Weekly Spending Report: 02/10-16/2013

This week I continued restocking the freezers and pantry, and stocking up on good deals.  Here's what I ended up with...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $1.33 oop, Earned $2 ECB's
• Sunday's Walgreen's Trip: $1.99 oop, Earned $3 RR and 2000 Balance Points (= $2)
• Sunday's Rite-Aid Trip: $7.13 oop, Earned $9 UP+Rewards
• Sunday's Target Trip: $22.17 oop, Earned $5 Gift card 

 + 2 large bags cat chow, not pictured

• Monday's CVS Trip (just Doritos Joe picked up with a prescription): $4.29 oop 
• Tuesday's Thrift Store Trip (Jeans and Shirt for me): $9.98 oop

• Tuesday's Wal-mart Trip: $57.05 oop

• Tuesday's Staples Trip (Ink and Tissues 2/$0.99): $11.11 oop
• Earned $107.76 in a Rebate Check from a Dr, so we decided to add it to the grocery money
• Thursday's Giant Trip: $31.62 oop

• Thursday's Micheal's Trip (just 1 bag of candy for a gift): $3.17 oop
• Thursday's ALDI Trip: $23.99 oop

Total OOP: $173.83 - $128.76 Earned Rewards/Cash = Net oop: $45.07 -- Without the check, that's a LOT, but the freezers are finally starting to look stocked again.  I am going to try r-e-a-l-l-y hard next week to stay out of the stores, and away from the good deals, and hopefully save some money in the process!

Frugal Finds Friday: Stretching Taco Meat

When I first got married, I made taco meat the same way my mother always had, 1 lb ground beef + 1 seasoning pkt and water = taco meat.  But as I got older, and money got scarcer, I began experimenting with ways that I could make everything stretch further, including our meat.  Meat is expensive, so I really want to get the most bang for my buck.  I started out just adding a can of tomatoes to my taco meat.  That was received well; the tomatoes stayed on the tacos better because they were already in the meat, and it was one less thing to balance on top.  The latest thing I've added is cooked pinto beans.  I put these in our chili, so it seemed like a natural pairing for the taco meat.  It is super YUMMY!  My husband isn't that into beans, and he even liked it - score!  I also learned to stretch the meat even further by not serving tacos, but making nachos or taco salads instead.  This makes it easy for Joe and I to fill up with using little meat.  A pound of beef now makes at least 6 meals + leftovers for us, just by using the above tips!

For my taco meat recipe, go here!

Linked to Homemade Mondays!
Linked to How to Tuesday!

ALDI Deals, Starting 02/13/2013

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

• Wednesday 02/13 ONLY: Fresh USDA Choice Boneless Ribeye Steak $7.99/lb
• Fusia Soy, Light Soy, or Teriyaki Sauce 15 oz $1.19 ea
• Fusia Wok Sauces Assorted Varieties 12 oz $1.69 ea
• Fusia Rice Crackers 3.53 oz $1.49 ea
• Fusia Asian Trail Mix 8 oz $1.99 ea
• Fusia Pork or Chicken Egg Rolls 12.26 ea $2.49 ea
• Fusia Mini Egg Rolls 7 oz $1.99 ea
• Bolthouse Farms Amazing Mango Juice Smoothie 15.2 oz $1.99 ea
• Sea Queen Fish Fillets Crunchy or Battered 19-19.2 oz $2.99 ea
• Sea Queen Tilapia 16 oz $3.49
• Sea Queen Tilapia Fillets Value pk 32 oz $5.49
• Strawberries $1.99/lb
• Pineapple $1.89 ea 
• Cantaloupe $1.39 ea
• Lemons $1.69/2 lb bag
• Blueberries $1.79/6 oz 
• Navel Oranges $1.79/4 lb bag

For more information about ALDI, visit their homepage!

Sunday's Rite-Aid Trip

Rite-Aid was a very fruitful stop this week.  I was able to get some deals for our stockpile (body wash and a light bulb), as well as some things that I can sell at the Sept. flea market we do (toothpaste and Sucrets).  Here's how it went down...

