Menu Plan Monday: 03/31/2014

11 more days until Baby Rogers is due!  I cannot wait!  I'm still working hard in the nursery, keeping up with laundry, and trying to keep the house clean, but other than that, I'm pretty tired, so I am trying to rest as much as possible.  I kept the menu pretty simple this week again, that way Joe could help out if I need it.  Here's what were eating this week...

Breakfasts: Cereal for Me, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread for Joe

Lunches: Leftovers, Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Chili

Monday - Chopped (leftover and frozen) Beef Roast with Mushrooms, Onions, and Gravy, over Egg Noodles, with Rolls

Tuesday - Baked Fish Patties, with Rice Cooker Mac and Cheese

Wednesday - Onion Gravy Pork Chops, with Mashed Potatoes

Thursday - Leftover Buffet

Friday - Working at Joe's Grandfather's house, so we'll probably eat with him

Saturday - Nachos

Extras: Possible some Brownies, but we'll see.

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: Day 16

Today's challenge invovled a quick pick-up of the house, and vacuuming the air vents throughout the house.  Since today was my normal cleaning day, I pick-up the house before I get started.  Here's an after of the kitchen, much tidier without a bunch of junk on the table :-)

The air vents took a little longer, as I had to wait for my husband to do them, since they are all up near our 10 foot ceiling.  But with only 7 to do, it didn't take long.  He also did the duct work as well.
As for purging 7 items, that was simple today, I working in the nursery going through my sewing/craft stash.  Needless to say, this is all going out for sale!  There's at least 50 items in there, YEAH!

Linked to Money Saving Mom!

March Budget Update

This month I started off with an additional $49 in the grocery budget, which is always nice!  We cashed in our coin jar the end of last month, so into the grocery envelope it went. Even with the extra money, I still managed to go over budget for the month, by $1.23 - ugh!  Well, April should be easier.  The baby is due the 10th, so I don't plan on doing too much shopping after that.  We have very well stocked freezers, as well as a full pantry, so there isn't really anything we need, other than probably more diapers!  Here's how the month worked out...

• Week #1 (+ Saturday 03/01 $19.56): $74.44 OOP, Earned $25.72 ECB's, $10 CVS Gift Card, $20 Target Gift Card, $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swag Bucks, and $99.99 from Amazon
• Week #2: $77.06 OOP, Earned $25 ECB's, $7.99 MIR, $63.58 Wal-mart Gift card for a return, $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swag Bucks, and $15.04 from Amazon
• Week #3: $65.85 OOP, Earned $38 ECB's, $2.49 MIR, $8 in Catalina Coupons, $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swag Bucks, and $23.97 from Amazon
• Week #4: $46.23 OOP, Earned $20 ECB's, $8.99 and $15 from MIR's, $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swag Bucks, and $30.02 from Amazon

Grand Total OOP for March: $263.58
Total Earned: $433.79
Amount Remaining: $1.23 Over budget, even with the leftover from February added in - boo!  But we are very well stocked for when Baby Rogers decides to come, and I have everything I need for my labor bag.  I finally feel prepared, which means that the baby will probably take it's sweet time getting here :)  Anyway, it all balances out in the end, so here's to doing better in April! 

Weekly Spending Report: 03/23-29/2014

This week I went over my monthly budget, but with the baby on it's way in just two weeks, I did a lot of stocking up, and I feel good about what I purchased, and the price I paid.  It's good to have easy meals and snacks on hand for after the baby comes.  Here's how the last week of March went down...

• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $5.28 oop, Earned $20 ECB's, and $8.99 MIR
• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $22.50 oop
• Tuesday's ALDI Trip: $8.80 oop

• Saturday's ALDI Trip (no picture, 2 boxes Pop-tarts, 1 bunch Organic Bananas, and 1 pkg String Cheese): $9.65 oop 
• Saturday's Bath and Body Works Trip (no picture, 2 hand soap, used free item coupons from Facebook): Zero oop
• Earned $15 MIR for my Contacts  
• Earned $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swag Bucks
• Earned $30.02 from Amazon

Total OOP: $46.23
Total Earned: $79.01
Total Remaining:$1.23 Over Budget -- Boo!  Hopefully April will be better :)

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Tuesday's Giant Trip

Tuesday Joe and I stopped into Giant to pick up some necessities as well as a few great coupon deals.  It was nice to be able to do some coupon shopping, it might be my last trip before the baby comes.  Only 3 weeks to go.  We'll have to wait and see, here's what we ended up with...

