Menu Plan Monday: 05/25/2015

 

This week is going to be a HOT one, so I tried to limit my actually time in the kitchen as much as possible.  I also have to work most of the week, so the less time I spend cooking, the more I get to spend with my hubby and little one!  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Eggs, Bacon, Toast, Yogurt with Granola, Fruit

Lunches: Leftovers, Pizza, Diet Frozen Meals (me)

Dinner: 

Sunday - Turkey Family Meal from Bob Evans

Monday - Crock-pot Mexican Chicken, Mexican Rice, Corn

Tuesday - Tacos, leftover Corn

Wednesday - Hot Dogs, Mac and Cheese

Thursday - Leftovers/Pizza

Friday - BBQ Sandwiches, Baked French Fries

Saturday - Baked Fish/Chicken, Onion Rings

Snacks: Watermelon, Strawberry Shortcake

Linked to Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 05/17-23/2015

This week I was able to stock up on a LOT of great deals, as well as get some fresh fruit - I LOVE Summer!  Here's what I ended up with...

• Sunday's CVS Trip (not pictured 5 - 12 pks Coke/Coke Zero): $13.09 oop, Earned $12 ECB's, and $1.50 from Savingstar

• Sunday's ALDI Trip (not pictured 1-24 pk Water): $32.09 oop

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $24.98 oop, Earned $0.25 from Savingstar

• Wednesday's Wal-mart Trip: Zero oop, used Gift Card to Pay (sorry the picture is sideways, but the computer won't let me fix it!?)

• Wednesday's Giant Trip (no picture, just Spreadable Butter, Granola, Mayo, BBQ Sauce, and Watermelon): $12.45 oop
• Friday's Dollar Tree Trip: Zero oop, used Gift Card to Pay

Total OOP: $82.61
Total Earned: $13.75
Total Remaining for May: $88.39

Linked to I heart Publix! 

Weekly Spending Report: 05/10-16/2015

Even with all the work and stuff going on this week, I still did a LOT of shopping.  I was able to stock up on a LOT of great deals, and needed items!  Here's what we ended up with...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $1.54 oop

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $38.83 oop

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $57.25 oop, Earned $0.50 Saving Star Rebate for the Suddenly Salads

 Forgot the cold items, whoops...

• Wednesday's ALDI Trip: $22.43 oop

• Wednesday's Wal-mart Trip: Zero oop (used gift card from a bunch of returns)

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: Zero OOP, used a gift card

• Earned $7.19 Rebate Check from Ebates

Total OOP: $120.05
Total Earned: $7.69
Total Remaining: $171

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Menu Plan Monday: 05/18/2015

 

This week I am hoping to be able to get some things done around the house.  I have an ever growing to-do list that needs to start getting things crossed off of it!  I kept the menu simple since I also have to work a few days this week.  Here's what cooking...

Breakfasts: Eggs, Bacon, Bagels, Yogurt

Lunches: Leftovers, Lean Cuisine Meals

Dinners:

Sunday - Subs

Monday - Take out!

Tuesday - Crock-pot Meatball Sandwiches, Onion Rings

Wednesday - Crock-pot Creamy Taco Chicken, Mexican Rice, Corn

Thursday -  Leftovers

Friday - Homemade Pizza

Saturday - Hot dogs with Mac and Cheese

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan Monday: 05/11/2015

Happy belated Mother's day to all the mom's out there!  I celebrated Mother's day by doing a little shopping and not having to cook, which is always a plus!  This week I work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, as well as Saturday, and I have a meeting I have to attend on Friday.  Plus we are loading up for a show on Thursday, so things are little nutsy around here.  But all is good!  I kept the menu fairly simple, since it has been super hot here for the past week or so, and I haven't felt like cooking much.  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Bagels, Yogurt/Granola, Fruit, Eggs

Lunches: Leftovers, Ham Sandwiches

Dinners: 

Sunday - Leftovers (from Friday)

Monday - Leftovers (from Friday)

Tuesday - BBQ Sandwiches with Leftover Coleslaw and Taco Dip (from Friday)

Wednesday - Dinner with a Friend (pizza or subs)

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Spaghetti with Meatballs, Vegetable, Garlic Bread

Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Desserts: Strawberry Shortcake!

Linked to Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 05/03-09/2015

This week, we didn't really need anything, so I just made a trip to Dollar Tree on Saturday to pick up a few things and peruse the aisles.  Here's what I ended up with...

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $8.95 oop (plus a 5-pack of size 4 diapers, not pictured)

Total OOP: $8.95
Total Earned: Zero
Total Remaining: $291.05

Linked to Couponaholic!

