Tuesday's Giant Trip

Joe and I stopped into Giant Tuesday to use up some of my coupons before they expired at the end of the year.  We got some good deals, and some treats for New Year's Eve.  Here's what we ended up with...

1 Yoplait Yogurt $0.75 - Free Item Coupon = FREE!

1 box TGIF Potato Skins (Treat for NYE) $9.99 - $2 Sale = $7.99

2 pints Talenti PB Cup Gelato (Treat for NYE) $4.99 ea - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$7.98

1-1/2 gal Organic 2% Milk $4.29

1 bottle Gold's Horseradish $1.99 

1 bag Florida Crystals Raw Sugar $2.99 - $0.50 Sale - $0.55/1 MC doubled = $1.39

1 pkg Pampers Wipes $2.39 - $0.50/1 MC doubled = $1.39

2 Annie's Mac and Cheese Cups $1.49 ea - $0.35/1 MC doubled = 2/$1.58

1 bag Newman's Own Organic Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies $2.69 - $0.50/1 MC doubled = $1.69

+ $0.12 Tax

Total OOP: $38.17 - $9.75 Sales and Coupons = $28.42 oop

Menu Plan Monday: 12/30/2013

Last week was a whirlwind of meals with family, and friends, present opening, cookie baking, meal prep, house cleaning, relaxing, and fun!  It was a great week-long celebration, but I'm ready to get back to my usual everyday schedule, and start work on the baby's nursery!  I kept the menu super simple this week...

Breakfasts: Bagels with Butter, Fruit

Lunches: Leftovers, Sandwiches, Salads

Dinners:

Sunday - We're taking Joe's grandfather to a B-day party, so we'll eat with him there.

Monday - Homemade Pizza

Tuesday - Steamed Shrimp for New Year's Eve!

Wednesday - Homemade Potato Soup with French Bread

Thursday - Leftover Soup and Bread

Friday - Pork Chops, Jasmine Rice, and Steamed Broccoli

Saturday - Shake and Baked Chicken, Buttered Egg Noodles

Extras: Leftovers Christmas Cookies, and Cheesecake

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 12/22-28/2013

This week Joe and I did a lot of after Christmas deal shopping, but I haven't listed it here because I came out of a different budget.  We were able to stock up on cups, and plates, and got quite a few Christmas presents bought.  It was so much fun; I look forward to it every year!  Here's what we ended up with in the home front...

• Thursday's Wal-mart Trip (no picture, 2-12 double roll pks Wal-mart TP): $13.72 oop
• Thursday's Thrift Store Trip (1 'bring the baby home from the hospital' outfit, if it's a boy, 2 short sleeve shirts for mommy, 1/2 price day!): $7.97 oop
• Friday's ALDI Trip (no picture, Cleaning Wipes, 2 Sour Creams, 5 blocks Cream Cheese (for cheesecake!), Onion Soup Mix, Broccoli, and Croutons): $15.29 oop

Total OOP: $36.98, much better than last week, and next week we are starting a freezer/pantry challenge, so it should continue to stay in check!

ALDI Deals, Starting 12/25/2013

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

• Cucumbers $0.29 ea
• Avocados $0.59 ea
• Baby Carrots $0.49/16 oz bag
• Multi-Peppers $2.59/3 pk
• Celery $0.79 ea
• Grape Tomatoes $0.99/pint
• Clancy's White Rounds Tortilla Chips 13 oz or Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips 11 oz $1.19 ea
• Clancy's Party Mix Traditional or Cheddar 15 oz $2.29 ea
• Casa Mamita Salsa con Queso 15 oz $2.29 ea
• Casa Mamita Salsa Mild or Medium 24 oz $1.69 ea
• Little Salad Bar Hummus Quartet Classic, Roasted Red Pepper, Jalapeno Cilantro, and Garlic 20 oz $3.99 ea
• Frosty's Nightmare Winter De-Icing Salt Jug 12 lbs $4.99 ea
• Welby Digital Thermometer $3.99 ea
• Welby Fever Cooling Gel Pk $1.99 ea
• Welby Ibuprofen 100 ct 1.99 ea
• Welby Complete Multivitamins Adult Senior 100 or 125 ct, or Children's Gummy Vitamins 60 ct $3.79 ea

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

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope everyone has a joyous and happy holiday!

