Saturday, July 18, 2009

My Crazy Week - End

Well, Mike told me on Wednesday night that we were going to be hosting three college guys (yes 3) and boy I almost had a holy hissy! Well, I knew I would be busy for the next two days trying to clean and cook, but I had no idea where to even begin. I knew if I cleaned to soon, the kids would trash it and that would make me even more flustered. So I cooked and baked on Thursday, then Cleaned Friday. Well my first thought was what in the world can I make enough of to feed three grown men and my family? Well, Italian first came to mind then I remembered my grocery buys of Ricotta and Mozerella Cheese.
So I thought, manicotti, which made me call my Aunt Angie to get the recipe for the crepes. See, in my family we tend to make most things from scratch because it's cheaper, not necessarily easier. So I got the recipe and got to work. I made the recipe for the crepes (which requires the batter to rest for at least 1 hour) then I made the filling which consisted of the Ricotta and Mozzarella cheese, among some other ingredients set that aside and thawed out my left over sauce from the other night. (Teaching my soon to be sister the family recipe...So much fun Jen!) Once the hour was done, I cooked the crepes and then the assembly. I must say, Mom, you would be so proud. My kitchen was neat and my assembly line for the manicotti was immaculate. Anyway, I assembled and had just enough crepes to fill my pan, perfect! I still had left over filling, so I will use that for some ravioli. So, I finished that thinking that will be enough, then I thought, well, I need some fillers so how about meatballs, so I started making meatballs. An hour later, and I was thinking, well, they will need something for breakfast on Sunday, right so I thought, I have all of those frozen blueberries, how about blueberry muffins, and I have zuccini that my mom had given me, so I made two things....Blueberry muffins and Zuccini Bread.
So Thursday about 4:30 I was finally done. The kids and I celebrated by going to the new Chick-fil-a in Elkton. Yes I know it was Opening Day, but I love that place. So we hoped in the van and went. Yes it was swamped, yes it was crowded, and no, I did not have to wait more than 60 seconds to order my food, and no, I didn't experience any rude behavior. I found a table the kids ate their food and we had more people help us while we were there then not. Chick-fil-a, I salute you!
After that, we headed to the park, which I don't really know why, because it was super hot and humid. The kids wanted to ride their bikes and scooters so I walked and I tell you what, I was exhausted. I have walked that track with no problems, but that heat, man! Well, the kids wanted to stop at the icecream truck and get something. Well, since momma was broke Ashley said, "Mommy, if I get icecream with my money, can I still get the flashlight?" (She really wants this flashlight she saw the other day. Don't know why? I said, and then she said, "Okay, I wanna use my money to get icecream."
Friday from around 9 am - 9 pm, I did nothing but clean every inch of my house! Wow. Those few inches I don't clean every week really get dirty. I guess I am gonna start cleaning them. Saturday, I didn't even wake up until 9! I was exhausted. Saturday was pretty much just keeping up with kids so all my hard work wouldn't go down the drain.
So now, we wait for our visiters. The kids are super excited for our new guests. I am anxious, and Mike, well,who knows. I am excited about them singing and can't wait for the blessing. I hope that their stay with us will be a blessing to them. They are gone all summer from their families, so I want to be some type of encouragement to them.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Dinner's for under $2

So as most of you know I have been dieting and doing on a budget! Well, I thought it was hard enough to eat normally on a budget, but now trying to buy healthy foods, wow. Now I know why America is such an 'unhealthy' nation. We can't afford to eat healthy. Well, that is a different subject, so I will just tell you about the good things of eating healthy.
I went to Aldi, this new store that opened up in our area and I found some really good deals! I made two dishes from the list of the ingredients. Three of the main products were from Aldi's however, I used some pantry staples. So, here it goes:



Pork Stir Fry w/ Brown Rice

Pork Tenderlion (1/4 used) = $1.16
Red/Green Peppers (1/2 ea) = $ .50
Brown Rice (Pantry) = $ .25
Soy Sauce Grand Total Per Person= $1.91
Black Pepper
Aujus(from Pork)


The Aujus:
After I cooked the Pork, I made an Aujus by adding 2 TBS wine, picking up the bits and flavors of the pork, then added 2 cloves of garlic minced, and added 1 cup chicken broth (homemade) and 1 cup of water.


