Menu Plan Monday, 04/29/2013

This week Joe and I are working on some projects for the house, like fixing up two lamps for the living room.  We are also gearing up for the first event here at the museum, where we have a few things to set up for sale.  I tried to keep the menu simple this week, to help get us through until we get paid and can go grocery shopping.  Here's what's on the menu...

Breakfasts: Waffles, Cold Cereal, and/or Fruit and Yogurt Smoothies

Lunches: Leftovers or Sandwiches/Salads

Dinners: (All dinners but salads served with a Steamed Vegetable)

Sunday - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Monday - Taco Salads 

Tuesday - Grilled Chicken Salads

Wednesday - Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

Thursday - Homemade Pizza

Friday - Take-in

Saturday - TBA

Extras: Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and Banana White Chocolate Chip Bread

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 04/21-04/27/2013

This week

• Sunday's Walgreen's Trip (6-24 pk Nice! Bottled Water): $12.66 oop
• Sunday's CVS Trip: $8.46 oop, Earned $7 ECB's
• Sunday's Shopper's Trip: $14.82 oop 
• Wednesday's Shopper's Trip (Cake Supplies): $5.57
• Earned $10 for Cake ordered
• Saturday's BJ's Trip (Waffles, Crystal Light, and Land O Lakes Olive Oil Butter Spread, used 3 coupons): $24.96 oop
• Saturday's Walgreen's Trip (4-24 pks Nice Bottled Water): $8.44 oop
• Saturday's Giant Trip (2 Newspapers, 1 head Organic Green Leaf Lettuce: $5.91 oop

Total OOP: $80.82 - $17 Earned Rewards/Cash = Net OOP: $63.82!  Not horrible, but we won't have to buy waffles or bottled water for a while!

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Frugal Finds Friday: Homemade Detangler

2 tbsp Condtitioner

+

Water to fill a spray bottle

= 

Homemade Detangler

Shake, spray on hair and comb as usual.

It's just that simple!   Give it a try, and think of the money you'll save!

Linked to Make your Own Monday and Works for Me Wednesday!

ALDI Deals, Starting 04/24/2013

Here are a few of the awesome deals at ALDI this week...

• Weds. 04/24 ONLY: Kirkwood Fresh Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breasts 14 oz $4.99 ea
• Pineapple $1.69 ea
• 3 lb bag Apples all varieties $2.69 ea
• Strawberries $1.39/lb
• Oranges 4 lb bag $1.79 ea
• Mangoes $0.79 ea
• Bananas $0.44/lb
• Friendly Farms All Natural Chocolate Almond Milk 64 oz $2.49 ea
• Chaza Exotic Pomegranate Splash 750 ml $4.99 ea
• Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Garlic Bread Loaf 16 oz $1.59 ea
• Apple and Eve Fruitables 8 pk Juice Boxes Assorted Varieties $2.49 ea
• Apple and Eve Sesame Street 100% Juice Boxes 8 pk $1.99 ea
• Kirkwood Dino Buddies Chicken Nuggets 46 oz $6.49 ea
• Kirkwood Safari Chicken Nuggets 32 oz $3.99 ea
• Naked Red Machine (Juice) 15.2 oz $2.49 ea  
• Season's Choice Potatoes O'Brien 28 oz $1.29 ea
• Gardenline Garden Cart 15.83 gal $19.99 ea
• Gardenline Sprinkler Assortment $7.99 ea
• Gardenline 15" Planters $9.99 ea
• 10" Flowering Hanging Baskets $5.99 ea
• Gardenline 6-in-1 Garden Tool, Pruner Set, or Shears $4.99 ea
• Gardenline 18" Watering Wand Assortment $3.99 ea
• Gardenline Flowering Clematis Vine Assortment $4.99 ea
• Crane 5 Station Swing Set $99.99 ea
• Step2 Wagon for 2 Plus $49.99 ea

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

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday: Chicken Fajitas

This Sunday we had our family over for a Mexican Fiesta, which included taco meat and shells, as well as chicken fajitas.  Chicken fajitas are one of our favorite meals to serve, and eat, of course ;-)  Not only are they delicious, but super simple, and rather healthy as well.  Here's my non-recipe...