Love,

Joe, Laura, and Baby Bean Rogers!

Menu Plan Monday: 12/23/2013

This week has a lot of fun things in the works!  Sunday was our Christmas eve service at church.  Monday night we are going to a friend's house to have our annual Christmas dinner with their family, we look forward to that every year!  Tuesday Joe's family is coming up for Christmas Lunch, and present exchanging.  Wednesday is Christmas; my family is coming up for Breakfast, and we'll exchange gifts with them then.  In the afternoon, my pregnant self is so taking a nap!  Then the day after Christmas Joe and I always start our Christmas shopping for next year, hopefully we can get a few people crossed off our list!  Then Saturday evening we are going to my Aunt's house for my family's Christmas dinner.  We are having BBQ and Potato soup, not typical fare, but yummy and simple!  I'm in charge of dessert, and I am serious contemplating making a cheesecake, but we'll see!  What is everyone else up to this week -- Hope you all have a merry Christmas!

Breakfasts: Pop-Tarts, Chipped Beef Gravy with Pancakes and Bacon on Christmas

Lunches: Sandwiches, or Leftovers

Dinners:

Sunday - Homemade Pizza

Monday - Christmas Dinner at a Friend's House

Tuesday - Christmas Lunch with Joe's family and some of my family (Ham, Mac and Cheese, Scalloped Oysters, Rolls, Chips, and Pecan Pie), we'll have leftovers from in for dinner

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Homemade Pizza

Saturday - Christmas dinner at my Aunt's house, I'm bringing dessert

Extras: Christmas Cookies :)

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 12/15-21/2013

This week was a little crazy, as you can see...

• Monday's Giant Trip: $14.79 oop
• Tuesday's CVS Trip (no picture, 2 pkgs Raisins): $2 oop
• Tuesday's ALDI Trip (no picture, 2 boxes Granola Bars, 4 boxes Pop-Tarts, 1 pkg String Cheese): $14.23 oop
• Thursday's Staples Trip (no picture, 1 ream of paper, used $3.99 Coupon): $3.71 oop, Earned $3.50 Easy Rebate
• Thursday's Giant Trip (no picture, just chips, and water): $15.53 oop
• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (no picture, 2-4 pks Pudding Cups, 2 xmas gifts, and 2 pks 'Zyrtec'): $6.12 oop
• Saturday's Giant Trip (not pictured 3 lbs Laura's Lean Ground Beef): $35.34 oop

 Used coupons to get the detergent for $0.77 ea, and the bread for $2 a loaf, usually $4.29 ea!

• Saturday's Walgreen's Trip (no picture, 6 mailers, used in-ad coupon): $2.60 oop
• Saturday's ALDI Trip (no picture, Granola Bars and Pop-Tarts for Joe, Onions, Lettuce, and Pecans): $11.54 oop

Total OOP: $105.86 - Wow!  I'm looking forward to almost no shopping next week!

Linked to Couponaholic!

