Sunday's CVS Trip

This week everywhere I went deal shopping, they were out of most of what I wanted.  Rite-Aid had absolutely nothing left in stock, CVS only had a couple deals left, but were our of the freebies, and I didn't even try Walgreen's - come on Westminster drug stores, get with the program!  Anyway, I did get a couple things at CVS, luckily one of those things was the Advil PM, which Joe needed.  Here's how it went down...

3-20 ct Advil PM Caplets $5.99 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 3 - $3 ECB wyb $15 = 3/$9

2 Poise Panty Fresheners 24 ct $4.99 ea - $1 ea Sale - $3/1 CVS x 2 - $1/1 MC x 2 - $1 ECB Lmt 1 = 2/FREE + $1 Money-maker!

+ $0.46 Tax 

- $2.67 ECBs used to Pay

Total OOP: $9.77 - $4 ECB's Earned = Net OOP: $5.77, which is pretty good for the Advil PM which I needed to buy anyway!

Linked to Simply CVS!

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday: Pork Chops in Mushroom Gravy

Pork chops in mushroom gravy were always my requested birthday dinner growing up.  My mom made the best.  It's not the healthiest meal in the world, but everything in moderation, right?  Anyway, it's really quite delicious, and so VERY simple!  Crock-pot simple that is, totally my style!

1. Add pork chops/tips to crock-pot.
2. Top with 1 can/carton Cream of Mushroom Soup (I use an organic variety), 1 can/carton's worth of water, and 1 packet Onion Soup mix. 
   
   Stir.
3. Cook on low 6-8 hours until pork chops are done and falling apart.  
4. Thicken liquid in crock-pot with a flour/water mixture to make gravy.
5. Serve pork chops and mushroom gravy over rice and with a vegetable.
   
6. Eat and enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers.

For more AWESOME recipes, visit Tempt my Tummy Tuesday!

Menu Plan Monday - 02/25/2013

This week Joe and I have some decluttering we want to do around the house, so I am keeping our meals simple.  I shouldn't have to but much this week, hopefully!  Here's what's on the menu this week...

Breakfasts: Cereal, Waffles, or Bagels with Fruit

Lunches: Leftovers, Grilled Cheese or PB and J Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Zuppa Tuscana with Foccacia Bread

Monday - Baked Fish Fillets, and French Fries, Vegetable

Tuesday - Crock-pot Pork Roast with Baked Potatoes and a Vegetable

Wednesday - Fried (leftover) Potatoes and Onions, Sausage, Eggs, and Toast

Thursday - TBA, We will be working at Joe's Grandfather's house again.

Friday - Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread and Broccoli

Saturday - Homemade Pizza with Veggies and Dip

Extras: Single Layer Cake with leftover homemade frosting

For more AWESOME menu plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 02/17-23/2013

This week was, well crazy, see...

• Wednesday's Shopper's Trip (Kraft singles, 2 pks breads, and a variety pk of chips): $19.86 oop
• Thursday's CVS Trip (1 pkg Chocolate Covered Blueberries): $0.72, Earned $0.67 ECB's
• Thursday's Rite-Aid Trip (5 Garnier Fruitis Shampoos): $1.65 oop, Earned $5 UP+Rewards
• Thursday's Micheal's Trip (1 Gorilla Super Glue, used a Coupon): $3.17 oop
• Thursday's Petco Trip (new kitty litter scoop and a free can of cat food): $5.33 oop
• Thursday's Walgreen's Trip (2 Windex Touch up cleaners, 1 Snicker's Heart): $2.64 oop, Earned $1.50 in Balance Rewards
• Thursday's ALDI Trip (Eggs, Potatoes, and 2 lbs butter): $7.96 oop
• Thursday's Lowe's Trip + Return (bought items for my new water faucet, and pellets for litter): $28.46 oop, Earned $12.17 Cash from Return
• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $7.24 oop

• Saturday's Giant Trip: $31.75 oop

Total OOP: $108.78 - $19.34 Earned Rewards/Refund = Net OOP: $89.44  Not great, but we did get stocked up on some good deals, that should last us through March!