1. Cube up desired amount of Chicken Breasts (I do one per person, that way I usually have leftovers).
2. Saute chicken in a skillet with Olive Oil, and Fajita Seasoning (I use McCormick), until chicken is no longer pink in the center.
3. Add Sliced Bell Peppers (whatever colors you like, about 1 medium per 2 medium breasts), and Sliced Onions (you can you red, white, or yellow, I use yellow, and also about 1 medium per 2 medium breasts).  I add a little more seasoning and olive oil when I add in the veggies to make sure nothing sticks.
4. Continue to saute on medium heat and stir frequently until the veggies have cooked down, and are softened.
5. Serve hot with warmed tortillas, shredded lettuce and cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, and sliced avocados or guacamole.  The topping combinations are half the fun! 

Linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, A Bowl Full of Lemons, and Homemade Mondays!

Sunday's Shopper's Trip

Sunday I need to pick up the meat and ice cream for our Mexican Fiesta, SO I stopped into Shopper's to use the last of my birthday gift card.  I also picked up a few things that I either can't get at Giant (spaghetti), or that were way cheaper (pasta sauce and olives).  Here's what I ended up with...

2 lbs Laura's Lean Ground Beef $6.49 ea = 2/$12.98

1-2 pk Perdue Chicken Breasts $4.99

.11 lbs Jalapenos from the Salad Bar for Joe $0.60

1 carton Turkey Hill Naturals Coffee Ice Cream $3.99 on Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 = $2.99

1 carton Turkey Hill Stuff'd PB Ice Cream $3.50 on Sale - $1/1 MC = $2.50

2 jars Newman's Own Pasta Sauce $2.69 ea on Sale - $1/2 MC = 2/$4.38

2 cans Sliced Black Olives $0.79 ea = 2/$1.58

2 boxes Organic Spaghetti $1.59 ea = 2/$3.18

+ $0.04 Tax

- $18.42 Gift Card used to Pay

Total OOP: $14.82

Menu Plan Monday: 04/22/2013

This week we finally got together with my family for our Mexican Fiesta.  We will also get to go to Joe's grandfather's house on Wednesday and get some work done there.  So, a nice balance of work and play.  :-)  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Smoothies, and/or Waffles

Lunches: Leftovers, and/or Salads

Dinners: (All served with salad or a steamed veggie)

Sunday - Family Mexican Fiesta: Chicken Fajitas, Taco Meat/Shells, Mexican Rice, and Chips and Salsa with Brownie Sundaes for dessert!

Monday - Cheesy Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf

Tuesday - Cheese Steak Egg Rolls, Onion Rings

Wednesday - Working at Joe's Grandfather's house, probably eating at Chili's with him.

Thursday -Homemade Pizza, Veggie Sticks and Dip

Friday - Out :-)

Saturday - Pancakes with Chipped Beef Gravy, and Fruit

Extras: Brownies!

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Sunday's CVS Trip

This afternoon Joe and I stopped into CVS to pick up one of my prescriptions, and while we were there, I grabbed up some awesome deals.  Here's what we ended up with...

2 Tom's Toothpastes $5.49 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $2/$8 Toothpaste CVS Coupon - $2/2 MC - $2 ECB's = 2/$2!

2 Crest Toothpastes $3.99 ea - $1 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 - $2 ECB's x 2 = 2 FREE!

1-100 ct box CVS Alcohol Prep Pads $2.37 - FREE CVS Coupon = FREE!

4 bags Gardetto's Snack Mix $1.25 ea (on sale, regular price not listed) - $0.50/2 MC x 2 = 4/$4

1 Snickers Egg $0.87 - $0.43 Clearance = $0.44

+ $1.04 Tax

- $5 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $8.46, Earned $7 ECB's!

Linked to Simply CVS!

Weekly Spending Report: 04/14-20/2013

This week...

• Sunday's Rite-Aid Trip (1 Arm and Hammer Cat Litter, not pictured): $17.12 oop, Earned $7 UP+Rewards

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $29.80 oop

• Monday's Shopper's Trip (1 bag shredded Cheddar cheese): $2 oop
• Saturday's ALDI Trip: $18.06 oop

 

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $10.18 oop

• Saturday's Giant Trip: $45.81 - $18.44 Sales/Coupons/Save $5 Deal = $27.37 oop

Total OOP: $104.53 - $7 Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $97.53!  That's a LOT of money, but I feel good about what I was able to stock up on, including: raw sugar, lean cuisines, cat food and litter, fruits and veggies, and meal fixings.