ALDI Deals, Starting 12/18/2013

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

• Weds. 12/18 ONLY: Tyson Fresh All Natural Pork Loin Roast $2.49/lb
• Weds. 12/18 ONLY: Fresh USDA Choice Sirloin Tip Roast $2.99/lb
• Russet Potatoes 10 lbs $1.99 ea
• Yellow Onions 3 lbs $0.79 ea
• Sweet Potatoes 3 lbs $1.19 ea
• Mandarins 3 lbs $3.69 ea
• Pineapple $1.49 ea
• Navel Oranges 4 lbs $1.99 ea
• Country Side Creamery Butter Quarters Salted or Unsalted 16 oz $1.69 ea
• Puraqua Purified Drinking Water 24 ct $2.29 ea
• Specially Selected Cream Puffs or Chocolate Dipped Cream Puffs 10.6 oz $3.99 ea
• Specially Selected Torino Cookies Mint or Double Chocolate 7-7.5 oz $1.99 ea
• Specially Selected Spicy Gouda 8 oz $3.49 ea
• Simms Garlic Summer Sausage 16 oz $2.99 ea
• Tuscan Garden Stuffed Queen Olives Assorted Varieties 7 oz $3.99 ea
• Little Salad Bar Hummus Chipotle, Tomato and Basil, or Spinach Artichoke 8 oz $1.69 ea
• Nature's Nectar 100% Vegetable Juice 64 oz $1.99 ea
• Clancy's Foccacia Sticks or Italian Toast 4.75-5 oz $1.99 ea
• Clancy's Big Dippers or Chili Cheese Corn Chips 9.25 oz $1.19 ea 
• Carlini Olive Oil Cooking Spray 5 oz $1.49 ea
• Happy Harvest Canned Sauerkraut 14.5 oz $0.65 ea
• Happy Harvest Green Beans Cut or French 14.5 oz $0.49 ea
• Auto XS 35" Snow Brush Black or Red $3.99 ea
• Auto XS Folding Trunk Organizer $4.99 ea
• Easy Home Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier $24.99 ea
• Easy Home Fan Heater $9.99 ea
• 6" Poinsettias Red or White $3.99 ea

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

Monday's Giant Trip

It felt so good to do a little coupon shopping, it feels like it's been forever since I've gone to the grocery store.  Pregnancy sickness, and tiredness is probably to blame for that.  Those symptoms are not completely gone, but I do feel better, and can eat a little more!  Here's the deals I stocked up on...

6 Betty Crocker Cake Mixes $1.79 ea - $0.54 ea Sale - $0.85/2 MC doubled, - $0.75/2 MC doubled x 2 = 6/$2.80 ($0.47 ea!)

1 dozen Large White Giant Eggs $2.49 - FREE wyb 5 Betty Crocker Items store promo = FREE

2 bags Florida Crystals Raw Sugar $2.99 ea - $0.50 ea Sale - $0.55/1 MC doubled x 2 = 2/$2.78

1/2 lb VA Baked Deli Ham $3.43

2 pkgs Simply Mashed Potatoes $3.69 ea - $1.70 ea Sale - $0.75/1 MC doubled x 2 = 2/$0.98

2 pkgs Kraft Fresh Takes $3.19 ea - $0.20 ea Sale - $0.99/1 MC doubled x 2 = 2/$2.02

4 bottles VO5 Shampoo $0.99 ea - $0.10 ea Sale - $1/4 MC = 4/$2.56 ($0.64 ea!)

+ $0.22 Tax

Total OOP: $40.36 - $25.79 Savings/Coupons = $14.79 oop, Savings of 64%!!!!

Christmas Tour - 2013

This year we decided to take the whole Christmas decorating a little easy.  With being well into my second trimester, I felt like decorating a lot, but I wasn't sure how I'd feel tearing everything down come the end of January.  But the house feels Christmasy enough for us, and that's all that matters.

First off is the kitchen, I put my gingerbread garland over the sink...

 Changed the table linens, and candle topper, and added a snowman my mom made to the wall.

 You can't see it very good in the photo, but I added some berry bunches inside the china cupboard, and put my Christmas magnets on the fridge.

 At the museum, every year during the Christmas tours, we have a different theme.  They also have an ornament to go with the theme.  Joe and I have one for each year he's been here as the caretaker.  Right now they are all on this wreath, but I think we are going to have to upgrade before next year; it's pretty full!

 I switch out the 'art' in this frame for every holiday/season to keep things fresh.

 We decided to just do a 3 foot tree this year to keep things simple and easy to put away later.  Since I'm pregnant, we decided to decorate it with our baby ornaments from when we were little.  It turned out adorable!

