Friday Finals

I made one last stop at Kroger on Tuesday before the big no more double and triple coupons. I have to say that I am really disappointed in this decision by Kroger. I wish they would have limited it to either one or two can be doubled at a time rather than removing the entire program. The other really big piece that has been taken away is you can no longer use a coupon on a free item such as a B1G1 deal. This was very helpful for vitamins. I found some really good deals on children’s and adult vitamins.

Kroger has been putting some very high value coupons on the eCoupons site. You may want to go and check them out, if you are going to still shop at Kroger.

With all that said I did pretty well in my shopping this week. Here is the breakdown by store:

Walmart 09/09/11

(1) Huggies Flushable Moist wipes $1.64 - $1/1

            -Final $0.64

(1) Speed stick Deodorant $0.97 - $0.75/1 Catalina

            -Final $0.22

(4) Cascade 3 count Paks $0.97 – 4 $1/1 Any Cascade P&G

            -Final FREE +$0.03 Money Maker

(1) Lamasil Foot Spray $5.97 - $3/1 Any Lamasil Product

            -Final $2.97

I paid $3.71 and saved $8.75 on $12.46 retail worth of products. The Lamasil is a great deal.

CVS 09/11/11

(1) Fruit Newtons $2.50

(1) Irish Spring $2.99

(2) Herbal Essence $2.99 each

(1) Huggies Pull Up $8.99

(1) CVS Allergy 5 count

USED:

$2.50 – FREE Fruit Newton print from Kiosk

$5/25 – Coupon loaded onto card

2 $1/1 Herbal Essence Conditioners

$1.50/1 Huggies Diapers

$1 ECB

$1 ECB

$3 ECB

$7 ECB

I paid $2.72 for all the products listed above and saved $23 on $25.72 items retail.

RECEIVED:

$2 ECB – Irish Spring

$3.69 ECB – Allergy Medicine

$2.00 ECB – Herbal Essence

$1 ECB – Huggies

I had a great time shopping at CVS. I went in only to pick up my papers this Sunday. I decided to go to the Kiosk to print out my coupons to see what it was printing this week. To my surprise my $5/$25 was good until Tuesday and I got FREE Fruit Newtons. I thought the $5/$25 had expired. I was so glad I brought my binder with me. I really scored today at CVS.

Walmart 09/13/11

(1) GV Soy Sauce $1.64

(1) Nutella $3.18 - $1/1 Nutella Printable

            -Final $2.18

(4) Planters Peanut butter $1.98 - $.75/1 Planters Peanut Butter

            -Final $1.23 each

(1) Benadryl Stick $2.28 - $2/1 Benedryl product Peelie

            -Final $0.28

(1) Whonu Cookies $2.78 - $1/1 Whonu cookies

            -Final $1.78

(1) Peter Pan Peanut Butter $1.49 – Price Matched to Albertsons $0.50/1 All You

            -Final $0.99

(4) Velveeta Nacho Skillet $0.99 each – Price Matched to Albertsons, $1/1 Velveeta

            -Final FREE

I spent $11.75 and saved $11.50 on $23.25 at Walmart. This is the first time I have tried the price match. It went really smooth. Albertson’s has better prices than Tom Thumb and Kroger. So I may be doing more Walmart price match shopping soon. I needed Soy Sauce and the coupon I had for Kikkoman did not make this cheaper than the Walmart brand.

Last Double and Triple Coupons at Kroger 09/13/11

(2) Yoplait 2 lbs $2.69 each – 2 $0.50 doubled

            -Final $1.69 each

(1) Ronzoni Pasta Garden Delight $1.00 - $1/1 Garden Delight Morning star Booklet