2 boxes Mrs. Paul's Fish Fillets $5.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$3.99
1/2 lb VA Baked Deli Ham $4.05
2 tubs Land O Lakes Olive Oil Spread $2.19 ea = 2/$4.38
3 bags Cascadian Farms Organic Frozen Blueberries $3.59 ea - $0.75/1 doubled to $1.50 ea x 3 = $2.09 ea or 3/$6.27
1 box Blueberry Pop-Tarts $3.19 - $0.69 Sale = $2.50
2 boxes Back to Nature Organic Mac and Cheese $2.59 ea - $1/1 MC x 2 = $1.59 ea or 2/$3.18
1 bottle Gold's Horseradish $1.99 - $0.49 Sale = $1.50
4 bottles Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap $1.39 ea - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 4 = $0.39 ea or 4/$1.56
+ $0.22 Tax
- $7 Catalina Coupons used to Pay
- $0.15 Reusable Bag Credit 
Total OOP: $47.32 - $24.82 Savings/Coupons = $22.50, Savings of 52%!!!!

Tuesday's CVS Trip

Tuesday Joe and I also stopped into CVS to pick up some great coupon deals.  We had an AWESOME trip, and I did do two transactions to make the most of my ECB's.  Here's how it went down...

Transaction #1: 
1-24 ct Cool Mint Zantac $10.79 - $1.80 Sale - $2/$10 CVS Stomach Coupon - $4/1 MC - $8.99 MIR = FREE + $6 Money-maker!
1 Jumbo pk CVS Size 1 Diapers $9.29 - $2.30 Sale - $3 ECB's = $3.99
1-10 ct Zarbee's Seasonal Relief $9.99 - $2.99 Sale - $1/1 MC (from previous sample pk) - $7 ECB's = FREE + $1 Money-maker!
6 Reese's Eggs $0.99 ea - $0.24 ea Sale - BOGO Free Sale x 3 - $1/3 MC x 2 = 6/$0.25
+ $0.45 Tax
- $14 ECB's used to Pay
Total OOP: $2.68, Earned $10 ECB's and $8.99 MIR!

Transaction #2:
2 tubes Physician's Formula Concealer $9.79 ea - 20% off CVS Coupon $3.92 - $7/1 CVS Coupon - $10 ECB's wyb 2 = 2 FREE + $1.34 Money-maker!
+ $0.94 Tax
- $7 ECB used to Pay
Total OOP: $2.60, Earned $10 ECB's!

Total Spent: $5.28
Total Earned $20 ECB's and $8.99 MIR!

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 03/26/2014

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

• Weds. 03/26 ONLY: SimplyNature Fresh 85% Lean Organic Grass Fed Ground Beef 1 lb $4.49 ea
• Organic Baby Carrots 16 oz $1.29 ea
• Organic Grape Tomatoes 10 oz pkg $1.89 ea
• Avocados $0.79 ea
• Multi-Peppers 3 pk $1.99 ea
• Mini Cucumbers 14 oz $1.29 ea
• Grapefruits $0.39 ea
• Pears 28 oz $1.49 ea
• Mangoes $0.79 ea
• SimplyNature Apple Multi-fruit or Apple Banana Fruit Squeezies 12.7 oz $1.99 ea
• SimplyNature Yogurt Squeezies Mixed Berry or Strawberry Banana 4-3.5 oz pouches $3.69 ea
• SimplyNature Pancake Mix Oatmeal or Whole Wheat 16 oz $1.99 ea
• SimplyNature Unsweetened Apple Sauce 46 oz $1.89 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Brownie or Vanilla Cake Mix 15-15.25 oz $2.99 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Black Beans 15 oz $0.89 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Sharp Cheddar 8 oz block $3.49 ea
• SimplyNature Shredded Cheese Mexican or Mild Cheddar 8 oz $3.49 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Toasted Oats Honey or Original 9-10 oz $1.99 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Reduced Fat 2% Milk $3.39 ea
• SimplyNature Organic 100% Apple Juice 64 oz $2.49 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Wildflower Honey 12 oz $3.19 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Diced Tomatoes 28 oz $1.49 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Free Range Chicken or Low Sodium Chicken 32 oz $1.79 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Salsa Hot, Medium, or Mild 16 oz $1.99 ea
• SimplyNature Uncured Pepperoni or 4 Cheese Pizza 13.2-13.3 oz $3.49 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Fruit Bars Chunky Strawberry, Creamy Banana, or Creamy Coconut 10 oz $2.69 ea
• Fit and Active Sugar Free Preserves Assorted Varieties 13 oz $1.99 ea
• Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen French Bread Pizza Three Meat or Extra Cheese 11.75-12.5 oz $1.99 ea
• Clancy's Garden Veggie  Crisps Jalapeno Ranch or Tomato Basil 4.5 oz $1.49 ea
• Sweet Additions Monk Fruit Sweetener 2.82 oz $2.99 ea
• Millville Chewy Yogurt Granola Bars Assorted Varieties 6.1 oz $1.79 ea
• Easy Home Heavy Duty Black Shelving $39.99 ea
• Easy Home Toilet Seat with Soft Close Round or Oblong $14.99 ea
• Easy Home Multifunctional Shower Head Assortment $12.99 ea
• Stout Stuff 10 piece Garage Starter Kit $24.99 ea