 Tree shot #2

 Lastly, I added some poinsettias to my old bucket, and put my Christmas hippo out, he is definitely my favorite!

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season so far, I know we are!  Now, off to bake more cookies!  :)

Menu Plan Monday: 12/16/2013

This week ends the Christmas tours here at the museum.  I'm off from work until the 2nd of January, then I go back 7 days a week until April - Ouch!  Hopefully everything with the pregnancy will cooperate.  I have some more cookie doughs to make this week, and lots of baking to do.  Wednesday I am cutting my niece's boyfriend's grandmother's hair, hopefully that will go smoothly.  I'm used to buzzing guys hair, so we'll see, she wants a straight cut, so hopefully it will turn out.  I am loving the snow fall here in MD, and hopefully it will stick around so we can have a white Christmas!  I'm also hoping to get my Christmas cards out this week.  It should be a fairly low-key week, with a little relaxing!  Here's what's on the menu plan...

Breakfasts: Pop-Tarts, Bagels with Butter or Cream Cheese

Lunches: Leftovers, or Sandwiches with Chips

Dinners:

Sunday - Out with a Friend, her treat :)

Monday - Out for our 1/2 Anniversary (using a coupon and gift card at Texas Road House)
Tuesday - Crock-Pot Lasagne with Foccacia Bread

Wednesday - Homemade Pizza #1

Thursday - Homemade Pizza #2 or Stromboli

Friday - Crock-Pot Chili/Taco Salad made with Chili instead of Taco Meat (Joe prefers chili and crackers, I like it on salad)

Saturday - Leftover Chili and Salad

Extras: Homemade Cookies

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 12/08-14/2013

This week I did my big December shopping trip for baking supplies, as well as the things we will need for Christmas dinner.  We also needed some things which we had run out of like tea bags, bottled water, milk, and cold medicine.  Joe also used 2 $10 Kohl's coupons to get me 3 Christmas presents!  Overall I'm please with what I got for the price I paid.  The rest of the month will be a lot easier on the budget.  Here's what we ended up with...

• Monday's Giant Trip (no picture, Milk, Chips, and 2 boxes Hot Cocoa): $9.42 oop
• Monday's ALDI Trip (no picture, lots of baking supplies - eggs, margarine, flour, sugar, shortening, morsels, PB, and lots of cheeses we were out of - Parmesan, Ricotta, Shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar, as well as things for Christmas dinner like Green Beans, Sour Cream, and Onion Soup Mix, and snacks like Pop-Tarts and Granola Bars for Joe): $56.35 oop
• Wednesday's Giant Trip (no picture, 2 Ketchup, 4 boxes Tea Bags, and 1 bag of Chips): $10.79 oop
• Wednesday's Dollar Tree Trip (no picture, just 2 bottles of 'Robitussin DM'):  $2 oop
• Saturday's Shopper's Trip (no picture, 2 cases H2O, 2 Newspapers): $13.13 oop
• Saturday's Kohl's (no picture, 3 Christmas Presents, used 2 $10 coupons): $10.57 oop

Total OOP: $102.26, that's a lot for us, but I'm also done all my baking supply shopping for the season, and I have everything I need for Christmas dinner, but the ham, which Joe's grandfather buys every year.  The rest of the month should be much easier on the budget :)

For more AWESOME shopping trips, visit the Couponaholic! 