            -Final FREE

(4) Pilsbury Cinnamon Rolls 5 count $1.00 – 4 $0.30/1 Tripled

            -Final $0.10 each

(4) Huggies Baby Wipes $1.99 each – 4 $0.50/1 Doubled

            -Final $0.99 each

(2) Disney Vitamins $6.99 B1G1 - $2/1 Disney Vitamins Printable

            -Final $2.50 each

(6) Pilsbury Crescent Rolls 4 pack $1.00 – 3 $0.40 each doubled

            -Final $0.60 each

(2) Fliechmans Yeast $1.59 each – 2 $0.40/1 doubled Printable

            -Final $0.79 each

(2) Chef Boyardee $1.00 each  - $0.50/2 doubled ALL YOU

            -Final $0.50 each

(2) Land of Frost Lunch Meat $2.50 each - $0.55/1

            -Final $1.95 each

(1) Jennie –O Turkey Bacon $2.50

(2) Frenchs Onions $2.07 - $0.50/1 Any French’s Onions

            -Final $1.07 – Walmart is a better deal

(1) Pull up Baby Wipes dispenser $2.79 - $2/1 Huggies coupon Mailed

            -Final $0.79

(1) Welchs jelly $1.99 - $0.35 tripled Welchs Jelly

            -Final $0.94

(1) Minute Maid Juice $3.50 - $1/1 Coupon Printable

            -Final $2.50 Cheaper at Walmart

(5) Hunts Snack pack Pudding $1.00 – 1 $0.50/2 doubled All You, 1 $0.45/3 doubled

            -Final $0.62 each average

I spent $35.01 and saved $46.42 on $81.43 worth of retail groceries at my final double and triple coupon shop. It was later that I realized I used the Land of Frost coupons incorrectly. The coupon states it is for the Premium 1 lb size. I didn’t know this until I got home and I was going to tell a friend about it. I pulled my coupon and it was for the incorrect item. I try to use my coupons responsibly and do not intentionally try to use fraud. This was an error on my part. Sometime I just get excited to see I have a match for something I don’t always read exactly what the coupon says.

At Sprouts I spent $5.04 and used one coupon for eggs $0.55. If I have some time I will post this later tonight.

This week I spent $58.23 and saved $90.22 on $147.90 retail. How did you do this week? What are your thoughts on Kroger changing their coupon policy so drastically?

Thoughts for Thursday

*

Do you ever wonder how the pioneer women did it all? I mean I have a vacuum; I don't have to beat the rug. I don't have to make the rug to be able to beat it. I even have a small electric sweeper. The pioneer women, if they had a wooden floor had a broom to sweep.

Cooking involved getting the food and preparing it from scratch. Like going to get the still clucking chicken and cleaning it for a meal. Then she would have to start a fire in the stove and get it to the right temperature. Then cooking and preparing the meal then clean up.

I have running water in my house and don't have to go to the well to pump it to wash dishes, take a bath or get some to drink.

I have a dishwasher that cleans my dishes sparkling clean with the press of a button. The pioneer women washed everything by hand and dried it and put it away. They normally had only one set of dishes for the family, so the dishes must be cleaned after every meal.

I do have a bathroom to clean, which I am very thankful for considering what the option was for the pioneer women. But I do have to clean it.

Doing laundry involved scrubbing each piece on a washboard in a tub of water. Granted you did not change your clothes as often as we do today. If so,  I think I would spend 40 hours a week just on laundry.

And she did all this while three or four small children running around with no TV, or computer, and very little toys for the children.

It just goes to show you how thankful for all the inventions we have to help us. Think about it. What would be hard for you to do without?

*Photo The Prairie Is My Garden Painting by Harvey Dunn. Image taken from Laura Ingalls Wilder Country: The People and Places in Laura Ingalls Wilder's life and Books, by William Anderson

Tips for Tuesday

My husband thinks I am not organized at all. However, I feel I don't have all the tools to help me get organized and stay organized.

One of the things that helped make this theory more concrete for me, is when we purchased our fabulous bookshelves in the kids playroom. Everything is now picked up and off the floor. All of this stuff in the bookshelf was lining the walls of the play room. It was aweful. I wish I had taken a before picture. I just love going in there now.  We even created little stations for the kids to play. Now I just need to paint this room.

The other day the kids got a lot of toys out to play with. It was so easy to pick them up because we knew where everything went. When we were done it looked just as fabulous. It has looked like this for almost a month. It is so nice to go in there and not have all that STUFF on the ground.

