Menu Plan Monday: July 16th 2012

Last week was suppose to be rather laid back, but then my mom was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia on top of her congestive heart failure and fluid retention.  She is hopefully coming home tomorrow, but we'll have to wait and see what the PT says.  Needless to say we didn't really stick to the menu plan much.  This week is also going to be haphazard as well, at least until my one sister gets back from the beach.  I'll be cooking for my mom, dad, and Joe and I for a few days, so my menu plan is already out the window.  I didn't want you all to think I had abandoned things here in the frugal neighborhood, but sometimes life happens, and fun things, like blogging, get put on hold.
I plan to be back in full swing and menu-planning action next week!

But for some AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!
 

Weekly Spending Report: 07/08-14/2012

Here's this week's spending totals...

• Monday's Staples Trip: $31.84 oop, Earned $9.73 Easy Rebate
• Saturday's Shopper's Trip (no post, just 2 newspapers): $4.24 oop

Total OOP: $36.08 - $9.73 Earned Rebates = Net OOP: $26.35!

Last week's Staples Trip

Last Monday, Joe stopped into Staples to pick up some deals for me, and found me a case to store our DVD's in, which we have been looking for for quite some time now.  Here's how it went down... 

2-24 ct Roseart Crayons $1 ea - $0.99 ea Sale = 2/$0.02

2 Bic Round Stick Pens $1.99 ea - $1.98 ea Sale = 2/$0.02

1 Scotch Super Glue $2.99 - $0.43 Coupon* - $2.99 Easy Saver Rebate = FREE + $0.43 Money-maker!

2 Staples School Glue $0.75 ea - $0.74 ea Sale = 2/$0.02

1-50 ct Staples Page Protectors $5 - $0.71 Coupon* = $4.29

1 CD Wallet $19.99 - $2.85 Coupon* = $17.14

1 pkg Staples Multipurpose Paper $6.99 - $1 Coupon - $6.74 Easy Saver Rebate = FREE + $0.75 Money-maker!

+ $1.81 Tax

Total OOP: $31.84, Earned $9.73 Easy Saver Rebates!

ALDI Deals, Starting July 11th 2012!

Here are some of the deals starting this week...

• Wednesday 07/11 ONLY: Tyson Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs $1.49/lb
• Boulder Drinking Straws 100 ct $0.89 ea
• Boulder Tall Kitchen Odor Protection 13 gal Drawstring Bags 40 ct $4.99 ea 
• Parisia Sparkling French Lemonade Regular or Pink Lemonade 33.8 oz $1.99 ea
• Season's Choice Diced Onion Rings 16 oz $1.19 ea
• Season's Choice Steak Fries 28 oz $1.69 ea
• Sterilite Laundry Basket 1.25 Bushel $4.99 ea
• Sterilite Plastic Shower Caddy $2.49 ea
• Summit Freeze Pops  Soda-flavored 24-2.5 oz bars $1.49 ea
• Vanderwall Hanging Closet Organizer Set Shoe Organizer, 6-Shelf Organizer or 24 pair Shoe Caddy in Black, Ocean, Gray or Fuchsia $4.99 ea
• Vanderwall Cube Organizer $16.99 ea
• Vanderwall 3 pc Bath Accessories Set in Translucent Black,White, or Solid White $4.99 ea
• Vanderwall Collapsible Storage Cubes 2 pk set in Black, Gray, Ocean or Fuchsia 12" x 12" x 12" $5.99 per set 
• Vanderwall Stacking Shelves 19.75"L x 12"W x 8.63" H $3.99 ea
• Willow Facial Tissue 3 pk 110 ct $2.49 ea
• Pineapples $1.89 ea 
• Honeydew Melons $1.89 ea
• Cherries $1.89/lb
• Blueberries $1.49/pint
• Strawberries $1.89/lb
• Peaches/Plums/Nectarines $0.29 ea

For more information about ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Pantry Challenge Update - Week 1 Update

Last week went off pretty much without a hitch.  I stuck to my menu plan, and we are slowly eating our way through the foods in the freezers and cupboards, hopefully next week I'll remember to take pictures!