I also made us (Mike and I) a Pork Tenderlion Salad. I added some Aujus to mine, but Mike didn't want any. Here is the breakdown:

Pork Tenderlion (1/4 used) = $1.16
Salad Mix (1/4 used) = $ .13
Tomato = $ .25 Grand Total Per Person = $1.54
Aujus (from Pork)


So for two meals it costs less than $4 for the both of us! I was so thrilled with how cheap, yet how good the food was!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Grocery Shopping for 5/18

Okay so this week was a great week. It started out good, but then I ended up getting some extra money from the stores.

My First stop was to Shop Rite:


Individual Sub Sale
Price # Total Disc Coupon Total
Limes $ .66 x 6 = $ 3.96 - $ 1.97 - $0.00 =$ 1.99
Lemons $ .69 x 6 = $ 4.14 - $ 2.15 - $0.00 =$ 1.99
Dark Choco PNutButter $ 3.49 x 1 = $ 3.49 - $ .50 - $0.00 =$ 2.99
Vive Pro Nutri Sham/Cond $ 4.49 x 2 = $ 8.98 - $ 4.49 - $2.00 =$ 2.49
Capri Sun Drink Boxes $ 2.50 x 2 = $ 5.00 - $ 1.02 - $2.00 =$ 1.98
Tyson Family Chicken $ 3.98 x 7 = $27.86 - $14.33 - $0.00 =$13.53
ShopRite White Bread $ 1.19 x 2 = $ 2.38 - $ .40 - $0.00 =$ 1.98
______ ______
$55.81 $26.95


***Vive Pro Shampoo & Conditioner only $1.25 a bottle! It was B1G1 plus
I used 2 coupons becuase there were two products!
***Capri Sun Drink Boxes were only $.99 each because they were on sale for
$1.99 and I had two coupons, one for $1.00 and one for $.75 but the store
added $.25! YEAH!


WALGREENS
First off I made two trips so that I could utilize the Register Rewards (RR) which will be listed under the 'coupons' in the second 'senario' at the end.


Individual Sub Sale
Price # Total Disc Coupon Total

Right Guard Pro Fresh $ 7.99 x 1 = $ 7.99 - $2.99 - $1.00 = $4.99
Colgate Sparkle White $ 4.49 x 1 = $ 4.49 - $0.00 - $0.00 = $4.49
______ _____
$12.48 $9.48

****With this checkout, I received $4.50 RR's for the Colgate
$5.00 RR's for the Right Guard


Individual Sub Sale
Price # Total Disc Coupon Total

HighPoint Skim Milk $ 3.19 x 2 = $ 6.38 - $0.40 - $0.00 = $ 5.98
Suavtial Softener $ 2.79 x 2 = $ 5.58 - $2.79 - $0.00 = $ 2.79
Skintimate Shave Gel $ 1.99 x 1 = $ 1.99 - $0.00 - $0.75 = $ 1.24
______ _______
$13.95 $9.50 $ .51

***Now, there was taxe, so my final price was $.80! Great deal!
***Plus I have $1.00 in RR's


KMART

Okay so here I actually got an extra $.99 off because the cashier didn't feel like adding it back then taking the correct discount off. There Bad, my Good!

