Menu Plan Monday: 06/11/2013

This week Joe and I have some shelf building to do in the house, so hopefully things will work out and I'll have some pictures to post for you later this week.  And we are also going to Joe's grandfather's house this week to get together the last boxes of auction junk for this Spring.  Saturday is Joe's birthday, and we hope to do a little Good Will/Yard Sale shopping this Friday and Saturday.  So, all in all a pretty busy week, but the good kind of busy!  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Waffles

Lunches: Leftovers, Salads, and/or Sandwiches

Dinners: (all served with vegetables or salad)

Sunday - Pasta with Marinara Sauce and Garlic Bread

Monday - Chicken Stir-fry, with Jasmine Rice, and Homemade Egg Rolls

Tuesday - Working at Joe's Grandfather's House (we'll go to dinner with him out somewhere)

Wednesday - Chicken Fajitas, with Salads

Thursday - Fruited Chicken Salad Sandwiches, with Chips

Friday - Out (using a free birthday coupon)

Saturday - Nachos

Extras: Homemade Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 06/02-08/2013

This week was another big spending week, but I did stock up a lot of things for the pantry and freezers, and earned another $0.30 off a gallon in the process, so I count that as a good thing.  Next week will be better since I was blessed with yet another spend $50 earn $0.30 off a gallon coupon.  Here's what I ended up with...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $12.14 oop, Earned $15 ECB's
• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $23.66 oop

• Tuesday's Thrift Store Trip (1 short sleeve button up for me, and 2 BRAND NEW with TAGS pairs of shorts for Joe): $15.97 oop 

• Wednesday's Giant Trip: $52.72 oop + Earned 300 Gas Points

• Wednesday's BJ's Trip (big box Eggo's, 2 pouches Crystal Light, used 1 MC): $19.97 oop
• Saturday's Flea Market Finds (2 large baskets, 3 small baskets $1 ea, 1 Crystal Light Sticks $1, 6 Jerky Sticks $3): $9

Total OOP: $133.46 - $15 Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $118.46!

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Sunday's CVS Trip

This week I had an AMAZING trip to CVS!  I was able to stock up on my husbands favorite and much needed deodorant, and snagged a deals and freebies along the way!  Here's what I ended up with...

1 2 lt Pepsi $2.09 - $1.10 Sale - $0.24 CVS Coupon = $0.75
4 Dove for Men Deodorants $5.49 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $1.50/$5 CVS Deodorant Purchase Coupon - $1/1 MC x 4 - $1/1 Dove CVS Coupon + 1 Schick Quattro For Ladies Razor $10.99 - FREE Promo wyb $15 Dove - $2/1 MC  = 4 Deodorants and 1 Razor/$7.50 (Since Joe needed the deodorant, and it was his favorite brand, I consider this an awesome deal!)
1 pkg Tena Pads $6.99 - $3.20 Sale - $1/1 MC - $3 ECB's = FREE + $0.21 Money-maker!
1 Physician's Formula Correction Powder $13.99 - $2/$10 CVS Cosmetics Coupon - $4/$12 CVS Cosmetics Coupon (I wasn't sure that I could use both, but they didn't beep, so the cashier said it was okay) - $7 ECB's = $0.99
+ $1.86 Tax
- $8.75 ECB's used to Pay
Total OOP: $12.14, Earned $15 ECB's (includes $5 Beauty Rewards)

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 06/05/2013!

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

• Weds. 06/05 ONLY: Roseland Family pk Fresh Thin Sliced Boneless Pork Chops $2.99/lb 
• Sweet Corn 4 pk $1.59 ea
• Asparagus 16 oz $2.19 ea
• Tomatoes on the Vine 24 oz $1.59
• Sweet Onions 2 lb $1.19 ea
• Mushrooms 8 oz $0.79 ea
• Zucchini 24 oz $0.99 ea
• Peanut Delight Creamy PB and Honey 18 oz $1.99 ea
• Breakfast Best Heat and Serve Maple Links 6.4 oz $0.99 ea
• Lifeway Low-fat Kefir Mango or Pomegranate 32 oz $2.79 ea
• Millville Rainbow Chip Chewy Granola Bars 8.4 oz $1.69 ea
• Happy Farms Flavored Spreadable Cheese Wedges Garlic and Herb or Jalapeno Pepper 4 oz $1.29 ea
• Belmont Fruit Bars Coconut, Lime, or Pomegranate 16.5 oz $1.99 ea
• Sundae Shoppe Lemonade Bars Variety Pk 13.2 oz $1.99 ea
• Bremer 3 Cheese Chicken or Garlic Shrimp 21 oz $2.99 ea
• Libbey 6 pc Craft Brew Glassware Set 6 styles per set $12.99 ea
• Franklin Recreational Horseshoes $19.99 ea
• Zebco 33 Spincast Combo $19.99 ea
• Range Master Propane Camping Grill $24.99 ea
• Range Master Digital Fork and Probe Thermometer Set $5.99 ea
• Bell Bike Helmets Assorted Styles and Colors $12.99 ea
• Bikemate Gel Seat Cover $6.99 ea
• Bikemate Floor Pump with Gauge $8.99 ea
• Bikemate Water Bottle and Cage BPA Free $4.99 ea
• Bikemate Cable Lock Combination or Key Lock $4.99 ea
• Easy Home Heavy-duty Chrome Shelving $29.99 ea
• Easy Home 2 pk Woven Totes Java, Black, or Cream 12" L x 10" W x 8" H $8.99 ea
• Easy Home 16" Metal Floor Fan $29.99 ea
• 8" Hardy Hydrangeas $9.99 ea