1 GE Light Bulb $6.99 - $3 Sale - $3/1 in ad Coupon - $1/1 MC = FREE!
2 Colgate Toothpastes $3.99 ea - $0.49 ea Sale - $1/2 MC - $3 UP+Rewards x 2 = 2 FREE!
2 tins Sucrets $4.99 ea - $3.49 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 - $1 UP+Rewards wyb 2 = 2/FREE!
2 Gillette Body Washes $4.99 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $1/2 MC - $2 UP+Rewards wyb 2 = 2/$5
+ $1.14 Tax
- $8 UP+Rewards from last week used to Pay
Total OOP: $7.13, Earned $9 UP+Rewards for next week!

Sunday's Walgreen's Trip

Lastly, we stopped into Walgreen's, and they had everything I wanted except the razors, so I just stocked up on some PB instead.  It wasn't as good of a deal, but at least it was something that we use on a regular basis.  The cashier was having a horrible time with the coupons, finally a manager came up to over-ride things, I'm not sure why he didn't just do that in the first place?!  Anyway, I still got my deals, and that's all that mattered...

1-10 ct Advil Congestion Relief $7.29 - $2.29 Sale - $3/1 MC = $2 +
1-10 ct Advil Congestion and Allergy Relief $7.99 - $2.99 Sale - $3/1 MC = $2 - 2000 Balance Points wyb 2 (= $2) = 2/$2!
2 JIF PB $3.99 ea - $1.49 ea Sale = 2/$5
1 Chloraseptic Spray $6.79 - $2.80 Sale - $1/1 MC - $3 RR = FREE!
- $10 RR used to Pay
Total OOP: $1.99, Earned $3 RR and 2000 Balance Points (= $2)

Sunday's CVS Trip

There wasn't a whole lot for me at CVS this week, but I stopped in and rolled my ECB's anyway.  Here's what I ended up with...

1 Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste $3.99 - $0.99 Sale - $2.50/1 CVS Coupon = $0.50

2 Halls Defense drops $2.67 ea - $1.19 ea Sale - $1/2 MC - $1 ECB/2 = 2/$1

1-24 pk Just the Basics H2O $3.99 - $1.49 Sale = $2.50

- $4 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $1.33, Earned $2 ECB's ($1 from Green Bag Tag) for next week!

Linking to Simply CVS!

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday: Taco Meat

When I do a freezer cooking session I almost always include taco meat, it's a favorite around here, and pretty versatile too.  I use it for tacos, burritos, nachos, taco salad, and a Mexican lasagna.  I usually fry up two pounds at a time which makes about 6 meals for us + leftovers.

1. Fry 2 pounds of ground beef (or turkey) with 2 medium finely diced onions until meat is cooked through and onions are soft and transparent.
2. Drain the meat and onions in a colander and then add back to the skillet.
3. Add 2 small cans diced tomatoes, (I got Muir Glen ones from the Dollar Tree), or 2 pints home-canned diced tomatoes + all juice.
4. Add 2 cups cooked pinto beans.
5. Add recommended/desired amount of taco seasoning (I use the large canister of McCormick from BJ's I think it was 1/4 or 1/2 c for 2 lbs).
6. Stir everything together and let cook until juice (from tomatoes) has reduced greatly.
7. I measure our meat out into Ziploc freezer bags by the cup.  This go round I made us nachos for dinner with a little leftover for my lunch the next day, plus put 5-1 c bags in the freezer!

For more AWESOME recipes, visit Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday!

Menu Plan Monday: 02/11/2013

This week Joe and I don't have a whole lot planned.  I am going to continue to go through scrapbook paperwork, so that hopefully all 8 years of it will be sorted out and I can start scrap-booking again in March!  Also we are having my sister and dad over for dinner on Saturday for their birthdays.  Which means I also have some presents to make, and a little spot cleaning to do later this week.  It should be a great week though.  Here's what's on the Menu...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Waffles, or Bagels, with Fruit

Lunches: Leftovers or Grilled Cheese or PB and J Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Homemade Alfredo with Foccacia Bread, and a Vegetable 

Monday - Homemade Pizza

Tuesday - Nachos (made with this meat)

