Menu Plan Monday: January 17th, 2011

This week will hopefully just fall into place.  I am finally starting to feel better!  I do have a few errands that need to be run this week as well as meetings to attend, so hopefully I will continue feeling well through the week.  Joe and I have also gotten a jump start on some of our spring cleaning, and we are still filling flea market boxes with stuff to sell!  Here's what's cooking this week...

Breakfasts: Cold or Hot Cereals, French Toast :-)

Lunches: Steak Gyros with homemade Pita bread (so yummy!), Tuna salad in Pitas with Chips, leftovers

Dinners:

Sunday - 'Fend for yourself night'  (I had chips and salsa and Joe had a pop-tart)

Monday - Zuppa Tuscana with Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (sickness relapse unfortunately)

Wednesday - Leftover Zuppa Tuscana and more Garlic Bread :-)

Thursday - Crock-pot Shredded Beef Tacos with Mexican Rice and Corn

Friday - Baked Ham with Mac and Cheese and Green Beans

Saturday - Meeting at Golden Corral for lunch and Homemade Pizza for dinner (if we get hungry)

What's Baking - Strawberries and Cream Scones - So excited for these, eat your heart out Panera!  ;-)

 For more awesome Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Sunday's Rite-Aid Deals

Yesterday Joe and I were able to get some major steals at Rite-Aid!  They have some awesome deals this week, and I will definitely be making another round later in the week to grab up some more bargains!  Here's what we got yesterday (and is anyone else missing those $5/$25 coupons -- come on Rite-Aid, we're waiting)...

1 bag Utz Chips $1.59 - $0.60 Sale = $0.99

2 boxes Rite-Aid Tissues $1.99 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $1 UP+Rewards x 2 = 2 FREE!

2 bags Ricola drops $2.49 ea - $0.50 Sale - $1/2 MC (newspaper) - $1 UP+Rewards = 2/$1

2 bags Halls Cough drops $2.49 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $1/2 MC (All You Magazine) - $1 UP+Rewards = 2/$1

2 pkgs Dixie Ultra Paper Plates $3.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale ($3.99) - $3/2 Rite-Aid Video Values Coupon = 2/$0.99

1 tube Clearasil face wash $5.49 - $1.10 card discount - $2/1 MC - $2/1 in-ad Coupon - $1 UP+Rewards = FREE + $0.61 MM!

1 Mitchum Deodorant $4.99 - 50% clearance ($2.50) - $0.75/1 MC (newspaper) - $2/1 in-ad Coupon = FREE + $0.26 MM!

2-2 pk Olay bar soaps $3.49 ea - BOGO 50% off Sale ($1.75) - $2/1 MC (newspaper) x 2 = 2/$1.23

2-24 ct Cool Mint Zantac $10.49 ea - $2.50 ea Sale - $5/1 MC (newspaper) - $2 UP+Rewards x 2 = 2/$1.98

1 Tom's deodorant $2.99 - $0.60 card discount = $2.39 (should have received a $3 UP+Rewards, but did not.  I contacted Rite-Aid Corporate after not getting anywhere with the store manager, still waiting on a reply)

+ Tax $1.23

- $7 UP+Rewards used to Pay

Total OOP: $11.94 cash + Earned $9 UP+Rewards (should have been $12 - will keep you all up to date!)

Yesterday's CVS Trip - Yeah for TP!

We were running low on TP, and lotion tissues (stupid cold!), so Joe and I stopped into CVS yesterday to get those two necessities, and a few of the other deals.  Here's what we were able to get...

2 Huge pkgs of Charmin TP (not pictured) $14.99 ea - $5 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 (newspaper & PG coupon booklet) = 2/$17.98

6 boxes Puffs tissues $1.99 ea - $1 ea Sale - $1/6 MC (newspaper) - $10 ECB wyb $25 = TP + Tissues for $10.92!

4 pks Orbit Gum $1.29 ea - BOGO Free Sale x 2 - BOGO Free MC x 2 (up to $1 ea) = 4/$0.58

1 Oral-B Satin Floss 55 yd $4.19 - $1.20 Sale - $1/1 MC (newspaper) - $2 ECB = FREE!

1 Crest Toothpaste $3.99 - $1 Sale - $1/1 MC (newspaper) - $2 ECB = FREE!

2 Tom's Deodorants $5.49 ea - $1.50 ea Sale - $3 ECB x 2 = 2/$1.98

+ Tax $2.55

- $20 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $18.01, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $20 ECB's!

What are we Eating during the Pantry Challange?

