Menu Plan Monday, 04/29/2013

This week Joe and I are working on some projects for the house, like fixing up two lamps for the living room.  We are also gearing up for the first event here at the museum, where we have a few things to set up for sale.  I tried to keep the menu simple this week, to help get us through until we get paid and can go grocery shopping.  Here's what's on the menu...

Breakfasts: Waffles, Cold Cereal, and/or Fruit and Yogurt Smoothies

Lunches: Leftovers or Sandwiches/Salads

Dinners: (All dinners but salads served with a Steamed Vegetable)

Sunday - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Monday - Taco Salads 

Tuesday - Grilled Chicken Salads

Wednesday - Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

Thursday - Homemade Pizza

Friday - Take-in

Saturday - TBA

Extras: Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and Banana White Chocolate Chip Bread

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 04/21-04/27/2013

This week

• Sunday's Walgreen's Trip (6-24 pk Nice! Bottled Water): $12.66 oop
• Sunday's CVS Trip: $8.46 oop, Earned $7 ECB's
• Sunday's Shopper's Trip: $14.82 oop 
• Wednesday's Shopper's Trip (Cake Supplies): $5.57
• Earned $10 for Cake ordered
• Saturday's BJ's Trip (Waffles, Crystal Light, and Land O Lakes Olive Oil Butter Spread, used 3 coupons): $24.96 oop
• Saturday's Walgreen's Trip (4-24 pks Nice Bottled Water): $8.44 oop
• Saturday's Giant Trip (2 Newspapers, 1 head Organic Green Leaf Lettuce: $5.91 oop

Total OOP: $80.82 - $17 Earned Rewards/Cash = Net OOP: $63.82!  Not horrible, but we won't have to buy waffles or bottled water for a while!

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Frugal Finds Friday: Homemade Detangler

2 tbsp Condtitioner

+

Water to fill a spray bottle

= 

Homemade Detangler

Shake, spray on hair and comb as usual.

It's just that simple!   Give it a try, and think of the money you'll save!

Linked to Make your Own Monday and Works for Me Wednesday!

ALDI Deals, Starting 04/24/2013

Here are a few of the awesome deals at ALDI this week...

• Weds. 04/24 ONLY: Kirkwood Fresh Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breasts 14 oz $4.99 ea
• Pineapple $1.69 ea
• 3 lb bag Apples all varieties $2.69 ea
• Strawberries $1.39/lb
• Oranges 4 lb bag $1.79 ea
• Mangoes $0.79 ea
• Bananas $0.44/lb
• Friendly Farms All Natural Chocolate Almond Milk 64 oz $2.49 ea
• Chaza Exotic Pomegranate Splash 750 ml $4.99 ea
• Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Garlic Bread Loaf 16 oz $1.59 ea
• Apple and Eve Fruitables 8 pk Juice Boxes Assorted Varieties $2.49 ea
• Apple and Eve Sesame Street 100% Juice Boxes 8 pk $1.99 ea
• Kirkwood Dino Buddies Chicken Nuggets 46 oz $6.49 ea
• Kirkwood Safari Chicken Nuggets 32 oz $3.99 ea
• Naked Red Machine (Juice) 15.2 oz $2.49 ea  
• Season's Choice Potatoes O'Brien 28 oz $1.29 ea
• Gardenline Garden Cart 15.83 gal $19.99 ea
• Gardenline Sprinkler Assortment $7.99 ea
• Gardenline 15" Planters $9.99 ea
• 10" Flowering Hanging Baskets $5.99 ea
• Gardenline 6-in-1 Garden Tool, Pruner Set, or Shears $4.99 ea
• Gardenline 18" Watering Wand Assortment $3.99 ea
• Gardenline Flowering Clematis Vine Assortment $4.99 ea
• Crane 5 Station Swing Set $99.99 ea
• Step2 Wagon for 2 Plus $49.99 ea

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

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday: Chicken Fajitas

This Sunday we had our family over for a Mexican Fiesta, which included taco meat and shells, as well as chicken fajitas.  Chicken fajitas are one of our favorite meals to serve, and eat, of course ;-)  Not only are they delicious, but super simple, and rather healthy as well.  Here's my non-recipe...

1. Cube up desired amount of Chicken Breasts (I do one per person, that way I usually have leftovers).
2. Saute chicken in a skillet with Olive Oil, and Fajita Seasoning (I use McCormick), until chicken is no longer pink in the center.
3. Add Sliced Bell Peppers (whatever colors you like, about 1 medium per 2 medium breasts), and Sliced Onions (you can you red, white, or yellow, I use yellow, and also about 1 medium per 2 medium breasts).  I add a little more seasoning and olive oil when I add in the veggies to make sure nothing sticks.
4. Continue to saute on medium heat and stir frequently until the veggies have cooked down, and are softened.
5. Serve hot with warmed tortillas, shredded lettuce and cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, and sliced avocados or guacamole.  The topping combinations are half the fun! 

Linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, A Bowl Full of Lemons, and Homemade Mondays!

Sunday's Shopper's Trip

Sunday I need to pick up the meat and ice cream for our Mexican Fiesta, SO I stopped into Shopper's to use the last of my birthday gift card.  I also picked up a few things that I either can't get at Giant (spaghetti), or that were way cheaper (pasta sauce and olives).  Here's what I ended up with...

2 lbs Laura's Lean Ground Beef $6.49 ea = 2/$12.98

1-2 pk Perdue Chicken Breasts $4.99

.11 lbs Jalapenos from the Salad Bar for Joe $0.60

1 carton Turkey Hill Naturals Coffee Ice Cream $3.99 on Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 = $2.99

1 carton Turkey Hill Stuff'd PB Ice Cream $3.50 on Sale - $1/1 MC = $2.50

2 jars Newman's Own Pasta Sauce $2.69 ea on Sale - $1/2 MC = 2/$4.38

2 cans Sliced Black Olives $0.79 ea = 2/$1.58

2 boxes Organic Spaghetti $1.59 ea = 2/$3.18

+ $0.04 Tax

- $18.42 Gift Card used to Pay

Total OOP: $14.82

Menu Plan Monday: 04/22/2013

This week we finally got together with my family for our Mexican Fiesta.  We will also get to go to Joe's grandfather's house on Wednesday and get some work done there.  So, a nice balance of work and play.  :-)  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Smoothies, and/or Waffles

Lunches: Leftovers, and/or Salads

Dinners: (All served with salad or a steamed veggie)

Sunday - Family Mexican Fiesta: Chicken Fajitas, Taco Meat/Shells, Mexican Rice, and Chips and Salsa with Brownie Sundaes for dessert!

Monday - Cheesy Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf

Tuesday - Cheese Steak Egg Rolls, Onion Rings

Wednesday - Working at Joe's Grandfather's house, probably eating at Chili's with him.

Thursday -Homemade Pizza, Veggie Sticks and Dip

Friday - Out :-)

Saturday - Pancakes with Chipped Beef Gravy, and Fruit

Extras: Brownies!

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Sunday's CVS Trip

This afternoon Joe and I stopped into CVS to pick up one of my prescriptions, and while we were there, I grabbed up some awesome deals.  Here's what we ended up with...

2 Tom's Toothpastes $5.49 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $2/$8 Toothpaste CVS Coupon - $2/2 MC - $2 ECB's = 2/$2!

2 Crest Toothpastes $3.99 ea - $1 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 - $2 ECB's x 2 = 2 FREE!

1-100 ct box CVS Alcohol Prep Pads $2.37 - FREE CVS Coupon = FREE!

4 bags Gardetto's Snack Mix $1.25 ea (on sale, regular price not listed) - $0.50/2 MC x 2 = 4/$4

1 Snickers Egg $0.87 - $0.43 Clearance = $0.44

+ $1.04 Tax

- $5 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $8.46, Earned $7 ECB's!

Linked to Simply CVS!

Weekly Spending Report: 04/14-20/2013

This week...

• Sunday's Rite-Aid Trip (1 Arm and Hammer Cat Litter, not pictured): $17.12 oop, Earned $7 UP+Rewards

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $29.80 oop

• Monday's Shopper's Trip (1 bag shredded Cheddar cheese): $2 oop
• Saturday's ALDI Trip: $18.06 oop

 

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $10.18 oop

• Saturday's Giant Trip: $45.81 - $18.44 Sales/Coupons/Save $5 Deal = $27.37 oop

Total OOP: $104.53 - $7 Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $97.53!  That's a LOT of money, but I feel good about what I was able to stock up on, including: raw sugar, lean cuisines, cat food and litter, fruits and veggies, and meal fixings.

Frugal Finds Friday: Homemade Drain Cleaner/Freshener

 2 tbsp Baking Soda + 1 c White Vinegar =

 Homemade Drain Cleaner/Freshener!

This cleaner is great to get the slimy build-up out of your pipes.  I use is about once a month.  I don't know how it would do if you actually had a clog, but by doing this treatment once a month, I haven't had a clog since I started.  I follow the baking soda/vinegar with a kettle of boiling water once the fizzing has stopped.  It's that simple, and very frugal, and green, so give it a try!

Linked to Homemade Mondays and Works for Me Wednesday!