 My next project is to organize my closet under the stairs. This is where I keep my birthday bags and tissue paper for presents and a few other items. It is a weird space, but I know if I put a large chest with some drawers in the back and the rest was lined with shelves I could organize everything in there. Plus have room to store more things like food!

Friday Finals

If you would like the chance to enter to win $5,200 in free groceries for a year click here and enter your information for a chance to win. I don’t know about you, but that would help me tremendously.

I also heard the dreaded news that as of 09/14/11 Kroger will no longer be doubling and tripling coupons. Most of the coupons I use are not doubled, but I know there will be a few products I will no longer purchase if they do not lower the price on these items. Plus I love getting things for free, this may not happen as frequently as it did before.

I went shopping at Kroger on 09/02/11 since I won $0.50 off on Cellfire for logging in and going to their site on Thursday. The coupon had to be used before the end of the weekend. We were going out of town last weekend and I wanted this trip to count towards this weeks totals. I didn't take a pic, but they pictured in my finals at the end.

(4) Mom’s Cereals $1.50 each

(1) Watch battery $1.59

(1) Loaf of bread Discount Rack $1.00

(3) Minute Maid Frozen treats $1.00 - $.50/1 coupon doubled RP 07/24/11

            -Final FREE

I spent $8.18 and saved $10.83 on $19.01 worth of products retail. I thought I had a coupon for the watch battery, but it had expired. I realized this right before I handed it to the cashier. I could have paid only $0.59, since I had a $1/1 coupon. There were only 3 Minute Maids left and I had four coupons. I did take them all. I usually never buy more than four of an item. It doesn’t fit my budget and four will usually make us through to the next sale.

 CVS 09/06/11

(1) Milkyway Bar $1.19

(1) Carefree Pantyliners 20 count

(2) Huggies Pull ups $7.99 each

(1) Physicians Formula Powder $13.99

USED:

$0.50/1 Carefree SS 08/21/11

2 $1.50/1 Huggies diapers SS 08/14/11

$1/1 Physicians formula SS 06/12/11

$0.79 for Free Milky way CVS Coupon printed

$6.00 ECBs

$2.00 ECBs

Received

$7.00 ECBs for Physician formula

$1.00 ECB for Carefree liners

$1.00 ECB bag tag

I spent $18.87 and saved $13.29 on $32.16 worth of merchandise. I really shouldn’t have purchased the Physicians formula, but I really like this makeup. I was a small splurge for me. This one purchase was over my toiletries limit for the week. I usually allow $5.00 for healthcare and beauty needs.

I went back to Kroger for a few items this week 09/08/11

2.09lbs Black Grapes @ 1/lbs - $2.09

(2) Gallons Milk $2.39

(2) Pepperoni $1.79 marked down

(1) Sour Cream $1.25

(2) Minute Maid Juice Boxes $3.50 - 2 $1/1 Minute Maid Juice boxes Printable

            -Final $2.50

(6) Yoplait Yogurts $0.60 - $0.40/6 doubled Yoplait Single Cup Yogurt Printable

            -Final $0.47 each

(2) Pilsbury Cinnamon Rolls 5 count $1.00 - $0.50/2 doubled Printable

            -Final $0.50 each

(2) Pilbury Grands Biscuits 5 count $1.00 - $0.30/2 tripled Printable

            -Final $0.55

I spent $21.60 and saved $12.27 on $33.87 worth of groceries. My actual savings is higher since the pepperoni was much higher. I just listed the discounted price.

I went to Sprouts since they had great deals on bulk items this week 09/08/11

BULK BIN:

0.92 lbs Granola @ $1.99/lb - $1.83

0.91 lbs Rolled Oats @ $0.69/lb - $0.63

0.90 lbs Raisins @ $1.49/lb – $1.34

0.83 lbs Sunflower seeds @ $1.99/lb - $1.65

(2) Eggs dozen $1.50 each - $0.55/2 dozen eggs Facebook Coupon

            -Final $1.23 each

I spent $7.90 and saved $0.55 plus more. The bulk bin items do not list their regular price. I am saving anywhere from $0.40 - $0.50 on each item.