Some people might be thinking that it is crazy to eat only what you have in your pantry, but not really.  We've been eating very well, despite the fact I made no menu plan this week - UGH!  Joe and I have been creative in cleaning the fridge out.  One night I made this delicious pasta salad using leftover mini bow-tie pasta from the fridge.  I scoured the cupboards and found a jar of marinated artichoke hearts, canned mushrooms, home-canned diced tomatoes, and some Italian dressing mix.  I also grabbed some diced bell pepper from the fridge and some sliced pepperoni.  Toss it all together (using the marinade from the artichokes as the dressing), and you have a wonderful, easy side dish that even Joe loved :-)

I had also baked a buffalo marinaded and a fajita marinaded chicken breasts at the beginning of the week.  Two chicken breasts made Joe and I each a large salad, 4 quesdillas (spelling?), and 8 pizza pockets (not all at one time of course)!  And we were not starving or anything, we had plenty to eat.  This week a menu plan is definitely in order, however, I'm not to worried if I stray from it as long as we eat from the freezer and pantry, that's what's really important.  How is everyone else doing in their freezer/pantry challenge?

AWESOME, FREE make-up at CVS!!

Friday I also stopped into CVS to do the Pepsi deal again, and found out that the deal could be done 3 times (so I came back again on Saturday and did it one last time).  I also got the magical $10 Physician's Formula Coupon when I scanned my card, so here is what I ended up with...

6-12 pk Pepsi Products $5.19 ea - $1.85 or $1.86 to make 6/$20 - $10 ECB = 6/$10

2 PF Shimmer Strips $12.99 ea - $9.74 clearance ea = $3.25 ea + 1 PF Concealer $8.99 - $7 Sale = $1.99 - $10 CVS Coupon = 3 FREE + $1.51 MM!

+ $1.71 Tax

- $16.48 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $3.72, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $10 ECB's for next time!

Quick Rite-Aid Stop from Friday

Joe and I stopped into Rite-Aid Friday on the way home from a Dr.'s appt, and grabbed a few deals!

1 Maalox Advanced $5.49 - $1.10 card discount - $5/1 MC (newspaper) - $2 SCR = FREE + $2.21 MM!

1-2 lb bag White Rice $1.49 - $0.30 card discount - $1 UP+Rewards = $0.19

2 bags Werther's Candies (for Joe) $2.19 ea - BOGO Free Sale = 2/$2.19

1 Aveeno hand lotion $3.49 - $0.70 card discount - $1/1 in-ad Coupon - $1/1 MC (newspaper) = $0.79

1 St Ives Whipped Silk Lotion (MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE, that no one sells anymore!) $4.99 - 50% off clearance = $2.49

+ $0.45 Tax

- $5 UP+Rewards used to Pay

Total OOP: $1.50, Earned $1 UP+Rewards and $2 SCR back!

Rockin' Rite-Aid and CVS This Week!

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I was very pleased with the money-making deals at Rite-Aid last week, CVS, not so much.  Joe and I did rock the Pepsi deal out 3 times though ;-)  Here's what we were able to grab up last Sunday...

CVS:

6 pkgs 12 ct Pepsi products $5.19 ea - $1.85 or 1.86, making it 6/$20 - $10 ECB = 6/$10

8 pkgs disposable Razors (to donate) $1.29 ea - $0.30 ea price adjustment - $2/1 MC (newspaper) x 4 (last one adjusted to $1.92) = 8 FREE!

1 pkg Reese's Minis $1.69 - $0.10 Sale - $1.59 ECB = FREE!

1 Snicker's Bar $0.89 - $0.89 ECB = FREE

+ $1.50 Tax

- $15.50 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $3.48, paid with FREE gift card + Earned $12.48 ECB's for next time!

Rite-Aid:

1 Clean and Clear Astringent $5.49 - $1.10 card discount - $1/1 in-ad Coupon - $2/1 MC (newspaper) = $1.39

1-10 ct pkg Breathe Rights $5.99 - $2 Sale - $2/1 Rite-Aid Video Values Coupon - $1/1 MC (newspaper) - $1 UP+Rewards = FREE!

2 Tylenol Precise Heat Patches $7.99 ea - $2.99 ea Sale - $5/2 MC (newspaper) - $3 UP+Rewards x 2 = 2 FREE + $1 MM!

2 Motrin PM 20 ct $5.99 ea - $2.99 ea Sale - $2/1 MC x 2 (newspaper) - $2 UP+Rewards x 2 = 2 FREE + $2 MM!

+ $0.06 Tax

- $3 Rite-Aid Video Values Coupons

- $3 UP+Rewards

Total OOP: $3.44 - $2 gift card (for UP+Rewards that did not print before) = $1.44 Cash oop + Earned $11 in UP+Rewards for next time!