ALDI Deals, Starting 12/11/2013

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

• Weds. 12/11 ONLY: Family Pack Fresh Chicken Breasts $1.49/lb
• Potatoes 10 lb bag $1.99 ea
• Yellow Onions 3 lb bag $0.79 ea
• Sweet Potatoes 3 lb bag $1.19 ea
• Mandarins 3 lb bag $2.69 ea
• Pineapple $1.49 ea
• Naval Oranges 4 lb bag $1.99 ea
• Friendly Farms Milk Gallons $1.99 ea
• Goldhen Eggs $1.29 ea Limit 6 per customer
• Baker's Corner Granulated Sugar 4 lb bags $1.49 ea Limit 6 per customer
• Baker's Corner All-purpose Flour 5 lb bags $1.39 ea Limit 6 per customer
• Sweet Harvest Cranberry Sauce Jellied or Whole Berry 14 oz $0.89 ea
• Clancy's Popcorn Kernels 32 oz $1.69 ea
• Happy Farms Cheese Ball Sharp Cheddar or Port Wine 10 oz $2.49 ea
• Country Side Creamery Butter Quarters Salted or Unsalted 16 oz $1.69 ea
• Bake House Creations Pie Crusts 15 oz 2 count $1.49 ea
• Friendly Farms or Fit and Active Whipped Topping  8 oz $0.89 ea
• Baker's Corner Sweetened Condensed Milk 14 oz $1.19 ea
• Baker's Corner Confectioners or Light Brown Sugar 32 oz $1.19 ea
• Baker's Corner Baking Morsels Semi-Sweet, Milk, White, or Butterscotch 11-12 oz $1.29 ea
• Happy Harvest Whole Kernel or Cream-Styled Corn 14.75-15.25 oz, or Cut or French-Style Green Beans 14.5 oz $0.49 ea
• Sweet Harvest Canned Pineapple Slices 20 oz $0.89 ea
• Season's Choice Steamable Vegetables Broccoli Florets or California Medley 12 oz $1.09 ea
• Season's Choice Chopped Spinach 10 oz $0.99 ea
• Season's Choice Steak Fries 28 oz $1.69 ea
• Kitchen Living 6 piece Red or White Wine Glass Set $9.99 ea
• 6.5" Premium Poinsettia Assorted Colors Metal Pot Included $4.99 ea

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

Menu Plan Monday: 12/09/2013

This week is going to be a little crazy.  We are open for Christmas tours here at the museum, so I'll be working a few days this week.  My morning sickness has returned, unfortunately, which makes eating, and being productive hard.  I also have two baking orders for friends due early next week, so I need to get my dough made up so it has some time to rest before baking it up this weekend.  But luckily I got all our Christmas decorating done this past week, including the tree (pictures to come), and I only have one more gift to buy, and I'm all done shopping for the year (except grocery store trips).

Breakfasts: Pop-Tarts, Bagels with Butter or Cream Cheese

Lunches: Leftovers, Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Crock-pot Pork Roast with Baked Potatoes

Monday - Leftover Pork with Baked French Fries

Tuesday - Italian Shake and Bake Chicken with Jasmine Rice

Wednesday - Crock-pot Lasagne with Garlic Foccacia Bread

Thursday - Leftover Lasagne and Bread

Friday - TBA, maybe out?

Saturday - Museum Christmas Dinner :)

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan Monday: 12/02/2013

Well, I wasn't sure my pregnant self was gonna make it, but I did.  My husband Joe and I hosted Thanksgiving for our families, a total of 11.  Then on Friday my sister took me Black Friday shopping and to a delicious Cracker Barrel lunch.  Saturday other than a couple of errands, I was finally able to rest.  My toes were like little sausages after the prior two days, so some time in the recliner with my feet up was just the ticket!  Good thing since Sunday was my first baby shower!  We are so blessed to have the amazing friends that we do!  And we were definitely blessed with all of the wonderful baby presents we received!  This week things settle down a little bit.  I go to the Dr. on Tuesday, so we'll get to hear the heartbeat again - Yeah!  We open for Christmas here at the museum at the end of the week, and I plan to get our apartment decorated for Christmas before then.  But, other than that, this week is gonna breeze right by, hopefully :)  Here's what's cooking this week...

Breakfasts: Bagels with Cream Cheese or Butter

Lunches: Leftovers or Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Leftover Turkey and Fixings

Monday - Leftover Turkey and Fixings

Tuesday - Leftover Turkey and Fixings

Wednesday - Crock-pot Lasagne with Garlic Bread

Thursday - Leftover Lasagne with Garlic Bread

Friday - Homemade Pizza

Saturday - Stromboli

Extras: Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!