I went Freebie shopping at Target today 09/09/11 this made me feel a little better.

(4) Degree Deodorants $0.97 - $1/1 Degree Deodorant RP 08/28/11

            -Final FREE

(2) Simply Orange $0.73 – $1/1 Simply Orange Coupon Printable NLA

           -Final FREE

(2) Simply Lemonade $0.73 - $1/1 Simply Lemonage Coupon Printable NLA

          -Final FREE

So I spent $0.00 and saved $8.00 on $6.92 retail worth of product.The Simply Orange was marked $1.02 on the shelf, however it rang up at $0.73 each. She took my coupon with the overage. So I made more money than I thought because she pushed the coupon through. I purchased some shorts and shoes for my daughter not pictured. The extra went towards that purchase. I was close to budget this week and I didn’t want to go over.

This week I spent $56.55 and saved $44.94. Not the best savings, but it is still savings.

How did you do this week? LINK UP below to share your saving and help others on their way to saving as well.

          

Tips for Tuesday

Close

I know with coupons it is easier to buy the smaller package especially when it's free. I do this. I don't like that there is more waste since I am buying more from a smaller package. In order to compensate I do recycle a lot of my waste.

All boxes are recycled in my home. We have an old trash can in the laundry room that is specifically for recycled items. Our city has a recycle program where we have a separate trash bin just to place our recipes items. This is nearly as full as our trash can every week.

I now have a way to make a little extra cash for the family, since there is a recycle machine in our Kroger parking lot. It has a loyalty card and after you put 100 cans or plastic bottles you can pick rewards, including gift cards. If there is no card you can still get a free coke at Kroger with a purchase over $5.00. I have gotten free Coke with no problem. I have only put in 62 items so far, so I am not sure what your choices are until I reach 100. I am very excited that I am able to recycle and get rewarded for doing so.

Also I look for ways to use things we have. You can use the pasta sauce jars to store bulk items you get at the store. Be sure to wash in the dishwasher and lable what you place in the jar. Then you have instant storage.

Here is my reuse of toilet paper tubes. Doesn’t this just look fabulous. I can’t resist telling my friends this is out of TP tubes and a mirror. No one would guess. I followed directions from Homemaker in Heels. She has a fabulous site and a wonderful home from items she has made. Please check her out. There are several other things I would like to make using the leaf design you get from cutting the tubes.

We also try to use washable plates and silverware more than paper plates and plasticware. While this may use more water, we are not putting more trash in our crowded landfills.

Do you currently have any ideas to reuse items? What do you recycle? How do you make the world a better place? Link up any ideas you may have on your blog or share your comments below.

Friday Finals

There will not be any inserts in this Sundays papers. So take it easy and enjoy your holiday weekend. Maybe I can catch up on the ones I need to cut and file. I need a weekend off. That leaves more time to shop.

CVS Shopping

(2) gallons milk - $2.99

(2) Crest Toothpaste - $2.99

(1) Always Pantyliners - $1.49

Used:

2 $1/1 Crest Toothpaste P&G 08/28/11

1 Always Pantyliners CVS coupon FREE printed at the Kiosk

$5.00 Extra carebucks

I paid $4.68 and saved $8.49 on $13.45 retail. This was still under my milk budget for the week and my health and beauty needs. So more money goes toward food!

Tom Thumb

(1) Cheetos $1.49

(3) Chef Boyardi Beefaroni $1.25 – Store Coupon $0.89 each, $0.35 tripled SS 08/07/11

            -Final $0.54 each

(1) Clorox Bleach 92oz $2.59 – Store Coupon $2.29, $0.25/1 tripled SS 08/21/11

            -Final $1.54

(2) Whole Wheat Grands Biscuits $1.99 – Store coupon $0.99, $0.30 tripled Printable NLA

            -Final $0.54 each

(2) International Delight Creamer 30oz $3.39 – Store Coupon $2.49

            -Final $2.49 each

(1) 409 Cleaner $4.19 – Store Coupon $1.99, $0.50 Doubled SS 08/21/11

            -Final $0.99

I spent $11.91 and saved $13.13 on $25.04 retail. I knew how much it was going to be before I checked out. I forgot the $0.30 Grands coupon was going to be tripled so my total was less.This was a nice surprise at check out.