Martin's Trip from this week!

Martin's had some great bargains last week.  I spent more than I thought I would, but we're pretty stocked up, so I'm okay with it.  Here's what I ended up with...

2 loaves Giant Italian Bread $1.79 ea - $0.79 ea Sale = $1 ea or 2/$2

2 pkgs Giant Bagels $1.99 ea - $0.20 ea Sale = $1.79 ea or 2/$3.58

2 boxes Pop-Tarts (for Joe) $2.99 ea - $0.49 ea Sale = $2.50 ea or 2/$5

6 Whisker Lickin's Cat Treats $1.25 ea - $0.25 ea Sale - $2/2 MC (newspaper) x 2 = 6 FREE!

2 Mama Celeste Pizzas $1.49 ea - $0.49 ea Sale = 2/$2

1 Flat Iron Steak (for Gyros!) $5.09 - $1.08 Sale = $4.01

1 Chive Cream Cheese (for Joe) $2.29

+ Tax $0.36

Total OOP: $31.40 - $12.52 Card Savings and Coupons = $19.24 OOP - Savings of  40%

Big Rite-Aid Clearance Haul!

This is my January clearance trip to Rite-Aid.  For some reason they are cleaning out their AWESOME dollar section, so those items are only $0.50!

4 boxes granola bars (for my Dad) $1 ea - 50% clearance = $0.50 ea or 4/$2

5 Hawaiian Punch drink mix sticks $1 ea - 50% clearance = $0.50 ea or 5/$2.50

3 Spic and Span re-usable wipes 6 ct ea $1 ea - 50% clearance = $0.50 ea 

+ 1 Spic and Span glass cloth $1 - 50% clearance = $0.50 - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4 FREE!

2 All purpose Labels (for flea mkts) $2.49 ea - $0.50 ea Card discount - $2 UP+Rewards ea (did not print, received gift card instead) = 2 FREE!

1 box Wet Ones wipes $3.29 - $1.30 Sale - $1/1 MC - $1 UP+Rewards = FREE!

1-40 ct Aleve liquid gels $8.99 - $1.80 Card Discount - $2/1 MC - $2/1 in-ad Coupon - $1 UP+Rewards = $2.19

+ $0.51 Tax

- $11 UP+Rewards used to Pay

Total OOP: $2.17, Earned $6 UP+Rewards for next time!

HUGE Rite-Aid Trip!

This week, yet again, Rite-Aid is rocking-out the deals!  Sunday Joe and I stopped into the newer Rite-Aid in town to see what kind of clearance they had, and I'm so glad with do because I was able to pick up a few Christmas presents for this year!  Here's how it went down...

1 set Photo Coasters (Christmas Present) $5.99 - $4.50 Clearance = $1.49
3 Gingerbread Vanilla Jar Candles (Christmas Presents) $5.99 ea - $4.50 Clearance = $1.49 ea or 3/$4.47
4 Post-It Labels $5.99 ea - $5.39 ea Clearance = $0.60 ea or 4/$2.40
4 boxes Kleenex Tissues with Lotion 78 ct $1.59 ea - $0.60 ea Sale - $1/3 Rite-Aid Video Values Coupon (RAVVC) - $1/4 MC (newspaper) = 4/$1.96
1-1/2 gallon 2% Milk $2.19 - 20% Discount ($0.44) = $1.75
3-80 pkgs Rite-Aid Cotton Rounds $2.29 ea - $1 ea Sale - $0.50 UP+Rewards x 3 = $0.79 ea or 3/$2.37
1-2 lb bag Long Grain White Rice $1.49 - 20% Discount ($0.30) - $1 UP+Rewards = $0.19
1 Baltimore Sun Newspaper $2 - 20% Discount ($0.40) = $1.60
1 Aleve Liquid Gels 40 ct $8.99 - 20% Discount ($1.80) - $2/1 in-ad Coupon - $1/1 MC - $1 UP+Rewards = $3.19
2 Gas-x Prevention (separate transactions) $5.99 - 20% Discount ($1.20 ea) - $4/1 MC x 2 - $2 SCR x 2 = 2 FREE + $2.42 Money Maker!
1 Mead Recycled Paper Spiral notepad $5.79 - $5.21 Clearance = $0.58
1 pkg Duck Mailing Labels $2.79 - $2.51 Clearance = $0.28
1 pkg Kiwi Shoe Laces $2.19 - $1.97 Clearance = $0.22
+ $1.14 Tax
- $20 Gift of Savings Certificate (Yeah!  And I still have another one to use!)
Total OOP: $6.72 and I earned $4 SCR + $3.50 UP+Rewards and I got a little Christmas shopping done!