Frugal Finds Friday: Homemade Drain Cleaner/Freshener

 2 tbsp Baking Soda + 1 c White Vinegar =

 Homemade Drain Cleaner/Freshener!

This cleaner is great to get the slimy build-up out of your pipes.  I use is about once a month.  I don't know how it would do if you actually had a clog, but by doing this treatment once a month, I haven't had a clog since I started.  I follow the baking soda/vinegar with a kettle of boiling water once the fizzing has stopped.  It's that simple, and very frugal, and green, so give it a try!

Linked to Homemade Mondays and Works for Me Wednesday!

ALDI Deals, Starting 04/17/2013

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

• Weds. 04/17 ONLY: Fresh USDA Choice Strip Steak $7.99/lb
• Muli-Peppers 20 oz $2.19 ea
• Cucumbers $0.29 ea
• Baby Carrots 16 oz $0.69 ea
• Mushrooms 8 oz $0.79 ea
• Organic Grape Tomatoes 10 oz $2.29 ea
• Organic Romaine Lettuce 3 pk $2.29 ea
• Clancy's Pretzel Sticks or Mini's 16 oz $1.29 ea
• Fit and Active Nonfat Key Lime Yogurt 6 oz $0.39 ea
• Fit and Active 94% Fat Free Mini Microwave Popcorn Bags 10-1.2 oz bags $1.99 ea
• Fit and Active Reduced Fat Deli Sliced Cheese Sharp Cheddar or Swiss 6.67 oz $1.99 ea
• Fit and Active Fat Free Dressing French or Thousand Island 16 oz $1.39 ea
• Fit and Active Low Fat Dressing Assorted Varieties 16 oz $1.39 ea
• Fit and Active Healthy Condensed Tomato Soup 10.75 oz $0.79 ea
• Fit and Active Vegetable Beef Soup 18.8 oz $1.49 ea
• Fit and Active Light Mayonnaise 30 oz $1.99 ea
• Happy Farms Deli Sliced Pepper Jack Cheese 8 oz $1.99 ea
• L'oven Fresh Hamburger Buns 12 oz $0.89 ea
• Season's Choice Whole Onion Rings 16 oz $1.99 ea
• Millville All Natural Granola 10 oz $3.89 ea
• Southern Grove 100 calorie Nut Assortment, Assorted Varieties 3.92-4.41 oz $1.99 ea
• Lunch Buddies Fruit Twists Grape or Strawberry 3.8 oz $1.99 ea
• Gardenline Umbrella Stand $16.99 ea
• Gardenline 9' Umbrella $29.99
• Gardenline Umbrella Light $7.99 ea
• Gardenline 10 ct String Lights Assorted Styles $7.99 ea
• Spectracide Ready to use Weed Stop, Bug Stop, or Weed and Grass Killer 128 oz $4.99 ea
• Range Master Porcelain Grill Topper Flat or Wok $4.99 ea

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

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Scalloped potatoes were one of my favorite foods growing up.  My mom would make the kind out of the box, in a lovely Corning ware casserole dish in the microwave.  As I started reading about all of the bad things in our foods, I found some of those items listed on my scalloped potato box.  Ew!  So, I searched the web and found several recipes to try, they all are melded together in this recipe after some trial and error.

• About 1 and  1/2 lbs (about 8 small or 5-6 medium sized) Thinly Sliced Potatoes (I use Red Potatoes, and leave the skins on when I slice them, but I have used Russets as well)
• 3 tbsp Butter (I use Unsalted)
• 1/2 cup Shredded/Diced Ham (great way to use up those leftovers)
• 1 medium Finely Minced Onion
• 3 tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• Few Shakes of Pepper
• 1 and 1/2 c Milk
• 1 c Grated Cheddar Cheese (I use Mild)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Peel (if you want) and thinly slice your potatoes.
2. Saute your onion in the butter over medium heat.  Blend in the flour, salt, and pepper, until smooth.  
3. Gradually add milk and stir until thickened, slightly bubbly.
4. Add cheese, stir until smooth.
5. Alternate potatoes, ham, and cheese sauce in a greased 9x13" pan (I've used one slightly smaller as well.
6. Cover with foil and bake 1 hour.  Remove foil, sprinkle with additional shredded cheddar, and bake 15 more minutes, or until melted.
7. Serve hot, and refrigerate any leftovers.

Enjoy!