Wednesday - Pancakes, Cooked Apples, and Bacon

Thursday - Valentine's Day! Grilled Steak, Sauteed Mushrooms, Baked Potatoes, Imperial Crab, and a Vegetable

Friday - Fried LO Potatoes, Eggs, Bacon, and Toast

Saturday - Birthday Dinner! Chicken Pot-pie with Dumplings, Broccoli, and Birthday Cakes (1 yellow with homemade chocolate frosting, 1 yellow with black walnuts and homemade vanilla frosting with coconut on top)

Extras: Chocolate Pudding with Mint Chocolate Bar Chopped up in it (for Joe)

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 02/03-09/2013

I definitely spent a LOT of money this week, but after doing the freezer/pantry challenge last month, everything in the kitchen was looking a little bare.  I did some freezer cooking, so a lot of this food will last through February and into March, including the beef, chipped beef, bacon, butter, sugar, and a few other items I'm sure.  So in the long run, it's definitely worth it, and it was nice to be able and do a little stock-piling shopping this week.  Here's how it went down...

• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $6.42 oop, paid with gift card as well
• Tuesday's Home Depot Trip (4 bags pellets for cat litter): $17.36 oop
• Tuesday's ALDI Trip: $16.42 oop
• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $0.72 oop, Earned $4 ECB's
• Tuesday's Rite-Aid Trip: $7.59 oop, Earned $8 UP+Rewards
• Tuesday's Walgreen's Trip: $2.12 oop, Earned $10 RR and 1,000 Balance Rewards Points (= approx. $1)
• Friday's Amish Market Trip: $40.31 oop
• Friday's BJ's Trip: $38.44 oop
• Friday's Baugher's Trip (just 1/2 gallon Ice Cream): $5.25 oop
• Friday's Safeway Trip (2 Newman's Own Freezer Bag Meals): $8 oop
• Saturday's Shopper's Trip (2 newspaper): $3.99 oop

Total OOP: $146.62 - $19 Rewards Earned = Net OOP: $127.62, That's a lot for us, but most of this will last at least thru February, and into March.  Hopefully next week will be a lot cheaper!

Pantry Challenge Update #5: 01/27-02/02/2013

I am hoping this week ends as well as it started in regards to health in the Rogers' household.  I was finally feeling better Sunday morning, and I was so glad!  Joe and I were able to get a LOT accomplished, I LOVE it when that happens!  We also ate well...

Day #27: Sunday Joe had a meeting to go to so I worked on getting some things caught up around the house, you know, after being sick for-like-ever!  Two loads of laundry, dishes, straightening, tidying, the usual.  Plus we got to chill in the evening with 2 FREE Red-boxes!  We ate pretty good too.

B - None

L - Waffles, Butter and Syrup for Me, PB and J for Joe

D - Fried Potatoes and Onions, Bacon, Eggs, and Toast, with Apple Slices for Dessert

Day #28: Monday brought ice to Westminster, so Joe and I stayed in and cleaned the house today.  I LOVE a clean house!  We also started to put away Christmas.  I know we are a little late in getting everything put away, but I like to make it last as long as possible.  :-)  We also ate pretty well...
B - Waffles
L - Macaroni and Cheese, and Hotdogs
D - Leftover Fried Potatoes, Pancakes, and Creamed Chipped Beef Gravy

Day #29: Tuesday I focused on getting the Christmas decorations put away, which I finished all but getting the tree in the box, which Joe does anyway.  I also decorated for Valentine's day, and thought about a few decoration crafts I'd like to make in February.  Joe and I also mended some jeans that needed iron-on patches.  I ended the day with finishing a load of jeans laundry, and getting my coupon binder all caught up - LOVE it!!  I was definitely feeling better and the day turned out to be a very productive one!  However, the frozen chicken I had gotten down to thaw last night in the fridge was still completely frozen, so we used a gift card for dinner :-)
B - Waffles
L - Leftover Pancakes and Gravy for Me, Leftover Mac and Cheese and Hotdogs for Joe
D - Olive Garden!

Day #30 and #31: I just realized that I never posted the last pantry challenge update, so I have no idea what we ate the last two days of the month, but I'm sure it was good, everything else was!  I can't wait to do this challenge again this summer!