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

Menu Plan Monday: 06/03/2013

This week Joe and I are undertaking some shelf building in the house; it should be good!  

Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Waffles

Lunches: Leftovers, Salads, and/or Sandwiches

Dinners: (Served with Veggies or Salads)

Sunday - Cheesy Baked Pork Chops, LO Mac and Cheese

Monday - Taco Salads

Tuesday - Potato Soup with Homemade Bread

Wednesday -Baked Pasta with Garlic Bread

Thursday - Fish and Chips

Friday - Chicken Stir-fry with Homemade Egg Rolls, and Jasmine Rice

Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Extras: Brownies

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 05/26-06/01/2013

This week I ended up spending a LOT more money, but we did get stocked back up on a number of things.  We also were able to pick up some good deals, so I'm pleased with how we ended the month, budget-wise...

• Sunday's ALDI Trip (various items for 2 picnics on Monday): $10.71 oop

• Sunday's Giant Trip (more picnic items): $14.20 oop

• Wednesday's CVS Trip: $7.71 oop, Earned $8.75 in ECB's
• Wednesday's Giant Trip: $50.73, plus earned $0.30 off a gallon of gas!
• Friday's Goodwill Trip: $10.20 oop (1 long sleeve and 1 short sleeve shirt)

• Friday's Wal-mart Trip: $30.41 oop

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (2 newspapers, 2 boxes Pasta Salad, 1 pkgs chip clips): $5.18 oop
• Saturday's Yard Sale Deals: 7 Zinc Lids for resale $1.50, and 1 graduation present necklace $3

Total OOP: $133.64 - $8.75 Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $126.64!

Linked to Couponaholic!

Wednesday's Giant Trip

This week the newspaper provided a coupon for an extra 30 cents off a gallon of gas (up to 35 gallons), if you purchased $50 worth of groceries.  Well, since we hadn't done a decent trip all of May, and the deals were all over the store, Joe and I decided to take advantage of the coupon and the great deals, and spend just $50.  Here's how it went down...

1 bag Alexia Frozen French Fries $4.29 - $1.29 Sale - $1/1 MC = $2

1 bag Alexia Frozen Onion Rings $4.29 - $1.29 Sale - $1/1 MC = $2

1 Full Rack Baby Back Ribs $16.17 - $6.48 Sale = $9.69

1 Family pk Italian Sausage Links $10.77 - $5.40 Sale = $5.37

1 Family pk Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $15.92 - $8.53 Sale = $7.39

3 Lean Cuisine Meals $2.79 ea - $0.79 ea  Sale - $1/3 MC = 3/$5

Bananas $1.27

1-10 ct Cliff Crunch Bars $3.49 - $0.99 Sale - $1/1 MC = $1.50

2 pkgs Keebler Cookies $3.49 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $0.70/1 MC x 2 (did not double because cashier typed them in wrong) = 2/$3.60

1 bottle Vitamin C Marked down 50% to $3.19

2 pouches Cat Treats $1.65 ea - $0.15 ea Sale - $0.50/2 MC (doubled to $1) = 2/$2

2 bags Purex Detergent Packs $4.99 ea - $3.49 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC (doubled to $1) x 2 = 2/$1

2 FL Crystals Sugar $2.99 ea - $0.50 ea Sale - $0.55/1 MC (doubled to $1.10) x 2 = 2/$2.78

4 Pure Silk Shave Creams $1.99 ea - $0.30 ea Sale - $0.70/1 MC (doubled to $1.40) x 4 = 4/$1.16

2 Kraft Mayo $5.29 ea - $2.30 ea Sale = 2/$5.98

1 Barilla Pasta Sauce $2.89 - $0.89 Sale - $1/1 MC = $1

+ $0.51 Tax

- $5/$50 Purchase Coupon

- $0.20 Reusable Bag Credit

Total OOP: $115.15 - $64.93 Sales/Coupons = Net OOP: $50.73, Savings of 56%!!!!!