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Linked to Frugal Follies 
x 2

Frugal Finds Friday: Bone Broth

 Bone broth is something I discovered last year, and have been making ever since.  It is a great way to use up something that would normally get thrown away, and is very nutrient dense.  I also LOVE how SIMPLE it is to make; simple is definitely my style!  The way I do it is:

1. Cook a whole chicken in the crock-pot during the day.

2. Pick chicken after dinner, placing meat into freezer bags, and skin and bones back into the crock-pot.

3. Add any vegetable scraps you have (I save mine in a bag in the freezer), and 6-8 cups of water (depending on the size of your crock-pot).

4. Let your broth cook on low overnight about 12-16 hours.

5. Allow broth to cool some, and drain through a colander into a large bowl or pot.  Skim any fat off the top, and measure your broth into containers or bags for the freezer (I usually do 1 or 2 cups each).

6. Repeat.  I usually do just 2 batches, but some do 3 or 4.  Each subsequent batch will be weaker than the first.

Finished broth.

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What are your frugal finds for this week?

ALDI Deals, Starting 02/20/2013

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

• Weds. 02/20 ONLY: Tyson Fresh Beef Pot Roast Kit 2.75 lb $7.99 ea
• Kitchen Living Stainless Steel Fry and Serve Pan $19.99 ea
• Kitchen Living Stainless Steel 5 Qt Colander $3.99 ea
• Simply Nature Kids Hidden Vegetable Mini Penne or Twisted Macaroni 12 oz $1.39 ea
• Priano Italian Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz $0.59 ea
• Priano Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce 15 oz $1.69 ea
• Priano Filled Italian Pasta Assorted Varieties 8.8 oz Dry $1.79 ea
• Priano Lasagna Sheets 9 oz $0.99 ea
• Tuscan Garden Croutons Assorted Varieties 6 oz $0.99 ea
• Tuscan Garden Italian Dressings Original or Zesty 16 oz $1.39 ea
• Savoritz Mini Cheese or PB Crackers 7.5 oz $1.99 ea
• Organic Russets Potatoes $2.29/3 lb bag
• Multi-colored Peppers $1.99/3 pk
• Mushrooms $0.89/8 oz
• Organic Grape Tomatoes $2.29/8 oz
• Green Bell Peppers $0.99/2 pk
• Carrots $0.79/2 lbs

For more information about ALDI, visit their homepage!

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday: Chili's-style Salsa

Chili's is one of my favorite places to eat, and the best part, chips and salsa of course!  So I finally decided, after some persuasive begging from my husband, to find a knock-off recipe that I could make at home.  I had several lined up to try, but I only got through the first recipe, because it was almost identical!  This recipe is simple, easy, and delicious!

Ingredients:

1 - 29 oz Can Whole Tomatoes, Drained

1/2 small Can Whole/Sliced Jalapenos, Drained (not pickled)

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Sugar

1 tsp Lime Juice

I put everything into a mixing bowl, and use an immersion blender to puree/mix it all up, but you could probably use a blender or a food processor too.  Refrigerate at least one hour to allow the flavors to blend, and store leftovers in the refrigerator as well.  I'm not sure how long this will last, about the longest we've kept it is two weeks, because that's about as long as it lasts; it's very yummy!

For more AWESOME recipes, visit Tempt my Tummy Tuesday!
Linked to How to Tuesday!

Menu Plan Monday: 02/18/2013

This week Joe and I have a LOT of projects around the house that I want to get knocked out.  I know we can do it once we get ourselves started, that is always the hardest part, just getting started.  I'm going to try and not buy much at the stores this week either, so we'll see how that goes.  Here's what's on the menu this week...

Breakfasts: Waffles, Cold Cereal

Lunches: Leftovers, PB and J/Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Chili's with Joe's Grandfather

Monday - Fried Leftover Potatoes and Onions, Bacon, Eggs, and Toast

Tuesday - Shrimp Poppers with Baked French Fries

Wednesday - Zuppa Tuscana with Foccacia Bread

Thursday - Spaghetti with Meatballs, Green Beans, and Garlic Bread

Friday - Homemade Pizza, Carrot and Celery Sticks with Dip

Saturday - TBA, probably out again with Joe's Grandfather, since we'll be working in his basement all day.

Extras: Pudding, Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

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!

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