Kroger - Mega Event

1 lb. Chilis $1.59

2 .15lbs Grapes @0.99 lbs. - $2.13

(2) Raspberries $1.25 each

(1) 6 count Whole Wheat Sub Sandwich Bread $1.00

(4) Kettle Chips $2.49 – 4 $1/1 Kettle Chips RP 08/07/11

            -Final $1.49 each

(1) Nutella Spread $3.49 - $1/1 Nutella Printable

            -Final $2.49

(1) Hormel Ham lunchmeat $2.99 – MEI

            -Final $2.49

(3) Old El Paso Taco Shells $1.48 – MEI, $0.60/3 Kroger eQ

            -Final $0.78 each

(1) Old El Paso Taco Seasoning $0.82 – B2 OEP Taco Shells, G1 OEP Seasoning FREE Peelie

            -Final FREE

(1) Bounty Napkins $2.69 – MEI, $0.25/1 Tripled P&G 08/28/11

            -Final $1.44

(4) Ocean Spray Juice $2.49 – MEI, $0.55/1 $0.55 SS 05/15/11

            -Final $1.44 each

(1) Enviro Kids Cereal $2.49 – MEI, $.50/1 doubled ALL YOU Aug 11

            -Final $0.99

(1) Vans Waffles $2.49 – MEI, $.50/1 doubled Facebook Printable

            -Final $0.99

(4) Herdez Salsa $1.99 – MEI

            -Final $1.49 each

(5) Del Monte Tomatoes $1.00 – MEI

            -Final $0.50 each

 I won $1.00 off the spin and win wheel and had that taken off my final order. I spent $37.56 and saved $42.91 on $80.47 retail. The raspberries were not a planned item. I got them, since they were on sale for $1.25 each. I try to buy fresh produce when I can. I wash then freeze these to use in smoothies and muffins later in the year.

I went back to Tom Thumb to get a couple of items. They will only double or triple one coupon so since this is on my way back from taking my son to preschool I will stop by to pick up a few things to get the most savings.

I got:

(2) Whole Wheat Grands Biscuits $1.99 – Store coupon $0.99, $0.30 tripled Printable NLA

            -Final $0.54 each

(1) 409 Cleaner $4.19 – Store Coupon $1.99, $0.50 Doubled SS 08/21/11

            -Final $0.99

I spent $2.15 saved $6.12 on $8.27 retail. Saving 75% this time.

I spent $56.30 and saved $70.65 on $126.95 retail. How did you do this week? Did you get any freebies or great deals? Link up to share your deals with everyone below!

Thoughts for thursday

With hurricane Irene last week hitting the East Coast, I thought to myself, how prepared am I for an emergency? Have you thought about this? Here are a few things you may want to gather to make sure you are prepared for anything that may happen.

 

Water

Food

Batteries

Glow sticks

Matches/ or magnifying glass

Duct Tape

Manual can opener

Someone to call

What situation do you need to prepare for? How long could you be without water or electricity? Make sure you have at least three 20oz bottles of water for each person in your home for two to three days. After two or three days you should be able to get help and be able to obtain more water if needed. You may also look into getting water purification tablets or a solar powered water purification device and have bleach on hand. You can use 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water to disinfect water. Shake and let it stand for 30 min.

Do you have enough food to eat if you do not have electricity or gas to cook? Since I stockpile my food, the answer to this is a resounding YES. We could even cook outside for a while with propane or wood on the grill or smoker. I think we would survive for at least a month if I could not buy any more food from the store. Be sure you have a manual can opener to open any can goods you may have in case the electricity is out.


