wednesday -  Parmesan Broiled Tilapia with Rice and Steamed Broccoli

Thursday - Taco Salad

Friday - Alfredo Pasta with Salad and Garlic Bread

Saturday - Joe's Cousin's Wedding!

Sunday - Left over Buffet - MUST CLEAN OUT the Fridge!
** View more great Menu Plans over at Org Junkie!

Coupon Trip to the Dollar General Store :-)

I have not been in a Dollar General Store in a LONG time!  This is the first time I've ever gone coupon shopping there, and I must say it was definitely worth it!  It was a blast and I think that if you know you prices there are a lot of good deals to be found (even though everything is NOT a good deal there)!  Here's what I ended up with:

2 Gillette Body Washes Marked down to $2 ea - $4/2 MC = 2 FREE

2 pouches Martha White Garlic Biscuits $1 ea - 1 FREE item MC = 2/$1

2 Hungry Jack BLUEBERRY Pancake Mixes $1 ea - $1/2 MC = 2/$1

1 box Dunk-a-roo's (They don't sell these any where else except BJ's!) $2 

1 Twin pk Secret Clinical Deodorant $5 - $2/1 MC = $3

+ $0.18 Tac

Total OOP: $7.18!  + I got a survey on my receipt to win $1000.00 -- That would be nice!

A Few Coupon & Clearance Deals @ Wal-mart!

Joe and I made a trip to the Hanover Wal-mart the other night and I was able to find some great clearance items as well as use up a few almost expired coupons!

2 Plastic Bowls $0.60 ea (clearance) = 2/$1.20

1 Very Pretty Summer Cake Plate $1

1 bottle KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce $1.78 - $1/1 MC = $0.78

2 pkgs Rolaids $2.23 ea - $4/2 MC = 2/$0.46

2 pkgs BIC Crystal Pens $1 ea - $1/1 x 2 = 2 FREE

Total: $3.44 + Tax!

Garden Update!

I am so happy that my husband and I have finally gotten our garden in this year! We are changing the area we are planting in and that is part of the reason why it has taken us a little while to get started. Hopefully we will be harvesting veggies VERY SOON!
This is the Squash Area.

Close up of a Squash plant. We have 2 yellow squash, 2 zucchinis & 2 cucumber plants in this area, as well as a blueberry bush.

More squash plants...

These are my sweet little bell pepper plants!

Hopefully next week we can get the other blueberry bushes in as well as the tomato plants.
For More Gardening Updates Visit Savings Makes Cents

Menu Plan Monday 06/07/2010!

It's that time again, time to plan the menu for the week! This is definitely my most favorite weekly post! This week will be full of gardening, so meals are going to be quick and simple :-)

Here's what's cookin' in Mrs. Rogers' Frugal Neighborhood...

Breakfasts: French toast casserole*; Bagels with Cream Cheese and Fruit Salad; Cold Cereal

Lunches: Leftovers; Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Chips

Dinners:
Sunday - Out to Dinner with Nan & Pap
Monday - Pizza!
Tuesday - Fettuccine with Garlic Bread and Salad
Wednesday - Crock-pot Ribs and Baked Potatoes* with Broccoli
Thursday - Grilled Salsa Chicken* with Mexican Rice and Salad
Friday - Leftover Buffet
Saturday - Taco Salad

What's Baking: Zucchini Bread* :-)
*Recipe to Come

Yard Sale Finds!

My Mommy and I went to some yard sales on Saturday morning, and I found this beautiful picture frame. And at the awesome frugal price of just $2!!! It is going to look wonderful in the living room with our wedding photos in it!

Saturday's Coupon & MIR Trip to Target!

Joe and I stopped into Target Saturday night so that I could do a little coupon shopping and pick up some things for some MIR's! All in all, it was a VERY productive trip!

2 Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayers $8.69 ea - $3/1 Target Coupon (TC) x 2 - $5/1 MC x 2 = 2/$1.38
1 Shout Stain Remover $1.97 - $1/1 TC - $0.55/1 MC = $0.42
- $5 MIR for buying 3 SC Johnson Items in one Transaction = All FREE + $3.20 MM!
1 Armour All Wipes $4.87 - $2/1 MC = $2.87 + 1 Armour All Wheel Protectant $6 - $2/1 MC - $3/2 TC - $6 MIR for Protectant = both FREE + $2.13 MM!
4-10 ct boxes Crystal Light $1.97 ea - $3/3 MC & $1/1 MC = 4/$3.88
5-6 ct tubs Crystal Light $2.98 ea - $3/3 MC & $1/1 MC x 2 = 5/$9.90
1- ct pkg Full Size Cookies and Cream Hershey Bars (a Vacation Splurge) on Clearance $2.71
+ Tax $1.39
Total OOP: $25.55 - $11 expected MIR's = Net OOP: $14.55 -- Savings of 77%!

Quick Rite-Aid Stop!

This week's Rite-Aid trip was full of GREAT deals including some SCR items! Here's how it went...

Transaction #1:
1 Sea-breeze Astringent (60% Bonus Size!) $5.29 - $1.06 Sale - $3 SCR - $1/1 MC = $0.23
1 Reach Toothbrush twin-pk $4.79 - $0.96 Sale - $3 SCR - $1/1 MC = FREE + $0.17 MM!
3 Pamper's Wipes 60 ct $3.49 ea - $1 ea Sale - $2/1 MC x 3 = 3/$1.47
1 Blink Tears $10.49 - $2.50 Sale - $7.99 SCR - $2/1 = FREE + $2 MM!
+ Tax $0.94
- $5/25 RA Coupon
Total OOP: $9.46, paid with FREE gift card - $13.99 expected SCR = All FREE + $4.53 Money Maker!!