Linked to Homemade Mondays, Make Your Own Monday, The Natural Living Link-up, One Project at a Time, and Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday!

Menu Plan Monday: 04/15/2013

This week should be a nice relaxed one, hopefully with beautiful weather!  I work a couple of days, Joe has some meetings to go to, and we are getting together with one of my sisters and her daughter, and my dad, for a Mexican fiesta!  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Fruit Smoothies, and/or Waffles

Lunches: Leftovers, Salads, or Sandwiches

Dinners: (All dinners but salads served with a steamed vegetable or veggie dippers)

Sunday - Free food at Salsarita's!

Monday - Mexican-marinated Grilled Chicken Salads

Tuesday - Crock-pot Lasagne, Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Mexican Fiesta (Fajitas, Tacos, Rice, Chips, and Homemade Salsa)

Thursday - Fruited Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Chips

Friday - Leftover Buffet (or 'clean out the fridge night)

Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Extras: Brownies, and maybe Rice Krispy Treats

For more AWESOME menu plans, visit Org Junkie!

Frugal Finds Friday: Cut it in Half (sponges that is)

A big part of being frugal, is having the ability to stretch things, and make them last as long as possible.  It's a concept that can be applied to a lot of things: t-shirts, meat, and even sponges.  Sponges are a simple thing to make last, because all you have to do is cut your new one in half.  Use half now, and when it starts to get gross, toss it and use your other half.  This doubles the life of your sponge!  Give it a go and see what you think.  It took me a little while to get use to the smaller scrubbing surface area (say that three times fast), but now it's just like business as usual.

So, what things do you like to s-t-r-e-t-c-h?

Wednesday's Giant Trip

We ran out of light and energy on Tuesday, so we saved our Giant trip for Wednesday on our way home from Joe's grandfather's house, since we knew it was going to be a large trip.  We needed some things for meals this week (lettuce, eggs, milk), I also stocked up on some good deals (tomatoes and steak) as well.  Here's what we ended up with...

1 Gelato $4.99 - $1 Sale - $1/1 MC = $2.99
1-1/2 gal 2% Horizon Organic Milk $3.69
1 bag Hard Cooked Eggs (should get us through until our chickens lay) $2.49
1 pkg Fresh Sage $1.99
Organic Green Leaf Lettuce $2.44 (almost 1 lb at $2.49/lb)
1.57 lb Honey Crisp Apples at $3.49/lb = $5.48
0.91 lb Gala Apples at $1.69/lb = $1.81
0.91 lb Red Onion (1) at $1.59/lb = $0.78
1 Newman's Own Marinara Sauce (I'll be SO glad when I get some coupons for this!) $2.89
2 cans Muir Glen Diced Tomatoes $1.99 ea - $0.75/1 doubled to $1.50 x 2 = 2/$0.98
1 carton Organic Cream of Mushroom Soup $2.79
2 Luna Fiber Bars $1.25 ea - $0.25 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2 FREE!
1 can Chi-Chi's Whole Jalapenos (for Chili's Salsa) $2.49 - $1.25 Sale = $1.24
2 Flat Iron Steaks (will make 4 meals for Joe and I) $6.03 and $6.20 = 2/$12.23
1 bag Organic Tortilla Chips $3.99 - $0.49 Sale = $3.50
- $0.10 Reusable Bag Discounts

Total OOP: $54.54 - $9.61 Savings and Coupons = Net OOP: $44.93!

Tuesday's Rite-Aid Trip

We stopped across the street at Rite-Aid next to pick up a few deals...

1 bag 'Valentine's' Sweet Tarts $1.29 - $0.97 discount = $0.32

1 pkg BIC Silky Touch Razors $4.49 - $1.50 Sale - $3/1 MC - $2 UP+Rewards = FREE $2 Money-maker!

1 Rave Hair Spray $2.99 - $0.30 card discount - $1/1 MC - $1 UP+Reward = $0.69

1 Visine for Contacts $5.29 - $0.53 card discount - $2/1 MC - $2/1 in ad Coupon = $0.76

2-12 pks Coke Zero and Coke $5.79 ea - $2.29 ea Sale - $2/2 in-ad Coupon = 2/$5

+ $0.78 Tax

- $3 UP+Rewards used to Pay

Total OOP: $5.54, Earned $3 UP+Rewards!

Weekly Spending Report: 04/07-13/2013

This week was, well, you'll see below, ugh ...

