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.