Transaction #2:
1 Sea-breeze Astringent (60% Bonus Size!) $5.29 - $1.06 Sale - $3 SCR - $1/1 MC = $0.23
1-50 ct Rite Aid Cranberry Pills $7.49 - $1.50 Card Discount = $5.99
2 Old Spice Body Washes $4.79 ea - $1.29 ea Sale - $4 Up+Rewards - BOGO Free MC ($3.50) = 2 FREE + $0.50 MM!
2 Reese's King Size Bars $1.49 ea - $0.30 ea Card Discount = 2/$2.38
1-12 ct Dramamine $5.99 - $1.20 Card Discount - $2/1 in-ad C - $1/1 MC = $1.79
+ Tax $0.82
- $5/25 RA Coupon
Total OOP: $12.71, paid with FREE gift card - $4 Up+Rewards - $3 SCR = $5.71

Net Cost for both Transactions: $1.18!!

CVS Trip for this Week

CVS was a nice small week this week! I like those every once in awhile! It was nice to be in and out in just a few minutes, and that including picking up a prescription and a FREE $25 gift card!

Here's what I ended up with...

2 boxes Frosted Flakes + 1 box Special K Cereal 2 @ $4.99 & 1 @ $4.49 - $4.47 in Sales - $1.50/3 MC - $5 ECB = 3/$3.50
2 bags Doritos (small size) $0.99 ea - $1 ECB wyb 2 = 2/$0.98
1 Fusion Pro-Glide Razor $12.99 - $3.02 Sale - $4/1 MC - $5 ECB = $0.97
3 - 24 pks CVS bottled H2O (Not pictured) $3.99 ea - $1.11 ea Sale = 3/$8.64
+ $0.87 Tax
- $5/15 CVS Coupon
- $16 ECB's used to Pay
Total OOP: $4.96, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $11 ECB's back for next time!

Weekly Spending Totals 05/30-06/05

This week's spending did not go as planned. We definitely spent more than I wanted to, however, the spending DID include a number of things that we needed for our vacation, like rope and steaks! So that does make me feel a little better. However, I still vow to do better this week!
Here's how it looks:

Food - $18.38
Health & Beauty - $10.24
Household - $26.71
Total: $55.33

I think that if I can stay out of Target, the Dollar Store and Big Lots, I think that this week should look a LOT better, or at least I hope so :-)

Big Lots Stop!

Joe and I stopped into Big Lots yesterday while we were waiting for a prescription to be filled at CVS, and because we were in need of some bins, which aren't pictured...

1 bottle Pure Vanilla Extract $3
2 pkgs Jimmy Dean Peppered Gravy Mix @ 0.50 ea = 2/$1
1 box Sleep Aid $1
1 pkg Rope $7
2 Bins 1 @ $9 + 1 @ $4.25 = 2/$13.25
+ $1.22
Total OOP: $26.47 + I got to scan my Big Lots Rewards Card :-)

Martin's Trip - Very Small :-)

This week's Martin's Trip was a little pathetic, but I was able to pick up the steaks for our vacation the end of this month, and not only were they on sale, but I also had a meat coupon to use - YAY!

2 bottles Hormel Bacon Pieces $1.64 ea - $0.14 ea Sale - $1/2 MC = 2/$2
2 pkgs Sargento Reduced Sodium Cheese $3.39 ea - $1.39 ea Sale - $0.75/1 MC doubled to $1.50 & $1/1 MC = 2/$1.50 or $0.75 ea!
1 pkg NY Strip Steaks $13.79 - $2.91 Sale - $1/10 Meat Purchase Martin's C = $9.88
Total OOP: $23.85 - $10.47 Sales & Coupons = $13.38, savings of 44%! Not a great percentage, but but when you figure $10 of my total was steak, it makes me feel a lot better :-)

Walgreen's Trip -- Gotta Roll those RR's!

Walgreen's is just filled with good deals this week! I was able to grow my RR's as well, in other words it was a GREAT trip!

Transaction #1:
2 Extension Cords on Clearance @ $0.49 ea = 2/$0.98
1 bag Scrunci Elastics on Clearance $0.75!
1 pkg U by Kotex Pads $3.49 on Sale - $2.50 RR - $1/1 MC = FREE + $0.01 MM!
1 box Ecotrin Aspirin $2 on Sale - $2/1 MC - $2 RR = FREE + $2 MM!
2 cans Lindsay Olives $2/$4 - $2.02 in-ad C - $1/2 MC = 2/$0.98
+ Tax $0.11
- $4.50 RR used to Pay
Total OOP: $0.81 + Earned $2 & $2.50 RR's + A Catalina for a FREE pkg of Always Pads!

Transaction #2:
1 bag Renuzit Crystals $6.99 - $2 online C - $3/1 MC = $1.99
1 pkg Butterfinger Bites $0.50
1 box Ecotrin Aspirin $2 on Sale - $2/1 MC - $2 RR = FREE + $2 MM!
1 pkg U by Kotex Pads $3.49 on Sale - $2.50 RR - $1/1 MC = FREE + $0.01 MM!
+ Tax $0.33
- $3 RR used to Pay
Total OOP: $2.31 + Earned $2 & $2.50 RR's + A Catalina for a FREE pkg of Always Pads!