Weekly Spending Report: 04/26-05/02/2015

This week was a little crazy with Joe gearing up for the Civil War event here at the museum, so I didn't get to do a whole lot of shopping.  I did manage to stop at ALDI for a few things, but with the budget mess-up last month, I paid with money I shouldn't have had left, and still had money left over, which I added to our 'fun money' envelope.  So, the only trip that came out of the budget money was my Dollar Tree Trip, which you can see below...

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $2.12 (2 newspapers)

Total OOP: $2.12
Total Earned: $0
Total Remaining: $0

April Goals Post

April was better than February and March, but not by much.  I had a tea to run, and re-started my contract job here at the museum, plus we celebrated Howard's 1st birthday!  So, needless to say, things have been a little nut-so around here with all three of us trying to get into a new groove.  But I think we are finally starting to understand and follow our new routine.  I did get some things done, and I am hoping to really knock some stuff out in May!  Here's what I accomplished in April...

Household:

1. De-clutter the whole house in January, February, and March -- Done!
2. Do a Deep-Spring, and Deep-Fall Clean in March and November  As well as keep up with my weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly cleaning chores. -- I was able to keep up with my weekly cleaning responsibilities (and the laundry) even with all the crazy going on in our lives.
3. Paint the Windows/Sills/Trim in the Kitchen and Nursery. -- I am hoping to work on this in May.  The weather has been nice, but usually when I'm working, so hopefully May will be a little more cooperative.  

Family:

1. Write a 'love letter' to Joe each month -- I did manage to accomplish this in April.  It was an email message, but it was kind of a nice surprise for him to find among the museum and civil war emails that are filling his inbox.
2. Take a trip to Maine in June with the hubby, and Howard. -- N/A
3. Take a Trip to Ocean City in August -- N/A
4. Get together with family at least once a month -- We got together with Joe's family on Easter for dinner, and then we got together with both families for Howard's birthday party.
5. Plan and Execute Howard's 1st Birthday Party -- This was a total success!  I am planning to do a couple of posts throughout May illustrating how we celebrated his 1st birthday frugally, even with having a party for family and friends.

Blogging:

1. Have 2 Freezer/Pantry Challenges (January and July), post updates on the blog, and defrost the chest freezer -- N/A
2. Post my Menu Plan, and Weekly Spending Report every week, along with at least 1 other post per week.  This may be an update, a reveal, a recipe, a shopping trip, some Aldi Deals, or a frugal find. -- Well, I did keep up with my weekly spending reports, and my budget and goals updates, but that's about it.  I did do one Menu Plan post, but only 1.  I really want to make this a priority in May since I am working now and have a little time at the computer without a toddler on my lap. 
3. Plan and execute a 31 days post for October. -- N/A

Health:

1. Lose at least 20 lbs -- I don't really want to talk about this right now.  I didn't gain any, but I also didn't loss any either, and I'm starting to get frustrated.  Hopefully May will be better!
2. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy, and do exercise of some kind everyday. -- I did this to a tee.  Joe and I have been walking every evening, and I have been drinking plenty of water, and trying to eat as healthy as I can manage right now.  I'm going to play around with eating different healthy things and see if it makes a difference.

Budget/Income:

1. Do at least 5 Flea Markets throughout the year, and list at least bi-monthly on Amazon/Facebook Yard Sale. -- 1 Flea Market done to date.  
2. Earn Swagbucks everyday by completing the daily poll, toolbar log-in, and NOSO offers daily.  (Try to earn $10 a month) -- I'm up to 943 swagbucks, only 1257 more and I can cash in for the $25 reward!  We'll see, maybe May will be the month!
3. Set a monthly budget, and coupon and deal shop as needed to stay within our budget. -- I did coupon and deal shop this month, but I some how screwed up the budget, because I should be out of money, actually in the negative, and I still have money in the envelope, so...  But it all works out in the end.  I am starting May out fresh with $300, and I'll go from there.
4. Put at least an extra $100 a month on Joe's Credit Card starting in May -- N/A

Hobby-Related:

1. Scan the huge-a** box of photos we have had since my mom died two and a half years ago, and get them sorted to give to people, as well as put the ones I decide to keep in albums. -- I'm not even planning to work in this until later in the year, July maybe, or possibly not until Fall, we'll see.
2. Continue to work on Howard's baby book -- Howard's baby book is all caught up, until he does something else new, or we go to the doctors and have weight/length to record.  I secretly wanted to have this caught up by his birthday, and I succeeded!  I love it when that happens!  I still have to write about his birthday party, but I am hoping to cross this one off in May!
3. Try something new at least once a month and blog about it.  I have a LOT of new recipes and crafts I want to try -- This so didn't happen, again.  Maybe May will be the game changer!

Linked to Money Saving Mom!