8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home Update #2

 Our internet has been acting up a lot lately.  I was planning on getting this update posted on Friday, but that didn't happen, so here it is now...

Day #4: Junk and Misc. Drawers
Items De-Cluttered (includes paper in last picture): 28

Day #5: Kitchen Linens
Items De-Cluttered: 28

 (rest of items from Day #4)

Total Items De-Cluttered for Days #4 and 5: 56!!!
(58 Items ahead)

Weekly Spending Report: 07/01-07/2012

Here's this week's spending totals...

• Monday's Hoffman's Trip (ice cream): $12.50 oop
• Thursday's Big Lots Trip (no post, just AC juice for my car): $16.96 oop (for 2)
• Thursday's Rite-Aid Trip: $1.71 oop, Earned $2 SCR and $4 UP+Rewards
• Thursday's CVS Trip: $1.02 oop, Earned $4 ECB's
• Thursday's Baugher's Trip (just 3 Bell Peppers): $1.59 oop
• Thursday's Giant Trip: $20.91 oop, Earned $3 Cash
• Saturday's Shopper's Trip (no post, just 2 newspapers and 1 bag of chips): $6.92 oop

Total OOP: $61.61 - $13 Earned Rewards/Cash = Net OOP: $48.61!  Savings of 21%!

Thursday's Giant Trip

Thursday evening Joe and I stopped into Giant to pick up a few things for dinner on Friday night which Joe's family was up for, and to use up a few coupons.  Here's what we ended up with...

3 boxes Frosted Mini Wheats + 1 box Crunchy Nut Cereal $3.69 ea x 3 + $3.79 ea x 1 - $6 Instant Savings wyb 4 - $0.70/1 MC doubled to $1.40 - $1/3 MC (newspaper) - $3 Cash from Mom for 1 Cereal = 4/$3.46

4-2 lb bags Florida Crystals Raw Sugar $2.79 ea - $0.50 ea Sale - $0.65/1 MC doubled to $1.30 x 2 - $0.55/1 MC doubled to $1.10 x 2 = 4/$4.36 ($1.09 ea!)

1 can Whole Tomatoes (for homemade salsa!) $1.75 - $0.87 Sale = $0.88

1 Daisy Sour Cream $2.29 - $0.62 Sale = $1.67

1 Great Value Garlic Salt $1

1 can Chi-Chi's Jalapenos  $2.45

1 Mission Tortillas $3.69

1 Lime $0.40

Total OOP: $37.60 - Savings/Coupons $16.69 = $20.91 oop!  Savings of 44%!
**Also pictured Bell Peppers from Baugher's**

Last week's CVS Trip

I also stopped into CVS last Thursday to pick up a few deals.  Here's what I ended up with...

1-12 ct Zzz Quil $5.99 - $1 Sale - $2/1 CVS Coupon - $2/1 MC (newspaper) = $0.99

1 Schick Hydro Power Razor $12.99 - $3.50 Sale - $5/1 CVS Coupon - $4/1 MC (newspaper) - $3 ECB's = FREE + $2.51 Money-maker!

+ $0.54 Tax

- $1 ECB used to Pay

Total OOP: $1.02, Earned $4 ECB's (including $1 for my spring spending)

Last week's Rite-Aid Trip

Not a whole lot to talk about in regards to Rite-Aid deals.  I did manage to pick up a couple things while I was out though...

2 pkgs Stayfree $3.99 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC (peelie) x 2 - $2 UP+Rewards x 2 = 2/$1

1 Conair Color Vibes Brush $3.19 - $0.64 card discount - $2 SCR = $0.55

+ $0.16 Tax

- $6 UP+Rewards used to Pay

Total OOP: $1.71, Earned $2 SCR and $4UP+Rewards for next time!