Target Run

I guess I wasn't really back last time. I'll try better. Today I was in desperate need of diapers (only 3 left in the house, and he was wearing one of them!) and cookies. Yes, I *needed* cookies...oh and Cascade. Because I have some awesome deal blogs in my reader (Money Saving Mom, Mommy Snacks, Stretching a Buck, Baby Cheapskate), I take a quick glance as they update and have a few deal scenarios running in the back of my mind. I knew Target had some good deals this week, so I checked the sites, printed the coupons, clipped a few and then headed out to shop. Here's what I got:

All for 26.26, plus I am getting a 10 rebate too! Total before coupons was 67.37. I bought 10 packages of cookies, 20 Sobe waters, 2 jumbo packs of diapers and 1 cascade all for 16.26. It should have been a dollar less because the cashier missed a coupon and I didn't catch it until I got home.

I'm back...and menu plan monday

I'm back after a long break. I really meant to be back much sooner but one thing let to another. Little R is doing well and has really adjusted to being at home with us. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Here's my menu plan for the week:

Chicken kabobs with various veggies and rice

Pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beans

Sloppy joes, french fries and a salad

Rachael Ray's Pasta bake and a salad

*Only 4 meals this week b/c we'll being going to a wedding. Plus I usually leave two night for left overs and simple meals from the pantry.

I also took a little break from couponing. Last week was my second week back at it and I got a couple great deals. $96 worth of groceries for $36! Including 6 lbs of pork and 2 big bags of charcoal.

Menu Plan Monday

After last week's craziness, I didn't get to cook many of the meals planned. I didn't go shopping either. Most of the meals came from the pantry or we ate out. This weeks plan will be pretty much the same as last weeks:

Pasta, garlic bread and salad

Steak, baked potato and salad

Hungarian style chicken, egg noddles and green beans

BBQ chicken sandwiches, veggies and chips

Bean and bacon soup and rolls

I hope I can stick to it this week. I tried to pick easy meals with the new baby in the house.

Want to see how I spent the day?

Hopefully we'll be at home on Wednesday!

Crazy Week

This has been a crazy week. First we had the snow, which lead to a snow day! Those are always fun when you're a grown-up with out any kiddos. I watched movies and organized my coupons all day. I wouldn't have been so lazy had I know what would happen next...

*pic removed*

We got our first foster care call in 8 months! Little R is doing well and will probably come home with us in a couple days. I have been very busy getting the house ready for a little one. Cleaning, laundry and visiting little R in the hospital. I'll keep you updated as we bring him home.

I really need to go grocery shopping. I didn't go last week except to pick up a few things (sorry, no pic). So this coming week should be a big shop.

*note: To protect little R's privacy I will removed the pic after a few days.*

Menu Plan Monday

It's time for menu planning once again. Here's the plan for the week:

Sloppy joes, fries and salad
Hungarian style chicken, noddles and green beans
Steak, baked potatoes and salad
Bean and Bacon soup and rolls
Stuffed shells (at my moms!)

I plan 5 meals a week with 2 nights of left overs or super simple foods.

A well stocked pantry

If you noticed that items in my shopping trips don't always match up with what I have planned for dinner that's because I use a lot of items from the pantry and freezer. Those items in my stockpile were bought for rock bottom prices, sometimes even free! If I can get something very cheap I buy a lot of it. Then use it over the next couple weeks and months.

For example, this week Giant Eagle has Quaker Oats on sale for $1, but after coupon it's FREE. I bought coupons off ebay ($3.50 for 20 coupons) and then I'll go stock up. When all is said and done I'll have 24 canisters of oats and only spent $4.50 for them. That will last us just over 1 year. Not a bad deal if I do say so myself.

Are you just dying to see what else is in my stockpile? Well it's your lucky day because I just took some pictures. Warning: they are a mess, it's my goal to organize them this week.

That's only about half my stockpile! Are you interested in learning more about stockpiling and saving money? There are some great resources here, here and here.

$50 Grocery Shopping

Here's this weeks $50 trip. I went a little over, but I had $3.12 left over from last week.

CVS - spent $13.13, saved $20.47, earned $10 ECBs for next time

Meijer - spent $31.63, saved $26.82

Giant Eagle - spent $6.80, saved $18.32

I still need to pick up some ground chicken ($2.25), they didn't have any at Meijer today.

Grand Total for the week: spent $53.81, saved $65.61

*If you're looking at these pictures and wondering how I make all the meals I have planned, I have a post coming up that will explain it all.*

$50 Grocery Shopping

Here's what $50 bought last week:

Kroger - spent 15.50, saved 44.25

Meijer - spent 26.84, saved 45.80

Not pictured:

CVS (contact solution) spent 1.29, saved 7.59

Giant Eagle (deli ham) spent 3.25, saved 0.00

Grand total for the week: Spent 46.88, saved 97.64

*Note* I don't usually have so many transactions. I just wasn't very organized this week with grocery shopping. I also try to only shop one or two stores but last week many stores had good deals so I shopped around.

FREE Blue Jackets Tickets

Just visit any Central Ohio Toyota dealer. Test drive any car and walk out with a voucher for 2 free tickets to be used by the end of February. We just did this tonight, it was really easy. The car salesman said that a lot of people came just to get the tickets. No pressure to buy or anything. This offer is good through Jan. 31st. The voucher is good for 2 upper bowl tickets.

Menu Plan Monday

It's Monday so it is time to menu plan. Menu planning saves me so much time and money, I love it. So here's the plan for this week:

Meatloaf and Scalloped Potatoes
Spaghetti, Salad and Garlic Bread

Chicken Tacos

Make Your Own Pizzas with Salad

Chicken Teriyaki with Rice and Grilled Peppers

I only plan 5 meals for the week. The other two nights are leftovers or simple sandwiches with soup. Occasionally we'll eat out. For more menu planning ideas head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie.

I only spend $50/week for all the groceries, paper products and toiletries for my family. Check back tomorrow to see pics of my shopping adventure and to see all the food we get for $50.