• Tuesday's Baugher's Trip (3 Bell Peppers): $1.79 oop
• Tuesday's Good Will Trip (1 pretty pillow case to make throw pillow covers out of, and 1 nice tie for Joe): $2.27 oop 
• Tuesday's Wal-mart Trip (just TP, lots of allergy medicines, and cold stuff for my car ac): $32.03 oop
• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $6.63 oop, Earned $5 ECB's
• Tuesday's ALDI Trip: $18.89 oop
• Tuesday's Rite-Aid Trip: $5.54 oop, Earned $3 UP+Rewards
• Tuesday's BJ's Trip (2 pouches Crystal Light, and 1-3 pk LOL Olive Oil Spread Butter, used 3 coupons): $15.22 oop
• Wednesday's Giant Trip: $44.93 oop
• Thursday's Amish Market Trip (Cheese Pretzel Crackers - yummy!): $8.21 oop
• Thursday's Giant Trip (forgot the tea bags x 2): $2.50 oop
• Saturday's Giant Trip (Gelato, 2 Newspapers, Doritos, Dressing Mix, 1 Lime, and Olives off the salad bar for Joe's Taco Salad): $13.95 oop

Total OOP: $151.96 - $8 Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $143.96, Ouch!  But I spent like nothing last week, so I definitely made up for that this week.  Next week will have to be better!

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Tuesday's ALDI Trip

Next stop after CVS Tuesday was next door to ALDI.  There were a few things that we needed for the month, so I went ahead and picked them up...

2 tubs Ricotta Cheese $1.79 ea = 2/$3.58

2 tubs Shredded Parmesan Cheese $1.99 ea = 2/$3.98

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

2 pkgs Flour Tortillas $0.99 ea = 2/$1.98

2 Avocados $0.79 ea = 2/$1.58

1 bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese $3.29

1 pouch Yogurt Raisins (for Joe) $1.79

+ $0.11 Tax

Total OOP: $18.89

Tuesday's CVS Trip

Our first stop after locking the gate Tuesday evening was CVS.  I was happy to find a few things still in stock.  Here's what I ended up with...

1 bottle Infusium Conditioner $7.69 - $2.69 Sale - $2/1 MC +

1 bottle Pert Shampoo $5.99 - $0.99 Sale - $1/1 MC - $1/$5 Shampoo CVS C - $5 ECB's wyb $10 = 2/$1

6 boxes Kleenex Tissues with Lotion $1.77 ea - $0.78 ea Sale - $2/3 CVS C x 2 = 6/$1.94

5-3 pks JIF To-Go Cups $1.77 ea - $0.77 ea Sale - $0.55/1 MC (from previous store display) x 5 = $0.45 ea or 5/$2.25
+ $0.94 Tax

- $4.50 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $6.63, Earned $5 ECB's

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 04/10/2013

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

• Wednesday 04/10 ONLY: Kirkwood Fresh Chicken Parmesan Cutlets $4.99/lb
• Priano Pasta Sauces Italian Sausage and Peppers, or Spinach and Cheese 24 oz $1.79 ea 
• Season's Choice Frozen Strawberries, or Sliced Peaches, or Mixed Fruit 16 oz $1.99 ea
• Specially Selected Premium Roasted Ground Coffee Assorted Varieties 17.6 oz $4.99 ea
• Specially Selected Goat Cheese Log Assorted Varieties 4 oz $1.99 ea
• Specially Selected Havarti Cheese 8 oz $2.99 ea
• Specially Selected Blue or Feta Cheese Crumbles 5 oz $1.99 ea
• Specially Selected Gourmet Pastas Gigli, Conchiglie, or Trottole 16 oz $1.99 ea
• Specially Selected Cheese Snack Sticks Habanero Jack, Gouda, or Salsa Jack 9 oz $3.99 ea
• Specially Selected Bite-sized Dry Salami Original or Hot and Spicy 8 oz $2.99 ea
• Gardenline Seat Cushions 18x19x3" $4.99 ea
• Gardenline Chair Cushions 22x43x3.5" $9.99 ea
• Gardenline 6 piece Patio Set (includes 4-3 position Chairs, Table, and Crank Umbrella) $99.99 
• Gardenline Fruit and Vegetable Bulbs Assorted Varieties $2.49 ea
• Gardenline Spring Bulbs and Perennials Assorted Varieties $1.69 ea
• Multi-Peppers 3 pk $2.19 ea
• Cucumbers $0.29 ea
• Grape Tomatoes $0.89/pint
• Blackberries $1.29/6 oz
• Mandarins 3 lb bag $2.49 ea
• Pears 4 pk $1.69 ea

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

Menu Plan Monday: 04/08/2013

Saturday we had a good day at the flea market!  But, we both had to spend the whole day Sunday tending to our sore muscles, aches, and pains.  This week were getting ready for another flea market, hopefully.  Here's what's cooking...