Individual Sub Sale
Price # Total Disc Coupon Total
Scrubbing Bubbles Shower $ 4.49 x 2 = $ 8.98 - $1.40 - $1.50 = $ 6.08
Glade Refill 2 pack $ 5.49 x 1 = $ 5.49 - $0.00 - $2.00 = $ 3.49
Glade Carpet Freshener $ 2.79 x 2 = $ 5.58 - $2.90 - $1.50 = $ 1.18
Glade Plugins $ 1.99 x 2 = $ 3.98 - $1.32 - $1.34 = $ 1.32
Glade Wamers $ 0.99 x 2 = $ 1.98 - $0.00 - $0.99 = $ 0.99
______ ______
$26.01 $0.99 $12.07

**** Okay so the $.99 was for the extra that the cashier took off, but if you look at the individual prices for the last three items, these are some great deals


ACME


Individual Sub Sale
Price # Total Disc Coupon Total
Frito Lay 22pk Snacks $ 8.39 x 1 = $ 8.39 - $ 2.39 - $0.00 = $ 6.00
Jet Puff Marshmallows $ 1.99 x 1 = $ 1.99 - $ .99 - $1.00 = $ 0.00
Glade Air Fresheners $ 1.25 x 6 = $ 7.50 - $ 1.50 - $3.00 = $ 3.00
Marcal Bath Tissue $ 8.99 x 1 = $ 8.99 - $ 3.00 - $1.00 = $ 4.99
Marcal Paper Towel $ 9.49 x 1 = $ 9.49 - $ 3.50 - $1.00 = $ 4.99
Hershey Chocolate Bars $ 4.39 x 1 = $ 4.39 - $ 1.39 - $2.00 = $ 1.00
Honey Maid Grahms $ 3.79 x 1 = $ 3.79 - $ 1.29 - $1.00 = $ 1.50
Pepsi 12 pack $ 5.99 x 5 = $29.95 - $16.20 - $8.75 = $ 5.00
Breyers Yogurt 6pack $ 3.49 x 4 = $13.96 - $ 3.96 - $6.00 = $ 4.00
Totino Pizza Rolls $ 2.69 x 4 = $10.76 - $ 6.76 - $2.00 = $ 2.00
BlackBerry 5.6 oz $ 3.99 x 2 = $ 7.98 - $ 3.99 - $0.00 = $ 3.99
BlueBerry 4.4 oz $ 3.99 x 2 = $ 7.98 - $ 3.99 - $0.00 = $ 3.99
_______ ________
$115.17 $40.46


****Please make sure you check out the products with the multiple products and divide the product total so you can see the amazing individual price.
**** I also received three $1 off coupons for my next purchase thanks to Glade. I am figuring that every two Glade products you purchase, you get $1 off next purchase.
**** Also, the Elkton Acme had a ton of Glade products on sale plus some Lysol and Air Wick which were not advertised so use those coupons.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Shopping Deals 4/18/09 ShopRite & Acme...Go Figure!

Okay so this week, there was no CVS for me this week. I had much to do and not enough time to do it.
Well, my first trip was to Shop Rite, which is a store that I visit regularly. They are found all over North DE, PA, & NJ to my knowledge and there sales are always great!


Herbal Essence Hydrating Shampoo (23.7 oz) $ 5.99 (1) = $ 5.99
Herbal Essence Hydrating Conditioner (23.7 oz) $ 5.99 (1) = $ 5.99
Kellogs Poptart (4pk) $ 2.39 (2) = $ 4.78
Secret Flawless Solid Deoderant (2.7 oz) $ 4.29 (1) = $ 4.29
SubTotal: $21.05
Sale Disc: $ 3.36
Coupons: $ 5.00
*Catalina: $-5.00
Total: $ 7.69
* I refer to the print outs from the register for $$$$$ off your next trip, whether for a certain item or just the next trip.



So Acme, I rarely go to unless they have good deals, well, this week they did have a few good deals.



