BJ's Trip: 02/08/2013

I've been out of Crystal Light for a while, and just making due, but since a coupon came up, I decided that I didn't want to let it go to waste.  Since we needed butter and bacon anyway after the challenge last month, I decided to go to BJ's and get the best prices on all three items.  Here's what I ended up with...

3 pkgs Nitrate, Nitrite-free Bacon $10.49

3 pkgs Land o Lakes Olive Oil Butter Spread $5.99

4 pkgs Crystal Light Lemon Ice Tea Mix (my secret addition) $5.99 ea - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4/$21.96

 

Total OOP: $38.44

Amish Market Trip 02/08/2013

Today Joe and I had to go to Cockeysville to do some work at his grandfather's house, so while we were there, we did a little more re-stocking of our pantry/freezer.  Things were pretty bare after last month's challenge, so it's been really nice to hit so many good sales this week and get things restocked.  I have spend a good chunk of change this week, but it will be worth it in the long run!  Here's what we ended up with today...

0.80 lb Chipped Beef = $8.76 (I have this packaged for 4 meals worth of Gravy + leftovers)
1.08 lbs Little Cheezers Cracker Pretzels @ $4.69/lb = $5.06
17.78 lbs Raw Sugar @ $1.49/lb = $26.49

Total OOP: $40.31

Frugal Finds Friday: Homemade Astringent

I have used astringent/toner since I turned 13, and that's been quite a few years ago.  I usually bought whatever was on sale, leaning towards Clean and Clear or Sea Breeze Sensitive varieties.  I decided to start making more things from scratch around the house last year, including health and beauty items.  I researched recipes for homemade toner/astringent until I found one that was simple to make, and only took a couple of ingredients.  That's how I roll, simple and cheap is my style, anyway, here's my recipe...

1. I use an old Sea Breeze bottle to start.  Fill the bottle up 1/3 of the way with witch hazel.
2. Fill the bottle just about the rest of the way up with distilled water (2/3).
3. Add a few drops of tea tree oil (mine doesn't have a dropper, so I just eye ball it, but it's probably about 1/2 tsp).
4. Apply your toner with a reusable cloth face pad (I got mine from the Dollar Tree, that way I can wash and reuse them without having to always buy more cotton balls which end up in the trash), or a cotton ball.

 Simple, green, and frugal!

What about you, what was your frugal find this week?

Walgreen's Trip 02/05/2013

Last stop we made on Tuesday was Walgreen's, where I used a $10 gift card from awhile ago to get some free probiotics that we needed.  Here's what I ended up with...

1-30 ct Culturelle $22.99 - $12.99 Sale - $10 RR = FREE!

4 Butterfingers (for Joe, 1 missing, because of Joe) 2/$1 - 1000 Rewards Points wyb 4 (= about $1) = 4/$1

+ $0.12 Tax

- $10 Gift card used to Pay

Total OOP: $2.12, Earned $10 RR and 1000 Rewards Points!

Rite Aid Trip 02/05/2013

I also got to stop into Rite-Aid this week, and I scored some AWESOME deals there...

2 pks Stayfree Maxi Pads $3.99 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - BOGO Free MC ($3) - $2 UP+Rewards x 2 = 2 FREE + $1 Money-maker!

1 CLEAR Shampoo + 1 CLEAR Conditioner $5.99 ea -$1 ea Sale - BOGO Free MC ($4.99) - $1/1 Rite-Aid Values Coupon - $2 UP+Rewards x 2 = 2 FREE!

+ $0.60 Tax

Total OOP: $7.59, Earned $8 UP+Rewards for next week!

CVS Trip 02/05/2013

I was so excited to get back into shopping at the drug stores.  Our stock-pile is growing thin, so I was so happy to get back in the action.  CVS was pretty uneventful.  I had $10 ECB's expiring, and Joe has been asking for some chocolates, so that's what I got, win, win!

4 Variety pks Mars Chocolates $4.49 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $1/1 CVS Coupon - $1/2 MC x 2 - $4 ECB wyb $12 = 4/$5

1 Wonderful Pistachios $1

+ $0.72 Tax

- $10 ECB 

Total OOP: $0.72, JUST TAX!  Earned $4 ECB for next week!

ALDI Trip 02/05/2013

Joe and I also stopped into ALDI this week to stock up after our freezer/pantry challenge in January.  Here's what we ended up with...