Do you have enough batteries for your flashlight or candles if the electricity goes out? We have been purchasing only rechargeable batteries for every battery we replace. This may be a little more expensive, but we are not putting many batteries back into the environment as our kids use them up like candy for all their toys. I think we have replaced nearly every battery at least once. We have a set in the drawer that has been charged for each battery type, AA, AAA, D, C and 9 volt just in case they are needed. I am considering purchasing a solar battery charger for just in case such an emergency is needed. They even have solar powered battery chargers for your phone. I am thinking of getting one of these as well.


Someone to call to check in to let them know you are OK and to spread the word to everyone else. This is a good idea to have someone to call and then they can post on social media or get the word to others to let everyone know you are OK and survived. This also helps relieve the phone lines of unnecessary calls. The lines will be free for emergencies from others who truly may need help.


If you do not have a kit all put together, you should make a list of the items you would want to bring or collect in case of an emergency. Also keep this list in a convenient place like taped to a kitchen cabinet where everyone in the house knows where it is.


Do you have any other items you think are a must for an emergency kit? Do you already have and emergency kit packed?

Friday Finals

CVS 08/23/11

(1) Kraft Miracle Whip Salad Dressing $2.00

(1) Hydro 5 blade 4 pack $8.49 – Printed $5.00 ECB

(4) Skippy Peanut butter $1.66 Raincheck

Used:

$5.00 ECB

$1/1 Kraft Mayo RP or SS in August

$2/1 Hydro Blade multipack

2 $1/2 Skippy peanut butter RP 07/31/11

I paid $7.13 and saved $23.51 on $30.64 retail from CVS.

Wal-Mart 08/24/11

I wanted to stock up on a few items at Walmart that normally don’t have coupons for like beans. We make a lot of beans for the winter, and I am thinking of starting a fall garden. I would have purchased more wipes, but that is all they had.

(1) Strawberries - $1.68

(1) Navy beans 1lb. - $1.00

(1) Black beans 1lb. - $1.00

(1) Pinto beans 1 lb. - $0.78

(1) Red Kidney beans 1lbs - $1.36

(1) Lentils 1lb. - $0.92

(1) Pull ups $9.47 – I forgot my coupon for these

(4) Pull ups wipes $1.64 – 4 $1/1 Q SS 08/14/11

            -Final $0.64 each

(1) All You Magazine $2.49 – $0.25/1 10% off RP 06/19/11

            -Final $2.24

(2) Eight ‘O Clock Coffee - $4.88 – I didn’t give him my Q for $2/2 for the coffee

I paid $30.77 and saved $4.25 for $35.02 retail. Obviously I was not on my ‘A’ game when checking out at Wal-Mart this time. I could have used the extra $3.50 I would have saved had I use my coupons. Darn. Oh well I have them for next time.

Kroger Mega Event 08/25/11

Ok due to my coupon mess up at Wal-mart I curtailed my spending at Kroger. I did some research while I was at the store to plan for another shopping trip next Tuesday before the Mega event ends. MEI = Mega Event Item $0.50 off

(1) Gallon Milk $2.39

(2) Sunny D $0.99 – MEI, 2 $0.25 Tripled SS 08/07/11

            -Final $0.24 each

(8) Del Monte Tomatoes $0.50 – MEI

            -Final $0.50 each

(2) Nesquik Chocolate Drink Mix $1.09 – 2 $0.50/1 doubled RP 06/05/11

            -Final $0.09 each

(2) Aunt Annies Mac and Cheese $1.00 – 1 $1/2 Q Catalina Printed

            -Final $0.50 each

(4) Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade $1.00 – 4 $0.50/1 doubled RP 07/24/11

            -Final FREE

I spent $8.09 and saved $24.32 on $32.41 retail worth of groceries 75% savings. I even bought real food this time. I am stocking up on tomatoes for this winter. I make lots of soups, stews and chilis. We will need the tomatoes for those items.

All together this week I spent $45.99 on groceries and diapers and saved $52.08. How did you do this week? Any great savings? What Freebies did you find. Share your trips here so we can all learn together. LINK UP below

Meals

Are you getting in the back to school mode yet? I am there and trying to figure out fun lunch ideas for my daughter. Sandwiches everyday is not going to cut it. I just thought of something today and tested it in my kitchen. I call it Cheesy Bread.