Nature's Source Clorox Bowl Cleaner $ 3.29 (1) = $ 3.29
Nature's Source Clorox Green Wips $ 3.49 (2) = $ 6.98
Kellogg's Rice Krispie Treats (8pk) $ 2.79 (4) = $11.16
Sprite $ 1.89 (2) = $ 3.78
Fanta Orange $ 1.89 (2) = $ 3.78
Ginger Ale $ 1.89 (1) = $ 1.89
Ragu Traditional Pasta Sauce $ 2.59 (4) = $10.36
Hormel Complete Meals Steak Tip $ 2.99 (2) = $ 5.98
General Mills Cocoa Puffs $ 3.79 (2) = $ 7.58
General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch $ 2.99 (2) = $ 5.98
SubTotal: $60.78
Sale Disc: $25.91
Coupons: $11.80
Catalina: $-4.50
Total: $18.57


Some break downs per item:
Ragu - $ .43 ($2.16 Savings Each)
Cleaners - $1.00 ($2.49 Savings Each)
Krispies - $1.00 ($1.79 Savings Each)



Pictures to come soon!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

CVS 4/13/09



Colgate 360 Clean ToothBrush $ 3.99 (2) = $ 7.98
Colgate Visible White Paste $ 4.49 (1) = $ 4.49
Colgate Total Whitening Paste$ 2.79 (2) = $ 5.58
SubTotal: $18.05
Sale Disc: $ 3.29
Coupons: $ 3.00
ECB's Used: $11.49
Total: $ .27

****Earned $9.98 in ECB's
$3.99 for each toothbrush = $7.98
$2.00 for the Visible White Paste
****Received 2 Coupons totaling $6.50

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Deals for 4/6/09

Well, there weren't a lot of things for me with ECB's, however, I did find three great deals!



Schick Intuition Razor $ 9.99 (2) = $19.98
Schick Intuition Refills $10.99 (2) = $21.98
Skintimate Shave Cream $ 3.49 (1) = $ 3.49
SubTotal: $45.45
Sale Disc: $20.98
Coupons: $16.00
Total: $ 8.46





Claritin 24ct Non-Drowsy $24.99 (1) = $24.99
Sale Disc: $ 5.00
Coupons: $ 9.00
Total: $10.99
ECB's Earned: $ 5.00


So Who thought you could find great deals at Bath and Body works! Well I did! Okay, so I had $20+ dollars left on a gift card for my birthday. Here is what I got:





Wall Flower Kit $12.50 (2) = $25.00
Wall Flower Refill $12.50 (2) = $25.00
SubTotal: $53.00
Sale Disc: $10.00
Coupon: $10.00 (Free Product w/$10 purchase)
Coupon: $10.00 ($10 off $30 or more purchase)
Total: $21.20
OOP: $ .53

So I had to pay OOP $.53! Yeah for me!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Our Saturday Outing!

Today we went to the Palmer Family Reunion that is held anually at the Potomic Heights Community Center in Indian Head Maryland. We started out at 11 this morning and with a 2 1/2 hour drive, $11 spent in tolls and snacks, we arrived to be welcomed by our ever growing family.

It never ceases to amaze me how every year I attend, this only being my 6th year, that there are still people that I don't know and that I have never seen there before! I was talking with a fellow 'outsider' and we both sat back and quizzed each other on who we knew. Well, needless to say, we did so bad, that we decided to see 'who knew the least amount of people'! The kids always have fun playing at the small playground there, even though it was cloudy, misty and cold. They didn't look like much when the came back inside. The food, games, and fellowship was great!

Once we left, on our way back we decided to go to the Arundal Mills Mall, which was on our way home. I had been there previously when they first opened, I gues about 9 or 10 years ago. Well boy have they expanded and gotten so much more busy. We actually found a spot close to the Bass Pro Shop, which was were we really wanted to spend most of our time. The kids had a blast! I wished I had brought my camera. There was a huge fish tank with big fish, there was a 'shooting range' and of course all of the hunting stuff. They had tons of fun. Then we ventured into the Mall where we allowed the kids to go in whichever stores they wanted. They had so much fun shopping for their own stuff. They thought they were something. Well, about 2 1/2 hours later, we left, happily and headed home.

Well, $91 later, spent on more tolls, gas, dinner, snacks and something for the kids, we arrived home around 9 pm exhausted and yet still ready to go.

I am so thankful for this day, for my kids, my husband and his extended family for the great day!