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

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Chocolate Chip PB Oatmeal Bars

My husband's favorite flavor combination if you haven't guess by now is peanut butter and chocolate.  If it resembles a PB cup, he's there.  So, I try to make things that include the two ingredients, and if I can add something healthy in the mix like oatmeal, I count that as a double win!  These Chocolate Chip PB Oatmeal bars are tasty, and very filling.  They have plenty of sweet without being candy-like, and actually have a more savory taste from the PB, which I like.  The bars whip up quick, bake for only 20 minutes, and then get topped with a fast and tasty glaze, so go make yourself some, like right now...

Bars:

1/2 c unsalted softened Butter

1/2 c Sugar (I use Raw)

1/2 c Brown Sugar

1/2 c PB (I use Creamy)

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1 c Flour (I use unbleached)

1/2 c Quick Oats

1 c Chocolate Chips (I use Milk)

Glaze:

1/2 c Powdered Sugar

2 tbsp PB (I warm mine a little to make it easier to mix)

2 tbsp Milk

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Cream butter, and sugars together until fluffy.  Add PB, vanilla, and egg.  Beat until smooth.

2.) Mix together dry ingredients, except chocolate chips.  Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well.  Stir in chocolate chips.

3.) Spread mixture into a greased and floured 9x13" pan.  Bake 20 minutes in preheated oven.

4.) Mix together glaze ingredients until smooth, and drizzle onto cooled, pre-cut bars.  Allow glaze to set slightly.  Store bars in between wax paper in an airtight container.

Linked to Homemade Mondays, the Homestead Barnhop, One Project at a Time, Thrifty Thursday, the Super Saturday Link Party, and the Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-up!

Menu Plan Monday: 03/24/2014

This week is again jam-packed with working on preparing for our little one.  I'm hoping to get about half my large 'To Do before the baby comes' list crossed off and done.  That list doesn't include my weekly cleaning, running a bunch of errands, going to the eye Dr, and working at Joe's grandfather's one day, which also all need to get done.  Needless to say, it's going to be a BUSY week!  I kept the meals super simple, since I'm 37 weeks pregnant, sometime has to give, so easier meals it is.  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal for Me, Apple Pie Bread for Joe (*new recipe)

Lunches: Leftovers or Sandwiches with Chips and Fruit

Dinners:

Sunday - Pasta with Marinara Sauce, Ground Sausage for Joe, and Garlic Bread

Monday - Smoked Ribs with French Fries (Joe's also going to smoke a chicken as well to have for lunches this week, and to put some away in the freezer)

Tuesday - Fruited Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Chips

Wednesday - Pot Roast (Leftover from the freezer) with Onions, Mushrooms, and Gravy over Egg Noodles

Thursday - Working at Joe's Grandfathers, so we'll eat out with him, where ever I have a coupon :-)

Friday - Dinner at a Friend's House!

Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Extras: Homemade Brownies

Freezer Cooking Plan: Shredded Smoked Chicken, Brownie Mixes, and Apple Pie Bread

For more AWESOME menu plans, visit Org Junkie!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: Day 15

Today's challenge involveda wipe down of the TV and computer screens.  That was super quick, so I spent the rest of the day working in the nursery, only one corner left!  I thought I share the product we use to clean our TV and computer screens, instead of clean black screens :)

I delcuttered a lot of old and duplicate pictures, and misc paper trash from the nursery.  Enough to fill a whole box, definitely 100+ items, gone!

Linked to Money Saving Mom!