I normally buy the 9 grain or whole wheat fresh baked bread that is discounted in the back of the store. I freeze this and we take it out as we need it and warm it up in the toaster. This bread is smaller than the average size loaf I use a couple of more slices than I would the average loaf.

First place the bread in the toaster. You want it to be nice and dry and crunchy. Then I placed some shredded cheese and sprinkled some parmesan on top. I put it in the microwave for 1 minute or until the cheese is nice and bubbly. Then I take it out and let it cool. You can cut it up into bite size pieces or leave as is. Then I put some pasta sauce in a small dish to dunk the slices. This was delicious. It was just like pizza, but the bread doesn’t get soggy with the sauce. I am definitely doing this again.

A small variation could be adding some Italian spices to the top of the cheese or adding different cheeses.

I hope you enjoy.

Money saving Monday

I have been extremely busy last week getting ready for school and planning a 2 year old birthday party. Everything went really well. I can now get back into my blog and keep all of you updated with everything that is going on. My toe/foot is still broken. This has slowed me down tremendously this past week. That is why I have been away from blogging. I just didn’t have time.

I am trying to find structure and organization in my life. Slowly but surely we are getting there. We finally purchased some shelves from Ikea for the play room upstairs and everything is off the floor and put away. My husband is now kicking himself wondering why didn’t we do this sooner. I have been asking for the past three years for these shelves. Everything has a place and the kids know where everything goes and can pick it up very quickly. This has brought some much needed peace and serenity back to the home.

 My daughter has the same teacher she had in first grade for her fourth grade teacher this year. She is very excited. My son is in preschool and loves going on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 2 year old is sleeping and the big one is at her first day of school. This is the quietest my house has been in a while. I really miss her today. Within the past two weeks she has been an angel and I have really enjoyed being with her.

I am going to be more diligent in writing and keeping up with my blog. I haven’t even been that great with my budget lately. So we are going to be giving this a shot and I will keep you informed where to find good deals, how to save money, freebies and much more.

Friday Finals

To start things off this week had been pretty good until yesterday. I seem to have broken my pinky toe on my left foot. It hurts so badly. I am sitting typing to you with an ice pack on my blue and purple toe. Thank goodness it is summer and I can get away with wearing flip flops everywhere; however, it is a challenge with a very active two year old. With all of his toys lying around the floor has made for an exciting time trying to navigate through the house without hitting my toe on anything.

Kroger Shopping 08/10/11

(4) Domino Brown Sugar $0.62 on clearance

(2) Domino Confectioner Sugar $0.62 on clearance

(3) Loaves Bread Discount Bin

(1) Pine Sol $1.89

(1) Coke 20 oz. $1.59 – 1 Q for Free Coke for using Recycle machine outside Kroger

            -FREE

(5) Yoplait Yogurt 4 Pack $1.88 – 5 $0.50/1 Q doubled 4 Pack Yoplait Yogurt

            -$0.88 each or $0.22 each cup

(1) Kroger Multigrain Chips $2.50 - $0.40/1 Kroger eQ

            -Final $2.10

(4) Welch’s Jelly $1.99 – 4 $0.35 tripled Welch’s Jelly

            -Final $0.94 each

(2) David Sunflower seeds $1.00 - $1/2 All You Magazine

            -Final $0.50 each

(1) Energizer 4 pack AA batteries $9.03 - $1/1 Energizer batteries

            -Final $8.03

I spent $28.00 and saved $20.71 on $48.71 retail. We have been buying Rechargeable batteries to replace all of our batteries. These are just a few dollars more and you can get many more uses out of them instead of throwing them away after one use. We feel this is better for the environment.

CVS Shopping

CVS did not go as planned at all. I didn’t have enough items to qualify for my $5/$25 so I went back to get a couple of things and I still didn’t have enough after check out. Since I was in pain from my toe, I just checked out and left. This has left me a little over budget this week.