Breakfasts: Cereal, Waffles

Lunches: Salads, or Leftovers

Dinners: (all served with Salad or a Vegetable)

Sunday - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Monday - Meat Sauce Marinara Pasta with Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Out :-)

Wednesday - We'll be at Joe's Grandfather's house, getting unloaded and reloaded for the next flea market.  We'll eat dinner with him.

Thursday - Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice

Friday - Homemade Scalloped Potatoes with Ham or Smoked Sausage

Saturday - TBA

Extras: Brownies

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 03/31-04/06/2013

This week I did much better staying out of the stores, which is good, but I'm going to need to do some major shopping next week to get some fresh foods in the house (i.e. milk, eggs, cheese, etc).

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $7.61 oop, Earned $4 ECB's
• Sunday's Rite-Aid Trip: $0.89 oop, Earned $3 UP+Rewards
• Tuesday's Giant Trip (1-1/2 gal Horizon Organic 2% Milk): $3.69 oop
• Tuesday's ALDI Trip (1-5 lb bag Red Potatoes, 1-3 lb bag Onions): $2.88 oop 
• Friday's ALDI Trip (2 lbs Red Grapes): $2.58 oop
• Saturday's Giant Trip (2 Gelato, 1 Turkey Hill Ice Cream, 2 Newspapers, and 1 Organic Kids Cliff Bar; used 2 coupons): $13.46 oop

Total OOP: $31.11 - $7 Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $24.11 - Ah, much better!

Linked to Couponaholic!

Frugal Finds Friday: Homemade Cleaning Rags

'Waste not, want not' is a motto that I try to live by.  The point being that if you aren't wasting what you have, you shouldn't want for anything.  So when my husband and I had some t-shirts that weren't even Goodwill worthy, I decided to cut them up to use as cleaning rags.  A simple enough task; I used my rotary cutter and mat, and basically made big squares.  As you can see from the picture above, a few shirts make a LOT of cleaning rags.  The t-shirt material is especially nice for windows.  They are small, and usually not very gross, so I just throw them in with our towels when I do laundry.

So, what are you not wasting?



Linked to Homemade Mondays!

Linked to the Natural Living Link-up!

ALDI Deals, Starting 04/03/2013

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

• Wednesday 04/03 ONLY: Fresh USDA Choice Top Blade Steak $4.9/lb!
• Deutsche Kuche European Mustards Assorted Varieties 12.2-13.3 oz $1.99 ea
• Deutsche Kuche German Style Sauerkraut 24 oz $1.69 ea
• Deutsche Kuche Red Cabbage with Apples 24 oz $1.69 ea
• Season's Choice Diced Onion Rings 16 oz $1.29 ea
• Stockmeyer Soup Pea or Harvest Potato 28 oz $1.99 ea
• Gardenline  Hose Nozzle Assortment $2.99 ea
• Gardenline 50' Garden Hose $8.99 ea
• Gardenline Hose Accessories $6.99 ea
• Gardenline Short Handled Gardening Tools $2.99 ea
• Gardenline Tool Utility Rack $11.99 ea
• Gardenline Garden Bags 32 gallon Pop up, or 72 gallon Extra Large $6.99 ea
• Gardenline Raised Garden Beds $29.99 ea
• Gardenline  Perennial Shrubs $2.99 ea
• Gardenline Berry Bushes $5.99 ea
• Gardenline Sun and Shade Lovers Spring Bulb Assortment $6.99 ea
• Gardenline Flowering Shrubs $7.99 ea
• Gardenline Shade or Ornamental Trees $14.99 ea
• Mandarins 3 lb bag $2.49 ea 
• Red Grapes 2 lb pks $2.58 ea
• Oranges 4 lb bag $1.79 ea
• Bananas $0.44/lb
• Mangoes $0.59 ea
• Anjou Pears 28 oz pkg $1.69 ea

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

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday: French Apple Pie

For Easter I made a French Apple Pie.  I use the same filling and pie crust as my Apple Crumb pie, but add raisins into the filling, and use a second pie crust for the top.  I also add a delicious layer of icing on top...