Frugal Finds Friday: Reusing Pickle Juice

 Joe and I LOVE our pickles, but they can be a little pricy, so I was looking for some recipes online.  Nothing was very simple though.  I also hate throwing away things that can be reused in another way.  As I posted previously in regards to tomato juice.  So, when Joe and I finished our most recent jar of pickles, I decided to have a little experiment.  I bought a cucumber from ALDI for $0.59, and sliced it into spears, and put those spears in my leftover pickle juice, put the container in the fridge, and then I waited.  Two weeks later, I tried a 'pickle' spear, and they are seriously yum-o!  Not as salty as the original pickle spears, but still very tasty.  We'll definitely be making these again, and again!  As your pickle juice amount lessens, just top off with a little white vinegar, so your pickles stay covered.

Linked to Homemade Mondays, and Works for Me Wednesday!

Wednesday's CVS Trip

CVS had a lot of great deals this week!  I was able to get some good deals, and a couple freebies too, always a good thing!  Here's what I ended up with...

3 boxes Special K Cereal $3.99 ea - $0.99 ea Sale - $1/3 MC - $3 ECB's wyb 3 = 3/$5

2 Travel Sized Neutrogena Sunscreens $2.49 ea - $1/1 MC x 2 - $5 ECB's wyb 2 = 2 FREE + $2.02 Money-maker!

1 CVS Body Wash $2.37 - Free Item CVS Coupon = FREE!

1 roll Reynold's Aluminum Foil $2.99 - $0.99 Sale - $0.75/1 MC = $1.25

2 pks PB M and M's $1.19 ea - $0.44 ea Sale - $0.50/2 CVS Coupon - $0.75 ECB's wyb 1 = 2/$0.25

+ $0.48 Tax

- $3/15 CVS Coupon

- $3 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $7.71, Earned $8.75 ECB's for next week!

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 05/29/2013

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

• Weds. 05/29 ONLY: Fresh USDA Choice Boneless Beef Ribeye Steak $7.99/lb
• Pears 28 oz $1.79 ea
• Organic Fuji Apples 3 lb bag $4.29 ea
• Mangoes $0.59 ea
• Pineapple $1.59 ea
• Organic Grape Tomatoes 10 oz $2.29 ea
• Baby Lettuce 14 oz pkg $1.59 ea
• Burman's BBQ Sauces Assorted Varieties 18 oz $0.79 ea
• Burman's Ketchup 40 oz $1.29 ea
• Burman's Steak Sauce 10 oz $0.99 ea
• Smucker's Magic Shell Topping Chocolate or Chocolate Fudge 7.25 oz $1.89 ea 
• Savoritz Mini Cheese or PB Crackers 7.5 oz $1.99 ea 
• Fit and Active Light Pink Lemonade 59 oz $1.99 ea
• Nature's Nectar Frozen Lemonade 12 oz $0.89 ea
• Nature's Nectar All-natural Raspberry Lemonade 59 oz $1.99 ea
• Little Salad Bar Hummus Artichoke Spinach, Chipotle, or Tomato Basil 8 oz $1.69 ea
• Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Combination Bagel Pizzas 31.1 oz $5.99 ea
• Summit Freeze Pops 60 oz $1.49 ea
• Benton's Ice Cream Cups 24 ct $0.99 ea
• Benton's Sugar Cones 12 ct $0.99 ea
• Friendly Farms or Fit and Active Whipped Topping Original or Lite 8 oz $0.89 ea
• Sundae Shoppe Ice Cream Assorted Varieties 160 oz $4.99 ea
• Sundae Shoppe Triple Chocolate Sundae Cones 24 oz $2.49 ea
• Choceur Ice Cream Chocolates Cookies and Cream, or Fudge Ripple 4 oz $3.49 ea
• Kitchen Living 6 piece Serving Bowl Set Oval or Square $9.99 ea
• Kitchen Living Ice Cream Maker $14.99 ea
• Easy Home Tower Fan 3 speed $19.99 ea
• RCA 5000-BTU Window Air Conditioner $99.99 ea
• Intex Rainbow Ring Play Center $39.99 ea

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