(2) Herbal Essence Shampoo and conditioner $2.49

(1) Maybelline Mascara $4.99

(2) Edge Shave Gel $1.99

(1) Pampers EZ ups $8.99

(1) Candy $0.33

Coupons used:

2 $1/1 Herbal Essence Shampoo or conditioner

2 $.55/1 Edge Shave cream

1 $1/1 Maybelline mascara

$1/1 CVS Maybelline

ECBs Used:

$5.00 ECBs

ECB received:

$5.00

I spent $14.25 and saved $8.68 on $22.93 retail. I thought I had a $2.00 off pampers diapers however it was for 60 count or larger that didn’t work. I didn’t get to my $25.00 mark and I received rain checks on several items they were out of. I am not very happy about this trip today.

Tom Thumb Shopping

(10) Pepperidge Farm Goldfish 2 for $4 – $1.00 each Tom Thumb Coupon

            -Final $1.00 each – for birthday

(1) Odwalla drink $1.99 - $0.35/1 tripled  All You

            -Final $0.94

(2) International Delight Creamer $3.29 - $2.48 Tom Thumb Q

            -Final $2.48 each

(4) Nature Valley Granola Bars $2.99 - $1.78 Tom Thumb Q, $0.75/2 Q

            -Final $1.41 each

I paid $23.76 and saved $27.13 on $50.89 retail. The Goldfish is not counting against my weekly totals. These are for my sons Elmo Birthday party with a crayon and goldfish theme. These will be favors and snacks at the party. I am so excited. I can’t wait.

How did you do with your shopping trips this week? LINK UP below

Tips for Tuesday

I am reposting this article, since it was so popular a couple of months ago.

With many of us couponing or trying to save money we need to stretch those box meals a little further. For me a simple box meal just doesn’t feed all five of us.  I like to have leftovers for little face and me for lunch the next day. It is easier to decide what we will eat and I don’t have to make a big meal just for two people.

I would like to share with you a few ideas I have for adding flavor to boxed meals without adding sodium. The sodium content of these is amazingly high. I try not to feed these to my family very often, but they are better than buying fast food for five of us. I will do it in a pinch.

The best thing to add to any meal is an onion. I can purchase these for $0.49 lbs. So I am only adding $0.49 extra cost to my meal. I usually use ½ or 1 onion chopped and sautéed . This adds not only lots of flavor but around a ½ to 1 pound of food to the meal. The kids don’t even know it is in there, since most boxed meals have onion powder. Adding onion ramps up the flavor and increases the vegetables for the meal.

I also like to add carrots, especially to higher sodium meals. This will help decrease the salty taste in a meal. I will add around 1 or 2 peeled and either shredded, pureed or chopped finely. This is around ¼ to a ½ cup of carrots. What a sneaky way to enter extra veggies into the kids meals and they don’t even know. I like to add carrots to Sloppy Joes too. We just need a little more to make it stretch to feed all of us.

Corn is the next best thing to add to a meal. I find it goes well especially with Mexican dishes. I try to buy frozen when I can. Otherwise just open a can and pour it in. I like the cream style corn with the Asian Rice a Roni. Use the water from the can for the water to add to the dish. This will add just a little more flavor than just regular water. I will also save the water from the corn and use this for soups later.

Try adding peas to a meal. If you or your kids don’t like the taste of peas try pureeing them and add that to the meal. You won’t see them or taste them either. I like to add peas to fried rice and canned soups.

Beans can be added for extra protein to any dish. I like black beans for Mexican dishes. Sometimes I will add both corn and black beans to stretch a meal.

Try adding a little of two or three of the above mentioned vegetables to each meal to see what you can come up with and not change the taste too much. This is a fun experiment to try with your family. Try other vegetables you like to see what other combinations you can come up with. Look at the box and see what dehydrated veggies are already in there and add the real thing. This is a great way to stretch a meal for just a few pennies per meal.

Do you normally add anything to a box meal? What are your favorite recipes to add veggies to? What Veggies do you add?

*Photos provided courtesy of Wikipedia