1. Cream 1/2 c butter with 1 tbsp flour, and 1/2 c confectioners sugar.
2. Add 1/2 tsp vanilla and about 1/2 c of milk, depending upon how spreadable you like your icing.
3. Spread icing onto the cooled pie.
4. Serve warmed or cold.  Refrigerate leftovers, if there are any ;-)

Linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!

Sunday's CVS Trip

We stopped into CVS on Sunday to wish our favorite cashiers a happy Easter, and to grab a few deals.  I know that there were other freebies to be had, but I stuck with things that I knew we needed, and could use.  Here's what I ended up with...

1 CLEAR Shampoo $5.99 - $1 Sale - $4.99 CVS Coupon - $0.75/1 MC = FREE + $0.75 Money-maker!

1-10 pk Ivory Bar Soap (needed this for laundry detergent!) $5.49 - $2.49 Sale = $3

2 Gillette Body Washes (Joe's favorite) $4.99 ea - $1.99 ea Sale - $1/2 MC = 2/$5

2 Oral B Power Toothbrushes $8.49 - $2.50 ea Sale - $3/1 MC x 2 - $2 ECB's x 2 = 2/$1.98

+ $1.38 Tax

- $3/$15 CVS Email Coupon 

- $4 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $7.61, Earned $4 ECB's!

Linked to Simply CVS!

Menu Plan Monday: 04/01/2013

Last week while finishing our spring cleaning, and getting ready for our family Easter dinner on Saturday, my back gave out, so meals this week are going to be more simplistic than nutritious.  But I don't think that it will kill us for one week.  Also, we are gearing up for a flea market this Saturday.  Hopefully we'll sell a lot of stuff, and make some money!  Here's what's on the menu this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Waffles

Lunches: Leftovers, Sandwiches

Dinners: (All dinners served with Salad or a Vegetable)

Sunday - Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

Monday - Hamburger Helper

Tuesday - Zuppa Tuscana with Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Mushroom Gravy Pork Chops with Jasmine Rice

Thursday - Baked Fish and French Fries

Friday - TBA

Saturday - Out, hopefully celebrating our new riches ;-)

Extras: Leftover Vanilla Ice Cream and French Apple Pie

For more AWESOME menu plans, visit Org Junkie!

Sunday's Rite-Aid Trip

Since we were already out, we stopped into Rite-Aid too.  Not much going on there this week, but I rolled my UP+Rewards none-the-less...

1 pouch Pillsbury Brownie Mix $1 - $0.10 card discount = $0.90

1-10 ct Preparation H Wipes $4.99 - $1 Sale = $1/1 MC - $3 UP+Rewards = FREE!

- $3 UP+Rewards used to Pay

Total OOP: $0.89, Earned $3 UP+Rewards!

Weekly Spending Report: 03/24-30/2013

Here's how about spending went down this week...

• Monday's Target Trip: $10.43 oop, Earned $5 Target GC
• Monday's CVS Trip: $9.98 oop, Earned $4 ECB's
• Monday's Wal-mart Trip (1 fitted sheet): $10.04 oop
• Monday's Giant Trip: $54.62 oop
• + $60 Check from Joe's Grandfather to go towards the food for the family Easter dinner this Saturday
• Monday's Rite-Aid Trip (2-24 pks Rite-Aid H2O, 1 bag Utz Chips): $7.23 oop, Earned $3 UP+Rewards
• Friday's ALDI Trip (2-2 pks Pie Shells, 1-5 lb bag Red Potatoes): $5.37oop
• + $20 Cash from my Sister to go towards the food for the family Easter dinner this Saturday
• Saturday's Giant Trip (2 lg pkgs blsl Chicken Breasts, 1 pint Gelato, 1-1/2 gal Ice Cream, 4 bags Organic Frozen Vegetables, 4 cans diced tomatoes, 1 jar Newman's Own Pasta Sauce, 2 pkgs Marked-down Italian Sausage Links, 2 Newspapers): $42.07 oop

Total OOP: $139.74 - $92.00 Earned Rewards/GC/Cash = Net OOP: $47.74