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

1 bunch Organic Bananas $1.38

1 bag Yogurt Raisins $1.79

1 box Onion Soup Mix $0.79

1 bar Mint Chocolate $1.89

1 box Baking Mix $1.99

1-5 lb bag Baking Potatoes $2.39

1-3 lb bag Onions $1.69

1 pk Plain Bagels $1.69

+ $0.23 Tax

Total OOP: $16.42

Giant Trip 02/05/2013

Tuesday Joe and I stopped into Giant to use the rest of our gift card towards a $50 purchase, which would earn us an additional $0.30 off per gallon of gas (up to 35 gallons).  We now have a total of $1.10 off each gallon, I cannot wait to go fill up the suburban, and then let it set until the tool show we are doing next month!  Here's how our grocery shopping went down!

Turkey Hill Naturals Chocolate Ice Cream $4.69 - $1/1 MC - $3.69

1 box Eggo Waffles $2.79 - $0.79 Sale = $2

2 boxes Mrs Paul's Fish Patties $5.99 ea - $3 ea Sale - $1/2 MC = 2/$4.98

1 Qt Organic Half and Half $3.79 - $0.25 Sale = $3.54

1 pt Organic Heavy Cream $3.79 - $0.25 Sale = $3.54

2 lbs Laura's Lean Ground Beef $6.30 and $6.36 = 2/$12.66

1 large JIF PB $5.49

1 Nature's Promise Organic Beef Broth $1.25

4 Newman's Own Pasta Sauces $2.89 ea - $0.89 ea Sale - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4/$6

1 Organic Cream of Mushroom Soup $2.69

2 Bull's Eye BBQ Sauces $1.99 ea - $0.32 ea Sale = 2/$3.34

1-100 ct Giant Tagless Tea Bags $1.25

1 pkg Potato Rolls $3.49 - $0.99 Sale = $2.50

2 bottles Giant Bleach $0.77 ea (50% clearance price) = 2/$1.54

+ $0.10 Tax

- $0.15 for using 3 reusable bags

- $48 Gift card used

Total OOP: $70.81 - $16.49 Sales and Coupons - $48 Gift card = $6.42 oop!

ALDI Deals, starting 02/06/2013

Here are some of this week's deals...

• Wednesday 02/06 ONLY: Cattlemen's Ranch Fresh Filet of Beef Garlic Peppercorn 16 oz $5.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Red Velvet Cake Mix 18.25 oz $1.29 ea
• Aunt Maple's Pancake Mix Pink Chocolate Chip or Red Velvet 8-8.5 oz $1.99 ea
• Belmont 9" Chocolate Cheesecake Sampler 50 oz $9.99 ea
• O'Donnell's Strawberry Cream 750 ml $8.99 ea
• Reggano Fettuccine or Linguine 16 oz $0.99 ea
• Chef's Cupboard Beefy Onion Soup Mix 2.2 oz $0.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Honey or Cajun Cornbread Mix 14.25-15 oz $1.29 ea
• Fit and Active Yolk Free Noodles 12 oz $0.99 ea
• Happy Harvest Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz $0.89 ea
• Anchor Hocking True Seal 6 piece Glass Bowls with Lids $9.99 ea
• Navel Oranges 4 lb bag $1.79 ea
• Strawberries $1.99/lb
• Cantaloupe $1.39 ea
• Pineapple $1.89 ea
• Grapefruit $0.39 ea
• Mandarins 3 lb bag $2.59 ea

For more information about ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday: Chili Recipe

With the Superbowl just over, this recipe was fresh in my mind, so I thought I would share it with you today.  My husband loves this chili recipe, and I love that it is so easy to make!  This chili is great with crackers and cheese, and is also wonderful atop a taco salad!  You should make a pot today!

 Ingredients:

1/2 lb fried and drained Ground Beef (or turkey if you want)

1 diced Onion
1 large Red Bell Pepper, diced
1 medium Green Bell Pepper, diced
1 can Pinto Beans, rinsed (or 1 cup crock-pot cooked beans)
1 can Great Northern Beans, rinsed (or 1 cup crock-pot cooked beans)
3 large cans Diced Tomatoes (or 1 Qt + 1 pt home canned)
1 can Chili Seasoned Diced Tomatoes (I get my from ALDI)
1-2 pkts McCormick Mild Chili Seasoning

1. Fry ground beef (or turkey) with onion, drain fat.
2. Add beef/onion mixture to crock-pot with peppers, beans, tomatoes, and seasoning.
3. Cook on low for at least 2 hours and up to 8.
4. Serve with shredded cheese, and crackers.  Refrigerate leftovers.

Linking up to Tempt your Tummy Tuesday!